Cadiz Travel Guide

Cadiz Travel Guide

Sand! Sun! Sangria! Just a few of the reasons Cadiz has been continuously occupied since 1100 B.C. when the Phoenicians first set foot on this split of land in Andalusia.

Getting There

Best way to arrive relaxed and refreshed?  By high speed train the AVE from Madrid. 3.5 civilized hours with an onboard bar, music and movies.

Getting around is easy with public buses, shared bikes and scooter rental.  Walking is a great way to see old town with no worries about parking.

Packing

Beach and casual wear by day but dress to impress in the evening.  A light jacket might be necessary as the wind cools down the city when the sun sets.  Don’t forget your sunscreen, a brimmed hat and your camera.

Beaches

Plata de la Caleta, close to the old part of the city is a small beach used mostly by the locals.  There’s a cafe bar at either end of the beach but not much else. Playa de la Victoria is just a little outside the old city, is about 2.5 miles long with crystal clear water and many places to grab a glass of sangria.

Sightseeing

From the picturesque, Moorish architecture of the old plazas to the sophisticated elegance of the modern new city with world class shopping and spectacular nightlife, Cadiz is filled with remarkable sights. The jewel of the city is the Cathedral with its yellow dome glistening in the sunlight. The lively Plaza de España is a short walk away with nine watchtowers overlooking the ocean and a monument to the Spanish Constitution signed in 1812. Visit a theater that once held 20,000 spectators, built by the Romans in 1 B.C. and one of the largest in the empire.  If you love history, a trip to the Museum de Cadiz with exhibits from Phoenician death masks to 17^th century religious icons and frescos.

The most popular event in Cadiz is Carnival.  Once every year in February the city becomes the center point of Spain, where Chirigotas sing satirical songs and the people get dressed up and go on a week-long drinking binge.  The Carnival de Cadiz rivals those in Venice, Rio and New Orleans.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about traveling in Cadiz.