Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cities in Spain thanks to its prime location, Cadiz is renowned for its beautiful beaches and inspiring architecture. The Carnival of Cadiz, known locally as Los Carnavales, is perhaps the most major tourist attraction in the city, taking place every February, when the streets and squares come alive. Cadiz is served by three different railway stations, making a trip here simple. Cadiz’s main station handles many of the most popular routes into the city. For example, the train to Cadiz from Madrid takes approximately 4h20mins, including transfers, and these services are operated by Renfe.
Visiting Cadiz
Cadiz is the perfect holiday destination and catching the train to Cadiz is incredibly easy. The train station is located directly adjacent to the port, meaning that reaching most of the major attractions here is simple, right from the station and even on foot. Any walking tour should begin with a visit to the neighbourhood of El Pópulo, which is the oldest in the city and about 5 minutes from the train station. Here visitors will find the beautiful cathedral, with its Neoclassical-Baroque style. Climbing the clock tower of the cathedral provides some of the best views of the cityscape.
The next stop should be Barrio de La Viña, just over 10 minutes away, followed by a coastal walk along the beach of La Caleta. At the end of the beach, travellers will find the castles of Santa Catalina and San Sebastián. Both of these historic fortresses definitely warrant a few photos! Visitors will also want to take some time to admire the ruins of the Roman theatre. It's one of the largest of its kind in Spain and a prime example of Roman architecture on the Iberian Peninsula. This archaeological site was first unearthed in the 1980s and offers a fascinating insight into the distant past. Another landmark that’s worth visiting is the La Pepa monument in the Plaza de España, which was first unveiled in 1812. A march up the steps of the Torre Tavira is well worth the effort too, offering unrivalled views over the bay. After savouring all the city’s sights, tourists may fancy sampling the flavours of its local gastronomy. In fact, this city is rich in Andalusian cuisine, with fried fish, Gazpacho and Jerez wines all making popular choices.