There are a lot of things to do in Cordoba and even if you are only visiting for a day you should be able to see the main attractions with time to spare. From being an important Roman city to the centre of Islamic rule during the middle ages, Cordoba is definitely a must-visit in southern Spain.
It has one of the biggest historic quarters in the world and the old town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s actually the only city in the world that has four cultural heritage sites in it, making it a very unique place to visit.
We spent one day in Cordoba and stayed overnight in a private room at Hostal Azahar, which was located next to the Mezquita at a very reasonable price. Here are my top 10 things to do in Cordoba for first time visitors to the city.
Things to do in Cordoba
1. Walk across the Roman Bridge of Cordoba
The Roman Bridge of Cordoba is an iconic site in the city, and if you’re looking for somewhere to park, chances are you’ll end up on the opposite side of the old town and will have to walk across the bridge anyways. The Calahorra Tower sits at one end, and the Gate of the Bridge at the other.
You may recognize the bridge from Game of Thrones. It was used in season 5 as the Long Bridge in Volantis, but was altered by the use of CGI to make it look longer and to add buildings to it.
2. Mezquita de Cordoba
If you do one thing, make sure you get a ticket for the Mezquita. It’s one of the world’s largest mosques and temples, and displays the best example of Islamic architecture. Today it stands as an example of when Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived side by side.
This tops the list of things to do in Cordoba and needs to be added to any tour of southern Spain that you’re planning on doing. If you’re visiting the city early in the morning you can enter the Mezquita for free between 08:30 and 09:30 from Monday to Saturday.
3. Patio de los Naranjos
Before entering the Mezquita itself, you’ll pass through the Patio de los Naranjos. This courtyard is completely free to walk around even if you aren’t buying a ticket to enter the Mezquita and is one of the main attractions in Cordoba.
4. Climb the bell tower
For only €3 you can climb to the top of the Mezquita’s bell tower and get a unique view of the mosque-cathedral and the historic centre. There are only a certain number of people let in every 30 minutes so make sure you get your ticket early. If you’re only visiting Cordoba for one day, you can easily cross off three attractions in the Mezquita complex within a couple of hours.
5. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
I’d highly recommend visiting the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos which dates back to the 13th century. It’s a beautiful fortress to explore with stunning gardens and you’ll have the opportunity to check out the Moorish bathhouses as well. As this is one of the most popular things to do in Cordoba you should arrive early to avoid big queues.
The Royal Stables are next to the fortress which you’ll need a separate ticket to enter. Although we didn’t have time to stop there due to their opening times it’s a must-visit in Cordoba.
6. Calleja de las Flores
Calleja de las Flores is one of the most popular streets in Cordoba and a favourite among tourists. It’s known for its bright and colourful flowers against the white walls and is a must-see in Cordoba. The narrow street finishes in a small square filled with a variety of flowerpots and at the other end you get a gorgeous view of the Mezquita rising high above the rooftops.
7. Grab some brunch
Start your day off right by having a healthy brunch in Cordoba. You’ll thank me later. There are a lot of options when it comes to places to eat in Cordoba, especially in the historic centre, so you’ll have no problems finding one that you like.
8. Taberna El Capricho
Another thing you need to try in Cordoba is the tapas. Taberna El Capricho sits almost across from the entrance of Calleja de las Flores and is one of the best places to eat in Cordoba. The menu has an amazing selection of dishes and is surprisingly cheap considering the portion sizes.
9. Roman temple ruins
The Roman Temple Ruins are a 15 minute walk from the Mezquita. It looks better in photos than in real life, so don’t worry if you don’t have time to see this. But it’s one of the many free things to do in Cordoba at least and it’s nice to take a quick look at.
10. Indulge in tapas
Luckily there are a lot of options for tapas in Cordoba, with a good mixture of traditional tapas and modern adaptations. There are always new restaurants popping up in the historic centre so unfortunately the ones that we visited are now permanently closed. Your best option is to do some research beforehand and see which ones appeal to you.
Although Cordoba is much smaller than Seville or Granada, it’s oozing with historic charm. It’s definitely a city that can be seen in one day, though I would suggest spending 2 days in Cordoba to get a true feel for the city. If you have any questions about visiting Cordoba or southern, get in touch either by email or through Instagram.
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