Córdoba walking tour & city guide

The Mezquita

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is one of the most astonishing buildings in Europe. Its vast prayer hall contains a forest of more than 800 columns of marble, jasper and granite, supporting double arches striped in red and white. The mihrab, the prayer niche, is decorated with dazzling Byzantine-style gold mosaics.

After the Christian conquest in 1236 it became a cathedral, and in the 16th century a Renaissance nave was built right in the middle of the mosque. Outside, the Patio de los Naranjos, a courtyard of orange trees, leads to the bell tower, which you can climb.

The Judería and the patios

Around the Mezquita, the Judería, the old Jewish quarter, is a maze of narrow streets. Calleja de las Flores, a tiny lane lined with flower pots that frames the cathedral tower, is the most photographed spot. The medieval Synagogue is one of only three surviving in Spain.

Córdoba's houses are built around patios decorated with hundreds of potted flowers. Every May, during the Patios Festival, residents open them to visitors and compete for prizes. The Palacio de Viana has 12 beautiful patios open all year.

Roman bridge and gardens

The Roman Bridge crosses the Guadalquivir River to the Calahorra Tower, and the views back toward the Mezquita are especially lovely at sunset. The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos has terraced gardens with ponds and fountains. Summers in Córdoba are extremely hot; spring, especially May, is the best time to visit.