From all cities around Spain, Cadiz is just the icing on the cake! Being the oldest city in Europe, history is everywhere, as well as the sea, no matter where you look. I couldn’t be more delighted when I discovered this place. Friendly people, amazing food, beautiful places along the coast and the most important thing, it’s so cheap!
Here is my advice, if you ever end up going to Spain forget the main cities, I’m sure you can do that another time, go straight to Andalucía, a beautiful region that has such a variety of sceneries that you won’t believe a city is just an hour away from the other. That was for me pure Spanish culture, entertainment and good old days!
Alright, Cádiz, here I go again!
Must do
Everything is a must-do in this place, but having a swim in La Caleta beach probably is mandatory. That’s where the movie “007: Die Another Day” was filmed and I couldn’t agree more with them; the views are just astonishing. Besides, it’s important to consider Phoenicians and Romans used to frequent this place as a natural harbour, who knows how many centuries ago. And it’s still there, hasn’t lost a bit!
What do you like best about Cadiz?
What I love about Cádiz is the Cathedral. An immense building just in the middle of the plaza on one side, but on the other one almost touching the Atlantic Sea that surrounds it. I also enjoy walking around the seafront so I could stop for a minute and observe some of the most interesting and colourful buildings I’ve ever seen. You could avoid the walking and simply have a beer there with some tapas if you prefer so. Just sitting down there it’s fascinating!
Best Walk in Cadiz
Imagine we are still at the Cathedral. If we walk all the way along the coast we will find some beautiful parks next to the water and we’ll see some different cities across the horizon. On the other hand, we could walk around its ancient streets which instantly makes you believe you are living an archaic dream. This city has some of the oldest places in Europe and you can immediately feel this way while walking around. If you look carefully wherever you walk you could normally find some signs that will tell you all about it. And the signs are pretty rusty too!
Best Restaurants in Cadiz
Cádiz is famous for being one of the best cities in Spain to eat fried fish (pescadito frito). They are specialised in fish here and it’s amazing! You could try all the different types of fish that you want to and I promise you the taste will be another level. Now, if you want to go wild trying the special fried fish of this region you’ll have a great time eating while having a glass of wine or beer. People here know well how to eat, but also to drink. You could try some local wines which could be sweet or dry, most of the times, and really delicious. This is an opportunity you’ll only find here in this particular place.
Best Places to Stay in Cadiz
Cadiz is a beautiful and historic city. I have added a few of the most popular places to stay in Cadiz and have tried to add some historic buildings. I have added links to TripAdvisor for better descriptions and customer reviews.
To check out a full list of Hotels for Cadiz and to get more details and to book
- Occidental Cadiz is close to landmarks such as El Populo (1.2 mi) and Catedral de Cadiz (1.3 mi). The rooms offer air conditioning and a minibar, and getting online is possible, as free wifi is available, allowing you to rest and refresh with ease.
- Hostal & Apartamentos Plaza de la Luz Cádiz won a TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Award for Cadiz. It is a family budget hotel.
- Hotel Convento Cadiz is located a handy walking distance from El Populo (0.2 mi) and Oratorio de San Felipe Neri (0.6 mi). Rooms provide a flat screen TV, a minibar, and air conditioning, and guests can stay connected with free wifi.
- Hotel La Catedral you will enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a minibar, and you can stay connected during your stay as Hotel La Catedral offers guests free wifi.
- Planeta Cadiz Hostel is located in the heart of Cadiz, in the Historic Center. Built in a stately house from the 19th century, it fuses history with modernity, creating a unique experience for our guests.
Best Music Festival
Did someone say carnival? If you want to have a lifetime experience you better go to Cádiz mid-February to have some fun, dress up and enjoy the craziest carnival you’ll ever see in your life. The whole city wears costumes and shows them around! They even have a contest where groups of people sing their own songs about social or controversial topics. This music festival is so worth to watch! It’s so much fun.
Best Nightlife
Wait for it my friends, nightlife never stops in this city. People could stay up until the next day if they want to. Nothing will be on their way and that’s why there are so many options! You could go clubbing if you are into some funny dances and a fan of reggaeton or you could go from one bar to another having uncountable drinks but always with something to eat next to you. Bartenders are really well trained here, so don’t worry about it and just make sure you are having the time of your life.
Best Day Trip Out of Cadiz
If you want to do some exploring, you could go anywhere between an hour or two and still be in the same province. But please make sure you rent a car when you get there because public transport could be a nightmare sometimes. Here are some suggestions for the best day trips out of the city.
Tarifa is the very end of the European Continent, and if you are lucky enough to get a sunny day you could see another continent from there, Africa. Just a few kilometres by ferry there it is, Morocco! You could also enjoy the beach, do some windsurf, kite-surf, but surf? Not really, only the first two because I guarantee you the wind will blow you away! Tarifa is such an amazing spot!
Vejer is this unbelievable small village that is literally on the top of a mountain. And people live there happily. But you want to know why? Because they have one of the most virgin beaches that still last around Spain down the mountain. This beach is called Los Caños de Meca. And there is nothing around it, just a beautiful lighthouse in the middle of sand dunes that will take your breath away. You can swim, have a drink, walk around the lighthouse and some other beaches around or even have a look at the many jewellery artists that normally live about.
Something that not many travellers would know about Cadiz
Cádiz is a city that basically lives by and for tourism, but here is the funny thing, only a few people know about it! So, if you are one of those that loves history, a nice glass of wine and having a good time walking around the beach this is the place for you! I’m sure you won’t regret it! This place is just unique!
10 Interesting facts about Cadiz
- Cádiz is a city located in southwestern Spain, in the province of Cádiz. It is the capital of the province and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain.
- Cádiz has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to ancient times. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC and was later conquered by the Romans.
- Cádiz is known for its beautiful beaches, with a long stretch of sandy coastline along the Bay of Cádiz. The city is also a popular destination for water sports, including sailing, surfing, and windsurfing.
- Cádiz is home to a number of historic landmarks, including the Cádiz Cathedral, the Torre Tavira, and the Castillo de San Sebastián.
- The city has a thriving food and drink scene, with many restaurants, bars, and cafes serving traditional Andalusian cuisine. Cádiz is also known for its production of sherry, a type of fortified wine.
- Cádiz is home to a number of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the Cádiz Carnival, the Feria de Agosto, and the Semana Santa.
- The city is located near a number of nature reserves, including the Doñana National Park and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park.
- Cádiz is a popular destination for golfers, with several golf courses located in the surrounding area.
- The city is home to a number of sporting clubs and facilities, including the Cádiz Football Club and the Cádiz Marathon.
- Cádiz has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. The city is also home to a number of music festivals, including the Cádiz Jazz Festival and the Cádiz Flamenco Festival.