Cadiz, Cadiz in Spanish, is a pretty coastal town perched on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean that boasts an important port, many museums, monuments, and a charming historic center enveloped by the sea.
The story of Cadiz it begins around 1100 BC when it was founded by the Phoenicians with the name of Gadir. After the discovery of America, Cadiz experienced a great development, especially in the XNUMXth century, when it was the richest and most cosmopolitan city in Spain. Following the loss of the American colonies, the city has experienced a phase of decline, but the people, called gaditanos, have always remained hospitable, cheerful and welcoming. Cadiz it is famous for its bars, clubs and good food.
Il Old Town it is located on a peninsula and is dominated by the imposing dome of the Cadiz Cathedral. The old quarter of Cadiz is famous for its picturesque charm due to the many noble buildings, such as the Casa del Almirante and Casa de las Cadenas, the Moorish architecture, and the labyrinth of narrow streets dating back to the Middle Ages that open onto squares dotted with bars and restaurants. Some parts of the XNUMXth century walls are still standing such as the Porta di Terraferma.
Cadiz is full of small shops where you can find the best Andalusian wines, sherry, pottery, furniture and many other handicrafts. Some of the best shops in the city are located around Plaza San Juan de Dios while 2 large shopping streets are Calle Ancha and Calle Columela.
Do not miss the Cadiz Carnival, one of the most famous festivals in Spain, which takes place on Shrove Tuesday. The barrio of Santa Maria is known as the flamenco capital of the world.
What to see in Cadiz
Cadiz boasts a wonderful historic center, full of squares and buildings that form a maze of streets in which to get lost. A walk along the coast, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy views over the entire Bay of Cadiz.
Plaza San Juan de Dios is the square where the Ayuntamiento de Cadiz is located, a majestic neoclassical style building built around 1800, and is famous also thanks to the presence of characteristic bars. Plaza de la Catedral is characterized by the recognizable yellow dome of the majestic Cadiz Cathedral, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, in Baroque style but with purely neoclassical elements. From a side entrance of the cathedral you can go up to the Westeros Tower to admire a magnificent view of the city and the ocean.
Plaza de Topete is one of the busiest squares in Cadiz due to its proximity to the large and characteristic Mercado Central. Near the square there is also the oldest and highest watchtower in the city, Torre Tavir, from the top of which you can admire a wonderful landscape over the ocean. In the historic center there is also the Roman Theater of Cadiz.
Mina Square it is considered the most beautiful square in Cadiz and here is the Archaeological Museum, also known as the Museum of Cadiz, which houses numerous relics and artifacts from 3 thousand years of history of the city and numerous works by Rubens and Goya.
In the church of Santa Cruz you can admire numerous paintings and frescoes by Spain's most famous artist, Francisco Goya, while walking along the street you can admire several buildings and monuments in Gothic, Baroque and Moorish styles. The Gran Teatro Falla is built in pink brick and features Mudejar-style arches.
Playa de la Victoria is a great one Atlantic beach about four kilometers long that from Puertas de Tierra extends throughout the peninsula and during the summer is the favorite destination of the inhabitants of Cadiz.
The Carnival of Cadiz
The most important festival in Cadiz is the famous Carnival: for ten days all the inhabitants dress up and participate in long and fun parties where you eat, drink and dance until late at night.
The murgas, costumed groups that participate in the most beautiful chariot race, the ilegales, any groups of people who do not participate in the competition, and the numerous tourists, who come to Cadiz specifically for this festival, parade through the streets of the city and create a really cheerful and engaging atmosphere.
If you want to participate in the suggestive Cadiz Carnival it is advisable to book hotels in the city well in advance.
Where to eat in Cadiz
Cadiz, especially during the summer period, boasts numerous restaurants and tapas bar where to taste the typical Andalusian cuisine.
- La Gorda Feeds You, Calle General Luque 1
- The Aljibe, Plocia Street 25
- The Ciguena, Plocia Street 2
- Bar Zapata, Plaza Candelaria
- The Lighthouse, Calle San Felix 15
- Freiduria Las Flores, Plaza de Topete
- Meson Cumbres Mayores, Calle Zorrilla 4
Cadiz nightlife
The center of Cadiz nightlife is the area between Plaza San Francisco, Plaza de Espana and Plaza de Mina and the area around Playa de la Victoria. In Cadiz, pubs and clubs do not fill up until midnight. The nightclubs in Cadiz are concentrated in the Punta de San Felipe area, on the north side of the port, ideal for staying up late until dawn.
- Cambalache, Jose del Toro Street 20
- Café Poniente, Calle Beato Diego de Cadiz 18
- Medussa, Manuel Rancés Street
- Barabbass, Calle General Munoz Arenillas 4
- El Malecon, Pase Pascual Pery, for Latin American dance
- Pena Flamenca La Perla, Calle Carlos Ollero, per spettacoli di flamenco
Theater, dance and concert performances
- Great Falla Theater, Plaza de Falla
- Central Dairy, Plaza de Arguelles
