Cadiz, Spain – one of the most picturesque cities in the country, washed by the Atlantic Ocean from three sides at once. According to scientists, this is the oldest settlement in Europe, and the largest port of the XVI-XVII centuries.
General information
Cadiz is a city in the southwestern part of Spain. It is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. The population is 133,000. The total territory of the city is 12,100,000 m².
Cadiz has been claiming the title of the most ancient city of Europe for several years, because its history of the city began back in 1100 BC. – It was founded by the Phoenicians. On the territory of the city today there are ancient walls that historians attribute to different eras. The largest number of attractions dates from the XVII-XVIII centuries.
Cadiz is very popular with tourists, because this city managed to preserve its history and atmosphere. Here, as before, there are neither large glass offices, nor huge shopping centers – only narrow streets and snow-white houses of local residents.
sights
The sights of Cadiz in Spain are very diverse, and have come to us from different eras. Of greatest interest to tourists are ancient fortresses and other defensive structures.
The Tower of Tavira is just one of the 160 watch towers that once surrounded medieval Cadiz. The height of the attraction is 45 meters, and the whole city and the ocean are clearly visible from the upper gallery.
A landmark in the classical Andalusian style was built, and is one of the symbols of Cadiz. Now in the tower there is a small but very interesting museum:
- The ground floor of the attraction is the reception, a souvenir shop and a small hall for temporary exhibitions.
- On the second tier there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the tower and the unique pinhole camera – the forerunner of modern cameras and video cameras. The number of such devices in the world can be counted on the fingers, and tourists are always happy to listen to the history of this device.
- On the third floor of the attraction there is a small room with photographs of Cadiz and an observation deck with a beautiful view of the city.
- The fourth floor is a small room where the most important exhibit of Cadiz is stored – the camera obscura.
Tourists note that you should not expect too much from the museum, but for the sake of a gorgeous view of the city and a unique pinhole camera, this place is worth a visit.
- Location: Calle Marqués del Real Tesoro, 10, 11001 Cádiz, Spain.
- Opening hours: 10.00-18.00.
- Cost: 6 euros for adults and 5 for children and senior citizens.
- Official website: www.torretavira.com
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross is the main temple of Cadiz, located in the city center. This is a relatively new building, built in 1744 on the site of a burnt down cathedral. At the moment, the temple is considered one of the richest in Andalusia.
The building is noteworthy in that it combines the features of classicism, baroque and rococo. This confusion is due to the fact that architects constantly changed during the construction process, and everyone brought something new to the project.
The interior of the attraction is rather made in the neoclassical style: high Corinthian columns, a rather modestly decorated altar and large oval windows. Above the altar is the image of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, on which Francisco Villegas worked.
One of the most interesting parts of the Cathedral is the crypt, where many famous people of Spain are buried. So, here lie the poet Jose Maria Péman and composer Manuel Falla.
Tourists say that the attraction surprised them with their unusual architecture and the large number of rooms that you can visit.
- Location: Plaza de la Catedral, s / n, 11005 Cádiz, Spain.
- Opening hours: 09.00-18.00.
- Official website: www.catedraldecadiz.com
The Roman Theater of Cadiz is one of the most interesting places in the city, located near the Cathedral of Santa Cruz. In the 1st century BC. it was a huge amphitheater, which involved over 20 thousand people. The building has the shape of a horseshoe, which makes it very good acoustics.
Unfortunately, the theater was used for its intended purpose until the 4th century. AD After he fell into disrepair, and on the ruins of the sights began to build houses for local residents and the fortress. The Roman theater was discovered by accident – in 1980, the old factory was dismantled here, and stumbled upon ancient ruins.
Interestingly, this is the second largest Roman amphitheater in the world. In the first place – Cordoba, which accommodated 50 thousand people. This fact confirms the opinion of historians that at the beginning of our era Cadiz was a very powerful and important city on the map of Europe.
- Where to find: Calle Mesón, 11, 13, 11005 Cádiz, Spain.
- Open: 10.00-16.30, Sunday – from 10.00 to 14.00.
- Official website: www.juntadeandalucia.es
The central market of Cadiz is one of the few places where you can chat with local residents and experience the flavor of this port town. Shopping arcades are located in a very unusual building with Doric columns, which once again emphasizes the venerable age of Cadiz.
The range of products on the market is wide: here you can find vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products, sweets. Tourists recommend purchasing seafood and trying ready-made fruit salads.
Locals recommend buying here in the morning – all products are still fresh, and the choice is wide. By evening, most of the goods disappear from the shelves, and it’s unlikely to buy anything interesting. Also do not forget that the time from 15:00 to 18:30 is a siesta, and sellers go home.
- Location: Plaza de la Libertad, S / N, 11005 Cádiz, Spain.
- Schedule: 09.00-16.00, 18.30-23.00. On Monday, the market is open only in the evening, on Sunday – from 12.00 to 17.00.
Yacimiento Arqueologico Gadir is one of the largest and most informative archaeological museums in Spain, dedicated to the rich history of Cadiz. The most interesting and popular part of the museum is the conserved layer of land that archaeologists once found during excavations. The foundations of the first buildings in Cadiz, the traditional Dorian and Corinthian pillars are clearly visible on it.
No less interesting are the ancient sculptural compositions that were found both on the territory of Cadiz and brought from Egypt and Rome.
Before visiting the museum (which, incidentally, is free of charge), tourists recommend a little study of the history of Spain in order to better understand what is presented in the museum. The disadvantages of this attraction travelers include the lack of audio guides and plates in Russian (all information is presented only in Spanish and English).
- Location: Calle San Miguel, 15, 11001 Cádiz, Spain.
- Opening hours: 11.00-13.00, 16.00-19.00, Monday – day off.
Genoves Park appeared on the map of Cadiz at the beginning of the XVIII century. At first it was a small promenade on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, created by locals for evening walks. For decades, it was constantly rebuilt, new plants planted and sculptures installed.
The landmark gained its present appearance at the end of the 19th century, when the landscape designer Jeronimo Henoves i Puig created a miraculous park, unlike other green corners of Europe. Today, the garden bears the name of its creator.
At present, over 100 species of trees and shrubs grow in the park; more than 200 varieties of flowers are represented. However, the main highlight of this place is not in the species diversity of plants, but in their unusual form – all the trees are originally cut and the flowers are planted in a special order. One of the most picturesque places in the park is an artificial grotto where ducks and swans live.
- Location: Av. Dr. Gómez Ulla, s / n, 11003 Cádiz, Spain.
- Opening hours: 08.00-18.30.
San Sebastian is the largest and most famous landmark of Cadiz, which for a long time guarded the locals from the raids of neighbors. The first part of the castle was built in 1603, and the second was built in the early 1710s.
Finding a point of interest is very simple – it is clearly visible from the promenade and the beaches. A large bulk road leads to the main gate, so you won’t get lost.
There is no permanent exhibition inside the fortress, so most tourists make only an external inspection of the building. Periodically, exhibitions are held here, which you can visit for free.
Tourists say that the fortress of San Sebastian is one of the main points of Cadiz, which you need to visit in order to feel the atmosphere of this city, to see the ocean from the angle that its guards saw in the fortress. Here you can also make a couple of beautiful photos of Cadiz in Spain.
Location: Paseo Fernando Quiñones, s / n, Cádiz, Spain.
Beaches
There are several beaches in Cadiz, on which both local and tourists give it.
Victoria Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the southwestern part of Spain, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is absolutely free, and at the same time, quite clean. Secondly, it offers a beautiful view of the Old Town of Cadiz. Thirdly, Victoria is in the TOP 6 of the best beaches in Spain.
Victoria is the longest beach of Cadiz, the length of which is more than 3 km and the width is not less than 200 meters. The sand is fine and clean, no stones. Water is also very clean and clear (which is a rarity for the city). The entry into the water is gentle. Waves are rare, so surfers are rarely seen here.
Victoria Beach is well equipped. There are:
- Cafes and restaurants. About 6 establishments are open, serving Spanish, European and Asian cuisines.
- Children’s areas. There are playgrounds with swings and attractions for children.
- Sports grounds. Designated on the beach and special areas for athletes. There are exercise bikes and treadmills.
- The shops. There are several small shops on the beach where you can buy souvenirs and things you need to relax in Cadiz, Spain.
The main disadvantages of the beach tourists include the lack of changing cabins and toilets. There are also problems with the number of sunbeds and umbrellas.
La Caleta is Cadiz’s smallest beach, located right at the entrance to the Old Town. There are always many tourists here, as the place is very picturesque and cozy. The length is only 500 meters and the width is about 100.
Sand cover, stones and shells are extremely rare. The entrance to the sea is smooth. Unfortunately, the beach cannot be classified as clean – it is always crowded and there is plenty of debris.
As for infrastructure, there are no problems. There are several cafes and bars right on the beach, there are showers and toilets. Shops and parking are within walking distance of La Caleta.
Accommodation
There are about 300 hotels and hostels in Cadiz. The city is popular with tourists, so the demand for housing (especially in the summer months) is very high.
The cost of a double room in a 3 * hotel will be from 80 to 110 dollars. This price includes a good breakfast, a spacious room and essentials in the room. Most hotels have a pool and fitness room, which can be used for free.
Apartments will cost half the price – prices start at $ 40. This price includes one or two bedroom apartment with household appliances and a terrace, as well as round-the-clock communication with the owner.
It is worth remembering that Cadiz is a small town, and you should not pay heavily for a room in the Old Town.
Weather and climate when it’s best to come
The climate in Cadiz is subtropical. Since the Atlantic Ocean is nearby, there is no intense heat even in summer, and in winter the temperature does not drop below + 15 ° C.
March is the rainiest month in Cadiz. About 30 mm of precipitation falls in 30 days. At the same time, the temperature is set quite comfortable – in the region of + 17 ° C. In April and May, the thermometer already reaches + 23 ° C.
It is better to come to Cadiz in the spring for those tourists who love sightseeing holidays and want to visit the most famous places in Spain.
In the summer months, the thermometer is held at +26 to + 29 ° C. The hottest month is August, and the temperature of the ocean rises to + 23 ° C. Summer is perfect for relaxing by the ocean.
Autumn in Cadiz is mild and warm, so there are still few empty seats on the beaches. September and October are considered the velvet season, because the sun does not bake so much and the water is still warm (+ 22 ° C).
In November, almost no tourists can be met – the rains begin, and the water temperature in the ocean drops to + 18 ° C.
Winter is the coldest time of the year in Cadiz. The temperature is kept at + 15 ° C, often it rains for a short time but it rains heavily. This time of year cannot be called tourist, so housing and food prices are much lower than in summer. If you are only interested in sightseeing holidays, then you can come to Spain in the winter.
How to get there
The distance from Cadiz to Barcelona is 1000 km, to Madrid – 600 km, to Malaga – 225 km, to Jerez – 30 km, to Setenil de Las Bodegas (province of Cadiz, Spain) – 140 km. Despite the fact that Cadiz is separated from most Spanish cities, getting to it is quite simple. Transport links with all cities of Andalusia and with major centers of the country are well established. You can get to Cadiz at:
In Spain, bus services are well developed, and you can get to Cadiz by bus from many cities. The most popular carrier is Alsa, whose buses run 2-3 times a day. Detailed information and the current schedule can be found on the official website: https://www.alsa.com/e. You can buy tickets right here.
The first train to the province of Cadiz in Spain arrives at 06.00 in the morning, and the last – just before 12 at night. The train connection is well established, and you can get to Cadiz, for example, from Seville, in 2 hours. The most popular carrier in Spain is RENFE, and you can find all the relevant information, as well as purchase a ticket on the official website: https://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/
All prices and timetables on the page are for November 2019.
Interesting Facts
- The central market of Cadiz is the oldest in Spain. He began to receive the first visitors at the beginning of the 19th century.
- San Sebastian Fortress Lighthouse is the second electrified in Spain.
- According to one version, it was from the beach of La Caleta in Cadiz that Christopher Columbus went on long journeys. In addition, there were filming of one of the parts of the Bond.
- Interestingly, in the 1st century BC Cadiz was the largest city in Europe with the exception of Rome. It was often called the “end of the world”, because before the era of the “Great geographical discoveries” Europeans did not suspect that the lands of the New World were hidden behind the Atlantic Ocean.
Cadiz, Spain – the oldest city in Europe with a huge number of historical attractions.
The most interesting places of Cadiz:
