Cordoba
*All work including photos, video and writing on this page is my own,
Sadly Cordoba is sometimes overlooked as it is situated near to the bigger and more famous cities of Seville and Granada, which is a shame as it is a gorgeous city. The entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was once Europe's most sophisticated city with it's own unique charm. My daughter worked in a small town called Montilla nearby, so I was fortunate to be able to visit this city several times and really enjoyed it. Being a classicist she told me that Cordoba was the birthplace of the Roman philosopher Seneca. Like most of Andalucia it features a mix of Roman, Moorish Arab and Spanish culture and nothing epitomises this here more than the stunning Mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba (Mezquita). This has been both a mosque and Cathedral and is a must see place! (pictured below.)
Today Cordoba is known for it's leather industry and it is in fact the hottest city in Europe in the summer, with the lowest temperature in January down to 5c but in July and August it is around 40c or more!! One time I went in early October and it was still too hot to walk around.
It's a pretty city with whitewashed buildings competing for the most colourful flower pot display. There was a competition going on for this when we were last visiting.
Sadly Cordoba is sometimes overlooked as it is situated near to the bigger and more famous cities of Seville and Granada, which is a shame as it is a gorgeous city. The entire city is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was once Europe's most sophisticated city with it's own unique charm. My daughter worked in a small town called Montilla nearby, so I was fortunate to be able to visit this city several times and really enjoyed it. Being a classicist she told me that Cordoba was the birthplace of the Roman philosopher Seneca. Like most of Andalucia it features a mix of Roman, Moorish Arab and Spanish culture and nothing epitomises this here more than the stunning Mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba (Mezquita). This has been both a mosque and Cathedral and is a must see place! (pictured below.)
Today Cordoba is known for it's leather industry and it is in fact the hottest city in Europe in the summer, with the lowest temperature in January down to 5c but in July and August it is around 40c or more!! One time I went in early October and it was still too hot to walk around.
It's a pretty city with whitewashed buildings competing for the most colourful flower pot display. There was a competition going on for this when we were last visiting.
Things to do in Cordoba
Try to visit these places if you can: Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Closed on Mondays!) Mesquita Cathedral, pictured above Calleja de las Flores (A great photo spot at the end) Roman Bridge and medieval tower Drive to Medina Azahara |
Crime
Cordoba is one of the safest cities in Europe, however pickpockets and theft does happen here as it does in every European city. Violent crime though is virtually unheard of in Cordoba.
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Places to visit from Cordoba
Granada
Malaga
Seville
Take a look at my page on Andalucia.
Take a drive around the small villages nearby too. I really can't believe how little we paid for a meal or Tapas in Montilla and other nearby villages! Very few tourists venture to these villages. The aroma of olive oil production from small factories in the area surrounding Cordoba is just a feast for your senses. Take the country roads north and south and just enjoy the real Andalucia. Photo below of the village of La Rambla, below that Cordoba.
Malaga
Seville
Take a look at my page on Andalucia.
Take a drive around the small villages nearby too. I really can't believe how little we paid for a meal or Tapas in Montilla and other nearby villages! Very few tourists venture to these villages. The aroma of olive oil production from small factories in the area surrounding Cordoba is just a feast for your senses. Take the country roads north and south and just enjoy the real Andalucia. Photo below of the village of La Rambla, below that Cordoba.
Photos above are the bridge in Cordoba.
Food
Popular local dishes to try include Salmorejo, rabo de toro, berenjenas con miel, mazamorra de almendras and flamenquines.
Popular restaurants include
- Sibuya Urban Sushi - Japanese
-Bodegas Mezquita Cruz del Rastro - Mediterranean
- Restaurante Damasco - Lebanese
- Cielito Lindo Cafe - Mexican
- The Club- American
- La Taberna de Almodovar - Mediterranean
-Re Comiendo - Mediterranean
- Con Acento Parrilla Resto Bar - Steakhouse
Where to stay
The Picture of the bridge above shows the old town and anywhere in the Old town, particularly Juderia is a great place to stay, but if you have a hire car or want somewhere cheaper then the other side of the bridge, not shown is the modern part of Cordoba and that would be a good location to stay for you. Not so attractive though. The areas to avoid are Villa el Libertador and Santa Isabel.
For more information on Cordoba see the Cordoba tourism site.