Interesting facts about Cadiz
Posted on 22 . August 2023
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The ancient port city of Cadiz is one of the jewels of Spain’s Andalucia region, a gloriously sunny and historic location punctuated with beautiful architecture, fascinating attractions, and exciting cultural festivities. It’s a great city to visit when exploring Andalucia and easy to get to with a car rental from Malaga airport. In this guide, we introduce you to Cadiz by presenting a selection of interesting facts about the city, hopefully inspiring you to check it out for yourself in the future.
Cadiz is the oldest inhabited city in Spain
Cadiz is a truly ancient city, traditionally founded as ‘Gadir’ in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians and is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain. Its Phoenician roots make Cadiz very unique, and there are archaeological links to its ancient past dating to the 9th century BC. You can discover some of the amazing findings for yourself at the Gadir archaeological site, which features a museum of artefacts and exhibits on ancient Phoenician culture.
The long history of Cadiz also saw the city come under Roman control as a colony in 206 BC, where it flourished as a port and naval base. Today, one of the best links to its Roman past can be found at Cadiz’s Roman Theatre. It was constructed in the 1st century BC but was only rediscovered when a 1980 warehouse fire revealed the largely intact Roman theatre – the second largest in the world.
Cadiz is one of the sunniest cities in Europe
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Like the rest of Andalucia, Cadiz is known for its beautiful weather, making it the perfect destination for those seeking warmer climates. Cadiz is one of the sunniest cities in Europe, boasting a hot summer climate and mild winters. Cadiz has 3000 hours of annual sunshine and one of the continent’s warmest winters.
There are average high summer temperatures of 28°C, but record highs of 43°C have been recorded. The winter sees temperatures between 16°C and 20°C, meaning you can enjoy visiting Cadiz all year round. It’s also a lovely place to swim, with average sea temperature around 16 °C in the winter and around 22 °C in the summer.
READ ALSO: 48 hours in Cádiz
Christopher Columbus set sail from Cadiz
Christopher Columbus is one of the most famous explorers in history, and he used Cadiz as his launching point for his hugely important second voyage to the New World in 1493. Setting sail on 25 September, Columbus was instructed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to maintain friendly relations with the natives. Columbus first landed on the Caribbean Island he would name ‘Dominica’, and the fleet eventually returned to Cadiz on 11 June 1496.
Cadiz is known for its plazas
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Cadiz is a beautiful city featuring numerous architectural influences, but one of its most prominent assets is the numerous plazas located in its old town. These important social hubs act as meeting places for locals and visitors, ranging in style and size.
The plazas play a significant role in everyday life, contributing significantly to the atmosphere in Cadiz, and providing a fascinating look into local culture. Plaza de la Cathedral is one of the must-visit spots, being the square where the beautiful Cadiz Cathedral is located.
Spanish travel expert Karen, from Spain Less Traveled, loves Cadiz and spoke to us about her thoughts on its cathedral: “Cádiz is said to be Europe’s oldest city, and the cathedral does not disappoint. Constructed between 1722 and 1838 (so much younger than Cádiz itself!) in both Baroque and Neo-Classical styles, it is easy to tell from the facade where one style ends and the next begins. For stunning views of Cádiz and the sea, be sure to climb the bell tower. The views are well worth the effort!”
Annick, from the travel blog, The Common Traveler, has visited Cadiz’s plazas and shared this insight: “Cádiz is a beautiful city to explore on foot, with its picturesque squares and streets. Start your journey at Plaza de San Juan de Dios, located near the port and train station and home to Cadiz’s town hall. From there, walk along Calle Pelota to Plaza de la Cathedral, where you’ll find the stunning Cadiz Cathedral. This busy square is a must-see for adventure lovers.
“After visiting the Cathedral, head towards the charming Plaza de las Flores, home to the flower market, and Plaza de la Libertad, where you’ll find the market hall. While many tourists stop here, there are more beautiful squares to discover in Cádiz.”
Cadiz has one of the world’s most famous carnivals
Cadiz Carnival is one of the most famous carnivals in the world, surpassed only by Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. This unique event is a weeklong street party with a huge turnout. People from all over flock to participate in the festivities, which include parades, music, and an incredible array of costumes. The locals put their heart and soul into the carnival, and it’s hard not to get wrapped up in all the fun if you are visiting.
Liz from the Young Adventuress blog has visited Cadiz during carnival week and described the madness: “People tend to come in groups and they all dress up in themes or in the same costumes! The more ridiculous the better. It is sort of like Halloween, but much more fun. I also have to mention that this is not just a holiday for young people, I swear half the people dressed up were middle age!”
READ ALSO: Where to eat in Cádiz
Cadiz boasts more than 100 watchtowers
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One of the defining features of Cadiz is its vast collection of watchtowers, with more than 100 being found at various locations across the city. The large number of watchtowers speaks to the city’s history as a defensive location and a place of importance. One of the most famous towers and a must-visit in the city is Tavira Tower (or Torre Tavira in Spanish). Built in the 1700s, this tower provides the best views in the city and is the highest point in Cadiz. The tower also includes a Camera Obscura, which is a unique and historic way of viewing faraway objects.
Sam from the travel blog, Travelling King, has visited Cadiz and highlights the Torre Tavira Tower as one of many highlights: “My first-hand experience in Cadiz was nothing short of incredible. From walking through the winding cobblestone streets to eating the local delicacies, I felt like I was truly experiencing the Spanish culture and its people first-hand. One of my favourite experiences was visiting Torre Tavira, which offers an unbeatable view of the cityscape. I also visited the imposing Catedral de Cádiz and the Cadiz Museum, both of which were full of interesting history and artefacts that provided insight into Spanish life. All in all, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had while travelling!”
Mariana from the travel blog, A Ticket to Take Off, spoke to us about her love of Cadiz, highlighting the watchtowers: “Cádiz might not be the most obvious choice when you plan a trip to the Andalusia region in Spain, but it’s quite an exciting place to visit, and it’s just about a one-hour drive from one of Andalusia’s main cities (Sevilla). The city of Cádiz is particularly known worldwide for its watchtowers, which were used by merchants as a symbol of prosperity until the 20th century. The views you have in some of these towers (like Tavira Tower, for instance) are one of the best things to see in Cádiz and will, most likely, make you fall in love with this Spanish city.”
Facts about Cadiz
- Cadiz is the oldest inhabited city in Spain
- Christopher Columbus set sail from Cadiz
- Cadiz is one of the sunniest cities in Europe
- Cadiz is known for its plazas
- Cadiz has one of the world’s most famous carnivals
- Cadiz boats more than 100 watchtowers
Cadiz is a fascinating location and well worth visiting when in Andalucia. If you would like to explore Cadiz and other nearby locations during your time in Spain, consider renting a car with Helle Hollis in Malaga.
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