We were fortunate enough last year to experience both Ferias in Sevilla and Córdoba (and our local Feria in Pozoblanco). Feria de abril is done and dusted for this year, but if you happen to be in Córdoba during May, you are in for a treat. (more…)
Interesting Moorish and Roman heritage and architecture, great weather and delicious food in the south of Spain.
If you’re thinking Sevilla or Granada, think again. Córdoba – normally bypassed by tourists in favour of these other cities – has a lot for the curious traveller.
The Puente Romano in Cordoba, Spain
Many wanderers make a beeline for the grandeur of Sevilla and the stunning architecture and tapas of Granada. But far fewer tourists give much attention to Córdoba’s unique mix of Andalucían architecture, grand monuments and stunning food.
Here’s 6 reasons to visit Córdoba.
The courtyard of the Mezquita
Reading the history of Córdoba’s Mezquita (‘mosque’), you would be forgiven for getting just a little confused. At its foundation is a Visigothic church, but little remains of their influence in the current building. Following the Moorish conquest in 711 and until 1284, the Mezquita underwent a complete transformation while the site served as the Caliph (or Muslim ruler in the south of Spain ) Abd ar Rahman I’s example of his grandeur to the rest of the world.
Later, and not to be outdone of course, some upstart Spanish Christian ruler named Ferdinand III comes along in 1284 and takes it back in the name of the Catholic faith. Then to add another layer, a medieval nave is installed inside the Islamic mosque-turned-cathedral in the 16th century. Game of Thrones is like child’s play to this story…
In all seriousness though, the round arches painted in candy red and white are some of the most unique, iconic architecture I’ve ever seen, in or out of Spain, and simply walking through the cathedral you can see and feel the mixing of the different cultures across more than 2,000 years.
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The gardens of the Alcazar are filled with beautiful flowers
Another marvel of Córdoba within a short walking distance of the Mezquita is the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. Like the Mezquita, the Alacazar has Visigothic origins but its glory comes from its use as the Islamic Caliph’s personal residence. Just think, if you were a Caliph (or King or Queen), how would you live? Well, that’s how this place is built.
The Alcazar has vast gardens, flowing fountains and some of the best views of the city to be found anywhere.
My favourite part of the city is the casco antiguo (literally ‘old helmet’, but the term is used to refer to the old part of town). This area is typical Andalucía but the observant tourist will notice some nice touches here and there to make it a little more exotic. For example, you can walk through the twisting, jumbled streets of the Judería, or Jewish quarter, peruse amongst the small shops for local Córdoban products and stumble upon beautiful private patios with colourful flowers and intricately crafted tiling.
Similar to its larger sister cities, Córdoba has a strong Hammam tradition, or Arabic baths. The baths generally have three pools: hot, medium and a cool bath which you go between at your leisure. And you can throw in an hour long massage as well for 38 euros total! These are so good they are not to missed. Our pick is the Banos Arabs de Córdoba (you can see pictures and information, in Spanish, on their website) located in the Judería and only a short walk from the Mezquita and many hotels in the area.
Córdoba has these really great Arabic tea houses serving exotic concoctions and Turkish/Lebanese sweets such as almond baklava and others. I love the Salon de Té in the Juderia and their many exotic concoctions.
When you get to eating something more substantial, Córdoba has three specialties to try: salmarejo (a chilled, creamy tomate soup), flamenquín (pork meat, crumbed and fried) and rabo de toro (bull’s tail, usually served in a stew or with fries). If you’re after something a little more casual and modern, head to the Mercado Victoria and sample everything from sushi to Argentinian steak.
Arrive in May in Córdoba and you won’t find a day which doesn’t have a festival or some type of celebration. There’s the Las Cruces festival, the Patio festival and of course, our favourite, the Feria de Córdoba.
The Córdoba Feria attracts thousand of the locals and only a small number of tourists.
Many tourists will head to Sevilla for its famed Feria. What many don’t realise is almost all of the casetas (marquees) in Sevilla are private and, unless you are invited as a guest, entry is forbidden. In contrast, the Córdoban casetas are free and open to everyone, tourists and locals alike. There are large open air concerts, plenty of food to be eaten and of course a drink or two to help wash it down while chatting with friends.
If you want to check out more of Spain, read our posts on the Feria in Seville or the 10 Best Festivals in Spain.
Speaking of socialising, you’ll probably want to socialise in the sun and enjoy Spain’s beautiful weather from April to October (even though August and September are excruciatingly hot!). So make sure you keep your fluids up by having a drink down by the Guadalquivir river at one of the many cervezerias and do some people watching.
So there you have it, six of the best reasons to include Córdoba on your next visit to Spain. Do you have any other favourite places to stay, eat, or things to do in Córdoba? Share it with us in the comments below!
When it comes to cities to visit, Córdoba often gets left behind or forgotten about. Which worked out just fine for us, as we enjoyed taking plenty of photos without having to worry about ‘photobombs’, or time spent waiting in line. However, it is a shame both for the city and the tourist that skips it, as it is beautiful and deserves a mention.
We only spent one night in Córdoba, but managed to fit in plenty of sights and experiences to enjoy this city and vow to return. Our hotel (Hostal Lineros 38) was great, and had an Arabic feel. They even organised mobile massages (which we enthusiastically took advantage of on our second day).
Our first stop was lunch. The Menu del Día never fails, and with a satisfied tummy, we headed onwards to the great Mosque/Cathedral. It is one of the most amazing and beautiful sights from our journey so far. It started out as a small church, which was purchased by a Muslim prince back in 784 and reconstructed into a mosque. Centuries later, when the Christians conquered Córdoba, the Mosque (which had several extensions since its original acquisition) was converted back into a Cathedral. The beauty and intriguing thing about it is the two distinct styles in the one place. From the outside, it looks like a Cathedral, however on the inside, it looks like a Mosque (apart from the large Christian Renaissance nave in the centre).
The other wonderful thing about Córdoba, was how beautiful the days were. Despite being in the middle of winter, we enjoyed reasonably long, sunny days and temperatures above 20 degrees.
After walking and exploring, we felt that we needed some relaxing. And it just so happens that Córdoba, like many parts of Andalusia, has the perfect form of relaxation: Baños Árabes de Córdoba (Arabic bathhouse). We spent hours (partly due to a communication mix up) relaxing in the bathhouse and attempting the custom of switching between the warm, hot and freezing baths, before receiving a blissful massage. What a way to end the day! Then we headed out for a delicious light snack and dessert at the funky Sojo Fusion before heading to bed.
The next morning started perfectly with a massage. Then we headed out for lunch and more street-wandering, before making our way to our next stop: Seville. Thank you Córdoba for a special two days! I hope to visit you again one day!