Cádiz

The 18th-century baroque cathedral dominating the old city — the golden dome is one of the most recognisable silhouettes on the Atlantic coast. Manuel de Falla is buried in the crypt.

The oldest neighbourhood in the Western world — Cádiz was founded by Phoenicians in 1100 BC, making it Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city. The medieval arches of El Pópulo gate and Santa María gate still stand.

Spain's most spectacular city — the Gothic Cathedral (largest in the world), Real Alcázar palace complex, and the Barrio de Santa Cruz all within walking distance. UNESCO triple-listed.

The highest watchtower in Cádiz's old city — in the 18th century, merchants watched their ships arriving from the Americas through telescopes from this tower. The Camera Obscura projects a live panoramic image of the city.

Cádiz's most celebrated restaurant — serving Andalusian seafood classics since 1964. The urta a la roteña (local sea bream in tomato and pepper sauce) is the signature dish.

The covered market where Cádiz residents buy and eat — the tapas bars inside the market serve whatever came off the fishing boats that morning. Authentic beyond any restaurant.

A Cádiz institution since 1953 — the most authentic tapas bar in the city, serving chicharrones (pork scratchings with manteca colorá, paprika lard) and montaditos on newspaper wrapping paper.

Modern tapas bar with an exceptional sherry-by-the-glass list — Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado and Palo Cortado from the Jerez triangle served with matching plates.

Classic Gaditano taberna serving Manzanilla sherry by the glass alongside cold tapas — jamón, boquerones, and the local berberecho cockle are the staples.

Waterfront bar on the Atlantic side of the city — sunset views over the open ocean, rum cocktails, and the sea breeze that defines Cádiz evenings.

Neighbourhood bar on a pedestrian street in the old city — no tourists, very cheap sherry, local clientele from the fishing quarter.

Bar-restaurant on the Alameda Apodaca promenade — terrace with direct views across the Bay of Cádiz toward Puerto de Santa María.

Cádiz's most beautiful café — a restored 19th-century coffee house with original Art Nouveau fittings, ceiling murals and the finest churros in the city.

The best coffee bar in the old city — specialty single-origin espresso roasted in-house, alongside torrijas (Spanish French toast with honey) and fresh tostadas with aceite y tomate.

Cádiz's city beach — a small horseshoe of sand between two 17th-century forts (Castillo de San Sebastián and Castillo de Santa Catalina), with the old city walls as backdrop.

Arguably Spain's most beautiful city — the Gothic Cathedral (largest in the world), the Real Alcázar Moorish palace, the Barrio de Santa Cruz and the Triana flamenco quarter all reachable in a single full day.

35 minutes from Cádiz by train — the birthplace of sherry, the Andalusian horse and flamenco. The great sherry houses (González Byass, Domecq, Lustau) all offer cellar tours with tastings.

The Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) of the Cádiz hinterland — whitewashed Moorish hillside towns rising dramatically from the plains. Arcos de la Frontera is the most spectacular, perched on a limestone precipice.

The Strait of Gibraltar marine corridor is one of Europe's richest cetacean habitats — daily whale watching tours from Cádiz encounter common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales year-round.

The old city of Cádiz is one of the great walking cities of Europe — entirely pedestrianised historic centre, ancient ramparts, 19th-century bourgeois boulevards and hidden plazas.