We are Oscar & Sonia from Viajando por el Mundo Mundial and we are here to share with you our trip to the wonderful city of Cordoba in Spain.
Sonia, on the other hand, has lived in Caceres, Bologna and the Canary Islands. We were both born with a passion for wanderlust and met each other while travelling in Valencia. It was meant to be. Today we run a travel blog together called Viajando por el Mundo Mundial.
Inspiration to Visit Cordoba
This year was a complicated year for travel because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. We usually travel to other countries but this year we thought that exploring Spain was the best idea. So we decided to take a road trip to Andalucia visiting many cities like Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz and Granada.
This city is located in the Andalucia region of Spain close to Seville and Granada. It’s one of the most important cities in Europe. The city has many historic places which are considered world heritage sites like the Mezquita-Catedral, the Medina Azahara and the Fiesta de los Patios.
The last one was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is one of the prettiest attractions of Cordoba. Also, there is a competition sponsored by Cordoba City which started in 1928 where the prettiest courtyard wins a prize. This really is a beautiful city unlike any other.
Favourite Place: Fiesta de los Patios
We took many photos of Cordoba which wasn’t hard to do! There weren’t many people around in August as the sun was strong, people were staying inside and tourism numbers were low due to COVID-19.
It was like having the entire city just for ourselves. We were almost alone and loved every minute of exploring the streets and attractions. Definitely the most beautiful aspect of Cordoba were the courtyards. Everything is decorated in a gorgeous fashion. Fiesta de los Patios was just stunning!
6 Best Things To Do in Cordoba
There is a lot more to Cordoba than courtyards and the Mezquita. The real charm of this city can be found while exploring the stone-paved alleys and streets. Discover charming restaurants, verdant patios and golden-stone buildings. Below you will find our top recommendations.
1. Explore the Incredible Mezquita Catedral
Cordoba’s great mosque is a remarkable place. It’s bursting with important monuments. Mezquita started to be built in 785 and was converted into a church in 1236. Entrance costs 12 Euros and you can discover Patio de los Naranjos, Torre Campanario and the Mezquita’s Interior.
2. Get Lost down the Charming Streets of Cordoba
This wonderful Andalusian city is home to endless charming streets like Calleja de las Flores where a sea of flowers greets you down a narrow street that ends in a plaza, Calleja el Panuelo which is a Moorish-style street and the popular Fiesta de los Patios with its vibrant and aromatic courtyard.
3. Discover the Roman Temple and Roman Bridge
Adding to the cultural heritage of Cordoba are the two main Roman features of the city: Roman Temple and Roman Bridge. The former was built for emperor worship and today you can find ancient old ruins. The bridge, on the other hand, is 250 metres long and a joy to walk across.
4. Wander around the Beautiful Palacio de Viana
The renaissance Palacio de Viana is a National Historic-Artistic Monument and Artistic Garden in Cordoba. There are 12 courtyards all beautifully decorated and the entrance fee is 5 Euros. Palacio de Viana is five centuries old and you can feel the history here just by walking around.
5. Visit Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Kings) is another special place to visit. The castle is located next to the Guadalquivir River and was constructed under the orders of King Alfonso XI of Castile in 1328. It’s a fascinating place to visit and learn about the history of Cordoba.
6. Enjoy a Couple of Drinks at SOHO Cordoba
SOHO Cordoba is the best place in the city to enjoy a few drinks, cocktails and tapas at the many fantastic bars, restaurants, discos and nightclubs. This area is located in front of the river right next to the beautiful Roman Bridge and gets popular on weekends with locals and tourists alike.
People, Food & Culture of Cordoba
The people we met in Cordoba were super friendly. They explained to us everything about the culture of this city. We recommend striking up a conversation with the locals. They always have a smile on their faces and will help with anything you need – whether it be directions or information.
In the south of Spain, in general, the food is phenomenal. Most popular dishes are tapas. We also tried “salmorejo” (soup consisting of tomato and bread) and “gazpacho” (cold soup made of raw blended vegetables).
The most popular thing to do is to go to the bars and try some tapas. We went to Restaurante El Churrasco and Bar Santos which I would highly recommend checking out. Order a few drinks and tapas and enjoy!
Need to Know Before you Go
The most important tip we can provide is to choose a time of year to visit when the house terraces are open but when it’s not too hot either. We visited in August, in the middle of summer, and the sun was intensely strong. Try coming in May or September for a cooler experience!
