Cordoba hotels

Hotels in Cordoba

The centre of the western Islamic empire for three centuries, and at one point thought to have been the most populous city in the world, Córdoba has a fascinating history.

Relatively quiet in the winter, the city is a flower-filled riot of fiestas from April to June, and the hottest place in Europe at the height of summer. Its citizens pride themselves on their prettily decorated patios, and there is a Patio Festival each May.

Book one of our Córdoba hotels and explore a city where vibrant bars and restaurants rub shoulders with ancient Roman and Islamic architecture.

City centre

Córdoba's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest Old Town in Europe. Explore the narrow streets and pretty squares of the old Jewish and Moorish quarters near the Mezquita, and the medieval synagogue in the Jewish quarter. The Callejon de las Flores is one of the prettiest streets in the city, with the balconies and walls of its whitewashed houses decorated with brightly coloured flowers.

The Roman Bridge, built in the 1st century BC, has been restored several times and now only retains two of its original arches. The 12th-century Calahorra Tower, a fortified gate built to guard the bridge, now houses the Museum of Al-Andalus Life, where you can learn about life in Córdoba under Islamic rule.

Just north of the Old Town is Córdoba's main square, the Plaza de las Tendillas, which leads to the city's main shopping streets.

The Mezquita

A cathedral since the 16th century, Córdoba's former great mosque, the Mezquita, is undoubtedly the city's most beautiful sight. With its spectacular Great Hall, supported by 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble and granite, intricate decoration, golden mosaics and towering minaret, it is one of Europe's most amazing buildings.

A few kilometres from the city are the ruins of the Medina Azahara, a huge Islamic palace complex built in the 10th century. Some 10, 000 labourers were drafted in to build the palace, yet it was wrecked by Berber soldiers less than a century later.

Gardens

You'll find indigenous plants, herbs, fruit trees, vegetables, an arboretum, rose garden and a greenhouse filled with species from the Canary and Balearic Islands at Córdoba Botanic Gardens. There is also a special garden for the visually impaired, where the plants have been chosen for their feel and smell.

Another beautiful place to explore is the stunning garden of the Alcazar, full of rectangular lakes, colourful flowers and beautifully kept hedges. The palace itself was originally a residence for Andalusia's Islamic leaders, and was later used by the Christian monarchs and the Spanish Inquisition.

Eating and drinking

For traditional Andalusian food and tapas, head to Casa Rubio, which has been a restaurant for almost a century and prides itself on its fried fish. Bar Santos is famed for its gigantic and tasty Spanish tortilla, while the Meson de las Flores, close to the Mezquita, is another good place to go for tapas. At the Mercado Victoria gourmet market, you can feast at 30 stalls selling fresh produce and freshly-made dishes from around the world. Afterwards, head to Cervezas Califa, thought to be the region's first microbrewery, or the Jazz Café for live music.