Cádiz Was an Unexpected and Breathtaking Gem in Spain!
Once I discovered more about Columbus, his important relationship with Queen Isabella 1st, and his historic voyages, I seriously pondered a visit to Cádiz! It wasn’t planned but during my last few days in Seville, I wondered about this old port city and its significance to the voyages of Columbus. It became apparent to me just how important of a port city this was due its prime location. What connection did Cádiz have to Catholic Monarchs and Christopher Columbus? It was close to Seville, so I decided to book a bus ticket to Cádiz. It was my BEST move ever! I became so intrigued with the unimaginable funding of Columbus’s journey put forth by Queen Isabella. These two Catholic Monarchs believed in his voyage across the seas. I tried to imagine what it would’ve been like when Columbus returned from his first voyage and shared what he had discovered. After learning that his second voyage began from Cádiz, and that Cádiz was a very important historical city, I knew I had to go there. It did NOT disappoint! I had NO idea of the multitude of beaches in and around the city!
Where is Cádiz in Spain?
Cádiz, Andalusia in southwestern Spain. It is at the front of the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
DID YOU KNOW FOLLOWING FACTS ABOUT CÁDIZ ?
Cádiz is considered to be the oldest city in Europe. It was founded in 1100 BC by the Cádiz was the oldest inhabited city in Spain and considered one of the oldest cities in western Europe. It was occupied by many different nations.
There is a connection to Cuba in Cádiz. It is said to resemble Havana quite a bit as Havana was designed after Cádiz. Have you ever watched the James Bond movie, Die Another Day? The film footage of Halle Berry in a bikini in Cuba was actually shot in Cádiz. It was La Caleta Beach that was used. It is a wonderful beach! They also used digital technology to remove the castle (Castle of San Sebastián) and transformed Cádiz into Havana.
The ONLY Navigable River in Spain empties into the Port of Cádiz. The Río Guadalquivir is the river of Seville. It is the ONLY the navigable river in Spain. This river has played a leading role in many of the city’s historic moments. Sieges, defences and conquests have been fought on its waters. The Río Guadalquivir played a major role in Atlantic crossings forged from its shores. It flows in a westward direction for 657 Km (405 miles). It empties into the Atlantic Ocean on the Gulf of Cádiz.
Christopher Columbus set sail from Cádiz. Christopher Columbus made his four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain. He set sail to the New World on his 2nd voyage from Cádiz on September 24, 1493. Columbus discovered North America by accident trying to find a direct route from Europe to Asia. was determined to find a direct route from Europe to Asia.
English Pirates attacked Cádiz quite regularly for 200 years. Cádiz is said to be the favourite city for these pirates to attack. In 1587, Sir Francis Drake destroyed and captured many ships. This delayed the Spanish Armada by a year. Then in 1596, the Earl of Essex, burned the city of Cádiz to the ground.
Cádiz is the most important Port in Spain. The city is located in the southwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Sea, Cádiz became part of an international trade route that linked Europe, America and Africa.
Cádiz is known for the 100 watchtowers located there. The watchtowers of Cádiz represent the wealth of the city through trade of the prosperity and trade which occurred in the city in the 18th century. Today, the Tavira Tower is the official watchtower of Cádiz. It stands 45 meters above sea level and is located in the center of the city.
Cádiz has spectacular sunsets. These sunsets are gorgeous to view whether from the beaches or the city.
HISTORY:
Cádiz is a very interesting city thought by some to be the oldest city in Europe, founded in 1100 BC by the Phoenicians who called it Gadir and traded Baltic amber and British tin, as well as Spanish silver. The city then became a naval base for the Romans. Sadly, Cádiz became an obscure city until it was re-conquered from the Moors by King Alfonso in 1262.
The real boom period was with the discovery of America as Columbus sailed from this port on his second and fourth voyages. Much later the city enjoyed a golden age during the 18th century when it enjoyed 75% of Spanish trade with America. From this time it grew into one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities in Spain and most of the city’s fine buildings date from this time.
Now That I Arrived, Its Time to Settle Into My Apartment!
One of the things I did here was to again rent an apartment. It was much more inexpensive then Seville and I was able to go to the local markets and buy food and cook meals while I was here. It was a great way to save money. I think that allowed me to feel like I was part of a neighbourhood and have a normal life. I enjoyed unpacking all of my clothes and living out of a closet and dressers instead of a backpack.
These are photos of my apartment! It was centrally located and very close to La Caleta Beach. The narrow streets were great to navigate. My apartment was on the ground floor but all windows face a common inner courtyard. On one side of my place there was a great gym and down the street there was a convent! The sisters were pretty quiet.
I didn’t take long to unpack, settle in and then start exploring. Cádiz is such a walkable city and full of shops and things to see. I just walked and walked. A walk towards the ocean took me to a large square, Cathedral Square. Yes this is where the Cathedral is located. Cathedral de la Santa Cruz de Cádiz is the official name. The architect began its design in 1721. It took over 130 years to build and it was a phenomenal place to visit! I had a feeling that I was going to learn a lot here! I have included photos from the ground and some from the top of the Bell Tower.
Cathedral de la Santa Cruz de Cadiz Photos (and a video).
Click on the red video link below
Video 2
The Cathedral Bell Tower
The following photos were taken from the top of the bell tower of the cathedral. Man I was speechless. It was truly spectacular. This was a great idea to do right away because it gave me a real outlook of Cádiz and I was able to mentally plot what I wanted to discover.
Why Not Take a Spanish Class or Two?
I decided to join the gym for the week as I felt the need to stay in shape, especially after what I ate the first day! On day 1, I found a helado (gelato) shop called Verde Pistacho. It had the BEST slogan Dolce Creativita (Sweet Creativity). It was built from a converted Volkswagen Van and I planned on visiting it regularly! Yes, that gym membership was critical!
Welcome to Dolce Creativita – Verde Pistacho, My Home Away from Home!
The Helado (Gelato) was unreal. I have no shame in saying that by the end of the week, I tasted ALL flavours!
I met a man at the gym who knew immediately that I wasn’t Spanish when I spoke but he could not tell where I was from. Apparently, that’s a compliment meaning I managed to speak Spanish without an English accent. He told me of the Language School next door. I went over and realized that the 1 week intensive course was VERY affordable. I signed up. Things were going well. I ate lunch, found Verde Pistachio, joined a gym, and signed up for a language course. Added to that was finding the Cathedral, climbing the Bell Tower and getting some great photos! Thanks for the nudge Isabella! I had not even found the beach yet!
BEACH? There were so many! Cádiz is Surrounded by Beaches and Water!
Cádiz is often referred to as the “Coast of Light” (Costa de la Luz) – Cádiz boasts mile upon mile of golden sanded coastline lapped by the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Atlantic ocean. It truly is magnificent!
Wonderful beaches and amazing architecture is what Cádiz is known for. Its coastline is part of Costa de la Luz, which features sandy beaches. Some would argue that the beaches along the 260 kilometers of Cádiz coastline, with their powder white sands and cool blue Atlantic waves, are in fact some of the best to be found in Spain. I asked some of the locals in the gym about the beaches. I was told that although Málaga was too magnificent, the beaches of Cádiz can be said to be better. The main difference is that Cádiz is truly a place for Spanish people as Málaga has many more foreigners.
I literally wove going to the beach into every day of my stay here! How could I not?
Playa De La Caleta!
Cádiz is a beach city. I spent of my time on Playa De La Caleta. Sunsets were amazing. The tidal changes were huge and the water was cold! I spent a lot of time down at this beach over the last three days in particular watching the sunsets. It’s a very popular beach and the water was spectacular . The drastic changes in the tidal flow made it easier to get a good sunset shot!
I was VERY surprised when I discovered that there was an Elementary School that was directly on the beach! A large stone wall was the barrier of the playground to the beach! Why didn’t I come here to teach many years ago?
This is Where My Obsession With Spanish Sunsets Began! It was here on Playa De La Caleta.
I came down to the beach every night to watch the sunsets and all three of them were spectacular !
Please click on the red links below to see the sunsets and a very wet wedding!
Video 1
Video 2
Surprise Bride Plunge into the Ocean at Sunset
You Never Know What Lies Behind a Closed Door!
Cádiz really touched my heart. I feel that it is a special place. It is with very mixed emotions that I leave this city today!
I decided to return to the beach this morning and take one last final morning shot.
This is me in Cadiz!
Next stop is Córdoba!
KEEP WALKING!
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