Cordoba Trip Report October 2018

Our first visit to Cordoba was in 2018. We stayed for four nights in the Municipal campsite because we were travelling with out car and a tent. Every morning we walked into Cordoba to visit the Mezquita which is free from 8.30 to 9.30.

The first day we also explored the area by the river, the outside areas of Caballerizas Reales de Cordoba and the San Basilio Barrio, for the patios. Many of the patios are free to visit because there are small craft shops or because they are private patios which can be glimpsed from behind the railings, some are private but can be visited for a small voluntary donation. All have the characteristics of flowing water, flowers and the blue and white which is typical of Cordoba.

We strolled through the Jewish Quarter which is the busiest part of Cordoba with lots of eateries, souvenir shops and tourists thronging its narrow streets. 

Plaza de la Corredera, the main square in Cordoba, is already off the main tourist route. The square dates back to the late 17th century and is unusual, surrounded on three sides by identical four storey buildings with balconies above and arches at ground level. Cordoba's market used to be held there, as well as bullfights and other events. 

The second day, apart from the Mezquita, we again wandered along the river and around the historical centre as well as visiting the art gallery and archeological museum. The art gallery is quite small and is quickly visited, the best part is perhaps the patio outside it. The archaeological museum is bigger and more interesting, especially the part about the mosaics. That afternoon we went to Casa Palacio Viana which is famous for its patios and is free on a Wednesday afternoon.

On the third day after the Mezquita another stroll around the historical centre, we also had a look around the more modern part of Cordoba and the shops. On Thursdays from 6pm entry is free to the Alcazar, the Arab baths and the Bull museum. There were a lot of people in the queue for the Alcazar. While the buildings are interesting especially the towers and the turrets, the most beautiful part of the visit is to the gardens, beautifully laid out formal gardens with trimmed trees and hedges, streams, ponds, waterfalls, a magical place to wander around. The Arab baths are soon dealt with, there's very little left, spoilt while we spent longer around the Bull museum. We also strolled down to the river to see the Roman bridge by night. 

Cordoba has a beautiful historical centre, white houses, sandstone pale yellow monuments, clean, flowers everywhere, there are also big parks or paseos just outside the centre and we enjoyed our walks back along those to the campsite. Cordoba is full of things to look at, the famous patios, the ancient walls, parks, flowers, each way you turn there's something beautiful to see. We loved it!