Statsraad Lehmkuhl visits Cádiz, March 1 - 5, 2026
Cádiz is located in southwestern Spain, close to the Strait of Gibraltar, the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. The city lies on what was once an island in the Bay of Cádiz. It is one of the world’s oldest port cities, founded around 1100 BCE.
The city was founded by the Phoenicians, a culture originating in present-day Lebanon that explored and traded throughout the Mediterranean and along the coasts of Spain and Portugal. They established independent city-states, and Cádiz, known to the Phoenicians as Gadir, was one of them.
Arabic rule
Around 200 BCE, the Romans conquered the city and ruled it until about 400 CE, when the Goths drove them out. Much of the city was destroyed during this period. In the early 8th century, the Moors, Arabs from North Africa, invaded Spain and renamed the city Qādis. The Moors were gradually forced out of Spain from the 11th century onward and were driven out of Cádiz in 1262. The final Moorish stronghold, Granada, was not recaptured until 1492.
When the great European voyages of discovery began in the 15th century, Cádiz became one of Spain’s most important cities. Two of Christopher Columbus’s journeys started from here.
Cádiz old town Photo: Ronald Toppe
An old cannon decorating a street corner in the old town. Photo: Ronald Toppe
Catedral de Cádiz Photo: Ronald Toppe
Catedral de Cádiz Photo: Ronald Toppe
La Playa de la Caleta. Photo: Ronald Toppe
Renewed city
Because of its strategic location, Cádiz played a key role in many European conflicts and wars between the 16th and 19th centuries. In recent years, many of the city’s historic buildings and squares have been restored, and Cádiz is now a popular tourist destination. The sandy beach La Playa de la Caleta is especially known for its beautiful sunsets.
In addition to tourism, the maritime sector employs many people, through cruise and ferry traffic, fishing, and seafood processing. The city is also an administrative centre for the autonomous community of Andalusia.
In the 1980s, Cádiz had more than 150,000 inhabitants. Since then, the population has declined to around 115,000. One reason is the lack of jobs. Unemployment is among the highest in Spain, and many young people have moved away from the city.
Pleasant climate
The climate is typical of the Mediterranean region, with mild winters and warm summers. Cádiz is one of the sunniest cities in Spain. Because much of the city is surrounded by the sea, summer temperatures are generally less hot than elsewhere along the coast.
Average maximum temperature in March: 18.7 °C
Average precipitation in March: 12.4 mm