Cádiz

Cádiz can be explored in 2 days: the old town, surrounded by sea on three sides, can be fully walked in a day, and La Caleta beach deserves an afternoon of its own. April-October is the widest window among Andalusian destinations, thanks to the Atlantic breeze that softens summer heat. It's cheaper than Seville or Málaga, with a less touristy, more local feel. Its carnival, considered one of Spain's wittiest for its satirical lyrics, and its status as Western Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city are its trademarks.