12 Step Planet: Cádiz

Where exactly is it?
Cádiz is a city and port in Andalusia, on the southwestern Spanish coast.
How do I get there?
During the off-peak season, Cádiz is a little tricky to reach from Ireland as there are no direct flights. However, you can fly instead from Dublin to neighbouring Seville, and then take a bus, which will get you there in just over two hours. Travel snobs – don’t be put off by the word ‘bus’, these bad boys are plush. Plus, the winding route from Seville to Cádiz is beautifully scenic, making this a really pleasant and relaxing journey. There's also a more expensive high-speed rail link, which routes through the also worth a visit Jerez.
What language do they speak?
Spanish. It’s definitely worth your while learning some basic phrases, as English isn’t spoken as widely here as say, Madrid or Barcelona.
What currency do they use?
The Euro (€).
When should I go?
Cádiz enjoys over 300 days of sunshine every year, so you can’t really go wrong when deciding when to go! That said, the winter months (and right up until February) do experience rain, and the temperature tends to drop at night. The city’s location near the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean means there’s a lovely moisture in the air though and the summer heat tends not to be too overpowering.
What’s the food like?
The city is dotted with tapas bars serving flavoursome Spanish dishes like paella, tortillitas de Camaones (a Cádiz speciality), croquettes, and a variety of fresh seafood. Vegetarians beware though! Cádiz is a very meaty place, and requests for veggie dishes tend to be met with confusion and/or sheer bafflement. Best pack an emergency cheese sambo at mealtimes just in case!
What is there to drink?
Wine is pretty much the national beverage in Spain, with a wide selection of delicious local produce on sale in bars and restaurants. As with most European cities (Dublin very much excluded) alcohol is cheap as chips, but this doesn’t mean you’re compromising on quality. A bottle of wine in a supermarket will set you back just a couple of euro, but is almost guaranteed not to taste like paint-stripper. Score! Sherry wines are also popular in Cádiz, and most tapas bars will recommend which one to have with your meal. A delicious mixture of red wine and lemon, ‘Tinto de Verano’ (‘Red Wine of Summer) is widely available too, and is highly recommended!
What are the touristy things to do?
Cádiz is a city steeped in history. In fact, it’s the oldest city in western Europe, having been founded approximately 3,000 years ago. Parts of the ancient city remain intact, particularly the wall which was built in 1596 to defend against a British attack. You can visit the remains of an old Roman Theatre in the city centre, and the Archeological Museum (Plaza de Mina) is definitely worth a visit too. By night, Cádiz is picture-perfect; take a stroll down by the port as the sun sets and you’ll see why this city is so popular with its visitors. There's also a fantastic city beach, which is spotlessly clean and dotted with lidos.
What’s the nightlife like?
Fantastic – Cádiz is a university town, so during the academic year, there’s plenty of buzz about the place. As Spanish bars stay open way later than here, be prepared for plenty of all-nighters! That most fantastic of Spanish customs, the siesta, will sort you out the next day.
Anything else?
If you happen to be in Cádiz in February/March, make sure to catch the city’s annual Carnaval. During this week-long celebration (think Mardi Gras meets Hallowe’en), thousands of festival-goers descend on the city in the most impressive costumes you’re ever likely to see. The streets are absolutely mobbed and hotels will most likely be booked out, so if you’re not in the market for some serious partying, best avoid Cádiz for the duration! It’s definitely worth seeing though, if even for one night of complete madness.
Anything to avoid?
As in most big cities, pickpockets tend to prey on oblivious tourists. Keep your wits about you and your belongings safely packed away, and you should avoid running into any trouble.
What should I bring home?
Splash out on checking in a bag (it hurts, we know), and stock up on delicious local olive oil and the aforementioned vino, cheese and ham. I’m informed by one Mr. Stuart Clark that Cádiz’ football team (nicknamed the Yellow Submarines) are pretty good, and have a lovely shirt which sport fans might want to check out!