Known affectionately as ‘Little Havana’, the enchanting port of Cadiz, in Spain, is home to a warren of narrow streets, sun-filled squares and a waterfront like that of the Cuban capital.
So similar are the cities that Havana scenes in the Bond film Die Another Day — with Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry — were filmed here.
Cadiz’s carnival is celebrated in February. It also has a great vibe, friendly Gaditanos or locals. Enjoy live music, bargain tapas, and ancient sights alongside sandy beaches and sandy shores.
Cadiz offers a wide range of activities, including bargain tapas or live music and ancient sites and sandy beaches.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Las Cortes de Cadiz
The charming, yellow-fronted building is located in central Cadiz’s shopping and dining area. It has 36 rooms that are connected by an impressive marble staircase. Its air-con bedrooms have classic furniture and the roof terrace is ideal for catching Cadiz’s Saharan sunset.
B&B doubles from £78 (hotellascortes.com).
Hotel La Catedral
Situated in one of Cadiz’s most popular squares, this hotel’s rooftop has a front-row view of the cathedral. And, there’s a plunge pool for cooling off while admiring the architecture. The rooms are comfortable and modern.
B&B doubles from £76 (hotellacatedral.com).
Hotel Casa de Las Cuatro Torres
The boutique hotel, located on an orange-tree lined square is situated in an old Baroque 18th-century building that has four towers. The rooms have unique features like beams or studded doors.
B&B doubles from £77 (casadelascuatrotorres.com).
Hotel Convento Cadiz
Hotel Convento Cadiz, pictured above, is a converted 17th-century convent with original archways and Baroque marble
What about staying in an old convent from 17th century? You can still see the original baroque marble and stonework archways. Simple rooms offer modern conveniences.
B&B doubles from £95 (hotelconventocadiz.com).
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
Take a look at the past
To get a feel for the city’s history and confusion, hire an English-speaking guide. Tours are free but a tip is usual — £8 is about right.
For more information visit cadizforniatours.com.
From the top, see Cadiz
You can enjoy stunning views from the Baroque watchtower Torre Tavira, which offers breathtaking views over Cadiz. The tower’s panoramic view is shown in the picture.
For panoramic views of the city, climb the Baroque watchtower, Torre Tavira (£5.90). The camera obscura tour included in the price shows how the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans shaped Cádiz.
To find out more, visit www.torretavira.com.
Enjoy the beaches
Take a lunch and go to Caleta Beach, shown above. This is an old town beach that’s surrounded by fortifications.
Enjoy a picnic on the beach like the locals. Caleta — the old town beach framed by the fort — is the most popular, but further along the peninsula there’s 8km of golden sand. Hire a bike (£10.20 a day, segwayspot.com) or hop on the No 7 bus from Plaza de Espana.
Flamenco at its best
El Pelicano is the best place to flamenco, perched high on the wall of the city.
Check facebook.com/ElPelicanoMusiCafe for its list of free entertainment.
Get out on the water
Pictured is the Castle of San Marcos, one of the historic sites in the whitewashed town of El Puerto de Santa María
Take the catamaran (£2.30 one-way) to El Puerto de Santa Maria. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the bodega or visiting historical sites and the beaches in this whitewashed village.
For more information visit catamaranbahiacadiz.es.
WHERE TO EATS
La Taperia de Columela
Hidden on Cadiz’s main shopping street, you can make out this tapas spot by the people queuing round the corner. The bar has four tables, but the real action happens in the front. You can expect the waiters will pass plates to you so that they may share with other diners.
The food is high quality and good value with chacinas (cured meat) for £2.40 and Andalusian dishes such as the ensalada columela (a seafood and potato salad) for £2.90.
Calle Columela is where you will find the bar at 4, 11001.
El Faro de Cadiz
You can enjoy fine dining at El Faro without spending as much by grabbing a drink from the bar instead of eating in the main restaurant. Situated on a side street, this is a great place for trying the best fried fish — a Cadiz speciality. Start with tortillitas de camarones, crispy fritters made with tiny shrimps (£2) before trying more innovative dishes like codfish tempura with Indian mustard sauce (£3).
For more information visit elfarodecadiz.com/la-barra.
Cafe-Bar La Marina
Tuck into hot churros and hot chocolate at Cafe-Bar La Marina, which is set on the corner of Plaza de Las Flores, pictured above
No trip to Spain is complete without indulging in the ritual of merienda — the fourth meal of the day taken between 5pm and 6pm. It’s a classic cafe located on Plaza de Las Flores. Join the locals for a coffee or hot chocolate (£1.50) and receive a plate piled high with fresh, hot churros completely free.
Plaza Topete 1, 11001.
Bar La Tabernita
Located on a buzzing street in La Vina — the best barrio (neighbourhood) in town for tapas — this no-frills bar is seriously good value. Every tapas dish that flies out of their kitchen costs £2.10. You can order the black-ink cuttlefish meatballs and the cheese-stuffed Aubergine.
Calle Virgen de la Palma is the address of this bar.
Beautiful: View from the cathedral of Cadiz of the Bay of Cadiz. It is home of a maze of narrow streets, sun-filled squares and countless other attractions.
Las Isleta de la Vina
For when you’re tired of tapas, this restaurant’s menu of fusion food (served on large plates, not tapas-sized ones) is great. Feast on local fish ceviche with mango and cashew nuts (£8.40) and the orange chicken with black sesame (£8.20), before finishing with heavenly dark chocolate ganache (£5.80). It’s in a lovely square and has regular live music.
Isletadelavina.com has more information.
How to get there
Ryanair flies from London to Jerez from £36 return. Jerez airport is 46 minutes from Cadiz by train (£4.60) or 30 minutes by car (europcar.com).
Tourists who have been fully vaccinated can travel to Spain, without needing to take a test. However, they must fill out a Health Control Form (spth.gob.es), before traveling. Tourists who are not vaccinated are prohibited from traveling to Spain.
It is mandatory that travellers take an antigen testing before they return to the UK.