Cadiz Tourism
The acclaimed and ancient city of Cadiz is located at the tip of a narrow, rough peninsula like land that bulges out towards the Atlantic Ocean. According to ancient myth, Hercules was the first person to find this city, although in absoluteness it was the Phoenicians who first naturalized a colony here around 1100 BC, proving surely enough that it is one of the most ancient and successively inhabited places in the whole of Europe.
Afterwards Romans, Goths and Carthaginians settled and abandoned the place but Cadiz did not prosper economically until the eighteenth century. Apparently it became the most crucial Spanish trade centre in the New World as they called it then.
The flashy Nueva cathedral’s yellow dome signifies this old town while the port is still busy today. In 1722, construction of this Baroque-style cathedral started but lack of money caused the construction to eventually finish in 1853. The crypt has the renowned composer Manuel de Falla’s tomb.
Staged over three floors which contain a fine collection of paintings by Zurbaran, Rubens and Murillo is the Cadiz Museum located side by side to the birthplace of Manuel de Falla. Also, there is an exhibit of Roman, Greek, and Phoenician historical artifacts that have been cut from just about the province.
Another museum, Museo de las Cortes de Cadiz is great for visiting. This museum traces back the legend of the town which failed to create a new democratic constitution in 1812 at the time when Spain was still on negative terms with France.
Playa de la Caleta, the main Cadiz beach is located adjacent to the Barro de la Vina domain of the old town. When the magnificent dragon trees are floodlit in the dark evening, the scene is enchanting. Recently, the beach was the focus of attraction as it was the shooting location for a James Bond film with Halle Barry who acted like Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean.
In summer, this beach gets very busy so if you want, the outstanding alternative would be checking out quieter Playa de la Victoria beach. Near the harbor, the bars and clubs own the nightlife.
In February, one of the largest and finest carnivals in Spain takes place. This festival is marked by numerous parades, gigs, processions, fancy dress exhibits and competitions. For this 10-day celebration, local inhabitants work hard for months on the costumes they are going to put on.
Tourists from all over Andalucia are attracted by the carnival so it will be wiser to book early in advance as the hotel rooms are normally booked up.
Only a short walk from the city, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Cadiz train station is located which operates a frequent service to Seville, Jerez de la Frontera and also the nearest resort of El Puerto de Santa Maria.
There are regular route services provided by the Amarillos bus company to the nearby resorts of Chipiona, Sanlucar and El Puerto which begin from the Avenida Ramon de Carranza. There is also the outdistance carriage to Seville, Algeciras, Granada plus Cordoba from the Plaza de la Hispanidad’s bus terminal. Please visit Cadiz for more travel ideas and tourist info.