One shouldn’t omit Cadiz from a tour of Spain. Although on the Southern Coast and quite a ways from Madrid or Barcelona, Cadiz is a beautiful Spanish city rich in history, architecture, and of course Andalusian culture. Also, it’s a mecca for beach goers and seafood fans. So, get ready for beach-side tapas.
My last visit to Cadiz was during Carnival where my friends and I dressed up in costumes, hit the streets to dance, and party all night long, only to cap off the festivities with a family-style seafood feast beach-side the next afternoon. Although my last visit was quite some time ago (like 10+ years ago), I remember Cadiz vividly. However, I was given the opportunity to have a peer and travel writer, Marina, step in to give readers a quick and current tour of Cadiz. Here’s to Touring around Cadiz by Marina!
Located in the south of Spain, Cadiz is a city known for its beaches and its history. This ancient port is linked to the mainland by a bridge and is known for its Andalusian architecture, its beaches and its many restaurants that serve shrimp and squid.
Located on a limestone rock in the Gulf of Cadiz, the city has many historical landmarks. The Town Hall stands on the Plaza de España, to the left of the harbour. The Tavira Tower is one of the landmarks located nearby, one of the 160 towers that were built to protect the city. The Plaza de Mina is one of the city’s central plazas where the Museums of Fine Arts and Archeology is located.
Port
The city is one of the main ports of the Spanish Navy. Visitors will be able to walk around the port area, which is located near the historical city center and has a tiled boardwalk with many shops, ships and yachts. Cadiz was the city from which Christopher Columbus sailed on his second and fourth voyages.
Old City
The Old City is the city’s historic district. Visitors will be able to walk around the narrow cobbled streets and the city’s many plazas. This ancient Phoenician trading port has many historical buildings. The Cathedral is one of its most visited landmarks, built on the ruins of another ancient cathedral.
Parks
There are several parks in the city. The city’s oldest parks are decorated with many exotic plants that were brought to the city by Columbus. Parque Genovés is one of the city’s largest parks. Visitors will be able to enjoy a stroll in the park, which has many exotic plants and views towards the sea.
Districts and Tours
There is a ferry that connects the city to the Puerto de Santa María, another traditional town. Near the port area the streets have several colour coded lines painted directly on the tiles, and each one of the three colours is a walking tour around the city. Following each route visitors will be able to explore the cultural, commercial and historical parts of Cádiz.
The city has four main districts. The City Center is the historical district filled with cathedrals, Moorish architecture and tiled plazas. Santa María is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and one of the most popular spots for flamenco and tapas.
El Populo has many monuments, including the Cathedral and an ancient arch that was part of the city’s defensive walls. The Casa del Almirante is a baroque building with columns and a balcony and the Casa del Obispo is an archaeological site where visitors will be able to see ancient Phoenician artifacts and ruins.
La Viña is a district where visitors will find the Santa Catalina Castle and the San Sebastián Castle. A short walk away is La Palma street, one of the main streets where visitors will be able to taste tapas and pescaíto frito, a typical dish made from fried fish. This district is the ancient fisherman’s district where the La Caleta beach is located.
**Guest post provided by Marina, an avid explorer and travel writer for Destina.co.uk, which provides hotel and hostel bookings around the world.