Museo de Cadiz (Museum of Cadiz), Cadiz

Housed in a neoclassical building the Museum of Cádiz is the city’s premier cultural institution, uniting archaeology, fine art, and ethnography across three well-curated floors. The museum was officially established in 1970 through the merger of two 19th-century institutions, one focused on archaeology and the other on fine arts, and now offers visitors a sweeping journey from ancient Phoenician artefacts to 20th-century Spanish painting.

The ground floor showcases archaeological treasures, most notably the 5th-century BC Phoenician sarcophagi, including the famed Lady of Cádiz. Roman-era finds from Baelo Claudia, Medina Sidonia, and Gades provide further insight into the region’s classical past.

Upstairs, the fine arts collection includes masterworks by Zurbarán, Murillo, Rubens, and other Baroque giants, while the top floor hosts the charming Tía Norica puppets, a beloved part of Carnival heritage.