Tips For A Great Holiday In Cadiz, Spain marts 26, 2022 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Andalusia, Cadiz, Holiday, Spain, Vacation
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Why should you book a vacation in Cadiz?
A vacation in Cadiz is good for both body and soul! The mornings are spent visiting the many interesting museums, and in the afternoon you can go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean from one of the sandy beaches. The food market Mercado Central is a natural center of the old port city. From early in the morning, the fishmongers sell their tuna, dancing shrimp and spitting clams. Around lunch, the food stalls open for hungry tourists and gaditanos, the locals of Cadiz. Regardless of nationality, everyone can agree on one thing: In Cadiz you eat well!
Seafood is turned into Tortillita de Camarones, croquettas and all the other delicacies that you will have to taste when you are in Cadiz. The food market closes in the siesta, but in the evening it starts again. The street life you know from the other cities on the Mediterranean flares up – it’s just as if there is so much intense life here in Cadiz.
We visited Cadiz in March 2022, and even though we had a week with a little more rain than usual, we experienced a city where the locals were out in the streets all the time. Whether it was on a walk on the long promenades, on the beach in the sunshine or in the evening to, with a glass of sherry in hand, give their voice a place in the clattering cacophony of Spanish words and laughter that almost shook the roof of the food market.
Cadiz, a city full of history
Despite its more than 3,000-year-old history, there is so much life in Cadiz. The city was originally founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC, conquered by the Romans in 206 BC. and later also by both Visigoths and Moors. It was also under the rule of the Moors that in 844 Cadiz received an unwelcome visit from the Nordic Viking ships during their voyages to Spain.
Today, Cadiz is one of the few places where you can see traces of the Phoenicians. Where you can hardly walk around the Mediterranean without tripping over a Roman theater, in Cadiz you have a completely unique opportunity to see the remains of a Phoenician city. You can read much more about this here Attractions in Cadiz, Spain, where we have written about what you must see on your holiday in Cadiz.
On a walk around Cadiz, the city reminds you again and again that it IS a city with a long history. It was here from the port of Cadiz that Columbus set out on several of his voyages to America. And if you’ve been to London, you probably know Trafalgar Square too. But it was actually right here at Trafalgar, south of Cadiz, that Lord Nelson sank most of the Spanish-French fleet. A final example that Cadiz has often been right where history is written is that it was also here that Spain’s first constitution was ratified in 1812.
When is the best time to go to Cadiz?
In other words, there are plenty of reasons to go to Cadiz, but when is the best time of year to go? The short answer is: anytime except in the summer! Although the Atlantic Ocean brings an eternally cooling breeze that makes the skirt fly up, it gets very hot in Cadiz from late June to early September.
On a warm day in Andalusia, however, it can be wise to head straight for Cadiz – for the trip to the beach and and for the perpetual wind. Here there is always just a fresh breeze from the Atlantic Ocean.
As told, we were in Cadiz in March, where the flowers of the orange trees blossomed with the most wonderful scent. In February, the city holds one of Spain’s most popular carnivals, where the prices of accommodation are high. During the winter months, however, you may find that Spain’s perpetual sunshine has been replaced by erratic weather. In March we had several days of sunshine, but also rain showers, so remember to pack an umbrella.
How many days should you book for your vacation in Cadiz?
We had 6 days in Cadiz and a single last day in Seville. Being pretty big history nerds we wanted to see everything there was to see! If you book 4 or maybe 5 nights in the city, it is absolutely perfect. If you are just generally interested in history or not at all, Cadiz is still a lovely resort for its delicious beaches, restaurants and cozy evening life.
When you find yourself in this area, do also set aside time for a visit to the sherry town, Jerez de la Frontera. You can read more about it by clicking on the city name.
More tips for your holiday in Cadiz
Find a great hotel in Cadiz
Cadiz is right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and no matter where you live in the city, it is not far to the nearest beach. The neighborhood of La Vina in the old town right on the beach of La Caleta is especially popular with the tourists. But further south, you’ll find miles and milis of lovely sandy beaches at Playa Santa María Del Mar and Playa La Victoria – so where do you stay?
On Booking.com you can see the large selection of hotels in Cadiz, and below you can also read our recommendation for the best place to stay in Cadiz. You can also perform your own search on Booking.com for a great hotel in Cadiz right here:
A apartment in the Old Town in Cadiz
Being a group of two adults and a teenager on vacation, it required an extra room. We ended up finding a really nice apartment right in the middle of La Vina in the Old Town. There was not one but two extra rooms as well as a sofa bed. In addition, two toilets, a large living room with a dining area and a kitchen.
Precioso piso en La Caleta – Our lovely apartment in The Old City in Cadiz
Back home, we had planned all the food we would buy at the food market, which is only a five minute walk from the apartment. That didn’t happen! The Old Town is packed with cheap tapas bars and restaurants and we ended up eating out every single night.
The apartment is also located right on the local beach La Caleta, loved by families and large groups. Still, the best thing about the apartment was the key box. With all the times we had to with for the owner to show up and let us in, is was excellent to be able to get into the apartment at our arrival. A bottle of wine and a box of chocolates stood waiting for us as we locked ourselves in. We will be back!
Read more about the apartment here: Precioso piso en La Caleta
How do you get to Cadiz?
If you can’t fly out to Jerez, the easiest way to get to Cadiz is by landing at Seville Airport. From Seville Airport, first take the airport bus to Santa Justa Train Station. In March 2022, the airport bus cost €4.
From Santa Justa Train Station in Seville, you can drive on to Cadiz. From Seville and to Cadiz it takes one hour and forty-five minutes by train. At the station you have to buy your tickets at the ticket office (Renfe), where you also have to show a passport before you can board the train. In March 2022, it was €17 from Seville to Cadiz, and the price includes a mandatory seat ticket.
If you want to save time, you can also buy tickets on the Omio app. Note that you still need to enter your passport information in the app.