Cádiz is a historic port city with excellent beaches and fascinating architecture with a large Moorish influence. The city’s colorful buildings flank rugged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and its sandy bays attract vacationers from around the world. Explore bridges, towers and the many spacious and tree-lined plazas that promise a pleasant and scenic trip.
Among the highlights is the Cádiz Cathedral, with a tower offering panoramic views stretching over the horizon. Note its yellow dome and religious-themed paintings that adorn the church’s interior. It stands on Cathedral Square, a wide plaza that contains the famous Arco de la Rosa arch. Relax at a café or restaurant and try the local cuisine, which includes seafood, tapas and tortillas.
Continue learning about local culture with an evening show at the Gran Teatro Falla, made of red bricks and grand arches typical of the Mudéjar. See the Roman Theater, the San Antonio Church and the Monument to the Constitution of 1812.
Enjoy the Mediterranean climate with a trip to one of the beaches. Expect mild winters and hot, sunny summers, which are ideal for an afternoon with your family on Victoria Beach and La Caleta Beach. See the castles bordering the latter, including the Fortress of San Sebastián, which contains one of Spain’s earliest electric lighthouses.
Come for the Carnival of Cádiz, among the most famous in the country. It lasts for 10 days in late February and early March every year. Watch the iconic “chirigotas” perform their comical musical pieces with guitars, kazoos and drums.
Cádiz is in the southwestern part of Spain, near the Portuguese border. Fly to Gibraltar International Airport and drive northwest along the coast for 75 miles (120 kilometers) to get here. The city also has a railway station connected to the rest of Spain. Visit nearby towns, such as Jerez, San Fernando and El Puerto de Santa María.
Visit Cádiz to enjoy a blend of picturesque coastline scenery, Moorish history and mesmerizing architecture.