The city of Cádiz, located not far from Strait of Gibraltar in the southernmost part of Spain, is considered one of the oldest cities in Western Europe with a history that stretches back almost 3000 years. It is one of 8 provinces that make up the region of Andalusia , "the heart of Spain".
Today, Cádiz has a great focus on tourism. It is not only the countless landmarks and historical sights that attract. Even the city's beaches and vibrant entertainment act as magnets for both Spanish and international tourists.
In May 2016, this place was named, in a major international vote, Spain's third most beautiful coastal resort ( Nerja came first) . However, there are still, for some inexplicable reason, few Swedes who visit this fantastic area.
Travel guide Cádiz
Entertainment Cádiz
Where should we start? Cádiz is a city where entertainment is in full swing, all year round. For example, one of the world's most famous carnivals, Los Carnavales, is arranged here. 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 is not far behind.
For entertainment on other dates of the year, the old town is the center. There are restaurants, tapas bars and nightclubs in abundance here. During the summer months, however, entertainment moves out towards the beaches. Zahara de los Atunes, which is an old fishing outlet, organizes during the summer parties from 2 in the night until early morning, along the over a mile long beach.
Attractions Cádiz
The Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors, the Castilians, the English – Cádiz has had many masters over the years, and all of them have 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 Cádiz's history, the Archaeological Museum a good place to visit. Here you can find artefacts, 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 northern tower – the view is unbeatable!), the Roman theater and the many old gates in the city wall.
Monuments aside, Cádiz boasts some of Spain's best beaches , most of which lie along the western side of the older part of town. The Costa de la Luz, the Coast of Light, is known for its beautiful and pristine sandy beaches. According to polls among Spanish tourists, Spain's best beaches can be found in and around Cádiz.
There is much 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 Cádiz
Most things are cheap in the city and accommodation is no exception. It's usually always possible to get a cheap hotel room on the spot (unless it's one of the festival weeks), but these days it's still cheapest to book through 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.com . They 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 a 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 selection is not yet that big, but if you're lucky, you can get hold of 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 elevated, nearby small town of Arcos de la Frontera . The city has beautiful old buildings, and is beautifully surrounded by a green and rolling landscape. Amazing views!
Jerez de la Frontera is the city that gave the drink Sherry its name. A world-famous riding school (Real Escuela Andaluz del Arte) is also found here. During the annual May festival Festival de Jerez, Spain's most famous Flamenco artists perform.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda has nice beaches, and above all Manzanilla breweries (the driest Sherry variety), as well as the nice Donana National Park. If you like fish, you should visit one of the famous fish restaurants along the beach. Feel free to take the opportunity to buy finer Sherry (but it is still affordable here) in the area. It is really good and smooth and round in taste, reminiscent of expensive cognac.
If you like surfing, a visit to the lovely city of Tarifa is also recommended.
History of Cádiz
The history of Cádiz begins approximately 3,000 years ago when Phoenicians from Tire landed on the site. 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 communications
The airport in Jerez de la Frontera, 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. The communications from Sweden are not very good, but it is perfectly possible to stop over in, for example, London or Frankfurt. Both low-cost airlines 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).
The weather in Cádiz
Cádiz has a subtropical, if not tropical climate, with high temperatures all year round. During July and August, the daily average temperature is over 25 degrees and during the winter months the temperature rarely drops below 10 degrees. It can be unbearably hot during the summer and for a visit to the city it is more appropriate to aim for April-May or September-October.
The housing market in and around Cádiz
Oddly enough, (according to an official report from the Spanish authorities) the area has the highest price per square meter of housing in all of Spain. However, this does not apply to bank objects, especially in the areas outside the city. Read guide to the housing market in the area.
We work closely with the two largest banks when it comes to banking objects. There are still some bank foreclosures in the area, both houses and apartments for sale for really good prices (not many international investors buying here which has pushed prices down).
The areas that have most of the best selection include, but are not excluded, Arcos de la Frontera, Jerez de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia (which several historians consider to be Europe's oldest city) and El Puerto de Santa Maria. The latter town, 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's second voyage to America had its departure base. [Update November 2019] This city is also home to 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.