Last year, I had my vacation in the city of Cadiz España. In few words, if you are planning to have a vacation in Spain, this Andalucian city is one of the best choices. This is a city port located at a separate island in southwestern Spain but very close to big cities like Seville or Granada. From Seville to Cadiz, it’s about 2-3 hours, from Granada to Cadiz is about 4 hours or so. Cadiz train station is just 10 min walk from the old city, so you can easily travel to other Andalucian cities or villages. The city is surrounded by Spanish villages that you can visit, has several beach options, and even desert dunes. What is more important, the city has amazing architecture and cultural heritage, bars and restaurants, as well as its own museums.
I was afraid that Cadiz is too big to have a vacation in Spain, as I prefer having summer vacations in small villages close to the sea. Last years, I used to have vacations in Catalan Costa Bravo, where the city of Blanes was my favourite and here you can check my article about Seville. Cadiz is a perfect city for those who want a dynamic cultural vibe, and ancient heritage, at the same time have relaxing village notes.
Cadiz is the real Spain we expect to see, with its monumental cathedrals, white or sandy houses, outstanding art, tapas bars, and flamenco dancing.
History of Cadiz España
The city is a capital of the Province of Cadiz and is an autonomous community of Andalusia. Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain, and one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. Cadiz history dating to 3100 years.
From Wiki:
“Founded around 1104 BC as Gadir or Agadir by Phoenicians from Tyre, Cádiz is mostly regarded as the most ancient city still standing in Western Europe. The Phoenicians established a port in the 7th century BC. The expeditions of Himilco around Spain and France, and of Hanno around Western Africa began there.”
I want to share with you pictures of my favourite places and things to do in Cadiz.
Things to do in Cadiz España…
1. The old city of Cadiz
The central part and its old city is a perfect combination of a big-city cultural heritage and vacation amenities of a small village. This is a Spanish pearl that surprisingly not too touristic.
The first place to make Cadiz recognizable is a big cathedral – Cadiz Cathedral, which refers to baroque, rococo, and neo-classical styles, as well as the main square. This Cathedral was created in the 1700s and was built in the time when the city has flourished thanks to trade with Americas and West Indies. I’ve seen many beautiful churches and Cathedrals but Cadiz Cathedral has its magic, maybe because of the sun rays and perfect location, this Cathedral is one of the main things you need to see in the whole Spain.
Cadiz is full of beautiful architecture and the city centre can compete with big cities like Barcelona or Madrid. Cadiz offers you a diversity of restaurants and bars, so the ‘evening life’ is dynamic, haven’t seen nightclubs though.
View this post on Instagram
Hope you enjoyed your weekend! Надеюсь, вы насладились с полна своими выходными! #Cadiz #spain🇪🇸
What I love about this city is that you never feel like you are a tourist. Everything fits the ancient Spanish spirit of the city.
2. Cadiz beach life
There is a famous city beach ‘La Caleta’ that usually crowdy but the nearest to the city – 10 min walk.
Booking.com
There are some other Cadiz beaches, and my favourite was Santa Maria. If your main goal is to have a beach vacation, go to small cities or villages like Blanes. As Cadiz is located in the separate island, its ocean was quite wavy, but I still loved Cadiz beaches as they are long and not crowdy. Even though you need to spend 20 min or more walking to the beach from the city, the road to it worth it as you are going to pass through ancient Puerta de Tierra.
And, just look at its view…
3. Cadiz promenade
Cadiz has the best promenade I’ve ever seen, as it has some amazing parks and spaces with a view to the sea and Cadiz old city. The best place to meet sunsets you can imagine.
4. Genoves park in Cadiz España
This park is a masterpiece. First, because of its location, on the promenade near the beach. Second, the park has exotic plants, and ‘art trees-installations’. I thought that after Botanic Garden in Blanes, nothing in Spain can impress me that much but Genoves park in Cadiz gave me a little bit different magic experience.
“The zone with the most extensive green area in the old town was on the edge of the urban expansion that the city underwent during the 18th century, as it was subject to a military servitude. At that time, it was used as a recreational area and it was called the Paseo del Perejil or Parsley Promenade, due to its lack of vegetation.”
5. Culture and art in Cadiz
This city has a wide variety of outstanding museums I highly recommend to visit. Museo de Cadiz España, historical museums, and art museums. I’ve been to art museums and fascinated how outstanding Cadiz culture can be. What we call modern art, Spain had many years ago already. Spanish culture for me is surrealistic and outside of the comfort zone.
6. Flamenco in Cadiz
Cadiz is not the best place to visit flamenco, Seville has more choices, but being a part of Andalucia, here, you can experience some great flamenco dance performances. I recommend visiting theatres of Cadiz or Peña Flamenca La Perla or go to its village Jerez de la Frontera, which is famous for Flamenco Theatre performances.
7. Gastronomy in Cadiz
The same as any other places in Spain, the city has paellas, tapas, and seafood. It has an amazing market where you can buy fresh seafood. The city offers a wide range of old-fashioned local-like cafes, fancy restaurants, and our favourite tapas bars.
8. Shopping in Cadiz
You can do shopping in Cadiz, and found well-known mass-market brands like Mango and its local Spanish brands. Not far from the beach, you can find a big shopping mall, Corte Ingles.
9. Cadiz apartments
Cadiz has several options – hotels or renting apartments. Cadiz hotels are located 20 min walk from the old city and just in front of the beach. I can’t call hotels in Cadiz fancy, but they are affordable and located in a good area. I prefer renting Airbnb apartments, and I did this time. My apartment was located just in the heart of an old city and was incredibly beautiful, very Spanish, full of details, flowers, and paintings. However, the problem was loud streets outside the windows. Anyway, Cadiz apartments in its old city have roofs to see the view of the city.
10. Cadiz Villages
Cadiz is relaxing but if you want to experience Spanish vacation in the Spanish villages, go to the nearest Cadiz villages or small towns. The most famous is Jerez de la Frontera.
Subscribe on social media and email list to get arty and travel updates, as well as get 5% off the Shop (yes, we have a Creative Shop)!