This is a fantastic view from Medina-Sidonia. Located 337 m above sea level, a town and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain. It is considered by some to be the oldest city in Europe.

Medina-Sidonia - Cádiz visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Medina-Sidonia' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Andalucia.

Medina-Sidonia is a beautiful, unspoilt, hilltop city built on Cerro del Castillo mountain in Cádiz Province of Andalusia in southern Spain. Considered one of the oldest cities in Europe, it is thought that Medina-Sidonia was an 'Asido', founded by the Phoenicians between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. It is full of old sites and surrounded by beautiful countryside making it a popular tourist destination today. Locals are 'Asidonenses' and the city's name comes from Medina (Arabic for city) and Sidonia (City of Sidon).

In the 15th century King John II of Castile conferred Duke status to Juan Alonso de Guzmán, making him the 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia and Medina Sidonia the oldest Dukedom in Spain. It became a very important ducal seat and in 1588 Admiral Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia, commanded the Spanish Armada in an ill-fated attempt to invade England. So far there have been 22 Dukes of Medina-Sidonia, the current Duke is Leoncio Alonso González de Gregorio.

Medina-Sidonia - Tourist Attractions

Because of it's position in the countryside of Cádiz, and it's ancient history, Medina-Sidonia has several notable historical sites of interest as well as beautiful natural attractions nearby, some of which are shown on this map. Top Medina-Sidonia attractions include:

• Castillo de Medina-Sidonia (Fortaleza and Alcazar) - ruins of a castle on top of Cerro del Castillo with Roman, Moorish and Medieval elements.
• Moorish Arches - Puerta de Belén, Puerta del Sol and Puerta de la Pastora are three arches that date from the Muslim era, built between the 10th and 13th century.
• Plaza de España - Elegant Spanish plaza surrounded by handsome three storey buildings, bars and cafes.
• Ducal Stables - restored 16th century stables formerly used by the Dukes of Medina-Sidonia.
• Medina-Sidonia Town Hall - 17th century Baroque and Neo-classical with a magnificent Renaissance façade.
• Santa Maria la Coronado Church - Andalusian Gothic church built on the foundations of the original castle and later a mosque housing an enormous 15m high and exquisite retablo depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
• Cerro del Castillo Mountain - highest elevation in western Andalusia, with views from Sierra de Cadiz to the Atlantic coastline and the Bay of Cadiz.
• Asidonense Alcornocales Natural Park - one of the most cherished areas in terms of nature and landscape concerns of all Andalusia.
• Torrestrella Castle - remains of a 13th century Moorish castle.
• Roman Remains - acrchaeological complex with 1st century Roman ruins.

This guide and map shows some of the sight and attractions around Medina-Sidonia.

Medina-Sidonia Tourist Information Office
Plaza de Iglesia Mayor
Medina-Sidonia
Cadiz, Spain

Airport: Jerez de la Frontera
Train: Jerez de la Frontera station, Cadiz stations.
Car: Medina-Sidonia is about 35km southeast of Jerez de la Frontera on the A381. It is about 40km from Cadiz (CA33, A48, A360 roads).