The city of Cádiz, located not far from Strait Gibraltarin the southernmost part of Spain, is considered one of the oldest cities in Western Europe with a history that stretches back nearly 3000 years. It is one of 8 provinces that make up the country Andalusia, “The heart of Spain”.
Today, Cádiz has a strong focus on tourism. It is not only the countless landmarks and historical sights that attract visitors. The city's beaches and vibrant nightlife also act as magnets for both Spanish and international tourists.
In May 2016, this town was named, in a major international poll, as Spain's third most beautiful coastal town (Nerja came first). However, for some inexplicable reason, few Swedes visit this fantastic area.
Travel guide Cadiz
Entertainment Cadiz
Where should we start? Cádiz is a city where the entertainment scene is absolutely buzzing, all year round. For example, it hosts one of the world's most famous carnivals, The Carnivals. It takes place in February every year and it is truly an experience out of the ordinary.
Easter Week (Semana Santa) is another highlight of the festive calendar in Cádiz. Seville may have the most famous Easter Week of all Spanish cities, but Cádiz isn't far behind.
For entertainment other dates of the year, the old town is the town center . There are restaurants, tapas bars and nightclubs in abundance. During the summer months, however, the entertainment scene moves out to the beaches. Zahara de los Atunes, which is an old fishing port, organizes a party during the summer from 2 am to early morning, along the more than one kilometer long beach.
Attractions Cadiz
Phoenicians, Carthage, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Castile, English – Cádiz has had many masters over the years, and they have all left behind rich cultural treasures. There is probably no city in the Western world that has as many well-preserved monuments as Cádiz.
For a quick overview of the history of Cádiz, it is archaeological museum a great place to visit. Here you can find artifacts, statues and much more from the days of the Phoenicians to modern times. Among the most popular landmarks in the city are the Castillo de Santa Catalina, the cathedral in the old town (don't miss climbing to the top of the north tower - the view is unbeatable!), the Roman theater and the many old gates in the city walls.
Alongside monuments, Cádiz boasts some of Spain's best beaches, most of which are located along the western side of the old part of the city. The Costa de la Luz, the Coast of Light, is known for its beautiful and unspoilt sandy beaches. According to polls among Spanish tourists, the best beaches in Spain are found in and around Cádiz.
There is a lot to see and do in the city, but it is mainly the very life-affirming "mañana" atmosphere with good food, dancing and partying all year round that makes you want to return again and again.
Cheap accommodation in Cadiz
Most things are cheap in the city and accommodation is no exception. It's usually always possible to get a cheap hotel room on site (unless it's one of the festival weeks), but these days it's still cheapest to book via an online booking site instead of booking directly at the hotel (as strange as it may sound). When we visit the city we usually use hotels.comThey have a price guarantee, no cancellation fees, and a solid selection, including the older parts of the city. If you want to rent a house or apartment for longer periods, there are several options, including private ones.
If you want to rent long stay (longer than 6 months), write to us and we will check the banks' range of apartments and houses for long-term rental. Their range is not yet that large, but if you are lucky you can get a really affordable accommodation.
More about the housing market in the area can be found at the bottom of the article (for those who want to buy an apartment or house in the area).
Excursion destinations near Cádiz
We recommend a visit to the high-altitude, nearby small town Arcos de la Frontera. The city has beautiful old buildings, and is beautifully surrounded by a lush and rolling landscape. Fantastic views!
Jerez de la Frontera is the city that gave the drink Sherry its name. It is also home to a world-famous riding school (Real Escuela Andaluz del Arte). During the annual May Festival de Jerez, Spain's most famous Flamenco artists perform.
Sanlucar de Barrameda has nice beaches, and above all Manzanilla breweries (the driest Sherry variety), as well as the beautiful Donana National Park. If you like fish, you should visit one of the famous fish restaurants along the beach. Feel free to buy some finer Sherry (but it is still reasonably priced here) in the area. It is really good and smooth and round in taste, and reminds of expensive cognac.
If you like surfing, a visit to the lovely city is also recommended Tarifa.
History of Cadiz
The history of Cádiz begins about 3000 years ago when Phoenicians from Tyre landed there. The reason for the landing was Cádiz's excellent location for water transport. Since then, Cádiz has actually been one of the most important ports in Spain.
The port was particularly important during the 18th century, when Cádiz practically had a monopoly on all traffic to and from the New World. Goods such as spices, tobacco and gold passed through the city, which served as a gateway to Europe. Once the American colonies broke away from Spain, Cádiz was no longer as relevant.
Flights and other public transport connections
Jerez de la Frontera Airport, about 35 km northeast of Cádiz, is the airport serving the area. The transfer from the airport to Cádiz takes about an hour by bus, train or taxi. Public Transport Connections from Sweden are not very good, but it is excellent to stopover in, for example, London or Frankfurt. Both low-cost and traditional airlines serve Jerez de la Frontera. Read about cheap flights to Spain.
Tips on good sites to book a rental car (for those who want to travel along the fantastic coast).
Weather in Cadiz
Cádiz has a subtropical, if not tropical, climate with high temperatures all year round. During July and August the average daily temperature is over 25 degrees Celsius and during the winter months the temperature rarely drops below 10 degrees Celsius. It can get unbearably hot during the summer and for a visit to the city it is more suitable to aim for April-May or September-October.
The housing market in and around Cádiz
Oddly enough (according to an official report from Spanish authorities) the area has the highest price per square meter of housing in all of Spain. However, this does not apply to bank repossession , especially in the areas outside the city. Read the guide to the housing market in the area.
We work closely with the two largest banks when it comes to bank repossession . There are still some bank repossession in the area, both houses and apartments for sale at really good prices (there are not many international investors buying here which has pushed down prices).
The areas that have most of the best offerings include, but are not limited to, Arcos de la Frontera, Jerez de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia (which several historians consider to be the oldest city in Europe) and El Puerto de Santa Maria. The latter city, Puerto de Santa Maria, is located on the Atlantic side, 10 km northeast of Cadiz and is mainly known for its beaches and bullfighting. It was from this port that Columbus' second voyage to America had his starting base. [Updated November 2019] In this city you can also find Andalusia's only three-star Michelin restaurant, Ángel León's Aponiente.
Write to info@spanskafastigheter.se if you want to know more about cheap accommodation for sale in or around Cádiz.
