Roman Theatre of Cádiz
The Roman Theatre of Cádiz, built in the 1st century BC in the El Pópulo quarter, is the oldest Roman theatre known in Spain and, at about 118 metres across, the second largest.
About Roman Theatre of Cádiz
The Roman Theatre of Cádiz was built for Lucius Cornelius Balbus the Younger in the 1st century BC, in the city of Gades. It lay hidden under the medieval El Pópulo quarter until 1980, when digs for the old Castillo de la Villa found its seating. About 118 metres across and seating some 10,000, it is the oldest Roman theatre known in the Iberian Peninsula and the second largest after Córdoba's.
The interpretation centre explains the theatre and Roman Gades with panels, models, finds and a short film. Glass panels in the floor reveal parts of the stage and orchestra, and large windows look over the excavated tiers. When fully open, the route continues into the vaulted gallery and onto a walkway across the lower seating.
Entry is free with no booking, but only 15 people are admitted at a time. Works awarded in December 2025, worth €2.8 million and lasting about 20 months, are restoring the Posada del Mesón and the entrance; meanwhile access to the ruins is restricted, while the centre stays open. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
From April to September it opens Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 17:00, and from October to March 10:00 to 16:30; Sundays are 10:00 to 14:00. It closes on the first Monday of each month. Mornings are quietest, and it makes a shaded stop on a hot day.
Roman Theatre of Cádiz in pictures
What you’ll find
- Archaeological siteRuins visit (10:00–16:30)Ticket
- ExhibitionExhibition visit (10:00–16:30)Ticket
- Free entryFree visitFree
- Visitor centreVisitor information (10:00–16:30)Free
Nearby places to visit
Cádiz Cathedral (200 m) stands just in front of the theatre, and its ticket includes the tower climb for a view back over El Pópulo. The Lithographic Workshop Museum (500 m) and the Cádiz Museum (750 m), with its Phoenician sarcophagi, complete a morning in the old town. Playa Santa María del Mar (750 m) is the nearest beach, while a 20-minute walk west leads to Playa de la Caleta (1.1 km) and the sea forts of Castillo de Santa Catalina, Cádiz (1.4 km) and Castillo de San Sebastián, Cádiz (2 km).
Roman Theatre of Cádiz at a glance
Location
Bahía de Cádiz, Cádiz
Town
Cádiz
Address
Calle Mesón 11-13 (Barrio del Pópulo), 11005 Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
Opening hours
1 Apr–30 Sep: Mon–Sat 11:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–14:00. 1 Oct–31 Mar: Mon–Sat 10:00–16:30, Sun 10:00–14:00. Closed first Monday of each month and some holidays; no entry in the last 15 minutes.
Prices
Free; maximum 15 visitors at a time
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
juntadeandalucia.es/aaiicc/enclaves/enclave-arqueologico-teatro-romano-de-cadiz
Phone
+34 616 001 797
More places nearby
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