The name Cadiz is probably familiar to many people around the world. But, ask someone what it is known for, and you’re likely to be faced with silence. In this article, we explain what makes Cadiz special and why it is regarded as one of the must-visit places.
The province of Cadiz, in southern Spain, is a place of quiet elegance. It is often overshadowed by its brasher neighbour Malaga, home to the ostentatiousness of Puerto Banus and the vast wealth of Benahavis.
Cadiz, by comparison, offers a more understated sense of luxury – one that is all the more enjoyable for being more refined.
Cadiz is known across Spain and, indeed, the world as the home of the sherry industry. By law, any bottle of wine that’s labelled as sherry must be produced in Cadiz, in an area around Jerez de la Frontera known as the sherry triangle.
The area is also known for its stunning beaches. More windswept than those of the Costa del Sol, they draw in windsurfers from around the world, as well as visitors looking to dodge the crowds during the hectic summer months.
Wilder and more natural than Malaga’s shoreline, as a result of being mainly on the western edge of Spain rather than the south, the golden sands of Cadiz are a delight for beach lovers from across the globe.
The province’s main city – Cadiz – is also a delight. In addition to its stunning beach, the city offers some superb dining experiences. An evening spent strolling around the old town, stopping off for a tapa or two when the mood strikes, is an absolute must.
Then there’s the golf. The crowning jewel in the province’s offering is the stunning course at San Roque, a town famous for its annual ‘Feria Real’ (Royal Fair). San Roque’s golf course is home to a series of exclusive, frontline golf properties developed by leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España.
Emerald Greens at San Roque is an exclusive residential project offering sleek, stylish apartments and luxurious penthouses. Located at the heart of the golf club, the homes are designed around the open plan and ‘total living’ concepts, where spaces flow naturally into one another, and indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly.
There’s a generously sized pool for cooling off in the heat of summer, along with a private corn oak meadow with interlaced footpaths and benches for resting in the shade and soaking up the serenity of the natural environment.
Cadiz is home to Sotogrande, a place with a fascinating history. In 1962, Mercedes and Joseph McMicking purchased five neighbouring farms along a stretch of the Andalusian coast, which was the basis for the development.
Over the years, they developed the area, incorporating five golf courses and a series of artificial lakes; this resulted in one of the Sotogrande courses hosting the prestigious Ryde Cup golf competition.
By 2006, Sotogrande was known for having some of the most expensive homes in Europe. Even today, it is still Andalusia’s largest privately owned residential development and a huge draw for the rich and famous.
Taylor Wimpey España’s Sotogrande development – named Pier thanks to its frontline location on the stunning Marina de Sotogrande – provides second-home buyers with their own taste of luxury, with the two- and three-bedroom homes forming a private, gated community with pools and garden areas.
The high-end homes are packed with luxury touches, as befits their prestigious location.
Cadiz manages to offer the perfect escape from modern life while also being surprisingly accessible. San Roque is just a 30-minute drive from Gibraltar, while Sotogrande is 45 minutes away, making access easy through regular direct flights from the UK and elsewhere.
Whether you’re into golf, windsurfing, sailing or polo, there’s plenty on offer in Cadiz. The province is even home to Andalusia’s first-ever three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Aponiente, where innovative chef Angel Leon is famed for doing curious things with plankton and marine bioluminescence.
With so much on offer, it’s no wonder that those in the know are planning to take in Cadiz on their travels in 2020.
For more information on Cadiz, visit the official tourism board website here.
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