Cadiz: Spellbinding Streets and Beautiful Beaches
Introduction
Cadiz is a foregone port city in the southwest corner of Spain in the region of Andalucia. It is one of the oldest regularly inhabited cities in the world. People have been living there for over 3,000 years! Many empires have controlled Cadiz and the keen eye will notice countless Moorish, Roman, and Greek influences. It is a small city that is full of charm, sunshine, and history.
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Playa de la Caleta
Arriving in Cadiz, we hurriedly made our way to a cafe and ordered some churros, with chocolate of course, and some coffee. Next, we picked up some snacks and refreshments and then dashed to Playa de la Caleta. This beach is located on the outskirts of the historical old town, you cannot miss it. We staked claim to a portion of sand and plopped down to relax and soak in the sun. The cycle went like this: take in the sun until you are drenched in sweat, speedily dash into the ocean for a quick swim, then repeat. Growing up having summer holidays in Florida and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, I am accustomed to swimming in warmer water. However, Cadiz is located on the Atlantic Ocean, which means the water will be cooler. I was in essence doing hot and cold therapy, so be warned if you are familiar with warm water only. We spent the majority of the day simply relaxing at the beach, soaking in the sun, and swimming. Towards the evening, we ventured to Castillo de San Sebastian, which is a short jaunt from the beach. Castillo de San Sebastian is a former island fortress that had historical importance for the defense of the city. We spent some time there watching the locals cliff jump, swim, and laugh before heading into the city.
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Calle Virgen de la Palma
First, we sauntered down Calle Virgen de la Palma, which is perhaps the most beautiful street in the world. Imagine with me, beautiful palm trees lining the street adorned in stunning garland that crisscrosses along the street. This portion of the city is known for its vibrance, flair, and flamboyance. Take heed not to miss out on the numerous beautiful streets that branch off of it. Cadiz has spellbinding streets. Take the time to wander and just get lost, chances are you will find a hidden gem.
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Old Town
Next, we journeyed into the heart of the city to discover the historical buildings and structures of Cadiz. The most imposing and grandiose structure in Cadiz is the Cadiz Cathedral. You cannot miss it, it dwarfs all adjacent buildings. It is a beautiful piece of architecture and something to admire. Additionally, there is a charming plaza just outside the main doors where locals and tourists alike relax, eat, and drink. Following the Cathedral, we made our way to the Roman Theatre. It possesses the stereotypical horseshoe structure and could entertain a staggering 10,000 spectators in its prime. We spent time wandering at the remains and wondering at what life was like in the Roman era before making our way to Tavira Tower. Tavira Tower was and still is a watchtower, and also happens to be the tallest structure in Cadiz. It offers panoramic views of the city and produces excellent photos. After admiring the structure and taking some pictures and videos we made our way to Plaza de San Juan. Whether you arrive by ship or train, you will inevitably walk through Plaza de San Juan to access the Old Town. It is a hub of activity that is adorned with beautiful palm trees, a stunning fountain, quaint shops and also happens to be the largest square in Cadiz. As the evening dawned we ordered some tapas near the plaza to hold the hunger for our return train ride. Finishing our food we hurriedly made our way to the train station to catch the evening train back to Sevilla, thus ending our day trip to Cadiz.
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Conclusion
Cadiz is charming. It is overshadowed by the bigger cities of Andalucia, but I enjoyed it immensely more than the larger and more recommended cities. The Old Town is delightful, the people are lively, and the beaches are bright and beautiful. If you are looking for a good holiday beachtown, then Cadiz is perfect for you.
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