Cadiz City

Cadiz formerly known as Gadir by the Phoenicians © Michelle Chaplow
Cadiz formerly known as Gadir by the Phoenicians

The City of Cadiz

Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port. It sank into oblivion under the Visigoths and Moors, but attained great splendour in the early 16th century as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America. Cadiz was later raided by Sir Francis Drake, in the struggle to gain control of trade with the New World, and managed to withstand a siege by Napoleon's army. In the early 19th century Cadiz became the bastion of Spain's anti-monarchist, liberal movement, as a result of which the country's first Constitution was declared here in 1812.

The city of Cadiz is an amazing place to explore on foot. Situated at the end of a peninsula, Cadiz is surprisingly compact and easy to navigate, even for the most timid of visitors. Its cathedral… More →

Cadiz train station is located off Plaza de Sevilla on the eastern or bay side of the city near the port. The old station building is located behind the Aduana (customs) building and the trains… More →

Cadiz is a small city, interestingly located on a peninsula meaning it is surrounded by beautiful beaches and sea. Cadiz offers many of the thrills found in a city from modern bars and restaurants… More →

Cádiz is often cited as the oldest city in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. A typical Andalucian city with a wealth of attractive views and well-preserved monuments, Cadiz is unique in that… More →

Cadiz is one of Andalucia’s most vibrant yet underrated cities. With a rich history going back millennia, and a charming almost-island old centre, originally fortified, the city is much less… More →

Cadiz´s name and reputation have forever been linked with its maritime adventures. It was from this ancient port city, dramatically situated on a spit of land surrounded on three sides by the sea… More →

The coach station for coaches to other cities and other towns in the area of the Bay of Cadiz is located near the entrance to the old walled city to the east overlooking Cadiz bay.

Cadiz is believed to be the oldest city still standing in Europe. Its history is marked by its strategic military and commercial location on the Atlantic Ocean and at the entrance to a large… More →

See and do in Cadiz

Cadiz is the oldest city in Europe and as such there are plenty of interesting monuments and attractions for the visitor to explore such as the Cathedral, Gran Teatro Falla, Torre Tavira,… More →

Cadiz Museum incorporates both the Fine Arts & Archaeology museums. Also of interest are the municipal historical museum, the Cathedral Museum, Puppet Museum, Lithographic museum, the… More →

Below is a selection of excursions from Cadiz city to locations outside the city of Cadiz. If you are interested in local guided tours of the city of Cadiz itself they are found on our Cadiz tour… More →

Here is a list of city tours that you can do in Cadiz.. If you are interested in a day trip or an excursions from Cadiz city to Seville or Jerez or villages in the countryside If you are… More →

As one of Spain's major ports during the 16th century, Cadiz copied the carnival of Venice, a city with which it had much trade, and since then it has become the liveliest and most dazzling… More →

The 17th-century Castillo de Santa Catalina, which formed part of the city’s defences from the time of King Felipe II, has been partially restored and now has four rooms where exhibitions of… More →

Cadiz is one of Andalucia’s most vibrant yet underrated cities. With a rich history going back millennia, and a charming almost-island old centre, originally fortified, the city is much less… More →

Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it'… More →

Playa La Caleta is a small beach at the far end of the Cádiz peninsula, near the Viña area and is located between two old castles: Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián. It is… More →

Many of the city's most reasonably priced, traditional restaurants are located in and around the Plaza Juan de Dios, just in from the port and where there is a tight mass of alleyways crammed with… More →

Shopping in Cadiz, El Corte Inglés, the leading department store.

Information about the city of Cadiz in Andalucia, Southern Spain. Cadiz cinemas and multicines. including Multicines El Centro, Cinesur Bahía de Cádiz, Cineapolis, Cine Yelmo Premium Bahía Sur.

These two-wheeled upright electric vehicles.  If you have never ridden one you will be surprised how quickly you can master the Segway. You simply stand on them and hold the handles of the… More →

Although Cadiz city is smaller than the other provincial capitals, it offers some good live music opportunities. Venues where you can see pop, rock, jazz and flamenco performances include Sala… More →

Cadiz cruise terminal is conveniently located just 5 minutes walk from the city centre and even more conveniently, perhaps, is the Hop on Hop off bus that stops outside the terminal. A handful of… More →

More about cadiz

Some of the city's 18th century walls still stand, such as the Landward Gate. 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.

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. 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.

Unlike most other ports of its size it seems immediately relaxed and easy going, not at all threatening, even at night. Perhaps this is due to its reassuring shape and size, the presence of the sea making it impossible to get lost for more than a few blocks. It also owes much to the town's tradition of liberalism and tolerance which was maintained all through the years of Franco's dictatorship, despite this being one of the first cities to fall to his forces and was the port through which the Republican armies launched their invasion.

CÁdiz Carnival

Most towns and villages in Andalucia have their Carnival, but none are like the Cadiz Carnival.

 

Hover the cursor over Cadiz to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page.
 

Destinations