Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz is a port city located right in the south of Spain in the community of Andalusia. The city is the capital of the province of the same name and is the most ancient city in Western Europe, having been continuously inhabited since its founding which is said to have taken place in 1104 BC. The city has been described as similar to Venice but without the canals, and indeed it is a very attractive and much loved city.

Cadiz is situated on a peninsula which is just one of the factors that makes it so special and unique. The magnificent beaches are another strong magnet which draw so many tourists to its boundaries, and entice so many of those visitors to make the decision to purchase property there. The old town of Cadiz is one of the most populated in Europe and is characterised by its many narrow, winding streets. These same streets will take you to some of the most beautiful "plazas" or squares in Spain. Some of the must-see plazas include Plaza de Candelaria, Plaza de Mina, Plaza de San Juan de Dios, Plaza San Antonio and Plaza de Espana.

Another plaza, Plaza de la Cathedral, houses the stunning Cadiz Cathedral, the present structure of which sits on the site of an older cathedral which burnt down in 1596. The reconstruction was started in 1776 and spanned a period of 116 years. The cathedral is very stunning and contains elements of three different styles; Baroque in its interiors, Rococo in its ornamentation and Neoclassical on the main facade. On the same plaza, Plaza de la Cathedral, you'll find another beautiful building, the baroque Santiago church. In Plaza de San Juan de Dios, you can admire the impressive Old Town Hall which overlooks the plaza.

Cadiz city's beaches lie on the fantastic "Costa de la Luz" which translates to "Coast of Light". This translation portrays precisely the attraction of this part of Spain, as the white sand and hours of sunshine definitely do provide plenty of light. La Playa de la Caleta is certainly one of the most popular beaches for, aside from its beauty; it boasts a location between two castles: the San Sebastian and Santa Catalina castles. Cadiz is a beautiful city, also famed for its carnival, The Carnival of Cadiz, which is one of the best known in the world. The people of Cadiz are thought to be of the funniest in Spain, and so, humour is one of the main themes of the fabulous festival.

When buying property in Cadiz, it's wise to first visit the city on an extended holiday. Bargains can still be found in certain areas of the city, so try to spend as much time as possible in your chosen area, perhaps during both summer and winter time. If you are going to be picking up and moving for good to Cadiz, you'll have no trouble finding things to do, excellent schools and work opportunities, as it is quite a big city with approximately 130,000 inhabitants. If you will be buying a second home in Cadiz for usage as a summer home, you'll find that its weather and its people will make for a wonderful summer holiday, year after year.