San Fernando

Travel Guide

San Fernando featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
San Fernando
San Fernando which includes a garden
San Fernando featuring a garden, heritage elements and a square or plaza
San Fernando

“La Isla del Sur” is a beautiful town off the coast of Cadiz with fascinating historical buildings and proximity to a vast natural park.

Although it is actually a peninsula in the heart of the Bay of Cadiz, San Fernando is often called “The Island of the South.”. This historic town of well-preserved old buildings is surrounded by a protected coastal wetland habitat. Go on long walks through the scenic countryside and visit places where Spanish history was made.

Explore the Castle of Romualdo, close to the center of town. The 13th-century structure is a ribat, an Islamic building used as a place of worship and as a fortress. Go on a guided tour of the Royal Institute and Observatory of the Navy, which was established in 1753 and lays claim to being the oldest astronomical observatory in the country.

Visit the Plaza del Rey for the Casa Consistorial, a magnificent neoclassical building that serves as the town hall. The first Supreme Court of Spain was founded here, in 1813. Go to the Main Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where in 1810 the representatives of the first Constitutional Court in Spain were sworn in. Discover more of the city's past inside the Municipal History Museum of San Fernando and the San Fernando Naval Museum.

San Fernando’s historical attractions are only a part of its charms. There is also a lot of beautiful scenery to explore in the Bahia de Cadiz Natural Park that surrounds the town. Hike through a landscape of marshes, salt flats and dunes and head to the beaches of the Playa de Camposoto and the Playa de Levante for watersports, swimming and sunbathing. Nestled in a part of Spain that receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per annum, San Fernando's beaches can be enjoyed for at least 6 months of the year.

Witness more of nature's beauty in the Botanical Garden of San Fernando, a showcase of plants that grow in different environments in the province of Cadiz.

From the Spanish mainland take a bus, train, taxi or rental car to reach San Fernando, a destination of outstanding scenery and fascinating buildings from the past.

Where to stay in San Fernando

Default Image

Centro Comercial Bahía Sur

One reason travelers love spending time in Centro Comercial Bahía Sur is the stunning beaches, and Golfo de Cádiz is a top place to visit.

Centro Comercial Bahía Sur
Hotel Salymar
Hotel Salymar
4 out of 5
Calle Real, 32, San Fernando, Cadiz
$57 nightly
The price is $71 total per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
$71 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Fernando. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa de la Victoria ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (183 reviews)
"Lovely and very clean hotel. Room was super small, but it was very clean. The staff was wonderful and helpful. The small cooler/fridge was very useful, just enough for keeping the water slightly cool, from room temperatures. Stayed with my son and we will return. MD"

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2025

Hotel Salymar
Hotel Cádiz Bahía by Q Hotels
Hotel Cádiz Bahía by Q Hotels
4 out of 5
Glorieta Ana Orantes 5, Cádiz
$113 nightly
The price is $124 total per night from May 25 to May 26
$124 total
May 25 - May 26
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cádiz. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (463 reviews)
"upmarket beach location"

Reviewed on May 22, 2025

Hotel Cádiz Bahía by Q Hotels
Hotel Puertobahia & Spa
Hotel Puertobahia & Spa
4 out of 5
Avenida Paz 38, Playa Valdelagrana, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz
$86 nightly
The price is $95 total per night from May 25 to May 26
$95 total
May 25 - May 26
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in El Puerto de Santa Maria. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (611 reviews)
"Beautiful place"

Reviewed on May 4, 2025

Hotel Puertobahia & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bungalows Bahia Sur
Bungalows Bahia Sur
3 out of 5
Cano Herrera, S/N, San Fernando
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in San Fernando. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa de la Victoria and ...
"When we get there the gave to us the keys of the bungalow and when we get there i seen few issues with the bungalow like in the kitchen one of the furniture has a screw out so any childreb could hurt with it very easy… the table ok the living complety broke with the wood stike out so again the children ..."

Reviewed on Aug 27, 2021

Bungalows Bahia Sur
Plaza de la Luz Cádiz
Plaza de la Luz Cádiz
3 out of 5
C/ Corralón de los Carros, 62, Cádiz, Cadiz
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Cádiz. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 beach bars, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (771 reviews)
"The rooms were in good order but lacked a personal touch. The rooms felt cold and sparse. The hotel reception staff were excellent and very attentive. We went for an Indian meal at the Bollywood restaurant. IT WAS NOT THE BEST EXPERIENCE. My wife was ill throughout the night and I had a stomach upset ..."

Reviewed on May 20, 2025

Plaza de la Luz Cádiz
Aparthotel ILUNION Sancti Petri
Aparthotel ILUNION Sancti Petri
4 out of 5
Carretera Loma de Sancti Petri, Chiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Chiclana de la Frontera. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, breakfast (surcharge), and a free beach shuttle. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (159 reviews)
"Expedia could have done a better job representing this property. Was budget, old, dirty and not in a good location. Staff were helpful , lots of better places available in this area to choose from."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024

Aparthotel ILUNION Sancti Petri
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of San Fernando

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love San Fernando, Cadiz its were my mother was born & our home town. I still have family there today and always will.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love San Fernando its were my mother was born. I try to visit once a year when I can.

Cities near San Fernando