Walking tour of Cadiz
Eighteenth-century Cadiz and trade with the Americas
A look at eighteenth-century Cadiz, when trade with the Americas transformed the city’s economy, architecture and way of life.
BookA look at eighteenth-century Cadiz, when the city became one of the great trading centres of the Atlantic world. This tour explores how trade with the Americas transformed its economy, architecture and way of life, and how that period can still be recognised in its streets, squares, buildings and customs.
The route
We will begin beside the Town Hall, where we will place Cadiz within the wider context of Atlantic trade and explain how the city became a vital link in commercial relations with the Americas during the eighteenth century. From there, we will walk through El Pópulo and the Santa María neighbourhood, discovering Casa del Almirante, the impressive houses built by merchants trading with the Americas and the Royal Prison, all of which reveal the wealth and transformation Cadiz experienced during this period.
We will continue along Campo del Sur to the Cathedral, one of the great symbols of eighteenth-century Cadiz’s prosperity.
We will pass through Plaza de Candelaria, where we will explore the important presence of religious orders in a city closely connected to the routes linking Spain and the Americas. We will then reach the area around the Market and discover which products and foods arrived in Cadiz from other parts of the world, as well as the traces of that exchange that remain on our tables today. We will also take a short break near the Market before continuing the tour.
We will continue to Torre Tavira, where we will consider the importance of watching the horizon in a city that depended on its ships and on the goods arriving from overseas. The route will then take us along Calle Ancha, through Plaza de San Antonio and into El Mentidero, exploring the places where the lively social life of a prosperous, cosmopolitan and rapidly expanding city unfolded.
We will finish in Parque Genovés, where we will discover how exchanges between continents also left their mark on the natural world. Among trees and plants brought from distant places, we will explore a lesser-known aspect of Cadiz’s relationship with the Americas.
Reviews
The tour was absolutly amazing - mostly because of a very competent and sympathetic tour guide, rosa. she has a stunning knowledge and explains this in a fun and captivating way. we would have easily stayed an hour longer! :D very much recommended!
Had an amazing tour From start to finish Rosa was amazing she really cares about her job and the city she’s from Her knowledge was superb and I’ve come away learning so much about this beautiful city and its history Well done Rosa
Rosa is very very nice she explains very well ! Know her stuff and very smart , she listens to us and answers all our questions , we recommend you book your tour in Cadiz with her you won’t regret it. Nathalie & Rick from Quebec /Canada. Merci thank you gracias
The tour was excellent just the two of us so benefit of a private tour. Rosa our tour guide was passionate and extremely knowledgeable about her home city of Cadiz. Don’t forget to climb the tower at the end the views are definitely worth it! It’s slope not steps! 😊
I had so much fun learning about the medieval history of Cadiz as well as the geographical construction of the city. If you’re a nerd about history, architecture, or anthropology, this tour is for you! Rosa was one of the best tour guides I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. She not only gave an amazing tour with loads of knowledge, but she provided me with other niche local spots to visit after the tour. Can’t recommend Rosa and this tour enough! 10/10
The tour was fantastic and absolutely recommended! The exceptionally friendly and charming Rosa shared many details and insights about the city and showed us hidden places that we would never otherwise have noticed. It was great fun!
The tour was really great! Rosa gave us excellent information, is extremely friendly and, at the end, also gave us great tips for the rest of our stay. I highly recommend this tour!
Rosa was an excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable an the local area. Her passion for the history of Cádiz makes her tour extra special.
our guide Rosa was outstanding. great way to maximize the time while visiting from a cruise. highly recommended.
The tour was fantastic! Our guide was an art history graduate and so she excellently described the numerous architectural and sculptural designs. She was also a native of Cádiz and was intimately familiar with the history of the Roman and medieval times. We walked through the small walled city and outside to the Cathedral and even climbed to the bell tower. Fascinating two hours.
Rosa was absolutely amazing so sweet and knowledgeable. Her depth of knowledge was incredible and it made the whole tour absolutely the best she truly is the sweetest! I can not recommend this tour enough to any who are interested you will more get what you pay for.
Extraordinary! Rosa is a guide who specialises in Cadiz. As well as being from there, she knows its history and tells it in a sensational way. The time flew by and, even though we were walking, it wasn’t tiring at all. I highly recommend it, and her even more.