Cadiz, Spain

This Spanish city is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe and it has been written about for over 3000 years.



The city has links with South America with doors made from the forests and streets named after Latin American heroes.

Although not a popular place during the 20th century it has now made efforts to restore the historic buildings to get the town back to its original beauty and to give residents something of which to be proud.

There is a lot to see in and around Cadiz with mansion like the Case Del Almirante, the Casa de las Cadena and La Santa Cueva all worth seeing. The narrow and winding streets of the old town open into squares with cafes and restaurants.

There are several beaches a short distance away. Playa de la Caleta is close to the old part of the city whereas La Play de la Victoria is closer to the new part. It has calm seas and a lovely sandy beach. Play de Santa Maria de Mar is between these and has a wonderful view of the Old Town. The beaches in this area tend not to be so popular as those of nearby Costa del Sol mainly because the winds are chillier and the sea can be rougher but this gives the wind and kite surfers ideal conditions.

Five National Parks are in the region including Donana, this is the most important nature reserve in Spain. Seierra de Grazalema is good for horse riding, pot holing, cycling and hiking. Los Alcornocales gives people the opportunity to abseil, hike, cycle and canoe.

Annually, around Shrove Tuesday, the city has a carnival lasting two weeks this is the third largest in the world. People dance, make music and street entertainers sing songs about politicians accompanied by drums and guitars. The children are also catered for with puppet shows and fireworks each evening in the Plaza San Juan de Dios.

The Plaza de San Fransisco has many tapas bars serving from 10pm to 4am. The popular El Hoyo is a nightclub that is usually open until dawn. Good restaurants are aplenty with the best being the seafood restaurants. Regional recipes include pancakes with prawns, squid and noodles with clams and prawns. For those preferring something other than fish then head inland where sherry from Jerez is used in partridge casserole or scramble eggs with asparagus.

This city offers a warm welcome to visitors.