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We’re heading to Europe soon, but are watching in dismay as temperatures drop and cities like Amsterdam, London and Paris see their first rainfall of the season, and in some cases, even hail?
Boy, we get it.
We’re not ready to say goodbye to what has been a wonderful summer, and if you still had hope, you could still go on a sunny getaway across the pond once the crowds have cleared and prices have normalized, we are happy to inform you It is possible.
Maybe, you know, avoid those northern destinations and head here lesser known coastal city on the south coast of Spain instead:
Why have you never heard of beautiful Cádiz?
Convenient On the Andalusian coast in southwestern Spain lies Cádiz, a bustling seaside resort that has been catering to northern European holidaymakers for decades.
Yet a majority of American tourists in Spain bypass the route It absolutely.
Well, this could change soon, as a local news channel La Voz de Cadiz has confirmed that the city and its province have already broken tourism records in 2024, with an annual growth of 4.36%, with three and a half months to go until the year ends.
To be honest, we can’t say we’re surprised:
Despite its relative anonymity, it is, at least in American circles, one of Spain’s most important ports.
It was founded 3124 years ago by the Phoenicians – we repeat it again three millennia ago – and played a key role in the trajectory of Mediterranean civilizations.
It was eventually swallowed up by several successive empires, from the Romans to the Visigoths and the Moors, with its origins in North Africa. unprecedented cultural wealthwhich is evident from the varied architecture and priceless museums.
One of the most beautiful old town areas in Europe
Like the good Mediterranean hub, Cádiz is characterized by a densely populated Old Town, crossed by narrow pedestrian streets lined with colorful facades and lead to beautiful squares, or large public squares:
Two of the best known are the green, palm-lined Plaza de Mina, home to the Museum of Cádiz, which we highly recommend if you’re typically impressed by ancient artifacts, and Plaza San Antonio, bordered by a Baroque church and Isabelline Gothic facades.
Perhaps the most striking landmark, however, is the cathedral, which dominates the city’s skyline seen from the Paseo del Vendaval coast pRomance.
It’s unofficially called the ‘Cathedral of America’because it was built with money from transatlantic trade.
Other notable structures include the Tavira Tower, one of the last remaining of Cádiz’s 160 watchtowers, the red and white marbled Admiral’s House, the medieval Las Puertas de Tierrawho continue to guard the old city, and a Roman theater from the 1st century.
Picturesque beaches where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea
Aside from its rich culture, Cádiz is primarily a beach destination.
It claims one of the most beautiful coastlines in Spain, if not Europe fine golden sand stretches for endless miles, all the way to Portugal, and the seas are a shining blue.
One of these, Playa La Caleta, is just a 19-minute walk from Cathedral Square, with a sandy strip lined with parallel casual seafood restaurants and beach clubs. And believe it or not, it is full of sun worshipers well into the low season.
If you have a car, and a 30 to 50 minutes drive to a more secluded, paradise swimming spot sounds like a great day out, the wider Province Cádiz has a coastline of 260 kilometers, from Los Lances, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, to Los Caños de Meca.
Further away from the city proper you will find the truly idyllic, undisturbed stretches of coastline such as Punta Paloma, Bolonia and Valdevaqueros. Remember that the further west you go towards the Atlantic Ocean, the colder the temperature of the water will be.
How warm is Cádiz in autumn?
Forget leaves, Pumpkin Spiced Lattes and cozy gatherings with your loved ones around a fireplace in October: Cádiz certainly does that not falls as your usual European destination, and you know it it averages 73.4°F––or higher––on the coast at this time.
Try to find Cádiz on a modern map of Spain, and you’ll see why the autumn period, and even the winters here, are quite mild: it lies at one of the closest points between Europe and the African continent, and trust us when we say that the Sahara heat wave knows no oceanic boundaries.
Cádiz is officially part of Andalusia, an autonomous community in Spain, and so it should be the hottest region throughout Europeand it’s not a place you want to visit in peak season, when it’s a scorching 96.8 degrees outside.
We would know, we have made the mistake of visiting sun-drenched Seville once before in July. Luckily, we lived to tell the tale (with a sunburn or two).
In short, there’s no need to pack all those extra layers if you’re heading to the sunniest part of Spain this fall; a light sweater or sweater for the fairly cold evenings is sufficient, and even then we are talking about an average low of 62.6°F.
How expensive is Cadiz?
If rising prices are one of the main reasons you skipped the European summer this year, you’ll be happy to hear that Cádiz is one of the most affordable destinations in Spain, where eating out at your local restaurant will cost around $20 per person, and hotel stays start from $77.
Based on Budget your trip estimates––generally reliable, but always take them with a grain of salt––a week’s trip to Cádiz will cost you around $1,179, and this sounds very realistic considering it is traditionally seen as cheaper than Barcelona, Valencia and the like.
For example, the rates for a Double Room (for single use) are additional Plaza de la Luz Cadiz, 100 meters from Playa La Caletaare set at $81, while a private room (with shared toilet facilities) is budget-friendly Apodaca rooms start from a surprisingly cheap $36.
Of course, you can spend your money on a 5-star stay in the luxury hotel Villa Jerezin the neighboring, relaxed coastal town of Jerez de la Frontera, about 20 kilometers from the city, but that’s only if you $201 left one night.
As you can see, there’s definitely a difference in hotel prices here, but the point is: if you’re looking for a cheap sunny escape in a soon-to-be frigid Europe, Cádiz can be the answer to your prayers.
Oh, and don’t worry about anti-tourism protests or being attacked with water guns: they are miles away of an increasingly hostile Barcelona.
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The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
