Bucket list destination:
Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain
No city better distils the essence of old Andalusia than Cordoba. From the 9th to the 11th centuries, it was the most populated and brilliant metropolis in Europe, a past glory that lingers in its sublime Great Mosque, one of the world’s greatest buildings.
But all of old Cordoba is a World Heritage site, irresistible for history lovers and romantics, for getting lost in its intricate maze of medieval lanes, for its flowery patios and picturesque relics of its Roman and Moorish past, including the ruins of the spectacular Medina Azahara, the palace of the Caliphs.
The Mezquita is in the old Jewish Quarter (the Juderia) on the Guadalquivir river, while just south is San Basilio, site of the Roman bridge and medieval Alcazar of the Christian kings.
Modern Cordoba’s Centro district is just north of the Jewish Quarter, around key hub Plaza Tendillas; further north is the Santa Marina district, with the Viana Palace, famous for a dozen patios, and an ancient Roman temple.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Cordoba
Price €55
Min age 0
Rating 4.62 / 5 [199 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cordoba
Price €25
Min age 0
Rating 4.32 / 5 [179 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Price €18
Min age 0
Rating 4.59 / 5 [120 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cordoba
Price €29
Min age 8
Rating 4.91 / 5 [98 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Cordoba
Price €45
Min age 0
Rating 4.22 / 5 [93 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Peak season is spring, with Holy Week (Semana Santa) and other fiestas: Christmas is another busy time. The city roasts in July and August; if you go then, take a long afternoon siesta. Autumn is lovely and warm; January and February are quiet, and can be rainy, but offer a good chance to feel like a local.
The nearest airports are in Seville and Malaga, both less than an hour from Cordoba by high-speed trains (AVE); even if you fly into Madrid, you can be in Cordoba at an hour and 40 minutes.
The city is so compact you won’t need any public transport; you’ll want to just park your car and leave it. Sites outside the centre, such as the Medina Azahara, 8km from Cordoba, are perfect for visiting by bike; some rental shops offer guided tours.
Cordoba is compact, and for sightseeing the best places to stay are the hotels concentrated in the warren of lanes in the central barrios (neighbourhoods), all of which are in easy walking distance of the sights, restaurants and bars. Santa Marina and San Basilio are two of the prettiest, and the lack of traffic means they remain pleasantly quiet in spite of tourist numbers.
Motorists may find the central barrios a bit tricky as access by car is extremely limited; if you’re driving make sure you know where to park before arriving or look for a hotel away from the centre.
There are bargains to be had by the train station, as long as you don’t mind the 20-minute walk to the centre.
There are delightful restaurants, tabernas and tapas bars scattered throughout Cordoba’s medieval core, with large concentrations of terraces along the Guadalquivir on Calle Ronda de Isasa north of the Roman bridge.
The Jewish quarter in the heart of Cordoba is packed with shops, from souvenir tat to quality leather and ceramics.
East of the centre, the Sunday morning Mercadillo Arenal along Calle de El Infierno has over 200 stalls, selling handicrafts, olive oil, Iberian hams etc.
Look for the city’s famous traditional crafts – leather, Arabic-style fabrics, jewellery, ceramics and guitars.
