Torre Tavira — Attraction in Cádiz

Torre Tavira, along with the Cathedral bell tower, offers the best views of Cadiz. You'll see a whole different perspective of the city from above. The tower itself is one of over 140 watchtowers in Cadiz and is located close to the market. What makes it unique is it also the home of the first Camera Obscura in Spain - a combination of a telescope and mirrors/lenses that allow real time images to be projected onto a circular screen inside. The first two levels of the tower have exhibitions and information on the history of the camera obscura and Cadiz in the 18th century. The third level houses the camera obscura itself, and above is a fantastic rooftop terrace with uninterrupted views of the entire city. To visit the tower you'll need to make a reservation online. Due to the pandemic numbers are tightly controlled. I booked the night before and had no problems but in peak tourist season you might need to book further in advance. The tower is open between 10am - 6pm October - April and 10am - 8pm May - September. The price is 7 euros. You'll typically spend about 30-40 minutes here. 15 minutes consists of viewing the camera obscura with a guide that will explain how it works and show you a 360 degree live view of Cadiz. They also point out many of the main attractions of Cadiz and explain the differences between the 4 main types of towers. Some of the points of interest are impossible to see from anywhere on the streets including the oldest tower. The rest of the time you are free to look at the exhibitions and view the city from the roof terrace. I was booked on the Spanish speaking tour but the guide spoke both Spanish...

Plz double check at the ticket office if they do the English tour. I made a reservation for English tour via website, but they changed the schedule all of sudden and then didn't give me the English tour... On the tour day, they called me in Spanish and said the tour time has been changed. I understood that much of easy spanish, so i said it is okay. When i visited the tower, they all knew that i can't speak good spanish, so they talked to me in English. Yet, they only gave the tour in Spanish. I didnt want to bother all the other people in there, so i waited til the 20 minutes long tour... Of course, i couldn't understand any... I asked why they only provided Spanish tour, and then the guide said "this session isn't for English tour. you should check if it is in English or Spanish." So i said "but i made a reservation for it via your website and you guys changed the time." She said that "i know nothing about how the website works. You should check to the front first." But... Really? "I" should have checked? Why don't you tell us at least once that it isn't for English guide tour while you asking about where we are from in English because we couldn't understand your Spanish? View was good, but i was so disappointed how unprofessional they are... i mean, the ticket is 7 euros per each... With no English guide, it is...

A visit to Torre Tavira is a quintessential experience, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a fascinating glimpse into the past through its camera obscura. The tower itself is a remarkable piece of architecture, dating back to the 18th century and boasting a unique design that maximizes its viewing potential. While the views from the top are incredible, the real highlight of the experience lies in the camera obscura. This ingenious device projects a real-time image of the city onto a large concave screen, creating a magical and immersive viewing experience. To fully appreciate the camera obscura, I highly recommend reserving a guided tour. The knowledgeable guide provide insightful commentary and historical context, making the experience even more enriching. Whether you're a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or simply seeking a breathtaking view of Andalusia, a visit to Torre Tavira is an...