Cadiz Favorites

Favorite thing: There are 2 main beaches in Cadiz, Plata de la Caleta, close to the old part of the city is a small beach used mostly by the locals, there's a cafe bar at either end of the beach but not much else. Playa de la Victoria is just a little outside the old city, is about 4km long has crystal clear water and plenty of cafe bars and resturants along the strip.
There are some great spots to enjoy a few beers while watching the sunset.

Favorite thing: One of the best things about Cadiz has to be that there are blue sky days all year round, and even if it starts cloudy or misty by mid day it is often lovely and sunny.

Even if you come here in winter you will be able to enjoy the sunshine and even a walk along the beach front. There are generally just two seasons here summer and winter.

The temperatures never get down below freezing even at night. Although December, January and February can have some warm sunny days the nights can be cold:lowest about 5 degrees. In April the night time temperature will be about 17 degrees during the day and 12 at night. Summer starts around May, this is when the beach bars open and the beach services. The weather in July and August is very hot with temperatures even reach 40 degrees on some days. At night it is really pleasant though in bed it can feel really hot, even if you do nothing but sleep ;)

These temperatures don't take into account the humidity which is very high here often making winter feel colder than it is, especially with the strong winds. The winds here aren't bitterly cold at all, but they do feel cold on a February night. We have two winds a warm one and a cold one. You really feel the difference when it is the cold one.

The rainiest month has to be April, where you should be prepared for a strong downpour that not even an umbrella can save you from! It barely rains at all in July and August.

I think June is the most pleasant month to come to Cadiz. Not too hot and not too cold and not too busy.

From around March time you can experience heat waves, giving you a taster of summer and giving you the opportunity to get those white legs out. I remember in my first year here I got sunburnt in February!!!!

Oh, and I nearly forgot: IT NEVER SNOWS HERE! Only in the mountains in the south of the province.

Favorite thing: This is Wilbur just after taking a bath. I found flying about in the wild in Cádiz. This is actually quite common now. Many parrots have escaped and started living wild. Unfortunately they are causing ecological problems.

These type of birds originate from south America and are VERY noisy creatures. They sound exotic though I'm not sure it's pleasant. It's more deafening!

In Cadiz you can sometimes see bigger parrots in Plaza Mina living in the wild. Try feeding the birds and see what happens.....

Favorite thing: I love walking around the old narrow streets in Cadiz's historical centre. As I live in the new town by the beach it's great to go to the centre and enjoy the different atmosphere there and have a drink on a street terrace.

The photo was taken outside a little bar/restaurant near to the market. Although it didn't look like the cleanest place to eat it was a great place to stop and have a beer and watch the world go by.

Favorite thing: Tourism Office

Centro de Recepción de Turistas
Avenida Canalejas, s/n
11006 Cádiz

- Tel.: (+34) 956 24 10 01 or 956 24 10 58

- Internet (some websites)
www.cadiz.es
www.infocadiz.com
www.cadizturismo.com
www.turismo-cadiz.es
www.elvisitante.es
www.guiadelocio.com (leisure in Spanish)
www.guiadecadiz.com (leisure in diferent languafes)
www.frommers.com/destinations/cadiz

- E mail: aytocadiz.turismo@telefonica.net

Favorite thing: Yes, Cádiz is in Andalucía, but don't be afraid, it's not as hot as Sevilla or Córdoba in summer because it's by the sea. However, I must admit that from time to time, it's windy, very windy.

Some websites:
- www.inm.es/web/infmet/predi/locali/ANZ.html

And for beaches:
- www.inm.es/web/infmet/predi/playas/html/Cadiz.html

Favorite thing: These little reptiles are such wonderful creatures; they live in Cádiz and all over the south of Spain too. They are a very common sight all year round but especially in the summer months. There are two types of lizards type creatures that you may see, but this type is by far the cutest. Look at his little hands; he has little suction pads on them! These little creatures also have oscillating eyes too!

Don’t try and catch them because they are fast little critters and if you pull their tails they will fall off as a defence mechanism!

Favorite thing: Sir Francis Drake also attacked the Spanish Armada here in the bay of Cadiz. For the three months following he either sunk or captured over 100 ships along the coast from Cadiz to Lisbon in Portugal.

It was also from Cadiz that Christopher Columbus sailed to the 'New World'.

Also as mentioned Napoleon fought here for the city, so it seems that a lot of well known people were in Cadiz at one time or another before me! :-)