Costa de la Luz - Cadiz City
Cadiz City
Cadiz (pronounced as Ca-deeth) is the capital of the province of the same name in the Spanish region of Andalusia. It is on a tiny peninsula on the southern tip of Spain. Established some 3000 years ago, Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in Europe. This port city is almost completely surrounded by water and is connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land. It is a city with a distinct island atmosphere interlaced with flamenco music, the aroma of Andalusian cuisine and the laughter and chatter of the fun-loving Gaditanos as the locals are called. Cadiz offers a colourful mix of history, culture and old-world architecture vis-a-vis modern edifices. Its rich history is evident in its historical buildings, colonial churches and quaint plazas.
Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port. It sank into oblivion under the Visigoths and Moors, but attained great splendour in the early 16th century as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America. Cadiz was later raided by Sir Francis Drake, in the struggle to gain control of trade with the New World, and managed to withstand a siege by Napoleon's army. In the early 19th century Cadiz became the bastion of Spain's anti-monarchist, liberal movement, as a result of which the country's first Constitution was declared here in 1812.
The onslaught of modernity can be gleamed from its large thoroughfares lined with bars, restaurants and clubs catering mostly to tourists. Indeed, Cadiz is an old and new city all rolled into one. Experience Cadiz, Spain and be enchanted by this fascinating city. is the western part of the Andalucia coastline that faces out to the Atlantic. The sand is finer and a more golden colour than the neighbouring Costa del Sol.
The typical beaches here are more expansive and often backed by sand dunes and pine trees. This part of the coast has not seen the high-rise hotel development of other areas. The temperatures are slightly milder and the sometimes strong Atlantic winds and waves are favoured by wind surfers and surfboarders alike. Sunshine hours around the Chiclana and Conil area are even a little better than the Costa del Sol.
There are stretches of cliffs and coves from Gibralter to Chiclana de la Frontera.
Real or secret Spain
The list goes on and on. When I first came to Spain 10 years ago I visited one of the favoured resorts of the tourist on the Med. It was my idea of Hell. A few years later I came to this area and now I live here, as to me, this is heaven on earth.