Settled over 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians and said to be the oldest city in Western Europe, Cadiz holds plenty of history within its grasp. Set on a peninsula surrounded by the sea with an intriguing Old Town area enclosed by stone walls and forts, grand avenues leading to the port area and plenty to see and do, Cadiz is always an appealing holiday destination.
Planning your trip to Cadiz
In the planning stage of your trip, you’ll find that there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Ranging from great hostels and bed and breakfasts to self-catering apartments. Hotel choices are vast with wallet-friendly options all the way through to luxury hotels. The choice on offers means it’s easy to select somewhere that’s right for you.
Old Town attractions
You won’t have to look hard to find entertainment and attractions, not to mention a very healthy dousing of culture and history in the Old Town area. With charming, narrow cobbled streets reminiscent of its long past and packed with mystery, there are plenty of delights to be seen.
The impressive cathedral with its distinctive yellow dome is a particularly famed spot. Climb to the top of the Poniente Tower for a great start to your day of sightseeing with fantastic views across the city and out over the sea. Alternatively, standing at 45m above sea level and dating back to the 18th century, Tavira Tower is the tallest watchtower in the city and equally impressive views can be enjoyed from the top.
Don’t miss the churches
The churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri are deserved of a visit too with the former displaying numerous pieces of Francisco Goya’s art work. From here, head off for tours of Candelaria, San Sebastian and Santa Catalina Forts, all exceptionally important in the history of the city having protected it from numerous attacks but most notably from the British in 1596. There are plenty more sights such as the Roman Amphitheatre as well as other monuments and palaces to be seen too, nestled amongst the many striking plazas.
Explore the newer part of town
Once you’ve had your fill of history and culture in the old town, head over to explore the new portion of the city. A buzzing metropolis with plenty of cosmopolitan flair in contrast. Here you will see new apartment blocks and many shops, perfect for those who love a bit of shopping.
As with anywhere on the coast of sunny Spain, the beaches of Cadiz certainly sweeten the appeal. They are regarded as some of the best beaches in the country. It won’t take long to find them either. Wander around the city and most roads inevitably lead to the sea, no matter which direction you thought you were heading in. Relish the opportunity and soak up some rays on the golden sands of the particularly beautiful La Playa de la Caleta or La Playa de la Victoria in the new town.
Day trips galore
The excellent location of Cadiz means that are plenty of excellent day trips to be had; follow the trail into the rugged hills of Sierra de Cádiz on your search for Seville, the capital of the region. Famed for Flamenco dancing, the Jewish quarter and its many wonderful sights you might find that a day here perhaps may not be enough! A day trip to the city of Jerez de la Frontera is also easily doable, known also for Flamenco but also bull fighting.
This guide only scratches the surface of Cadiz; whilst it is a cliché, there is plenty more to see and do and any trip here will disappear in a very enjoyable flash!
