Cádiz, also known as the “Mermaid of the Ocean”, is one of the cities that… best stimulate the production of dopamine, the happiness hormone. However, there are many more reasons to visit Spain’s oldest city – discover at least some of them.
Discover Cádiz and its history
The city attracts tourists not only because of its historical heritage, but also thanks to the atmosphere of peace and relaxation that promotes well-being. The magnificent Cathedral of the Holy Cross, beautiful beaches and excellent cuisine make Cádiz the perfect place to improve your mood. Cadiz is divided into two parts: the historic part along the coast and the modern part at the entrance to the city.
Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in the West, founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC, is full of history and charm. To get a real feel for this Andalusian city, just take a stroll along the promenade, admire the golden dome of the cathedral from the sea, lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow streets in the El Pópulo district or try some fried pescaíto.
Lord Byron, the English Romantic poet, called Cádiz the “Mermaid of the Ocean”. Today, thanks to its old-world atmosphere, narrow streets and sea breeze, Cádiz is very popular. According to legend, the city was founded by Hercules, and its history dates back to the 9th century BC, when the first traces of civilization appeared. Cadiz has witnessed many important events, such as the Punic Wars, the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula and the discovery of America. The city owes its glory to the expeditions of Christopher Columbus, who set off from Cadiz on two of his four voyages in search of a new route to India.
A city full of monuments
Cadiz is the oldest city in Spain, and a visit to the cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable monuments, is a must. The combination of Baroque and Neoclassical styles makes it a place worth visiting with a guide to discover hidden corners – such as the crypt. The visit can be topped off by climbing the Clock Tower, which offers a view of the city with its white towers and the sea in the background.
The cathedral of Cádiz (Catedral de Cádiz) is called the New Cathedral by the locals. Its construction began in 1722 and lasted 116 years, which is why we can observe many architectural styles inside – such as Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism. Marble, limestone and oyster limestone, which is typical for the region, were used for its construction. The towers were supposed to be higher than the famous Giralda in Seville, but in the end, they were not. Distinguished citizens of the city are buried in the crypt below the cathedral.
Torre Tavira is one of the 129 watchtowers in historic Cádiz. Many of them have survived to this day, and Torre Tavira is the tallest of them and has been opened to the public. The watchtowers were built in the 18th century by wealthy townspeople to keep watch for ships entering the harbor. From a height of 45 meters, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the old town, the harbor and the ocean. Inside, you can visit an exhibition about the history of Cádiz.
Another place worth seeing is El Pópulo, the oldest neighborhood in Cádiz, whose 13th-century gates lead to the medieval heart of the city. Make sure to stop at Plaza San Martín, the Roman Theater from the 1st century BC, and the beautiful San Juan de Dios square with the town hall in the center. Nearby is the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, where Spain’s first constitution was adopted in 1812.
Greenery, ocean and great views
The colorful Plaza de Flores is worth a visit, as it is bustling with life and invites you to linger. Right next to it is the famous main market, which was built in 1838 on the site of an old monastery. Today, after a thorough renovation, it offers more than 100 stalls with the best fish, olives and cakes. The Mercado Central in Cádiz is the perfect place to experience the atmosphere of southern Spain. In the past, markets like this were one of the most important things in the city. The market was built in the middle of the 19th century and in 2006, a three-year renovation began. It is the best place to buy fresh seafood or simply take a break from sightseeing with some delicious tapas.
You can also go to the city gardens, such as Alameda Apodaca, which are full of trees, or visit Genovés Park. It is the largest green area in the historic part of Cadiz. The origins of the botanical garden date back to the end of the 18th century. It is a perfect place to hide from the heat in the shade of fancifully trimmed trees and a waterfall created here. Admission to the park is free. Right next to the park is the Paseo Mirador de San Barbara, where you can stroll along the avenue and enjoy a picturesque view of the ocean.
If you follow the coastline, you will easily reach Santa Catalina Castle, the oldest fortress in Cadiz, which offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. The 18th-century castle is located on a small island, so you have to cross a long and beautiful bridge to get there. One of the most beautiful beaches here, La Caleta, was featured in the James Bond movie “Tomorrow Never Dies”, where Halle Berry took a dip. At the end of the day, take a stroll along the Campo del Sur Avenue promenade, which offers a beautiful view of the cathedral.
Cadiz is best visited at low tide. The ocean then reveals the rocky seabed and on the way to the aforementioned Castillo de San Sebastian, special steps have been installed, allowing you to admire the ocean as well as the city itself from a completely different perspective. The exact times of high and low tide can be checked on the Internet.
The smallest beach in Cádiz, but the most charming, is Playa de La Caleta, located in the center of the historic part of the city. It is no surprise that La Caleta appears in so many flamenco and carnival songs, as it is considered by the locals to be one of the most special places. Other beaches worth mentioning are Playa de Cortadura (the widest beach in Cádiz) and Playa de la Victoria.
What else is there to see?
The Museum of Cádiz (Museo de Cádiz), located in Plaza de Mina, is divided into three sections: archaeology, fine arts and ethnography. Works by Baroque artists such as Francisco de Zurbarán, Alonso Cano, Rubens and Murillo are on display.
The Teatro Romano is located in the Barrio del Pópulo, just a stone’s throw from the cathedral. The entrance to this building is very inconspicuous and easy to miss when strolling through the narrow streets of Cadiz. The theater dates back to the 1st century BC, but in the following centuries it was used as a warehouse and later converted into apartments. It was discovered by accident in 1980. In its heyday, Greek and Roman plays were performed here. It is the second largest theater of the ancient Roman period and could hold up to 20,000 spectators. Only the Teatro di Pompeo in the Italian capital is larger.
The Gran Teatro Falla, on the other hand, is a modern theater built in 1905 in the Neo-Mudéjar style. It is particularly worth visiting because every February the Concurso de Agrupaciones del Carnaval de Cádiz, a carnival group competition, takes place here.
On the silver screen and to the rhythm of flamenco
Cadiz is one of the key places that had a major impact on the development of flamenco. One of the most characteristic styles of this dance was created here, algrías de Cádiz – a joyful, energetic type of flamenco. Therefore, the Concurso Nacional de Alegrías is organized in Cadiz every year. It is also the city where legendary artists of this genre were born, such as Enrique el Mellizo, Pericón de Cádiz and Chano Lobato. Of course, with a bit of luck, you can also see flamenco performances in the streets of Cádiz.
The province of Cádiz is also present on the big screen. Films such as Pedro Almodovar’s “Law of Desire” and Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” were shot here. The cities of Cádiz and San Fernando also appear in the movie “Camarón de la Isla”, where José Monge Cruz portrays the legendary flamenco singer in his home region.
Cadiz also gained international popularity thanks to the movie “The World Is Not Enough”, directed by Lee Tamahori, where the beautiful Halle Berry walks out of the water on La Caleta beach, meeting Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. Cadiz appears as Havana in this movie because it was impossible to film in the Cuban capital, ruled by Fidel Castro, at that time.
What to eat in Cadiz?
When it comes to the local cuisine of Cadiz, there are several typical dishes that should be on the menu of every restaurant:
- Pescaíto frito / fritura andaluza: Fried fish or seafood is a must in Cádiz. It can be served as a starter or main course. It is usually prepared with small fish that have few bones. On the menu, you can find different variations of this dish, such as anchovies (boquerones), hake (pijotas), red mullet (salmonete), mackerel (caballa), squid (calamar) and prawns (gambas). It is essential that the fritura is served hot and freshly fried. It is often recommended to sprinkle it with lemon, which enhances the flavor.
- La tortillitas de camarones (also known as tortiguillas fritas): these are fried shrimp pancakes, prepared with wheat flour. They are one of the most typical dishes of the region, and the main ingredient is shrimp (el camarón, a smaller species of shrimp). The perfect tortilla is crispy on the edges, but juicy in the middle.
- El atún rojo: Tuna from the waters off the coast of Cádiz is the pride of the region. It is highly valued for its flavor and is served in a variety of ways: raw as tartar or sashimi, as well as cooked with vegetables or fried.
- Papas aliñás: a simple but delicious potato salad with olive oil, parsley, onion and sherry vinegar (vinagre de jerez). It is usually served cold as a starter, especially on hot days.
When and how should you visit Cádiz?
In addition to the famous carnival, the city also celebrates other important events, including:
- The Three Kings Parade (January 6th): actors playing the Three Kings throw candy to children, creating a joyful atmosphere.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week): during this time, the streets of the old town are decorated with scenes from the Passion of Christ.
- Fiesta de los Juanillos (23rd of June): the longest night of the year, celebrating the start of summer. The locals burn effigies (Juanillos).
If you are planning a vacation in Andalusia, you might consider spending a weekend in Seville, from where Cádiz is “just around the corner” – it takes less than an hour to drive on the AP-4 highway. The nearest airport, on the other hand, is in Jerez de la Frontera, but it does not operate flights from Poland. It is therefore worth flying to Seville and traveling to Cádiz by car or train (approx. 120 km).
