The city of Cordoba is known as the “sultana of Andalusia”, it was known for its great splendor in past centuries and is a good example of the three cultures in the past, Christian, Muslim and Jewish. Just by walking through its streets you will feel like in past times with a lot of charm. Follow us to know things to do in Cordoba if you decide to visit us.
In this section you will be able to see the most visited monuments of Cordoba. If you have decided to come and visit us, here you will find all the information you need. Although the Mosque-Cathedral is the most visited monument (almost 2,000,000 visits a year), you have many other monuments full of history that you can see.
You have a lot of interesting monuments to visit, typical taverns from Cordoba where you can have some food dishes (or a few drinks), museums with history, memories of past times in each of its corners … As you can see, Cordoba is not only its Mosque.
Mosque of Cordoba
The Mosque of Cordoba is a must if you pass through Cordoba. It is a monument of great importance, it was named as an Asset of Cultural Interest and is classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. I tell you a little more so you know this monument.
The Mosque-Cathedral is divided into several zones, one of which is the Mosque itself, a closed building that is composed of a multitude of columns and arches of yellow and red that are the image of Cordoba. In the center of the Mosque is the Cathedral, which opens to worship in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, this is the reason why you can visit for free.
The Yard of the orange trees is another place to visit inside the Mosque-Cathedral. A place that takes you back to another era, surrounded by orange trees and palm trees you have wonderful places where you can get very good photos. From this yards you can access the bell tower, with privileged views of the city, the Jewish quarter and the tourist area next to the river.
Calahorra Tower
The Calahorra Tower is in the southern part of the river and can be visited by paying a very cheap entrance. Inside there is an exhibition of the Alive Museum of Al-Andalus very interesting with some models of the Alhambra, the Mosque, etc. The roof is climbed by narrow spiral staircases. The views, as you can imagine, are spectacular. It is one of the things to Do in Cordoba.
Roman Bridge
Next to the Mosque and passing through the Bridge Door and the Triumph of San Rafael, there is the Roman Bridge that connects the north of the city with the south. This bridge was built in Roman times and was the only one that crossed the Guadalquivir River on its way through Cordoba until the 20th century.
Now it is a bridge for pedestrian use, through which to walk and learn more about the history of the city. In its southern part and next to the Calahorra Tower there is a park, a viewpoint and walks to visit the bridge below and where you can take some spectacular photos of the city.
Orther things to Do in Cordoba
The neighborhood of The Jewry surrounds the Mosque, it is characteristic for its narrow streets, with houses of white facades, bars and balconies adorned by pots and flowers. Its streets are ideal to stifle the heat of the city in summer.
Some of the famous streets of the Jewish Quarter are the streets of the flowers for their view of the Mosque Tower, the Jewish street where the Synagogue or the street of the handkerchief is, which has the peculiarity of being very narrow. Through the streets of the Jewish quarter you can also see the statue of Al-Gafequi, Ibn Hazam or Maimonides. They are monuments to see in Cordoba while you walk through its streets.
Alcazar of Christian Kings
Very close to the Mosque and in the Jewish quarter you can visit the Alcazar of Christian Kings. A monument consisting of four towers, that of the Tribute, that of the Lions, the Tower of the Inquisition and that of the Dove. In some of its rooms you can see important Roman mosaics, but perhaps what most attracts the attention of the Alcazar are its gardens. As a council, visiting the Alcazar in the spring is a spectacle.
The Synagogue
On the street Jews you can visit the Synagogue. It is very special because there are barely three in Spain and this is the only one in Andalusia. You enter through your yards, once inside the prayer room you can admire its walls decorated with plasterwork and written in Hebrew. Another of its attractions is its coffered ceiling, which is located 6 meters high.
patios
One of the “living” monuments that you can visit in Cordoba are the typical courtyards. In some old houses of the historical center they exhibit their courtyards adorned with pots and flowers, reliving the style of life of yesteryear. The courtyards of Cordoba have that decoration with fountain or well in the center and a lot of vegetation because was the way to cool the houses in the hot summer months.
Julio Romero de Torres Museum
Surely you’ve seen the painting of “La chiquita piconera” or “Naranjas y limones (oranges and lemons)” by Julio Romero de Torres. All are displayed in the rooms of the museum that bears his name, in the Plaza del Colón.
Foal Square
You can not visit Cordoba without seeing Foal Square. His name comes from a fountain with a small sculpture in the center of the square. In the square you will find the Julio Romero de Torres Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
The Corredera Square
Another corner of the city that you can not miss in the Corredera Square. It is a site that resembles in a certain way the Greater Square of Madrid, surrounded by buildings with arches and balconies in red and yellow tones. In this square there are small craft shops and many bars where you can have some food dishes.
The Roman Temple
If you pass through the street capitulares you can see the Roman Temple, a monument composed of 11 columns dating from the first century. You can get to the exit through the high arch of the Corredera Square. It is a monument that looks perfectly from the street.
As a curiosity, some parts of the columns are faithful reproductions of the originals. Some of the originals are in the Archaeological Museum, but if you want to see them more closely, there are two parts of the original columns in the square of the Doblas, very close to the Christ of the Lanterns.
Square of the Tendillas
You can say that this square is the center of the City. It is a pedestrian square with the equestrian statue of Don Gonzalo de Cordoba “The Big Captain” in the center. It is surrounded by emblematic buildings such as La Union y El Fenix, Enrique Barrios‘ house or the Tendillas Clock, where New Year’s bells are given. Visit the center of the city is the things to Do in Cordoba.
Christ of the Lanterns
In the Square of Capuchinos is the Christ of the lanterns, in an environment of whitewashed houses and sidewalks with cobblestone floor. It is a stone Christ surrounded by eight lanterns. A very dear Christ in Cordoba that I recommend visiting at night (if possible).
Palace of Viana
Located in the Santa Marina neighborhood you will be able to visit the Viana Palace. It is a manor house of the nineteenth century Cordoban nobility. Although it does not look very impressive on the outside, once inside you will see luxurious living rooms, large patios and gardens with fountains.
In the interior visit, you can see on the ground floor “the exhibition of power”, on the top floor “the great collections”, and in the most western zone “the lived house”. If you are going to be in Cordoba for more than a day, it is highly recommended that you visit this palace.
Church of Santa Marina
Next to the Viana Palace you can visit the Church of Santa Marina. A Fernandino style church with a large rosette on its facade. It was built in the 13th century and has sculptures and works by artists from Cordoba. Although there are many and very interesting, this is a church to visit in Cordoba for its great history.
Madinat al-Zhara
It has recently received recognition as World Heritage, a deserved “prize” to be a monument worth seeing for its exclusivity. Madinat Al-Zhara is located 7 kilometers from the city, a Palatine City that is the maximum exponent of the Omeya Caliphate.
To visit it you have to go by car or bus, between the visit and the transport it takes a morning or an afternoon, but I assure you that it is very worthwhile. Both the reception center, where its history is explained, and the ruins of the city, are a monument you can not miss.
When to visit Cordoba
The ideal time of year to visit Cordoba is spring. In May, countless parties and contests are celebrated, ending the festive month with the Fair of Our Lady of Health in the Arenal precinct.
Although any month of the year is good for visiting the city, both spring and autumn are the preferred times for most tourists. There are many people who prefer to come to Cordoba in May, the city “shines” much more and there are many variety of shows to enjoy.
So here a short summary so you know things to do in Cordoba if you decide to visit us. Remember that you have much more information about monuments and tourist news on our website.