Medina Sidonia

History and Overview

Medina Sidonia is a city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalucia. It is considered by some to be the oldest city in Europe, used as a military defense location due to its elevated location. Locals are known as Asidonenses.

The city's name comes from Medina (Arabic for city) and Sidonia (of Sidon), meaning "City of Sidon". Medina Sidonia was one of Spain's most important ducal seats in the 15th century; producing an admiral who led the Armada against England. The title of Duque de Medina Sidonia was bestowed upon the family of Guzmán El Bueno for his valiant role in taking the town, a line which continues and is currently led by the controversial socialist, Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, 20th Duchess of Medina Sidonia (b. 1936). The village has a slightly shabby grandeur with medieval walls and tidy narrow cobbled streets flanked by rows of reja-fronted houses.

The main square is the best place to just sit and watch the locals, and tourists, mill about doing their thing. Some evenings there are market stalls selling handmade crafts. Take some time to walk around Medina Sidonia though as some of narrow side streets offer an interesting look into the past of this historic hill top town. Whilst wandering around you will find some fantastic vistas across the plains and out to sea along the coast.

Places of Interests

- Chiclana de la Frontera & La Barrosa beach

- Cádiz (Historical Centre & Narrow Street Shopping)

- Jerez de la Frontera (Bodega Tours & Very Historical Centre)

- Arcos de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia or Vejer de la Frontera (White hill top towns)

- Conil de la Frontera (Beautiful sweeping white sandy beach)

- Tarifa (Surfers Paradise)

- Tangiers, Morocco (Day trip shopping and haggling)