Cadiz, located in southwest Spain, is a cruise destination where you can literally step off the ship and find yourself right in the heart of town, and a beautiful town it is at that. I have visited Cadiz several times and I never tire of it, in fact I am visiting there again in a few months and I am most looking forward to it.
The Old Town is literally just across the road from where your ship docks, the streets are mainly cobblestones and very narrow and everywhere you look you see something stunning – it really is a place where you can lose yourself in its beauty for a few hours. It is also the oldest continuously-inhabited city in Spain and if you explore one of the various parks you will enjoy exotic plants and large tress, which are said to have been brought to Spain by Columbus from the New World.
The shopping here is very good, there are a few high street names that you will recognise but on the most part the shops are traditional, local names and there are plenty of small cafes where you can stop and enjoy a coffee for an hour, or to leave your husband resting at if he gets sick of shopping! If you want to enjoy some food ashore then there are many restaurants to choose from. All of the narrow streets open into large plaza areas and here is where you will not only find more points of interest but also restaurants and ice cream bars. A most pleasant place to sit and not only enjoy a wonderful meal but to also watch the world go by. If the sun is shining it is a very relaxing experience indeed and personally I could sit there for hours.
Cadiz Cathedral is one place I would highly recommend you visit during your time here. Absolutely incredible to look at and If you enjoy photography then the exterior is your paradise. You can find the cathedral on Plaza de la Catedral, s/n, 11005. It was built between 1722 and 1838 and was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931. The plaza also houses the Baroque Santiago church, which was built in 1635.
During one of my visits to Cadiz I decided to do a tour to Seville, if you have visited Cadiz before and want to do something new then I would highly recommend booking an excursion to Seville. Very much like Cadiz architecturally but on a much grander and more open scale, it really was a stunning place to explore for the day. Again there is plenty of shopping but for me the visit was more about sightseeing – even the drive is picturesque.
Cadiz is also home to several superb beaches, La Caleta being one of the most popular with the locals and it is within walking distance of the cruise terminal. There are also El Palmar Beach, Zahara de los Atunes and Playa Santa Maria del Mar, but a taxi ride would be recommended for reaching these.
I have to say that one of the best views of the town is actually from the ship. When you head out onto the open decks you will see exactly what I mean. It is absolutely beautiful and I am sure you will agree that Cadiz has a slightly Moroccan appearance to it, I suppose this is because of its closeness to the African coast.
If I were to give one piece of advice for visiting Cadiz it would be to just get off the ship and go. Don’t plan anything, grab a map and just enjoy what you find. It is such a beautiful place, you need to take your time to enjoy it and a plan of action I feel would rush you and ruin your experience. Go with the flow as they say!
If you would like more information on itineraries that visit Cadiz, then please call one of our Cruise Experts on 0800 008 6677.
