Estate agents on the Costa del Sol

It's Carnival Time in Cádiz!

Everyone should experience the weekend madness, when people arrive on Saturday, from all over Andalucia and further afield (mostly by train and bus), dressed up and armed with liquid refreshment, to join in.

The party starts on the train, as groups of chickens, smurfs, nuns, and schoolgirls with swinging pigtails sing heartily in preparation for the festivities, kicking off their own Carnival celebrations before they've even arrived.

Thousands of people in fancy dress throng the centre of old Cadiz all Saturday night, many not even going to bed, till they stagger back onto their buses and trains on Sunday morning to head home (thereby avoiding having to pay inflated prices for hotel rooms).

Some even return the following night to do the same again - the kind of serious professional party animals at which Andalucia excels. Be aware that at Carnaval, everyone dresses up; if you don't, you will stick out like a sore thumb and be considered a party-pooper. It's much more fun if you join in!

Credit http://www.andalucia.com/festival/carnival/cadiz-guide-what-to-see.htm

Image credit: http://www.cadizturismo.com