A Little History of Cádiz
Considered to be the oldest inhabited city in Europe, Cádiz was found as ‘Gadir’ by the Phoenicians in 1.100 BC. The city has a long list of spectacular beaches and returning visitors rave about the tasty Cádiz seafood, amazing monuments and intriguing museums. Most importantly, enamored visitors talk fondly of the gaditanos (people from Cádiz), and the crazy, yet fun Carnival whose upbeat songs will make you long for the city after you have left. Here we discover 10 essential facts about Cádiz. Read more at theculturetrip.com...
Excerpt from Wikipedia.org:
Cádiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the Province of Cádiz, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia.
Cádiz, regarded by many as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, with archaeological remains dating to 3100 years, was founded by the Phoenicians. It has been a principal home port of the Spanish Navy since the accession of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century. The city is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. It is also the site of the University of Cádiz.
Situated on a narrow slice of land surrounded by the sea‚ Cádiz is, in most respects, a typically Andalusian city with a wealth of attractive vistas and well-preserved historical landmarks. The older part of Cádiz within the remnants of the city walls is commonly referred to as the Old Town (Spanish: Casco Antiguo). It is characterized by the antiquity of its various quarters (barrios), among them El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María, which present a marked contrast to the newer areas of town. While the Old City's street plan consists of narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas, newer areas of Cádiz typically have wide avenues and more modern buildings. In addition, the city is dotted with numerous parks where exotic plants flourish, including giant trees supposedly brought to Spain by Columbus from the New World.
Staying in Cádiz
Narrow winding alleys, charming squares and grand plazas, sea vistas and beaches... Cádiz has many different types of scenes to paint, and all are within walking distance of our hotel. No need to rent a car, in fact I do not recommend driving in the old town due to the tight passages, pedestrian streets, and one way streets. Best to pack a really comfortable pair of walking shoes and hit the cobblestone streets on foot.
The central market, or mercado, is open every day except Sunday, and there you can find fresh fish, meats and vegetables, as well as stands serving tapas of local favorites: fried fish, paella, potato omelettes or tortillas, and of course, cold cerveza!
Tapas bars, restaurants and cafes abound in Cádiz, so get ready for some seriously good eating. Fish, ham, cheese and olives are abundant, less so salads and fresh vegetables, so if you are vegan or vegetarian let us know so that we can make special arrangements at the restaurants we will be taking you to for dinner.
Location
Welcome to Cádiz, Spain!
How to get there
Take the train from the Santa Justa or San Bernardo station in Sevilla to Cádiz and we will meet you at the train station at the end of the line!