From Wikitravel
Cordoba is the capital of the province of
Cordoba in the region of
Andalucia in
Spain. A medium sized city with
350,000 inhabitants.
Understand
Situated in the center of the Andalusian Autonomous Region,
Cordoba is a great cultural reference point in Europe. This ancient
city, which has been declared a World Heritage Site, is a mixture
of the diverse cultures that settled it throughout history.
Very few places in the world can boast of having been the
capital of a Roman province (Hispania Ulterior), the capital of an
Arab State (Al-Andalus, a highly civilized state in Southern
Europe) and a Caliphate. Such splendour is palpable in the
intellectual wealth of this centre of wisdom and knowledge, that
has seen the birth of figures like Seneca, Averroes, and
Maimonides.
The historic quarter of Cordoba is a beautiful network of small
streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards arranged around
the Mosque-Cathedral, which reflects the city's prominent place in
the Islamic world during medieval times.
Córdoba is also a modern city, well connected to other
Andalusian cities by the high speed train (AVE) and a very
extensive rail network linking it to the major Spanish cities such
as Madrid and Seville. Inside the city, it is very easy and fast to
reach your destination due to an efficient public transport
system.
Cordoba is also synonymous with art, culture and leisure, thanks
to a myriad of cultural events that are organised here throughout
the year: Flamenco festivals, concerts, ballet and other
activities. These events are complemented by a number of museums
and an exciting nightlife.
Outside the city are very beautiful villages like Priego de
Córdoba, an example of Spanish baroque; Zuheros, the typical white
Andalusian village with an impressive castle built on a rock; and
Montilla. 'Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Hornachuelos' in
Hornachuelos and 'Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas' in
Cardeña are interesting nature reserves.
Get in
By train
Hourly, very fast (but expensive) AVE trains run from Madrid (1 hour 45 minutes, Seville (45 minutes) and Malaga (50 mins). Additionally,
there is a very cheap option from Seville (Andalucía express).
By bus
Regular buses from almost every city in Andalucia. Also regular bus services from Madrid departing from "Estación
Sur" (around 6 buses per day). For bus schedule and price check the
website: [1].
By plane
Fly to Sevilla, Málaga or Madrid and to Córdoba by train or bus
in a few hours.
Get around
The area with the most to see is around the Old City. Everything
is in walking distance, (train station, bus station, shopping area,
tourist sites, restaurants, bars, etc). The typical tourist can do
with the standard tourist map which can be obtained from the
tourist offices (one on the east side of the Mezquita-Cathedral and
the other between the Alcázar and the city walls). Orientation is
provided by the river, Plaza de las Tendillas and Passeo de la
Victoria. The area around the Mezquita-Cathedral is crammed with
places to stay, eat and buy souvenirs.However, many visitors find
it a bit too touristy, with more interesting things found wandering
to the east of the Mezquita-Cathedral. On Sunday mornings you can
watch a procession after the Catholic mass. Exercise caution when
walking around the area near the Mezquita: Gypsies and beggers will
try to sucker you for some money and they often work in teams. You
may find yourself being charged 40 Euro for a palm reading, or
having your money snatched by a little kid working together with
the supposed palm reader. Just keep an eye on your things and don't
get caught up with their scams.
- La Mezquita [2]
- The third biggest Mosque in the world, with a Cathedral built
inside. More than 20,000 people could pray inside. A huge 'column's
forest', an impressing atmosphere. A must see.(8 Euro, free
entrance! from 8:30AM to 10AM).
- Medina Azahara - Carretera de Palma del Rio.
Ruins of the capital of the Western Caliphate, built beginning in
940. Huge archeological interest, a beautiful and very special
walk. Approximately 5km west of town. (Free entrance for
EU-citizens, very cheap for non-EU. The tourism office currently
runs a bus at 11AM for 5 Euro.)
- Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos - Close to the
Mezquita. Castle-fortress of the Christian Monarchs with beautiful
gardens and historical heritage.
- Calleja de las Flores - Very close to the
Mezquita, at the tower side. Beautiful narrow street, full of
flower with a wonderful tiny square at the end and amazing sights
of the Mezquita's Tower (Main articule picture).
- La Sinagoga - Judios street. One of the 3
remaining synagogues in Spain. Very small but special place. Free
entrance.
- Puente Romano - Old Roman bridge over the
Guadalquivir.
- Plaza del Cristo de los Faroles Cuesta del
Bailio (Close to Alfaros street). The most impressive square, the
best time to go there is the sunset or night (see picture). A
Christ in the Cross statue adorned with lot of old lanterns,
candles and flowers in a very quiet atmosphere.
- Plaza del Potro - A small old square where Don
Quijote de la Macha stayed in one of his adventures. You can find
there a nice fountain with a small horse and a 'Triunfo de San
Rafael'. Julio Romero de Torres local painter Museum and Fine Arts
Museum are also located in this place.
- Viana Palace - former residence of the
Marquise of Viana, is an impressive museum featuring furniture,
tapestries, porcelain, tiles, paintings, leatherwork, muskets, a
7000-volume library and extensive gardens spread out over 14
patios.
- Plaza de la Corredera - The only 'Plaza Mayor
cerrada' (closed main square) in Andalucía.
- Iglesias Fernandinas - A set of 14 old
churches in the city center, sometimes built above old mosques. The
best ones: San Lorenzo, San Miguel, San Nicolás...
- Torre de la Calahora - At the opposite end of
the Roman Bridge. Historical city Museum.
- For an excellent summary of what to see in Cordoba, check out
Cordoba 24 Sights and Attractions [3].
Do
May - ¡Mayo!. The best time to visit the city.
'The Month of Córdoba'.
- Feria de Córdoba - Last week in May, a huge
fair of drinking, dancing, eating, and not working. Flamenco and
salsa music. A great time!
- Cruces de Mayo - 1st week of May. Very fun, a
lot of public squares in the city center, the old city, with big
crosses flower-made, with music and drinks full of people having
fun!
- Cata de Vino-Montilla Moriles Cordovan Wine
tasting fair. Very good wine selection and music in a huge tent in
the city center.
- Festival de Patios - About 2 weeks during May.
People living in the ancient districts of Cordoba are proud to open
their courtyards to visitors and participate in a contest in which
colourful plants and different elements invite to contemplate the
beauty of traditional style houses.
March-April
- Semana Santa (The Week Before Easter) -
Processions throughout town involving scenes from the life of
Christ, bands, and penitents. Very nice exhibition of the city's
culture. Approximately six processions each night from 6 p.m. to
midnight.
July
- Festival Internacional de la Guitarra [4] - The city become
the world Guitar Capital during two weeks full of concerts
featuring the top world guitar players and bands ranging from
Jazz/Blues, Classical, and of course, Flamenco. Excellent music and
dance seminars, music courses, and conferences about guitar.
February-March
- Carnaval A typical Andalusian carnival (not as
huge as Cadiz's festival, but a great time neverthless). The city
center is full of people in costumes during the weekend, funny
songs are sang throughout city squares.
During the year
- Hammam - Arabic baths [5] -
Just 5 minutes walking distance west of the mosque there is a
modern Arabic bath that recreates the ones used during the Moorish
era. During the golden times of the western caliphate Cordoba was
said to have more than 400 hundreds baths. The site offers a
session of two hours (including a massage).
- Drive an electric car [6] to discover one of the
largest historical downtowns in Europe. The electric car is
equipped with a GPS touristic assistant which gives audio tours on
the monuments within 100 meter. Descriptions available in Spanish,
English, and French. Besides, there are 10 exclusive parking spots
to park the electric car. From 14.5€ per hour 2 seats and 4 seats
cars available.
- Take a Segway Tour [7] in Cordoba, passing by
places which are normally missed by the visitor. English spoken
tours. From 15€ per person.
- Vision Walking Tours - An excellent walking
tour of the old city, Alcázar, Synagogue, and Mezquita. The set
price is steep - €27- but worth it. (The price includes entry to
buildings).
Buy
The main shopping area is around the Plaza de las Tendillas:
Concepción street, Cruz Conde street, Gran Capitán boulevard, Ronda
de los Tejares avenue...
- Sukia - cocktail shop, Cuesta Luján 4.
(between Plaza de las Tendillas and San Fernado),
95749051, Really cool shop. Its sells Kitch, be it in clothes,
music, decorations form, if its Kitch from the 50's 60's or 70's
its here.
- Bodegas Campos, Los Lineros, 32 San Pedro,
14002 Cordoba [8]. Open traditional
Spanish hours. Classic Cordoba place to eat. Historical building
and famous for people who have visited. Food is fantastic, very
recommended!
- Castillo de la Albaida A refurbish Castle
settled in the Córdoba sierra's slope, 10 minutes from city center
by car. Very good Cordoban food with splendid city sights.
- El Churrasco Romero 16, 14003 Cordoba +34-957
290 819. With amazing meat dishes and much more. Very close to the
Mezquita.
- Taberna San Miguel "El Pisto" Plaza San
Miguel, 1, Cordoba, 14002. Great place to try some typical Tapas.
The best 'Pisto' in the world!
- La Gusa, C/ Diario de Córdoba, 18 (Near
ruins of the Roman temple), 957491123
(amparo@restaurantelagusa.com), [9]. Every Day
2PM-1AM. A refreshing twist on traditional Spanish cooking. Relaxed
cool atmosphere and unusual flavours.
- Amore Bona Pasta, C/ Reyes Catolicos, 17,
14001 Cordoba, +34 957484848 [10]. Fantastic pizza
and pasta at $-$$ prices. Try the Pasta Carbonara, very nice. Pizza
was great as well.
- La Fragua Cja. Los Arcos, 2 (off C/Tomás
Conde) Phone: (+34) 957 48 45 72. Delicious home made food and
traditional cooking with a modern and personal style. Enjoyable
meals in an authentic 16th century charming courtyard accompanied
by flamenco ambient music. It is also possible to try tapas and
drinks for a very reasonable price. Relaxed atmosphere.
- Taberna La Lechuga C/Tomás Conde, 12 +34 204
311. Cordoban Traditional style food. Try their brand name tasty
specialty, seasoned "lettuce sprouts", served with garlic. They
serve a wide range of traditional dishes. Don't forget their
"Croquetas", but to be sure about their daily recommendations just
try and ask their friendly staff.
- Plaza de la Corredera Plaza de la Corredera. A
lot of bars in this beautiful place, nice enviroment and nice
people.
- Vial Norte (Paseo de Córdoba) Paseo de Córdoba
(aka Vial Norte). A lot of modern bars in the newest part of the
city. Cute people and fancy pubs.
- El Brillante, el Tablero Avenida del
Brillante. For summertime, fancy bars, fancy people in those rich
neighborhoods. From June to September.
- Chinales, polígono industrial Polígono
industrial de Chinales (Chinales, industrial park). Very close to
the city center (5-10 min. by car,4€ by taxi). Clubs/Discos: Maná,
Silos, Kenia, Go...
- Ciudad Jardín neighborhood Alderetes street,
Julio Pellicer street. A lot of small but very fun places to dance,
drink....to have fun! From October to May.
- Hotel Maciá Alfaros, [11].
Great hotel with old town central location. Walking distance to
central plaza, shopping, archeology sites, drinks. Reasonable
rates, excellent for business travel. ****
- Hotel AC Córdoba Excellent hotel in a modern
environment set a block from the bus and train stations, very close
to the city center.****
- Hotel Córdoba Center The newest hotel in the
city, 5 minutes walking distance from Train/Bus station and city
center.****
- Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailío, the first and
only 5 star hotel in town. Centrally located. Recently inaugurated.
Incredible old city palace from the 16th Century. Respecting both
Roman and Moorish architectural influences. 53 rooms, restaurant
and Spa. The new essence of Hospes Palacio del Bailío tells an old
story, its architecture speaks of history in the old quarter of the
city, next to the Cristo de ls Faroles square and 10 minutes from
the Mosque.
- Hotel NH Amistad
[12] Plaza de Maimónides, 3, 14004, E-mail:
nhamistadcordoba@nh-hotels.com Tel: +34 95 7420335 Fax: +34 95
7420365. In the heart of the old town, 5 minutes walking from the
Mezquita. Settled in the old city walls, inside a beautiful
palace.**** There is another NH hotel right next door- the NH
Califa
[13].
- Hostal Lineros 38 A very nice place to relax.
Beautiful Andalusí (Islamic from souther Spain) architecture.
- Hostal el Triunfo Cheap and quite nice hostel
in from of the Mezquita.
- Youth hostel In the old town, a very good
one.
This is a usable article. It has
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