Heading to Europe soon but watching in dismay as temperatures drop and cities like Amsterdam, London and Paris see their first rainfall of the season, and in some cases, even hail?
Boy, we get it.
We’re not ready to say goodbye to what’s been a gorgeous summer ourselves yet, and if you had hopes you could still go on a sunny getaway across the pond once the crowds have dissipated and prices have normalized, we’re happy to inform you it is possible.
Just maybe, you know, avoid those Northerly destinations and head over to this lesser-known coastal city on the Southern coast of Spain instead:
Why Have You Never Heard Of Stunning Cádiz Before?
Located on the Andalusian coast in the southwestern part of Spain, Cádiz is a bustling resort city that’s catered to vacationing Northern Europeans for decades now.
Yet a majority of U.S. tourists in Spain are bypassing it altogether.
Well, this could be changing soon, as local news outlet La Voz de Cádiz has confirmed that the city and its associated province have already smashed tourism records in 2024, posting year-on-year growth of 4.36% with three and a half months to go until the year is up.
To be fair, we can’t say we’re surprised:
Despite its relative anonymity, at least in American circles, it is one of Spain’s most important ports.
It was founded by the Phoenicians 3,124 years ago–we reiterate, over three millennia ago–and played a key role in the trajectory of Mediterranean civilizations.
It was eventually swallowed up by several consecutive empires, from the Romans to the Visigoths to the Moors, originating in North Africa, and it accumulated unprecedented cultural wealth, evidenced in its diverse architecture and invaluable museums.
One Of The Most Beautiful Old Town Zones In Europe
Like the good Mediterranean hub it is, Cádiz is characterized by a densely-populated Old Town, crisscrossed by narrow pedestrian streets that are lined by colorful facades and lead to beautiful plazas, or large public squares:
Two of the most famous are the verdant, palm-shaded Plaza de Mina, home to the Museum of Cádiz, which we strongly recommend you visit if you’re usually impressed by ancient artifacts, and Plaza San Antonio, bordered by a Baroque church and Isabelline Gothic facades.
Perhaps the most striking monument, however, is the Cathedral, which dominates the city’s skyline when seen from the Paseo del Vendaval coastal promenade.
It is unofficially called the ‘Cathedral of the Americas’, as it was built with money from the Transatlantic trade.
Other noteworthy structures include the Tavira Tower, one of the last surviving of Cádiz’s 160 watchtowers, the red-and-white-marbled Admiral’s House, the medieval Las Puertas de Tierra, which continue to guard the Old Town, and a 1st-century Roman Theater.
Scenic Beaches Where The Atlantic Meets The Mediterranean
Rich culture aside, Cádiz is a beach destination first and foremost.
It claims one of the most scenic coastlines in Spain, if not Europe, where fine golden sands extend for endless miles, all the way to Portugal, and the seas are shiny blue.
One of them, Playa La Caleta, is a short 19-minute walk from Cathedral Square, with a sandy strip running parallel casual seafood restaurants and beach clubs, and believe it or not, it’s brimming with sunbathers well into the off-season.
If you have a car, and a 30 to 50-minute drive to a more recluse, paradisiacal swimming spot sounds like a great day trip, the wider Province of Cádiz boasts 161 miles of coastline, from Los Lances, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, to Los Caños de Meca.
Farther out from the city proper is where you’ll find the truly idyllic, undisturbed patches of coast, such as Punta Paloma, Bolonia and Valdevaqueros––just remember, the further west you go towards the Atlantic, the colder the temperature of the water will be.
How Hot Is Cádiz In The Fall?
Forget about foliage, Pumpkin Spiced Lattes and cozying up to loved ones by a fireplace come October: Cádiz definitely does not do fall like your customary European destination, and you know it’s an average 73.4°F––or higher––on the coast right now.
Try and spot Cádiz on any modern-day map of Spain, and you’ll see why the fall period, and even winters here, are pretty mild: it is located at one of the closest points between Europe and the African continent, and trust us when we say that Sahara heatwave knows no oceanic bounds.
Cádiz is officially part of Andalusia, an autonomous community in Spain, and reputedly the hottest region in all of Europe, and it is not somewhere you’ll want to visit in the peak of summer when it’s a torrid 96.8 degrees out.
We’d know, we’ve made the mistake of visiting a sun-scorched Seville in July once before. Luckily, we’ve lived to tell the tale (with a sunburn or two).
In sum, there’s no need to go about packing all those extra layers if you’re coming to the sunniest part of Spain this fall––a light jumper or sweater for the moderately chilly evenings will do, and even then, we’re talking an average low of 62.6 °F.
How Expensive Is Cádiz?
If surging prices are one of the main reasons why you’ve skipped European summer this year, you’ll be thrilled to learn Cádiz is among the most affordable destinations in Spain, where dining out in your local restaurant will cost around $20 per person, and hotel stays start from $77.
Based on Budget Your Trip estimates––generally reliable, but always take them with a pinch of salt––a one-week trip to Cádiz will set you back by roughly $1,179, and this sounds very realistic, considering it’s traditionally seen as being cheaper than Barcelona, Valencia and the like.
For instance, rates for a Double Room (for single use) at Plaza de la Luz Cádiz, 100 meters from Playa La Caleta, are set at $81, while a private room (with shared toilet facilities) at the budget-friendly Apodaca Rooms start from a surprisingly-cheap $36.
Naturally, you can splurge on a 5-star stay at the luxurious Villa Jerez, in the neighboring, laid-back coastal municipality of Jerez de la Frontera, some 12 miles away from the city, but that’s only if you have $201 to spare a night.
As you can see, there’s certainly a range in hotel prices to be observed here, but the point is, if you’re after an inexpensive sunny escape in a soon-to-be-freezing Europe, Cádiz can be the answer to your prayers.
Oh, and don’t worry about anti-tourism protests or being attacked with water pistols: we’re miles away from an increasingly hostile Barcelona.
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