The Port city of Cádiz is one of the oldest cities in Spain dating back to 1100 BC and stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, almost entirely surrounded by water. The old, central quarter of Cadiz is famous for its picturesque charm, and many of the buildings reflect the city’s overseas links. Worth a visit are the city’s Cathedral and Churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri, which is famous throughout Spain as the place where, in defiance of Napoleon’s siege, the provisional government was set up with its own liberal Constitution. Other points of interest are La Santa Cueva, home to several paintings by Goya, and stately mansions such as the Casa del Almirante and Casa de las Cadenas. It just takes an hour to walk around the headlands where you can visit the entire Old Town and pass through some lovely parks with sweeping views of the bay.
The old city looks quite Moorish in appearance and is intriguing with narrow cobbled streets opening onto small squares. The golden cupola of the Cathedral looms high above long white houses and the whole place has a slightly dilapidated air as the sea air has weathered the soft limestone buildings. The Cathedral is a grandiose, well-restored building capped by a dome of golden tiles giving it an Oriental feel. An impressive collection of church treasures can be viewed and in the crypt lies the tomb of composer Manuel de Falla, a Cadiz native, whose music is evocative of the magic of Andalucia.
Puerto de Santa María is one of Cadíz’s best-kept secrets with a good beach Playa Puntillo and a town centre that is refreshingly traffic-free, with cobbled streets lined with orange trees and typical Andaluz architecture with lots of wrought iron and intricate tile work. Like nearby Jerez, Puerto de Santa Maria is well known for its sherry, be sure to ask for the locally produced "fino" which is very light and dry. Until the train was extended to Cádiz, all sherry from Jerez came through Santa María, and its port is still used to some extent. As for the food try the fried fish, seafood or shrimp omelette. Cádiz is also a good base to explore the surrounding coast and visit places like Chipiona, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and Chiclana or inland Jerez de la Frontera.
Population: 118,919 (2016)
Area: 12.10 km²
We have a wide selection of hand-picked Tours to Cádiz & Historic or Modern Hotels in Cádiz. Below you will find the full list of Cádiz Tours & Hotels.