ETR // Stage 60 // Gibraltar - Cádiz

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Distance

  • Gibraltar - Cádiz
  • Radius 100 km
  • 185 km

Highlights

  • Gibraltar
  • Bateria de Costa Cascabel
  • Guzman Castle
  • Guzmán el Bueno Tower
  • Puerta de Jerez
  • Church of St. Matthew
  • Roman city of Baelo Claudia
  • Costa de la Luz
  • Doñana National Park
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS

Gibraltar to Tarifa

Starting the final stage and your morning ride from as high as you can on the tip of Gibraltar, it's time to make your way north again as you travel back in time, uncovering layer after layer of local history. And there's a lot of it in this region, so buckle up!

Visit the Bateria de Costa Cascabel on the road to Tarifa. After the Islamic conquest of southern Spain, the city of Tarifa was fortified starting from the 10th century. Later Tarifa was held by the taifa of Algeciras (1031) and by that of Seville (1057), and subsequently by the Almoravids. After their fall, it lived a short period under another taifa of Algeciras (1231), until becoming part of the Kingdom of Granada. In 1292 it was conquered by Sancho IV of Castile, and two years later it resisted a siege by North African Islamic troops. The town resisted another siege in 1340 from Marinid, eventually leading to the Battle of Río Salado. Just a taste, to get you started.

Historical landmarks to visit include the well-preserved Guzman Castle, near the port, built by order of caliph Abd-ar-Rahman III (960) as well as the Guzmán el Bueno Tower (13th century) and the church of St. Mary, on the site of a former mosque. Here, you will also find remains of the medieval walls. Of three gates once existing, today only the Puerta de Jerez (13th century) has survived. Visit the Church of St. Matthew, built in the early 16th century in Gothic style, also over the site of a former mosque. The façade was redesigned by Torcuato Cayón de la Vega in 1774. From there, visit the ruins of the Roman city of Baelo Claudia, located nearby.

© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS

Costa de la Luz

This peninsula on the Andalusian Atlantic coast, has been able to preserve an important historical legacy - the result of its commercial importance - together with excellent beaches and an exquisite regional cuisine. The Costa de la Luz, divided between the provinces of Huelva and Cádiz, also offers a multitude of destinations combining culture and leisure. For nature lovers, ride through Doñana National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Chill out in Cádiz

After a long ride south, chill out in Cádiz, the oldest continuously-inhabited city in Spain and one of the oldest in southwestern Europe. Let your motorcycle cool off for a couple of days, and explore the Old Town on foot - the best way to take it all in!

Founded 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians, Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe. The different peoples who settled here left an important cultural imprint, whose influence still remains in the character of the locals. This peninsula on the Andalusian Atlantic coast, has been able to preserve an important historical legacy - the result of its commercial importance - together with excellent beaches and an exquisite regional cuisine.

© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS

Cádiz Museums and Historical Sites

Back in Cádiz town centre, you can visit the Cádiz Municipal Historical Museum, the Tavira Tower, one of the most symbolic in the city, and the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, a National Monument in which the Liberal Constitution of 1812 was debated.

On the Atlantic front rise the dome and yellow tiles of the Cathedral, looking towards Campo del Sur. Baroque and Neoclassical in style, its crypt guards the remains of the composer Manuel de Falla. Beside it are the old Roman theatre and the old cathedral. What was a royal square, parade ground and market, originating on land won from the sea, is also worth a visit. This is the Plaza de San Juan de Dios where the Neoclassical structure of Cádiz City Hall stands, looking towards the nearby port.

Many lively squares lie along any walking route you choose to take, so just set off in any direction! In the Plaza de España, beside the port, stands the palace of the Provincial Government and Monument to the Liberal Cortes (Parliament). In the tree-lined Plaza Mina you can visit the Cádiz Archaeological and Fine Arts Museum, which has interesting Phoenician exhibitions, while in the Plaza de San Francisco you can visit the church of the same name. The city's most important shopping streets begin around the Plaza de las Flores. There is a good reason why the Central Market located here. Another square, that of Tío de la Tiza, is the heart of the district of La Viña, where the Carnival, a Festival of International Tourist Interest, begins with the traditional satirical verses.

© ETR // European Touring Route AS

Photos

  • Dave O'Byrne

  • European Touring Route AS

Partners

Highlights

  • Cádiz El Pópulo
  • Cádiz City Hall
  • Plaza de España
  • Plaza de San Francisco
  • Plaza de San Juan de Dios
  • Puerta Tierra
  • La Viña Fishing Village
  • Oratory San Felipe Neri
  • Tavira Tower
  • Candelaria Bastion
  • Campo del Sur
  • Santa María
  • Cádiz Municipal Historical Museum
  • Cádiz Archaeological and Fine Arts Museum
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS

Phoenicians and Pirates

The former Phoenician Gades and Roman Gadir experienced its most splendid period in the 17th Century with the Ultramar (Spanish overseas empire) trade monopoly. This rise attracted attacks by pirates, which made the city fortify itself, constructing defensive bastions, castles and watchtowers on each flat roof. These are some of the characteristics of the city, in which the balcony railings are also outstanding.

Your walk might begin in Puerta Tierra, the entry point through the walls and the dividing line between modern and old Cádiz. On one side, wide avenues, beaches (La Victoria, Santa María and La Cortadura), sailing clubs and modern sporting facilities. On the other, a Cádiz with more flavour and history, that of the old districts: El Pópulo, the old medieval town; La Viña, fishing district and centre of the local tradition of satirical verses, or Santa María, living temple to flamenco. Streets with distinct characters but which have maintained a uniformity in the look of their houses which together form a beautiful pattern.

Cádiz has important religious buildings that tell us of Andalusian religious feeling. In Santa María, the church that gives its name to the district and the Convent of Santo Domingo are important. Near La Viña the parish church of La Palma awaits, while at the other end of the city, next to Candelaria Bastion, stands the church of Carmen.

© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS
© ETR // European Touring Route AS

The start of your next great adventure!

You can easily spend a few nice days in this beautiful old town on the Atlantic coast, float around and take it all in, recharge all of your batteries, maybe get your motorcycles erviced in one of the local garages before pointing it towards Nordkapp again, and commencing your journey northwards!

Remember, the end of every great adventure is the beginning of the next one!

Get out there and enjoy it!

ETR 60 Stages

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