Cordoba Weekend Escape
- Irene
- May 10, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 5, 2024
Cordoba can be a great stop on your trip around the south of Spain or it can be a great weekend escape as well. It is very well connected with Sevilla and Madrid using the AVE, so it is feasible to go just for a weekend.
When to go: May is the month to visit Cordoba, and why? Because of the flowers and beautiful patios. I will explain more details of this incredible tradition later on. Another reason to visit Cordoba in May is the weather. As you might know, the south of Spain is famous for the crazy temperatures that it can reach during the months of July and August so definitely avoid these months.
Where to stay: I recommend to stay near the Mezquita, if you are not traveling by car you can stay at the Juderia neighbourhood. Otherwise, if you need a parking space, near the river can be an option as there are some apartments which include parking spaces.
“Tu Casa en el Rio” apartment is a great option, very nice and clean in a perfect location and with parking space. If you prefer a hotel, the boutique hotel “Hotel Madinat” is an excellent option.
Day 1: Mezquita- Catedral de Córdoba
This is probably one of the most famous and beautiful monuments of Spain. To explain why it is so different and special, it is important to share a bit of the history.
The Mosque was constructed on the orders of Abd ar-Rahman I in 785 CE, when Córdoba was the capital of the Muslim-controlled region of Al-Andalus. It was expanded multiple times afterwards under Abd ar-Rahman's successors up to the late 10th century. The mosque was converted to a cathedral in 1236 when Córdoba was captured by the Christian forces of Castile during the Reconquista. The structure itself underwent only minor modifications until a major building project in the 16th century inserted a new Renaissance cathedral nave and transept into the centre of the building.
Basically, in simple terms, it is impressive to be walking around a cathedral that’s inside a Mosque and that’s what makes it unique. Now speaking about the practical details, I would recommend booking the tickets online before doing so at the Mezquita as there can be long queues. It takes between 2 and 3 hours to see the inside properly but you can of course see it quicker.
Once that you have finished with the Mezquita, the next thing to do is to walk around the Juderia neighbourhood. The Jewish Quarter of Córdoba’, is the area in which the Jews lived between the 10th and 15th centuries. It is located near the Mezquita Catedral. Do not forget to visit the following streets in in the area: Deanes, Manríquez, Tomás Conde, Judíos, Almanzor and Romero.
It is one of the most visited areas by tourists given that you can see monuments such as the Sinagoga (Synagogue), the Zoco Municipal (Zoco Municipal Market) or the Museo Taurino (Bull-fighting Museum).
For dinner or lunch the “go to” place is “El Churrasco”, famous for its grilled meats and super nice tapas and of course a great salmorejo.
If you have more time on your first day, I recommend to also visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (the Castle of the Christian Monarchs), located in the historic centre, next to the Guadalquivir River. The fortress served as one of the residences of Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragon. The architectural ensemble has a sober character in its exterior and splendid in its interior, with the magnificent gardens and courtyards that maintain a Mudéjar inspiration.
Day 2: Patios
During May there is a popular tradition in Cordoba called los patios (courtyards). Private owners and neighbours open their courtyards to show everyone the beautiful flowers that they have been working on during the past year. The courtyards are also examined by a group of judges and awards are given to the most beautiful ones.
There are many neighbourhoods which have courtyards but we were recommended to go to the area of Santa Marina, as these are less explored by foreigners and more by locals.
Usually, you will see a queue at the entrance of the courtyards but I must say that it goes quite quickly. You do not have to pay for the entrance, but you should give a small donation when you exit. Patios are open to the public 11.30 am - 2 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm. Ideally, it would be better if you can visit Monday to Thursday as this is a very popular attraction and during the weekends it gets quite crowded.
We visited the following:
Calle Chaparro 3
Calle Tafures, 2
Calle Zarco, 15
Calle Parras, 5
Calle Parras, 8
Calle Parras, 6
A great place for lunch or dinner a bit outside of the main touristic area is “La Rebotica – El Rincon de Paco”, they have great seafood and fish.
If you go in a different month than May and therefore visiting the patios is not an option, I would recommend to visit Palacio de Viana.
The Palacio de Viana is surrounded by twelve splendid patios and a marvellous garden with a stunning variety of flowering plants. Inside the palace rooms there‘s a wide range of collections (paintings, dinner sets, mosaics, tapestries, decorative tiles, firearms, and so on). There is also an outstanding collection of embossed leather work and a fascinating 16th-18th century library.
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