Visit Cadiz is to feel the salt on your skin and the echo of the chirigotas in the air. The «Tacita de Plata» is a place bathed in a magical light, where the sea is the soul of the city and the Atlantic wind combs the narrow streets. It is the oldest living city in the West, a place where the «saborío», the bland, simply does not exist. Its nickname comes from that serene glow, a reflection of the sun between the sea and the white of its houses. 

Walking through Cádiz means finding a story on every corner, feeling the pinch of flamenco in Santa María and enjoying the fried fish (pescaíto frito). In the Aumentur's guide to what to see in 2 days in Cádiz you have all the information on how to enjoy it to the full and discover its corners, but in the meantime, we leave you with this selection of five places that are obligatory stops in the Cadiz experience:

The Cathedral of Santa Cruz: The dome that watches over the sea

The silhouette of Cádiz is defined by it. The New Cathedral, with its spectacular golden tiled dome, is the first thing you see as you approach the city from the sea. It was born in the 18th century, in the golden age of trade with America, and that wealth is palpable in its architecture. It is an odyssey of 116 years of construction, mixing Italian baroque with neoclassical solemnity. It is highly recommended to climb the Clock Tower. From there, you get the best panoramic view of the city: a labyrinth of white rooftops that surrender to the infinite blue of the ocean.

La Caleta Beach: The seafaring heart of Cádiz

In the heart of the historic centre, sheltered between the castles of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina, is located La Caleta. This cove is the city's most seaside spot, a place that is always alive. The boats bob in the water, creating mesmerising glimpses. It was the natural port where Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans anchored. Presided over by the old Balneario de la Palma, this beach is the meeting point for the people of Cádiz. Staying here to see the sunset is one of the most magical spectacles that southern Europe has to offer.

Sunset on La Caleta beach

Torre Tavira: Cadiz from a bird's eye view

To understand Cádiz you have to climb one of its more than one hundred lookout towers. The Tavira Tower was the official watchtower of the port from 1778, the highest point of the old city. From here, merchants would look out over the horizon waiting for their ships laden with goods. The visit holds a unique experience: the Camera Obscura, the first one installed in Spain. Seeing the whole city projected in real time on a concave screen, in a dark room, is a magical sensation, like spying on the life of Cádiz from the sky.

The Barrio de la Viña: The Soul of Carnival

Getting into La Viña is to enter the epicentre of the Carnival of Cádiz. This neighbourhood, which owes its name to the vineyards that occupied the area before the 18th century, is home to the working and seafaring classes. Its narrow streets, such as the emblematic Calle de la Palma, are full of tapas bars where you can try the best fresh fish. Here you can breathe the pure essence of Cádiz, that quiet joy and unique grace. This is the place to lose yourself, enjoy the atmosphere and feel the authentic «soniquete» of Cadiz.

Carnival of Cádiz

Central Food Market: The temple of flavour

Next to the Plaza de las Flores, the Central Market is a spectacle of life. This neoclassical building, with its sturdy Doric columns, stands on the site of a former convent. It is the best place to take the pulse of the city. Its stalls are a showcase of the local larder: freshly caught bluefin tuna, fruit and vegetables from the province, and the famous shrimp omelettes. In addition, its Gastronomic Corner allows you to taste all these wonders on the spot.

These places are just a first glimpse of what Cádiz has to offer, beyond its beaches, but with the Aumentur guide you will live the full experience.