Córdoba – A City Full of History and Charm
Located in the heart of southern Spain, Córdoba is packed with history. Roman bridges, Moorish arches, and beautifully decorated patios are everywhere. The city was once the capital of Islamic Spain, and it’s clear how Muslim, Jewish, and Christian influences have all shaped its character. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just see history—you feel it all around you.
One of the standout spots was the Roman Bridge. As we arrived at the riverfront, it really took us by surprise—absolutely stunning. The bridge was built in the 1st century BC and has 16 honey-coloured stone arches stretching across the Guadalquivir River. It looked oddly familiar, and sure enough, a quick Google search revealed it featured in Game of Thrones as the Long Bridge of Volantis! It connects the city with the impressive Calahorra Tower on the other side.
We visited Córdoba in early May, which is one of the best times to go (April to June is ideal). We were lucky enough to catch the Patio Festival—one of Andalucía’s most famous events. During the festival, balconies, doorways and courtyards across the city are filled with flowers and plants. The weather was lovely—warm and sunny without being too hot. Evenings were a little cooler though, so it’s worth bringing a light jacket for later in the day.
As we only had two days in Córdoba, we didn’t manage to visit two of the city’s main attractions: the Mezquita-Cathedral and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. The queues were just too long, so we’ve added them to our list for next time. We still managed to admire both from the outside and take a few photos.
• The Mezquita-Cathedral is one of Spain’s most famous buildings. Inside, it has rows of red-and-white arches and a Renaissance cathedral built right in the middle of what was originally a mosque. It looks incredible and is high on our list for next time.
• The Alcázar is a historic fortress with peaceful gardens, palm trees, and turquoise pools. You can also climb the tower for amazing views over the city, the river, and the Roman Bridge.
If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the city, horse-drawn carriage rides are available through the old town. We skipped it this time—mainly because we were happy getting our steps in to balance out all the amazing food! A highlight for us was the patatas bravas, generously covered in a spicy brava sauce and best enjoyed with a cold beer.
Also, the coffee in Córdoba is excellent—worth a mention all on its own.
Córdoba is one of Andalucía’s hidden treasures worth exploring.
