Moorish Charms

We enjoyed the Mezquita, the Moorish mosque, later the cathedral of Cordoba, and the Alcazar and its beautiful ornamental gardens. Cool off in a fountain - they're all over the city and often provide relief for weary feet!

We liked strolling the narrow lanes of the Juderia, the old Jewish quarter, stopping off here and there to enjoy a sherry and some tapas.

Quick Tips:

Several of Cordoba's big attractions offer free entry on a Friday. We saved the entrance charges of three such places in one day.

Cordoba gets fiercely hot in summer. Try to visit the attractions early or later in the day, and do make sure you're not too far from a cool and shady place as the hottest part of the day nears (usually around 2 pm) – otherwise, you could find yourselves a long way from a cool drink.

Best Way To Get Around:

It is small enough to negotiate on foot. Bus service is cheap (.90 anywhere around the city), and the buses are frequent and easy to use.

Housed in a beautiful house hidden away on the edge of the old town, this "hostal" is ideally located for the city's main attractions (only minutes from the Alcazar and the Mezquita), yet in a quiet and secluded location and for a bargain price (30 euros double, 15 euros single).

You enter through a big grand door and are straight into the lovely patio, full of plants. The rooms are on the next floor, and while they are not larger, they are comfortable and very clean, with ensuite bathrooms. Unfortunately, the furniture in our room was arranged such that our pillows were against the wall where next door's bathroom was, and we were rudely awakened in the morning or during siesta, when they went to the loo or set the shower going!

The staff was friendly and helpful--able to answer questions about bus services and location of tourist info.

There is no breakfast but there are a couple of cafes nearby that serve it. A good budget choice--surprisingly cheap for its location but not compromising on comfort or standards.