Nestled on a narrow slice of land surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean is Cádiz, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe that one expat in Spain is urging travellers to make time to visit. The capital of the Province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, the city is more than 3,000 years old and peppered with incredible, ancient buildings looking out to the stunning blue waters that surround it.
New Zealand expat James and his Spanish wife Yoly, who both live in Spain, have made it their mission to help others enjoy a deeper experience of Spain via the travel guides they share on their YouTube channel @spainrevealed. They highlighted the stunning city of Cádiz as their “number one place to visit” on a trip to Spain.
“You see this city deep in the southwest of Spain on this impossibly small spit of land is the most magical city in Spain according to me,” said James.
In fact, the expat loved the region so much he has dreamed of living there for a stint over the years. He even suggests that it would be a “crime to visit Spain without seeing Cádiz”, something Yoly also backs up as being “unforgivable”.
James tops his list of favourite things about the city with the rich history which remnants of can be seen at every turn.
“There’s almost a sense that Cádiz has so much history that it can’t keep up it can’t keep it in check and all of these historic buildings are being beaten by the weather that comes off the Atlantic so it’s a challenge to keep these buildings in a state of good repair,” he said.
“And for better or worse what that does mean is that these historic parts of Cádiz have this gritty authenticity to them.”
Ancient buildings and streets can be seen throughout the city’s various quarters, known in Spain as barrios, such as El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María. El Pópulo is the city’s oldest area, located at the entrance of the historical centre, between the Town Hall and the Cathedral. This is considered the true medieval centre of the city dating back to the 13th century.
The promenade is another must-see spot, where you can wander along and soak up the city’s beautiful sights, including the glinting golden dome of the cater.
The Cathedral is one of the most famous monuments in Cádiz, combining baroque and neoclassical styles. Tourists can even enjoy tours to often missed parts of the cathedral, including the crypts.
Plaza de las Flores is a beautiful square lined with an array of cafés serving up local dishes such as churros and fried fish, or head to Mercado Central which is lined with stalls selling locally-sourced goods.
Though the thousands of years old history makes up a huge part of the tapestry of Cádiz, modernity has been embraced too and can be seen at the contemporary Parador de Cádiz. The hotel first opened in 2013 and features a beautiful outdoor swimming pool set to the backdrop of Atlantic views. Stays for upcoming dates start from £135 according to Booking.com.