Carnival is the biggest event in Cadiz's calendar, and the most important of its type on mainland Spain, just as the Feria is for Seville. People flood in from all over Spain, and beyond, to enjoy the noisy, colourful, festive atmosphere, singing competitions, concerts (rock, flamenco, samba), comedy, children's shows, parades, firework displays and street parties. Carnaval is also celebrated in towns and cities around Andalucia.
The singing competition (COAC, Concurso Official de Agrupaciones Carnavalescas) is the central event of the pre-Carnaval, with four types of groups taking part - chirigotas, choros, cuartetos and comparsas. About 300 groups in total enter the contest.
There are several types of singing groups and songs at the Carnaval. They perform both at the theatre in the official competition, and also on the street. All wear fancy dress.
Are you planning your trip to the Carnival but feel nervous about actually speaking Spanish? We've created a special collection of carnival words, to add to the fun!
Obviously, the programme varies from year to year, but you can take this as a rough guide to what happens on which day of the Carnaval. Check local press and websites for up-to-date information.
As one of Spain's major ports during the 16th century, Cadiz copied the carnival of Venice, a city with which it had much trade, and since then it has become the liveliest and most dazzling carnival town in mainland Spain, famous for its amusing and creative characters and satirical song groups.
The 17th-century Castillo de Santa Catalina, which formed part of the city’s defences from the time of King Felipe II, has been partially restored and now has four rooms where exhibitions of paintings, engravings and photographs are held.
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia have become increasingly prevalent and in Andalucia today they form an integral part of most peoples’ shopping experience. Since Cadiz city has limited space.
Cádiz is often cited as the oldest city in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. A typical Andalucian city with a wealth of attractive views and well-preserved monuments, Cadiz is unique in that it is located on a narrow stretch of land surrounded by the sea.
Semana Santa in Cádiz province is celebrated with great fervour and passion. The provincial capital, Cádiz, holds tremendous, extravagant processions - on par with those of all the other provincial capitals in Andalucia. Certain towns make an extra effort at Semana Santa and are, therefore, worth a special visit. These are: El Puerto de Santa María, Jerez de la Frontera, Arcos de la Frontera and Chiclana de la Frontera.
Encompassing a 10,522ha flat landscape of sandy beaches, marshes, salt pans, freshwater lakes and tidal inlets, as well as the two natural areas of Isla del Trocadero and the Marismas de Sancti Petri, the Cadiz Bay supports a surprising wealth of wildlife, given the built-up areas that are in and around it, which make up a population of around 400,000.
