La Taberna del Chef del Mar

Relaxed guesthouse offering quirky rooms & a shared kitchen, plus a terrace & beach umbrellas. Set in a 19th-century house, this eclectic guesthouse is a 2-minute walk from the medieval Castillo de San Marcos, 1 km from Puerto Santa María train station, and 5 km from Playa de Valdelagrana along the Bay of Cádiz. The whimsical rooms provide free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning and/or ceiling fans. Some also add direct patio access, balconies, exposed ceiling beams and/or stonework. All come with en suite, private or shared bathrooms; those with shared facilities have in-room sinks. There’s a common kitchen, a garden terrace, and loaner beach towels and umbrellas. Amenities offered for a fee include a beverage bar and a breakfast buffet.

At Mesón del Asador, meat lovers can indulge in expertly grilled selections, from sizzling brochettes to delectable tapas, all served in a lively atmosphere.

Casual property offering low-key rooms, some with balconies, as well as a cafe/bar with a terrace. A 4-minute walk from Río Guadalete, this relaxed hotel on a cobblestone street in the historic center is 11 minutes' walk from the main train station and 6 minutes' walk from the medieval Castillo de San Marcos. Unpretentious rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Upgraded rooms add balconies. Room service is available. A breakfast buffet (surcharge) is served in a simple dining room. There's also a laid-back cafe/bar, which has a terrace, as well as an exercise room, a reading room, and a computer for guest use.

Low-key budget hotel offering simple rooms, plus an outdoor plunge pool, a hot tub & a casual bar. A 12-minute walk from Puntilla Beach, this unassuming budget hotel is 4 km from the medieval Castle of San Marcos and 5 km from Puerto Santa María train station. The 10 straightforward rooms provide free Wi-Fi and TVs. Some have terraces. Room service is available 24/7. Amenities include a low-key bar, an outdoor plunge pool and a hot tub. There's also a garden and a terrace. Bike rentals can be arranged, and parking is available.

Lively hotel with a spa & wellness area, plus an indoor pool, a terrace & an informal restaurant. This sophisticated hotel is 1.6 km from the Castle of San Marcos and 3.4 km from Puerto Sherry. The modest rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars, along with room service and garden views. Upgraded rooms add pull-out sofas and balconies or terraces. An informal restaurant offers buffet dining and an a la carte menu, plus a bar and a terrace. There's also a heated indoor pool, as well as a spa, and wellness area with a whirlpool tub, a steam room and gardens.

Refined hostal in a converted palace, offering polished rooms & suites, plus an interior courtyard. Set in a converted 18th-century palace, this refined hostal is a 2-minute walk from the Museo Arqueológico Municipal, a 4-minute walk from the Castle of San Marcos and 2 km from Playa De La Puntilla. Elegant rooms feature desks, minibars, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Some offer period features such as exposed wood beams and/or 4-poster beds. Suites add sitting areas, and an upgraded suite has a Nespresso machine and a private pool. Continental breakfast is available for a surcharge and served in an airy, interior courtyard that features marble columns.

Beneath elegant brick arches, Bodegas Osborne's stylish space serves up refined tapas and exceptional wines, making it a must-visit for food lovers.

Nestled in a stylish villa surrounded by lush gardens, this standout restaurant serves innovative Andalusian tasting menus and delightful tapas.

Traditional apartments in a 17th-century property with a courtyard, a terrace & a tapas bar. Set in a stately 17th-century mansion, and a 7-minute walk from the Castle of San Marcos, this old-world, Baroque-style apartment hotel is 0.9 km from Puerto Santa María train station and 22 km from Cádiz Cathedral. The airy, traditional apartments feature kitchens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, as well as laundry facilities and pull-out sofas. Amenities include a courtyard and a sunbathing terrace, as well as a lounge area with a library, and an informal tapas bar.

Simple rooms in a 17th-century, Moorish-style building, plus free high-speed Internet. In an airy, Moorish-style building dating from the 17th century, this laid-back hotel in the Costa de la Luz overlooks the Guadalete River, and is 3 km from Valdelagrana Beach. Set around an interior courtyard, the snug, straightforward rooms offer flat-screen TVs and complimentary high-speed Internet. Amenities include a quaint guest lounge, and continental breakfast for a surcharge. Pets are welcome by prior arrangement.