‘Cuba of Europe’ named Lonely Planet’s top destination for 2026 has £2 bottles of wine and 17C temps in winter
ONE European spot with 17C winter temperatures has been named among the top 25 places to visit in 2026.
The ancient port city of Cadiz, in Spain, is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is full of history dating back to the 16th century when the city was used as a base for exploration and trade.
Today visitors can still see more than 100 watchtowers across the city, which were used for spotting ships.
Naming the city one of the top 25 places to visit across the globe in 2026, Lonely Planet revealed that Cadiz is best for Carnaval, fine food and flamenco.
It stated: “Cádiz’s Carnaval is Spain’s biggest annual party, bringing extravagantly costumed revelers to its streets for 10 days of parades, fireworks, singing and dancing in February or March, to the accompaniment of more than 300 local murgas (bands).
“Pack a costume and book your accommodations months in advance or commute from nearby El Puerto de Santa María.”
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As for the city’s food scene, visitors will often find fresh seafood dishes and many restaurants serving traditional Andalusian tapas.
Typical dishes include tortillitas de camarones – crispy fritters made with tiny local shrimp.
One top restaurant in the city is Fogón De Mariana, which serves dishes that “tell stories of their orchards, fields, and pastures, bringing you slow-cooked moments”.
Alternatively, head to Mercado Central de Abastos which is Spain‘s oldest covered market.
Inside, you can grab some fresh produce or something to eat in the gourmet food court – Rincón Gastronómico.
As for things to do in the city, there is something for everyone.
If you venture to the waterfront, you will find the domed, 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral.
The cathedral is known for its mix of baroque and neoclassical architecture and it took more than a century to build.
Inside, you can explore a crypt, museum and climb the clock tower to see panoramic views of the city.
For another amazing viewpoint, head to Torre Tavira – one of the city’s watchtowers.
Inside is also a cámara oscura (dark room) which projects live images of some of the city’s top spots.
Then in El Pópulo – Cádiz’s oldest quarter – you will find a maze of narrow alleys and archways, dating back to the medieval period.
Many of the winding alleys boast cosy tapas bars and shops as well.
It is this area that led to the city earning the nickname of ‘Cuba of Europe‘, as the narrow streets look like Little Havana and much of the architecture resembles buildings in the Cuban capital.
The city has many places to stay including Hotel Playa Victoria Cádiz – a beachfront hotel with an outdoor pool and beach sun terrace.
It costs from around £80 per night.
Of course, the city is also home to golden beaches.
La Caleta is one top spot, with a number of bars nearby that come alive at night.
One recent visitor said: “It’s a great spot to grab some food and wine and watch the fisherman’s boats on the water.”
Or you could opt to bathe on Playa de Santa Maria del Mar, which is accessible from the centre of Cadiz.
The beach features two stone piers that give it a shell-like appearance and it also has great views of the city’s old quarter.
It is the ideal spot to enjoy a bottle of wine, costing as little as €1.45 (£1.26) for a bottle from a local supermarket.
Or you could head to one of the local bars, where a glass of wine will set you back around £2.18.
Temperatures during the winter reach highs of 17C and lows of 10C.
Some airlines offer seasonal routes to Jerez Airport, which is just under 27 miles from Cadiz.
Alternatively, there are year-round flights to Seville Airport.
In November, return flights to Seville from London cost £32, from Birmingham they cost £43 and from Edinburgh they cost £46.
Once in Seville, Cadiz is about an hour and 20-minute drive away.
Alternatively, you could jump on a train that takes about an hour and 25 minutes, costing from £15 each way.
For another Spanish destination, you could head to a quaint Spanish town 30 minutes from Benidorm – it’s still warm in October and has £14 flights in half term.
Plus, Jet2 has launched new holidays to one of Spain’s cheapest cities known as the ‘Garden of Europe’.
