Cadiz
Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Spain and as such is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn about the history and culture of the country. The older part of the city, referred to as the “Old City” features narrow alleyways leading into the plazas, while in the newer section you will find modern infrastructure in place. Stroll through the numerous parks where you will see the old giant trees that are reputed to have been brought here by Columbus.
As the oldest city in Western Europe, the roots of Cadiz go back to the Phoenicians, who used the city as the center of their trade with Tartessos. Archaeological finds date the city to about 900 B.C., even though historians place the origins back even further than that. Cadiz played an important part in the Spanish Renaissance and it was from here that Columbus sailed on his second and fourth voyages.
Cadiz is known for being home to some of the funniest people in Europe. The Carnival here is the largest in the world and draws large crowds of tourists. The constant fiestas, contests, rehearsals and presentations take place in all parts of the city and are hard to miss. Satirical groups, called chirigotas, entertain the crowds with their songs.
Tourist Attractions It would be impossible to try and visit all of the tourist attractions in this beautiful city in one visit of a week or two. Some of the most popular Cadiz attractions include:
The Cathedral
This is one of the most famous landmarks in the city having been built on the site of a cathedral that was built in 1260 and burned down in 1596. The reconstruction actually started in the late 1700's and tool more than 116 years to complete. There are several architectural styles to this church and the chapels have many paintings and relics once found in the Old Cathedral.
Gran Teatro Falla Dating back to the early 20 th century, this theatre was built in honour of the composer Manuel de Falla, who is buried in the crypt. The outside of the building features red brick and the Neo Mudjear style of architecture. It has undergone many renovations, but tourists can still get a glimpse of what life used to be like in Cadiz.
Torre Tavira
At one time there were more than 150 towers in Cadiz designed to protect the city. This tower is the tallest one remaining and when you visit here you can enter a dark room that will give you an astounding view of the city.
Pylons of Cadiz
Designed to bring electricity across the Bay of Cadiz, these pylons crisscross the bay in an unusual formation.
Beaches
Of course no visit to Cadiz would be complete without spending time at the beach and there are several to choose from. The largest beaches are:
La Playa de la Caleta
This is the favorite beach in Cadiz. Located between two castles, it stretches for four hundred meters and at low tide it is 30 metres wide. Here you will see some of the Carnival entertainers or even watch a movie being filmed.
La Playa de la Victoria This is the most visited beach in the city by tourists and natives alike. At three km. long, it has about 50 meters of sand. The waters are calmer here, making it the perfect place for a family outing. Although it is separated from the city by an avenue, this street has many shops and restaurants. You can take part in many different kinds of sports, rent umbrellas, or even jetskis.
We do not provide Cadiz cruises here at Review That Cruise.com, If you are looking for a cruise to Cadiz you should check the major cruise agencies.
