Cadiz, Spain

Cathedral of Our Lady

The grand Cathedral - Cádiz’s main attraction - is located on Cathedral Square. Its original predecessor, as often happened in the Middle Ages with cathedrals, was destroyed by a fire. The modern version of the cathedral (often called Catedral Nueva), starting from the mid-18th century, was built over the course of a hundred years, and during that time it managed to acquire architectural elements of both Baroque and Rococo, not to mention Neoclassicism. The cathedral crypt is known for the fact that it is situated below sea level. The abundance of columns is impressive, designed to help support the massive upper part of the building. From the cathedral’s towers, unusually high for buildings of that era, there are charming views of the city.

Torre de Tavira

The Square Tower (one of 126 watchtowers, from which ships arriving from America were once monitored) is located in the heart of the Old Town. Inside the Tavira Tower there is a camera obscura (3rd floor, sessions every half hour) and an observation deck offering views of the medieval quarters of Cádiz and the Castillo de San Sebastián. The camera obscura allows you to watch moving images of what is happening beyond the tower walls for 15-20 minutes. Using a simple optical effect, the image appears on a flat screen at the center of a dark room. Such rooms appeared even before our era. The demonstration is accompanied by explanations in several languages.

St. Philip Neri Oratory

One of the most interesting churches in Cadiz was built in the Baroque style at the end of the 17th century and restored in the mid-18th century after an earthquake. It was here, in 1812, that the local parliament, the Cortes, met and the first Constitution of Spain was adopted. Externally, the church looks quite simple, but inside, religious artifacts and clothing are displayed as exhibits. Oratories are special rooms within the church-prayer halls for singing, reading, and interpreting the Bible. This word can also be used to refer to the church as a whole.

Santa-Cueva Oratorio

Not far from Plaza de Mina is one of the best-known churches in Cádiz - the Oratorio de Santa Cueva, built in the 18th century in the neoclassical style. It is famous, first of all, for the triptych by Francisco Goya (the paintings can be seen in the Upper Chapel), and secondly for the fact that the Crucifix inside the church served as the theme for a musical piece by Joseph Haydn, “The Seven Last Words of Christ.”

Fort San Sebastián

The most wonderful thing about the fortress is its location. San Sebastián is at the end of La Concha Beach, on a small island 500 meters from the shore. You can reach its walls both on foot along the long sandy spit and by a tourist train (7€). Inside the fort, a lighthouse has been preserved-the only one in Spain built out of metal.

Cádiz Museum

The Cádiz Museum is one of the best in Andalusia. On its lower floor, there is an archaeological display, including Phoenician sarcophagi and ornaments, as well as a wide variety of Romanesque statues (most often headless). On the second floor, there is a painting collection (the best-known Spanish artists include Zurbarán, Murillo, and Ribera). The museum also has an ethnographic section, where, in particular, you can see dolls that once took part in the city’s puppet theatre performances.

Genoa Park

The Genoese Park stretches along the Cadiz waterfront opposite the Castle of San Sebastián. The trees here are, as if chosen for the purpose-enormous and impressive: figs, dracaenas, plane trees, and tall palms. Many of the plants were brought from America; the local climate fully allows them to thrive on the Mediterranean coast. Cypress trees, yews, and conifers are trimmed according to the whims and convictions of gardeners from different schools. Overall, the park looks very neat and well cared for: fountains, waterfalls, benches, flowerbeds, and paved paths are not left to chance, and at night all this variety is also illuminated.

Old Town

Old Town Câdiz - that’s how the name of the medieval quarters of Cádiz sounds in Spanish-surrounded by the remains of fortress walls (entrance via the Puerta de la Tierra gate) and, in size, quite modest. Here you’ll find historic districts of El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María, and the narrow lanes wind their way, flowing into wide squares. In the Old Town there’s also a waterfront promenade with beautiful views of the sea, the Tavira Tower, which serves as an observation deck, and the forts of San Sebastián and San Catalina. The ideal route for getting to know the Old Town looks something like this: Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Plaza de España, the Bay of Cádiz, Plaza de Mina with the Archaeological Museum, the medieval El Pópulo district with the Roman Theatre, and of course the La Viña district, famous for its tapas bars.

Plaza San Juan de Dios

From an architectural point of view, Plaza San Juan de Dios is famous for its neoclassical Town Hall building (Ayuntamiento), built in 1800. From a tourist perspective, the square is interesting for its pleasant cafes tucked along its edges. This is the central square of Cádiz, known since the 15th century and located within the walls (or rather, what remains of them) of the Old Town. If you want to sit peacefully on a bench, come here during the day. By evening, the fountains’ colorful lighting comes on, and the square fills with people. On the square you can see a memorial plaque dedicated to Christopher Columbus’s second voyage. On September 25, 1493, the fleet set sail from Cádiz. During this expedition, the most convenient sea route to the West Indies was mapped out.

Beaches

The largest natural Cortadura Beach in Cádiz is a chain of small dunes. It’s important to note that there is practically no infrastructure here, although there are also no people. The beach is about 4 km long and 60 m wide. Stretching for three kilometres, the Victoria Beach is equipped with volleyball and football courts, 24/7 bars and restaurants, children’s areas, and water slides. Since 1987, the beach has received the prestigious “Blue Flag” award every year. It is considered the best-equipped and most comfortable for a holiday on the southern coast of Europe. The sandy La Caleta Beach is located in the northern part of the Old Town; from the coastline, you can enjoy the best sunsets in Cádiz. Around it, you’ll find old fortress forts, some of which are open to visitors.

Cadiz is the oldest city in Europe.

The program includes not only the monuments that are more than enough here (the 5th-century BC sarcophagi, the largest theater of Spanish Baetica during the Roman Empire, the Arab Medina, one of the most beautiful baroque-style cathedrals, paintings by Murillo and Goya, and much more), but also the city itself with its magnificent “golden” beach, narrow streets, spacious squares, and of course, its secrets! You’ll certainly want to find the 400-year-old dragon, visit the “Camera obscura,” where everything happening in the city at that moment is displayed on a screen, try sea urchins and churros, and find out what “La Pepa” means. Cádiz is a city you can fall in love with forever!

Express tour for cruise lovers

In the program: the oldest port in Europe, Cádiz, fabulously beautiful Seville, and a tasting of the best sherry and tapas in the “wine cathedral”. On the way to Seville, tourists will be treated to a story about the history and traditions of this richest region, about horse races, “toro bravo”, and flamenco, whose origins are exactly here-in Andalusia! In Seville, a two-hour walking tour of the historic center is planned (Plaza de España, the Torre del Oro, the Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Alcázar, the Jewish quarter). On the way back to Cádiz, travelers will stop in Jerez de la Frontera and visit the Tío Pepe winery, where the world-famous sherry is produced. In Cádiz, you will be able to enjoy views of the golden beach, stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, and understand why Byron called this city “a sea siren”!

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it after booking your cruise in your “Customer Personal Account”.