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Cadiz city

The city of Cadiz, capital of the province of the same name, is situated in the southwest of Andalusia and is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets.

Cadiz has been a seafaring, trading town for more than 3,000 years, in fact it is the oldest city on record in western Europe. Visitors to Cadiz always fall in love with the city, which combines a rich cultural heritage with an upbeat, friendly ambience; not to mention the wonderful local seafood and tapas.

History
The capital city of the province, Cadiz, is the oldest city in Western Europe; records suggest that the city dates back more than 3,000 years and was the location for the original Iberian settlers. From there the region was occupied by the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthaginians – for whom it was an important trading post, the Romans, who were then defeated by the Visigoths.

About town
Cadiz is a wonderful city that dates back more than 3,000 years; its rich cultural heritage is evident through its streets and buildings. However, it isn’t a stuffy historical city, on the contrary, it has a wonderful upbeat, friendly atmosphere.

The city stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, which is almost entirely surrounded by water.
Ascend to the top of the city’s cathedral and you will almost feel like you are standing on the stern of a boat, all you can see is water.

The old city is distinctly Moorish in appearance and a gem to explore with its narrow cobbled streets, beautiful plazas (squares), fabulous fish market and numerous tapas bars. However, there is also a part, which has a distinct Cuban feel, with colourful buildings and even more colourful people, residing there.

One of the most beautiful spots in the city is the Plaza de Mina, which is a square located in the heart of the old town. The Museum of Cadiz is located here. Other landmarks are the Plaza San Antonio, Plaza de San Francisco with its church and convent, and the Plaza de Candelaria.

Cultural attractions
The city is filled with cultural interests and surprises, from its 16th century city walls, Las Puertas de Tierra, to the Cathedral Nueva, which is a magnificent 18th century Baroque structure, which if you ascend to the top domed terrace you can see the whole of the bay stretched out in front of you.

The Torre Tavira (watchtower) is the city’s highest watchtower, which dates back to the 18th
century and boasts amazing views across the city.

The wonderful church of Oratorio de Santa Cruz contains some fine Goya paintings and the Casa del Almirante (Admiral’s House) which dates back to the 16th century, situated in Plaza San Martin, is an exquisite piece of architecture with an elegant history.

There are many more interesting monuments and attractions throughout Cadiz, and there is much to
explore.

Beaches
Gaditanos don’t just go to the beach to sunbath; the city’s local beaches are a social meeting point
for the locals. The most popular beach is La Playa de la Caleta, which is located in the La Viña neighbourhood, its been awarded a blue flag and appeared in the James Bond movie, Die Another Day.

La Playa de la Victoria is a fabulous, wide open expanse of sand, with its beautiful Paseo Maritimo (promenade), filled with chiringuitos, where you can enjoy a wonderful meal in great surroundings.

There are also the beaches of La Playa de Santa Maria del Mar and La Playa de la Cortadua, which is the city’s longest beach.

Cadiz Carnival
In February the insane Cadiz Carnival takes place, the origins of the carnival date back to the 16th
century, when Cadiz imitated the Venic Festival, since then customs have stuck, and the carnival of Cadiz is know famous for its over the top costumes, and chirigotas – humourous singing groups who sing tales about current affairs,
famous personalities, or life in general. Most groups just sing in the streets to the happy crowds, but head to carnival’s most famous venue, the Gran Teatro Falla, where you will see the best groups compete.

Cuisine
The cuisine of Cadiz has many influences from its past, Moorish, Phoenician and Roman, but all of these add up to a typically Andalusian gastronomy. Aside from seafood dishes, specialities include guiso de rabo de toro (oxtail stew) and perdiz estofado (partridge casserole).

The seafood and shellfishfrom this region are particularly delicious and succulent and feature high on all menus in the city and throughout the province. Particularly good are the mussels, langoustines, clams, crab and razor-shell molluscs, that are easily found by rooting around in the shallows. In Puerto de Santa Maria there is a seafood restaurant with a shop attached, you shop for your seafood, and  the restaurant cooks it for you. Simply delicious and fun!

Tapas also plays an important part of the gastronomy of the city; in some bars when the local Cadiz football team are playing, they serve tapas with yellow sauce, which is the colour of
their team!

You can also indulge in the Ruta del Tapeo (Tapas Route), passing from different bars and restaurants and savouring a tapa in every one.

Climate
The province of Cadiz enjoys a mild climate; the hottest period of the year is during the summer months of July and August, when the temperature rises to around 32 degrees, and the winter months
drop to around 18 degrees. The provinces receives about 300 days and 3200 hours of sunshine per year.