Alameda Apodaca y Marqués de Comillas

Alameda Apodaca y Marqués de Comillas is a historic garden promenade in Cádiz, laid out along the old city walls right above the bay. It has been one of the most popular gathering spots in the old town since at least the 17th century, though the garden layout visitors see today took shape during the 19th century.

Where exactly is it located?

The promenade runs along Marqués de Comillas street, following the stretch of fortified walls that faces the Bay of Cádiz. Because it sits on top of the old ramparts, the walkway is largely sheltered from the strong winds and storms common on this part of the Andalusian coast, while still offering open water views along almost its entire length.

Why does it have two names?

The name actually refers to two adjoining sections of the same promenade. The eastern stretch, Alameda Apodaca, honors Admiral Juan José Ruiz Apodaca, a naval figure with strong ties to Cádiz. The western stretch, Marqués de Comillas, is named after Claudio López Bru, the second Marqués de Comillas, a prominent Spanish businessman and patron from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A monument to him stands in this part of the garden, designed in 1919 by architect Antonio Parera y Saurina and topped with a winged Victory figure.

What will you actually see while walking through?

The garden's current appearance comes from a major renovation carried out between 1926 and 1927 by architect Juan Talavera y Heredia, working in an eclectic regionalist style. The path unfolds through a series of garden "rooms," planted with dense vegetation and furnished with benches and planters decorated in Sevillian ceramic tiles and wrought ironwork. Ornamental lampposts line the balustrade overlooking the water, marking the edge between the garden and the bay. At one end of the promenade stands the Baluarte de la Candelaria, a former defensive bastion that today functions as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances and Carnival events.

Is the garden a protected heritage site?

Yes. The Alameda Apodaca gardens are listed among Cádiz's Gardens of Cultural Interest, and in 2004 they were added to Andalusia's General Catalogue of Historical Heritage. That status reflects the site's double role: it functions as an everyday city park, but it is also a legally protected historic garden ensemble.

How should you spend time here?

The promenade is an open public space with no entry fee and no fixed visiting hours, so it can be walked at any time of day. A kiosk and a bar operate on site, making it easy to pause, sit facing the bay, and watch ships entering the harbor. Sunset is a particularly popular time to visit, when light reflects across the water of the bay. Because the Baluarte de la Candelaria sits right at one end of the route, it is worth checking beforehand whether an exhibition or cultural event is taking place there, so a walk through the gardens can be combined with a visit inside the bastion itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the garden? No. Alameda Apodaca y Marqués de Comillas is a free, publicly accessible city park with no set opening or closing times.

Where does the name come from? From two historical figures: Admiral Juan José Ruiz Apodaca, honored in the eastern section, and Claudio López Bru, the Marqués de Comillas, honored in the western section, where his monument stands.

What is there to see besides the greenery? The 1919 monument to the Marqués de Comillas, featuring a winged Victory sculpture, and the Baluarte de la Candelaria bastion at the end of the promenade, now used for exhibitions and cultural events.

Is the garden officially protected as heritage? Yes, it is included in Cádiz's Gardens of Cultural Interest catalogue and has been part of Andalusia's General Catalogue of Historical Heritage since 2004.