Cadiz Cathedral

The Cathedral of Cadiz, formally the Catedral Nueva, took more than a century to finish, from the 1720s to the 1830s, and its blend of baroque and neoclassical styles reflects that long gestation. It was funded largely by the wealth of the American trade, and its walls are built from a warm local stone full of tiny marine fossils that weathers to a honey-gold colour. Its yellow dome, covered in glazed tiles, is the city's best-known silhouette and is visible from the sea long before you arrive. The cathedral stands beside the water at the edge of the old town, with a wide plaza in front that is a gathering place for cafes, street musicians and afternoon strollers.

Inside, the vast nave is surprisingly calm and light, with a marble choir, a chapel of the Holy Sacrament and a spacious crypt that is considered one of the finest in Spain. The crypt is the resting place of Manuel de Falla, the composer born in Cadiz, which makes it a small pilgrimage for classical music fans. Visitors can climb the west tower, the Poniente tower, for a sweeping view over the city's rooftops, the bay and the Atlantic, and the climb is gentle by tower standards since it follows a ramp.

The option linked here is a private tour of the historic center and the cathedral with tickets included, which suits travellers who like a personal guide and a customised pace. Private tours can be useful in a compact city where a lot of the interest is in the stories behind the facades, but it is also possible to simply buy a cathedral entry and combine it with a group walking tour.

Opening hours change on religious holidays and during services, so check ahead, and dress modestly in line with the usual cathedral etiquette. Mornings are generally quieter.

Visiting well means a little planning. The cathedral is an active place of worship, so the schedule can change for services and religious holidays, and it is worth checking hours the day before. Mornings are the calmest, and the light inside the nave is soft and even, while late afternoon is the time to be outside, when the dome catches the sun. If you plan to climb the tower, start there and descend to the nave afterwards, because the view helps you read the layout of the old town and the sea walls.

The plaza in front is an easy place to rest, with cafes in the surrounding streets and a view of the cathedral facade; sit for a coffee and look at the stone itself, which is full of small fossil shells.

Guides often point out the contrast between the exterior's baroque curves and the cooler neoclassical style that took over as construction dragged on. If you are travelling in spring, you may see processions of Holy Week, when pasos, ornate floats, move through the streets with bands and incense, and the cathedral plays a central part.

In Carnival time the nearby streets are packed. The cathedral is also close to the seafront walk, so you can fold it into a longer stroll toward Campo del Sur, where the Atlantic waves hit the wall and give a very different view.