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Summer in Cádiz
What to Expect During Your Time in Cádiz
Jet Lag
Get ready to start your first day or two in Cádiz with a difficult case of jet lag. The six-hour time difference can really mess up your sleep schedule. Especially if you are anything like my group and have an eight-hour flight, and then a six-hour layover to get to Jerez. Just be prepared for a long adjustment period, and do not go to bed right after getting to the dorm on the first day! You need to get used to the Spain time zone and wait to fall asleep at night.
Food and Meal Times
Meal times are a lot different than those in the US. Breakfast is before classes, around 9am. It is small, consisting of toast with jam/ham/cheese, and coffee or juice. I normally never eat a big breakfast anyway, but it was still different for me here. In Spain, they don’t eat yogurt for breakfast; generally, I eat fruit and yogurt for breakfast, but at the dining hall at Colegio Mayor, they serve both at lunch and dinner. Generally, the toast is what ties you over until around 2pm. Some people, including me, would bring a little snack in between classes. We then eat a big lunch, and later we finally eat a decent-sized dinner around 8-10pm.
Siesta
During siesta time, most stores are closed, and most people are off the streets. This is around 2-6pm, but can vary. Not everything is closed, such as some convenience stores or some tourist shops. A lot of college kids will get back from class, eat, and then take a traditional siesta and nap for a little. Though it is a common misconception that all Spaniards sleep during the siesta, it is not always a nap time but a period of rest. After siesta, the streets are alive again, and everyone is out and about.
Walking
Be prepared to walk a lot! On a lazy day, I get at least 10,000 steps a day. Don’t be too nervous, though, because I never feel too tired, because I am always astonished by the beautiful views and new experiences. One of my favorite things to do here is to walk around and explore. I absolutely love the culture here and how everyone is always outside enjoying the fresh air. It is so different than America in the sense that the goal at the end of the work day is to go home and relax. Spaniards take their siesta and are good for the rest of the day! I am walking around all day, which is easy to do since the sun sets at 10pm. The days are extremely long here, and it is a very cool experience. Also, don’t worry, if you get tired, you can call a taxi or use your free bus pass!
I hope this information helped! This will be the best experience ever, and you will not regret your decision to come here. You will make some of the best memories in Spain!
6 Reasons to Study Abroad in Cádiz
Category: Culture / Learning Experiences / Travel (7/22/25)
Visit: viaumasslowell.via-trm.com/program_brochure/20244 for more information about this amazing study abroad program!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CZh1DdTCNvjRAziYk8Z-BHY5y6ei-WylegdTWbwApe8/edit?usp=sharing
“Sunsets and Siestas: My First Week in Cádiz”
Arriving in Cádiz alone with nothing but my suitcase and nervous energy, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this ancient seaside city wasted no time welcoming me with open arms, sunshine, and the smell of fried seafood.
A Nerve-Wracking Start at Madrid Airport
Flying to Madrid was exhausting. I didn’t get any sleep during the seven-hour trip — babies were crying, kids were yelling and laughing, and it felt like rest was impossible. I finally managed to get some sleep on my second flight, a short one-hour trip from Madrid to Jerez.
Once I landed in Jerez, the nerves really kicked in. I was completely alone in a foreign country, navigating a new transportation system, and unsure of what to expect. I made my way from the airport to the train station and boarded a train headed for Cádiz.
Unexpected Kindness from Locals
I made my way from the airport to the train station and boarded a train headed for Cádiz. When I finally arrived, I had to walk to one of the university residences with just a map and my luggage in hand.
Thankfully, locals along the way were incredibly kind, pointing me in the right direction when I looked lost. Their friendliness made a huge difference in that moment.
First Impressions of Home Base
When I reached the residence, the clerk welcomed me warmly and immediately made me feel more at home. He even gave me insider tips:
Where to eat: Las Flores Freiduría
What to see: The Cathedral and Flamenco Shows
Where to relax: Playa de la Victoria
First Few Days – Soaking in the City
After settling in, I made my way to Las Flores Freiduría, and the food was amazing. I ordered Spanish empanadas filled with squash, fried fish, and a lemon sparkling water. My first walk through the city was magical. Every callejón seemed to lead somewhere new. I saw people laughing, singing, and drinking with friends, as if time had slowed down. With the sun setting so late, I quickly understood the purpose of the afternoon siesta. That evening, I watched the sunset from the Baluarte de la Candelaria. It was a breathtaking golden light over the sea.
Reflections After Week One
I loved discovering Cádiz’s many small shops, cozy plazas, and hidden gardens. That peaceful atmosphere helped me feel truly welcome, encouraging me to slow down, observe, and begin this experience with an open mind. My favorite memory so far has been getting lost on purpose, letting the city guide me. Whether it’s the sparkling sea, the beautiful architecture, the warmth of the people, or the incredible food, Cádiz continues to surprise me. Every day feels like an invitation to explore more, and I’m learning that sometimes the best plan is to have no plans at all.
Thoughts
I came here nervous and uncertain, but Cádiz has already shown me that the best experiences often start just outside your comfort zone. I’m eager to discover more!
5 Things You Can Do While in Cádiz
Cádiz is a city located in the southern part of Spain, near the ocean, and is noted for being the oldest city in Spain. If you ever decide to plan a trip to Spain, heading to the city of Cádiz is a place that is 100% worth your visit! When heading to Cádiz, there are many things to do while there; here are some of my top recommendations
Visiting the beach is a must when exploring the city of Cádiz. Whether it’s La playa de Caleta photographed here, La playa de Santa María, or La playa de la Victoria, you can find various things to do around here, such as swim, stroll around the beach, watch the sunrise or sunset, or enjoy a drink at a nearby bar.
After exploring Cádiz for a while, you might want to grab a bite to fill you up. My personal favorites would be “Los Pipiolos” and “La Taberna Lola Montiano”. While a significant portion of Cádiz offers traditional food like seafood and small snacks known as tapas, it also contains modern international foods such as pizza and burgers. However, unlike in some other places, these foods are made with fresh ingredients, which provide these classics with a better taste.
- Explore the Cathedral
The Cathedral in Cádiz is another great location to visit. Whether or not you are Christian, going to the cathedral can give you a strong sense of what traditional architecture looked like in the past. Along with viewing gorgeous sculptures and paintings on the walls, the cathedral also has a watch tower, which can provide a picturesque view of the entire city.
Discovered in 1980, the Roman Theater in Cádiz (formally known as Theater of Gades) is an ancient theater built almost 2000 years ago within the first century BC and is estimated to hold 10,000 spectators. When exploring the inside of the theater, you can view information panels on it, fragments of stone that were a part of the theater, and a small replica of what it looked like. When exploring the outside of the Theater, you’re able to take a view of the semicircular seating area, which can give you a perspective on how people lived in ancient times during the Roman Empire.
- Visit the castles (Castillo de San Sebastián and Castillo de Santa Catalina)
Exploring the castles Castillo de San Sebastián(Left) and El Castillo de Santa Catalina(Right) in Cádiz can provide an amazing experience as they contain art from various artists, provide beautiful views of the ocean, and are a tranquil place to view the sunset.
To conclude, Cádiz is a city that is worth a visit. When exploring the city, you will find yourself in an amazing mixture of modern and historical architecture, which highlights it’s beauty.
First Impressions
So, we have been in Cádiz for one week now and to sum up, it has been well…DIFFERENT. To be sure, as this is my first trip abroad, I was expecting a unique experience, but this place takes the prize. To understand where I’m coming from, I think a brief history lesson is in order.
This map should help to clarify things in a very general sense. At the top, the roughly circular portion of the image is regarded as the old city because – its really old, and it still maintains that feel today, even though all the modern amenities are available. Phoenician sailors established a trading post here around 1000 BCE. The strategic location makes this spot ideal for a settlement. It has defensible coastline and access to natural resources such as precious metals, salt, and tuna. Also, the Bay of Cádiz to the east provides shelter from the Atlantic and deep water for ports. Anyway, the Phoenicians were impressed, and so were the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Byzantines, the Moors, and finally the Spanish kings. In fact, this site was home to the Spanish treasure fleet during the Age of Exploration. This multicultural influence can still be seen in the streets of the old city today.
The roughly rectangular land formation on the bottom is the new city. I have not been there much but, as far as I can tell, it looks like a modern city with traffic, stoplights, modern buildings, gas stations, stores etc. What strikes me is the radical transition. Here is a street (I use that term hesitantly) in the old city. Please do not misunderstand, there are many spectacular sights here, but I just want to give an idea of the street layout.
Here is a shot of a street in the newer part of the city
Just a little different.
I guess my point here is that in the course of about half an hour, you can walk past sites that predate the Greeks and Romans to urban landscapes that resemble places in the United States. It is quite a contrast and a very unique opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities both educational and recreational. Oh, and they also have beaches here.
Welcome!
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Follow along with UMass Lowell students and Department of World Languages and Cultures faculty, Maria Matz as they explore Cadiz, Spain for a 6-credit Spanish Language and Culture study abroad experience! They’ll immerse themselves in the culture of one of the oldest cities in Europe, enrolled in Spanish Language study at the University of Cadiz, a UMass Lowell global partner university, and enjoy the sites, scenes, and foods of the local Andalusian region!
