If Huelva, the smaller city I talked about in Part 1, is the small quiet smaller child, then Cadiz is the louder older brother. Ever further south than Huelva, Cadiz is a little better connected to the nearby Seville, and so is a bit more popular. Andalusia can feel a bit disconnected at times, although there are airports in Seville and Malaga, which are probably the best ways to reach Huelva, Cadiz and Tarifa. From Madrid, buses to the south of Spain do take a long time, but the best way to make that journey is to stop off at a place like Toledo on the way and break up the journey a bit.
Varied architecture...
One of my favourite things about Cadiz is that there is nothing particularly central or traditional in terms of the architecture. There is not really one style that is more significant than another. You will be able to find a mix of ancient and medieval buildings, sitting alongside Baroque cathedrals and modernist architecture. This mix keeps the city feeling fresh and changing and not stiff and caged.
Cadiz is not the nicest of the southern cities in terms of culture and peacefulness, it's a bit of a messy city. But if you are visiting to find incredible beaches and smaller crowds then it will be absolutely ideal! The food here is also fantastic (although everywhere is Spain basically has great food). Seafood as well as the other Spanish traditions are easy to find here, and they are cheap!
Playa de Camposoto
One of the longest beaches in Spain, Camposoto is the epitome of why I wanted to include these southern Spanish beaches. During the quieter months, this beach can seem utterly deserted as well as endlessly long. If you are a fan of beach running, there will be few places to match a beach like this, and the isolation combined with the length is absolutely ideal. Finding a remote and quiet little corner to enjoy the relatively untouched coastal wilderness is never a problem here.
Potito Beach
Although not the longest or wildest, Potito is right next to the city centre and a fantastic beach to use when visiting the city. The beach also includes a pretty and long walkway, and these promenades are always amongst my favourite parts of a seaside city. To be able to run continuously for almost a kilometre along these warm and beach side paths is an absolute joy for me! Cadiz is perfect for amazing beaches, whilst not having to put up with the crowds that you normally find in Malaga or Alicante in the summer.
The author
Joe Thorpe
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