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Cordoba
Written by Tanmayee on September 14, 2020 Share on

Best things to do in Cordoba for an incredible vacation

Cordoba is a popular city in Spain that you would’ve heard of quite often. The coexistence of Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Roman cultures makes it a melting pot of cultures. Cordoba has been famous worldwide for its Great Mosque, but Cordoba’s charms are not limited to its renowned monuments. The real beauty of Cordoba lies in its stone-paved streets, wrought-iron balconies, courtyards with potted plants, golden stone buildings, inviting plazas, and lively taverns where you can try out the local food while enjoying the flamenco performance. With a lot to see and do, Cordoba should be a must-visit in your Spain itinerary. There are some best things to do in Cordoba and we’ve listed it out for you to help you plan your itinerary better. 

Best things to do in Cordoba:

Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba:

Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba
Image credit: Wikimedia

One famous building that is reason enough to visit Cordoba is the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. The Mezquita is a symbol of two religions and cultures that shaped Andalusia: Christianity and Islam. What was once a great mosque, in fact, the largest in the Islamic kingdom got replaced by a Rennaissance Church when the Romans took over. Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba is one of the greatest and most important heritage sites in the world. So it’s safe to say that it tops the list of the best things to do in Cordoba. 

Also read: Top attractions in Seville

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos of Cordoba
Image Credits: Wikimedia

Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs is a stunning architectural landmark in Cordoba. It’s located on the river Guadalquivir river, steps away from the Jewish Quarters. Alcazar is a place where you’ll fall in love with the architecture, culture and the intriguing history of the place. There’s so much to see and enjoy at the Alcazar.  The moment you enter the castle, you’ll witness the Torre de Los Leones and Torre del Homenaje, two most popular towers which are worth climbing for the amazing views that they offer. If you’re an art fan, then you must head to the Gallery where several artefacts from Alcazar are displayed. 

Another highlight that you will witness is the stunning patio and the large gardens influenced by the Moorish. This is most definitely one of the best things to do in Cordoba. 

Historic Centre in Cordoba

Cordoba is a city filled with history. It’s considered to be one of the largest oldest towns in Europe and is preserved as UNESCO’s world heritage site. Cordoba is home to most UNESCO heritage sites in Spain. The city is famed for its big famous monuments, stunning patios, large interior courtyards and gardens. Besides that, you’ll also find twisted stone-paved alleys, golden stone buildings and inviting town squares and plazas. 

 Jewish Quarter

Jewish Quarter
Image credits: Wikimedia

Cordoba’s old Jewish quarter is located towards the north and west of the Grand Mosque. It is characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets which existed almost hundreds of years ago in the ghetto. The Jewish Quarter takes you way back in history, where the Jewish population was thriving during the Caliphate and how they got expelled from Spain in the late 15-century. This neighbourhood is home to one of the only remaining Synagogues in Spain. Not just that, it is also home to some of the finest historical buildings, the Sephardic house and the infamous Almodóvar gate. What was once a ghetto is now a posh part of the city with the little street of flowers and visiting this place is totally one of the best things to do in Cordoba. 

Roman Bridge

Roman Bridge
Image credits: Wikimedia

If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you would’ve noticed the remarkable historical locations they’ve shot the series at. One such remarkable location is the Roman Bridge. If you don’t remember seeing it, go rewatch season 5 of GOT, and you’ll notice it this time. Visiting this architectural marvel is one of the best things to do in Cordoba and I’ll tell you why. This post-card worthy location offers some of the best panoramic views whether you’re on the south bank witnessing the Calahorra Tower and 16 arches with Great Mosque in the background or crossing the Guadalquivir to make it to the old city. Make sure you visit this medieval structure at sunset to see the stones of the bridge and cityscape in its orange glow. 

Palacio de Viana

Palacio de Viana
Image Credits: Wikimedia

Spain is all about medieval art, architecture and history. And there’s not one but many places to experience this. Santa Marina district in Cordoba is one such place which offers splendid architecture and history. Visit the Palacio de Viana, a palace-museum with its 12 magnificent courtyards, stunning art and furniture. Built-in the fourteenth century, the Palacio de Viana was initially owned by a Spanish noble family for generations, and was later donated to the bank Cajasur and opened up to the public in the 80s. Add this to your list of best things to do in Cordoba and you’ll not regret it. 

Patios de Córdoba

Patios de Córdoba
Image credits: Wikimedia

Patios de Cordoba is the most fabulous place to visit and one of the best things to do in Cordoba. On any normal day, there might be nothing significant to watch in these interior courtyards but during May you’ll notice a whole new place. In the month of May, you’ll witness more than 50 courtyards come to life with its decorated patios, colourful arrangements of jasmine and orange blossoms, vibrant mosaics and of course the fresh and sweet-scented smell of the flowers. You’ll realize that there’s more to Cordoba than just history and architecture. 

Plan a vacation to Spain, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It offers a variety of experiences that will satisfy each and every traveller’s interest. If you’re going there for the first time, there are some cities you totally should visit. And Cordoba is one of them. So, go ahead and plan your vacation to Spain and make sure you add Cordoba to it so that you don’t miss out on the best things to do in Cordoba. 

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