travelling_tash

I am travelling to Spain in mid-late September

I land in Madrid for a couple of days, then Seville a couple of days.

I am wondering whether to go to cadiz/jerez area, or the malaga area as I only have time to do one or the other (approx 3 days free) before I go to San Sebastian.

I am wondering what tourists and locals would recommend (malaga or cadiz) as they both look fantastic. I am interested in a little bit of history, some great food, and things other than seeing museums. I would love to go fishing for a day and eat some great seafood (I hear both Cadiz and Malaga are great for this) but just not sure which to choose!

My real considerations are: expenses like cost of hotels, ease of getting there from seville, and ease of getting around (Cadiz looks only tiny and like I might need a car for 3 days to see the area).

Please help!

jeterray

Been to Cadiz but only for a day. We were planning on returning to Spain for a month, and Cadiz was a great choice. However, we chose Malaga for some unknown reason. As it turns out, Malaga was an excellent choice. First, it took us three weeks to visit the sites. I love historical sites, and Malaga (and probably Cadiz ) are full of them. Secondly, Malaga cost less than most places I have visited. Finally, Malaga has easy access to Cordova and Granada, and other places. Cadiz has easy access to Seville. Let us know what you choose, and how you enjoyed.

kimhe

Tough choice, both 3000 year old cities (Phoenician Gadir an Malaka) tick all boxes. Cádiz is smaller, known for the beautiful light and will probably be a little cooler and more windy.

This might help:

Cádiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33JUrGwZQLY

Malaga, my favourite city in the region after much travelling here the past 13 years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvp6nXO9GYA

MyriamC

Although I really liked Cádiz, I'd go for Málaga. The city has become very enjoyable after the thorough renovations of the last years. Culture, gastronomy, atmosphere ... Málaga is booming!

WomBatt

In today's Guardian - http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...rs-restaurants

Robert2533

Cadiz and Malaga are completely different in many ways. Malaga is a great destination for food and culture, but can be a bit overcrowded in September due to the cruise traffic. Cadiz also has cruise traffic but the area, includeing the Sherry Triangle are worth a few days in late September.

You will not need a car to get around. The rail system works great. You can take the train from Sevilla direct to Cadiz. It will also be less expensive then Malaga.

www.maribelsguides.com/Sherry_Triangle.pdf

Bedar

Robert, I just read Maribel's Sherry Triangle and must say I would go there and Cadiz. We were in the Malaga area last month after many years' absence and were so disappointed. Development and change are inevitable, I guess, but that doesn't mean we have to like it. OMG, from the motorway above and behind the city, it looked like NYC. But, it is close to Granada and Cordoba and other interesting places, so that's in its favor. The coastal road between it and Sorbas is nothing but invernaderos. Just awful. I wish people could see the Spain of yore. I think they're more likely to experience that in the Cadiz area.

MyriamC

"In the Malaga area" is NOT Málaga's historical centre. If so, you would have written another post!

MyriamC

A different post, I mean (English isn't my first language).

kimhe

Some more on Malaga city.

"From Phoenicians to Picasso" in NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/tr...asso.html?_r=0

"Malaga: Spain's best kept Secret", Telegraph (video): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

"The emerging fine food scene in Malaga and around", Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-tapas

Bedar

Myriam - Malaga area means Malaga city and Malaga province. TG, the historical centers of cities don't change aside from using old buildings for new ventures, like the Russian and Picasso museums in Malaga. The center is enjoyable if very deja vu.

alvamo

Malaga like NYC? Sometimes you can read strange things, but compare Malaga to New York? NO skyscraper in Malaga, in Andalucia you can see skyscraper in Seville not Malaga.


I would go to Malaga in september, still warm but not very hot and september is quiet not so crowdy as august. Cadiz is also nice but I prefer Malaga.

Time lapse Malaga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4LhCKABV9Q
Roof top Malaga Cathedral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsnh1VYgPgo

Skyscraper Seville https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhP9HCdQZ5k

Mactheknife60

I would say Cádiz for fishing. The Straits of Gibraltar are legendary for pelagic predators like bluefish and leerfish on lures. You also can hook into corvinas and big bass. Beats Malaga hands down. In terms of beaches I'm of the same opinion. Resorts like Záhara de los Atunes, Barbate, Conil and Chipiona are "real" when compared to the likes of Fuengirola. Food wise I'd also go for Cádiz (tortillita de camarones, urta a la roteña, gambita blanca, cazón adobado etc). Nearby you have the atmospheric wine cellars (bodegas) of Puerto de Santa María and the magnificent manzanilla and langostinos of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Yes, Cádiz wins hands down for me. Just an opinion of course. ;-)

ribeirasacra

It sounds that with all of this publicity about Málaga you should head to Cadiz if you want thing not so crowded.

alvamo

Ribierasacra your ex-girlfriend from Malaga left you for another guy? You always have bad words about Malaga, so if we talk good about Malaga is propaganda or publicity lol.

Malaga and Cadiz are both good places, Cadiz on the Atlantic, Malaga on the mediterranean. So they are quite different.

September is not crowded in Malaga or Cadiz.

kimhe

Malaga will indeed be crowded around the 12th of September and the canonic crowning of the Virgen del Rocio (La Novia de Malaga), the city's most beloved image of Mary...
http://noticias.lainformacion.com/re...A52gOBofK4qg5/

MyriamC

Festivals and fairs will be over by the time travelling_tash will be visiting (mid to end Sept). It's an excellent time of the year to be there, by the way.
http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/what...festivals/?p=1

alvamo

kimhe will be crowded but just local people, the beach by september is not full of people anymore.

kimhe

alvamo,
well, we'll be there and don't plan for much beachtime ;-)

kimhe

alvamo,

You are from Malaga, right? Have you got any tips on favourite "normal" restaurants, that is neighbourhood feel places where you typically would have a menu del dia? Not neccessarily in the center of town.

I'm looking for good atmosphere, laid-back restaurants/tapas bars like Nerva, Azahar and El Cortijo de Pepe.
http://azahar-spain.com/azahartapas/bar-nerva/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--IKmr0JXUo
http://www.cortijodepepe.com/