Cádiz is a historic port city in Andalusia, Spain — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC, with a population of about 110,900 (2024).
Cádiz sits on a narrow peninsula on the Atlantic coast in southwestern Spain and is the capital of the province of Cádiz. Its ancient name was Gadir (or Gades), reflecting its Phoenician origins as a fortified trading post, and it later became a major Roman and medieval port before rising to prominence as Spain’s principal Atlantic harbour during the Age of Discovery.
Why Cádiz matters
Maritime gateway — In the 18th century Cádiz held a near-monopoly on trade with the Americas, shaping Spain’s imperial economy and urban wealth.Layered heritage — Archaeological remains and monuments span Phoenician, Roman, Moorish, and modern Spanish periods, including a Roman theatre and the Cádiz Cathedral.
Political history — Cádiz hosted the Cortes that drafted the liberal Constitution of 1812, a landmark in Spanish political history.
What to see and do
Old Town Casco Antiguo with narrow alleys and plazas; barrios like El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María are especially atmospheric.Cádiz Cathedral and the waterfront promenades; Parque Genovés is a notable historic park with exotic plantings.
Fortifications such as Castillo de San Sebastián and Castillo de Santa Catalina that guard the bay
