Things to Do at Teatro Romano

Tucked away in the Pópulo neighborhood of Cádiz's old town, the Teatro Romano is one of those archaeological finds that genuinely surprises visitors. Discovered relatively recently in 1980, this Roman theater dates back to the 1st century BCE, making it one of the oldest and largest Roman theaters in Spain. What's particularly fascinating is how it was literally hidden beneath the city for centuries - you'll actually find parts of it extending under nearby buildings, which gives you a real sense of how these ancient cities were built layer upon layer. The theater could seat around 10,000 spectators back in its heyday, when Cádiz (then called Gades) was a major Roman port city. Today, you can walk through the excavated sections and get a decent sense of the original structure, though obviously much of it remains buried. The site museum does a good job of helping you visualize what would have been here 2,000 years ago, and interestingly, they've managed to preserve it right in the heart of the modern city.

The theater sits in Pópulo neighborhood, just blocks from Cádiz cathedral. Easy walk from old town hotels. Find it on Calle Mesón between the cathedral and waterfront-you can't miss the area. Coming from train or bus stations? Head toward the cathedral first, then follow Barrio del Pópulo signs through the narrow streets. Parking is nearly impossible in old town. Better to park near the port and walk the short distance in.