Travel Home > Directory > Destinations > Europe > Spain > Cadiz

Cadiz. Pop 131,813. An important city and naval base in the Andalucia region in south west Spain. Cadiz was founded by the Phoenician people as a key trading port and is one of the oldest cities in western europe. The oldest part of Cadiz is known as the Casco Antiguo (Old City) and contains distinctive narrow alleys leading into many plazas. The city is home to a number of fine historic buildings including - Gran Teatro Falla (Theatre), Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), Torre Tavira (Watch Tower) Las Puertas de Tierra (Town Wall Entrance) and the famous Cadiz Cathedral. The town is also home to some of the finest beaches in Spain including - La Playa de la Caleta, La Playa de la Victoria and La Playa de Santa María del Mar. The Cadiz people have the reputation of being the funniest in Spain and this is very evident during the Cadiz Carnival held every February. The carnival lasts for two weeks and features - chirigotas (starirical musical groups), choirs (groups of singers, lutes and guitars) and comparsas (poets and critics).