Cordoba Travelers Recommend

Cordoba’s history is written in stone, from the beautiful Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) to the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter. Three days is enough to take in the city’s essential sights, and you can even make Cordoba a home base for a day trip to the vibrant city of Seville. Here’s how to plan for three days in Cordoba.

Day 1: Unwrap Cordoba’s Layered History

There’s a reason the Mezquita is Cordoba’s most iconic site, and the beautiful mosque-turned-cathedral is the perfect place to start exploring the city’s past. Join a guided tour, to learn how the architecture tells the story of Cordoba’s past.

From there, continue into the rest of the historic center, setting out on foot, bicycle, or Segway to see the Jewish Quarter, Moorish Quarter, and cozy plazas. If you’re visiting Cordoba during the Cordoba Patios Festival, this is the heart of the action, with flowers bedecking private homes and public spaces. For the evening, book tickets to a flamenco show to experience Andalucia’s fiery performance art; you’ll see pairs of dancers stamp and twirl to the sound of guitars and their own castanets. 

Day 2: From Patios to Small Plates

Even if it’s not the Cordoba Patios Festival—which happens during the first two weeks of May—you can see the flower-filled enclosures that inspired the event. Take advantage of the relatively uncrowded morning hours to explore Viana Palace, where you’ll find a gorgeous series of 12 patios with burbling fountains and lush plants. Though the patios are the main attraction, don’t leave without checking out Viana Palace’s wonderful collections of books, tapestries, and art.

Spanish tapas might have started as bar food, but you can make a meal of the bite-sized snacks as you explore Cordoba’s tapas bars. To rub shoulders with a local crowd, head out during after-work hours, or join a tapas tour with a guide who knows where to find the best tapas in Cordoba.

Day 3: Take a Day Trip from Cordoba

It would be easy to while away another day exploring markets, cafés, and historic neighborhoods in Cordoba. If you’re craving another round of Cordoba culture, consider a tour that features aspects of the city that interest you most, whether you want to get a guided intro to local cuisine, check out monuments you missed, or discover how religion has shaped the city.

You can also use this day to explore beyond the city. Thanks to a high-speed train, Cordoba is just a day trip away from Seville. Head there to see the remarkable Alcazar of Seville—a royal palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site—and snag tickets on a hop-on hop-off bus that lets you cover the key sights, even if you have limited time. You’ll be back in Cordoba in time for tapas.

While history draws most visitors to Cordoba’s winding streets, the city’s vibrant food, wine, and culture might tempt you to linger. With two days in Cordoba you can experience a bit of everything, from the Moorish-influenced architecture of the historic quarter to local tapas bars. Here’s how to plan a 2-day trip to Cordoba.

Day 1: Sample Cordoba’s Colorful History

**Morning:**Start the day with a walking tour of the old city, where the Moorish Quarter and Jewish Quarter are dotted with quiet squares. If you’re visiting during the city’s Patio Festival, join a tour featuring some of the flower-filled homes that open their doors for the event.

**Afternoon:**Even if you saw the magnificent Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) in the morning, it’s worth stopping again, because the light in the courtyard of orange trees changes throughout the day. You’re guaranteed to find notice you missed at first. Opt for a guided tour that explores the site’s complex architecture and history.

**Night:**To watch a flamenco show in Cordoba, snag tickets in advance for an evening of foot-stomping, guitar-strumming, and castanets. Andalucia is where flamenco began, so there’s no better place to catch a performance.

Day 2: Discover Contemporary Cordoba

**Morning:**Head to a local market and wake up your taste buds with Andalucian staples: fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, dry sausages, and tangy cheese. Whether you strike out on your own or join a foodie tour that includes a market visit, you’ll enjoy the best and freshest fare, and discover new flavors.

**Afternoon:**After a morning of snacks, you’ll be ready to relax with another legacy of Moorish culture in Cordoba: the hamman, a traditional spa. Book admission to a spa in advance, so you can show up with tickets in hand, then get straight to soaking your travel aches away in the mixed-gender pools.

**Night:**For your last evening on Cordoba, join the locals in the city’s buzzing tapas bars. Drop by an eatery for pre-dinner snacks, or make a meal of tapas on a tour that takes in the hottest spots in town, from rooftop terraces to wine bars.

Come to Cordoba to explore a city shaped by history, from the arches of the Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) to the narrow lanes in the Jewish Quarter. With one day in Cordoba, you can discover the city’s key landmarks, taste local food and wine, and thrill to the rhythm of Andalucia’s fiery flamenco music. Use these tips to plan your trip.

Morning: Historic Highlights

The red-and-white striped arches of the Mezquita might be Cordoba’s most famous image, but there’s much more to see in the historic center, where you’ll also find Jewish and Moorish quarters and traditional homes. Winding streets make this a perfect spot to explore on foot, and it’s worth touring with a guide to discover the stories behind the whitewashed facades; with such a long history, there’s often more to the city than meets the eye. If you want to choose your destinations, a convenient option is to combine a hop-on hop-off ticket with guided visits to individual landmarks, saving time by choosing tours that include skip-the-line access.

Afternoon: Traditional Treats

After taking in the key sights, refuel with a relaxing afternoon: Choose between a laid-back tapas tour and a luxurious stop at the city’s Arab baths. If you opt for tapas, prepare for a colorful array of small plates, often served with locally produced wine. If a relaxing bath is more your pace, you’ll be enjoying another legacy of Moorish culture in Andalucia; like the beautiful Mezquita, hammam baths arrived with Arab conquest.

Night: Sounds of Flamenco

Flamenco is celebrated all over Spain—and the world—but Andalucia is the true homeland of this passionate art form. Most flamenco shows feature live guitar music and a number of performers, but otherwise, they can range widely from traditional to more contemporary dancing. Because watching a flamenco show in Cordoba is a popular experience, it’s worth booking well in advance to secure tickets to the performance that interests you most. Tickets often come with an included drink, so you can sip a glass of Andalucian wine as the dancers take the stage.

Though the grand remnants of Moorish and Christian rule are most visible in Córdoba, this Andalucian city was once an important Roman stronghold: the capital of the province of Hispania Baetica. See below for places where you’ll find vestiges of Roman influence in this southern Spanish city.

Roman Bridge (Puente Romano)

Originally built in the first century BC, this arched bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River was once part of the Via Augusta, a major Roman thoroughfare on the Iberian Peninsula. The bridge has been rebuilt several times over the centuries, and most recently came to public attention when it was used as the Long Bridge of Volantis in the television series Game of Thrones.

Roman Temple (Templo Romano)

A series of towering marble columns is all that remains of this first-century temple, the only surviving Roman temple in all of Córdoba. Visible from the roadside, the ruins are especially picturesque when illuminated at night.

Córdoba Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico de Córdoba)

The city’s archaeological museum chronicles the history of Córdoba, from prehistoric times to the Reconquista and beyond. The Roman era is well-represented, with the remains of the city’s ancient Roman theater on show.

Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita)

Córdoba’s Mosque is one of the Islamic architectural highlights of the Western world. Though it was built long after the Romans had departed, materials from Roman buildings were used in its construction.

The city of Cordoba explodes into bloom for the Cordoba Patios Festival (Fiesta de los Patios de Cordoba), a celebration of local architecture, flowers, and flamenco that’s recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Heritage. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

When to Go

The Cordoba Patios Festival is held during the first two weeks of May, when the participating houses are open for visits every day during set hours; Each day of the festival also brings both free and ticketed musical performances, shows, and expositions, but Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays tend to offer the most scheduled events.

Where to Go

Festival organizers publish an online map of all the open patios, but with dozens of options it can be hard to know where to start. Patio tours offer a curated experience and hand-picked destinations, so you’re sure to see the festival highlights. Tours range from 90-minute introductions to half-day trips, leaving you plenty of free time. Because most of the patios are equipped with access ramps, the festival is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, and Cordoba’s accessibility office is available to answer questions about getting around. 

How to Go

Though traffic can get snarled during the most popular events, many of the patios are located in walkable neighborhoods, so exploring on foot is a great alternative to driving. A bike tours can be an appealing way to see even more of the city than you could on a walking tour, or you can get a different perspective entirely by climbing to some of Cordoba’s rooftop terraces; the hidden spots feature great views across the city.

The soulful art of singing, guitar playing, and dancing known as flamenco originated in southern Spain, making Cordoba the perfect place to immerse yourself in the fiery, evocative tradition. Here are some of the best tablaos (flamenco clubs) in town to catch a show.

Flamenco Shows

One of Cordoba’s most authentic flamenco shows in Andalucia is staged at the Tablao El Cardenal. During summer months, the show takes place on the Andalusian-style patio. In winter, it’s moved to an indoor auditorium. Meson La Buleria stages a more intimate performance, while Arte y Sabores de Cordoba stages their show on the site of ancient Arab baths. Book ahead to get your preferred date and time.

Flamenco Shows with Dinner

While the Tablao El Cardenal doesn’t offer the option of dinner with its flamenco performances, other venues in town do, including Arte y Sabores de Cordoba, Taberna El No. 10, Patio de la Juderia, and Carmen GastroFlamenco.

Flamenco Shows with Lessons

One of the best ways to further your appreciation of the art form is to try it yourself. Flamenco Insights in the heart of the Santa Marina neighborhood offers immersive flamenco tours that include a dance lesson, historical tour of Cordoba flamenco, and a live show.

Hammams have long been an integral part of Arab culture, and those in Córdoba are part of the legacy of the city’s Moorish rule, which lasted from the eighth to the 13th century. From a soothing soak in a hot pool to a rejuvenating aromatic massage, here’s what you can expect from a hammam experience in Córdoba.

What is a Hammam?

A hammam is a type of public bathhouse, common to Islamic countries, where people come to clean themselves, relax, and socialize. Though genders are often separated in hammams in largely Muslim countries, many hammams in Córdoba are mixed. The layout of individual hammams can vary, though most include various bathing areas with different temperature pools, as well as a steam room and a relaxation section. Many hammams offer massages as well as cleansing and exfoliating body scrubs.

Highlights

• Relax and enjoy a traditional hammam experience at a lavish Arab bathhouse.

• Stimulate circulation as you make your way through hot and cold pools.

• Admire the columns, arches, vaulting, carvings, and Moorish-style architectural features.

• Unwind with a massage, or upgrade to include an invigorating body scrub.

• Enjoy the tranquil ambiance, which is often enhanced by candles and essential oils.

• Sip complimentary mint tea in the relaxation room.