Cadiz: My Ancient Andalusian Dream

We stepped off into a city that feels like Havana and Seville had a baby on the ocean. The cathedral dome glowed like burnished gold at sunrise – we climbed it first for 360° views over turquoise water and white houses. The narrow streets of Barrio del Pópulo are pure 18th-century theater sets – laundry flapping, old men arguing about football, the smell of churros and sea air mixing perfectly.

Playa de la Caleta at noon – locals swimming between ancient fortresses while fishermen mended nets. We had lunch at El Faro del Puerto – tortillitas de camarones so crispy they shattered, cazón en adobo that tasted like the ocean concentrated. In the afternoon we walked the entire sea wall at golden hour – waves crashing, the city glowing behind us. The pros: authentic Andalusian soul with almost no cruise crowds. The cons: siesta hours close some places, but the streets themselves are the attraction.