Created by 3GoExploring.
Cadiz, founded in 1100 BC, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It has ties to Greek mythology; legends speak of the fatal battle of Hercules and King Gerion from the walls of Cadiz. Nowadays, Cadiz is rich in history with archaeological remains showcased in museums of the Phoenician origins of the city and the original traders of Cadiz.
Our adventure kicked off with a quick assessment of whether raincoats were needed or not…we braved the decision of no coats, stay tuned to see if that was the right decision. As Cadiz is relatively small compared to many of our other visits, we decided to let our legs choose the path. Outside the cruise port, you’ll find the spectacular 1812 Constitution Monument commemorating the signing of the Spanish Constitution.
The weather seemed promising so we decided to head to the furthest point, the Castillo De San Sebastian which overlooks La Caleta beach - the smallest yet relaxing beach in Cadiz.
The walk from the beach to the castle is following a cobbled path over a bridge, be mindful of the crashing waves as you might get a little wet if you stand for too long! This fortress is free to enter, TripAdvisor advises this castle is shut, however, at our time of visiting it is open to all.
Not far up the beach is the highly recommended castle Castillo De Santa Catalina, a 17th-century defence fortress that is free to enter and provides panoramic views of Cadiz and the Bay.
The castle houses multiple quaint cultural exhibition halls portraying mythological art and photography of the changing city.
Continuing our walk along the coastline we discovered the Parque Genoves, a charming park and botanical garden with a plethora of monuments scattered throughout.
As you head down the seafront promenade an impressive Ficus Macrophylla Tree comes into view, planted in 1903 by two nuns who sadly became unwell and passed away during their voyage from India to Northern Spain, this famous tree offers tribute to the care provided by the nearby hospital.
From here we headed back into the main shopping areas, dipping in and out of the narrow streets.
As you’ll know 3GoExploring loves to explore foreign markets and since Valencia’s was closed Cadiz was the next best with an expansive fish market, if only the UK had similar.
The city itself is rather compact compared to other ports we’ve visited in Spain, however is very steeped in history, admiring the cathedral is a must but would recommend it from a distance so you can take in all the views from various angles.
You’ll notice a diverse mix of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture styles with the cathedral, this is due to the cathedral taking 116 years to be built!
As we started to explore the city, the weather quickly turned against us and we gained shelter in the Cadiz Fish Market whilst planning our trip back to the ship before the heavens opened on us once more. After dodging the heavy rain showers, we finally made our way back to the ship, yes slightly damp and yes, that answers the question if raincoats were in actual fact needed!
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