Córdoba by Campervan: What to See and Which Tapas to Choose

Córdoba truly deserves a visit: it’s a calm city, with a lovely atmosphere, clean and decorated with flowers everywhere. We were genuinely captivated by it! The city was once the capital of the Muslim Empire in Spain, and besides Seville and Granada, it’s one of the three most visited cities in Andalusia.

We dedicated an evening and a morning to the city, as well as taking a small day trip out of town, which we’ll tell you about in this article.

Córdoba: The most important places of interest

Below we list the places we liked most: keep in mind the centre is compact and everything can be reached quickly on foot.

The Jewish Quarter

La Judería is Córdoba’s old Jewish quarter, characterised by typical Andalusian little streets with white façades and flower-covered balconies, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous and photographed spot is Calleja de las Flores, from which you can admire the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

The Mosque-Cathedral

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, also called the Mezquita, is the city’s most famous monument. Built in 785 on the ruins of a church by a Muslim emir, it’s one of the finest examples of Islamic art in Spain, with red-and-white columns and arcades inside worth admiring.

If you want to admire it for free, you can do so Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 9.30am. We were so captivated by it that we went back several times and strolled slowly through the gardens.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is another very famous monument in Córdoba. Once the residence of the Catholic Monarchs, it later became a prison. Today it’s a museum, and its interiors and gardens can be visited for a fee. We put off the visit since we’d already visited the ones in Seville and Granada.

The Synagogue

Located in the Jewish quarter, it’s the only surviving synagogue in Andalusia and the third best preserved in all of Spain. It’s tiny and intimate, admission is free, and it’s worth stepping inside.

The Royal Stables

Córdoba’s royal stables date back to the mid-1500s and are located in the city centre. They’re known for having housed the finest purebred horses in all of Andalusia. They can be visited, and you can also watch typical equestrian shows.

Plaza de la Corredera

Córdoba’s most famous square is Plaza de la Corredera. Over the years it’s been the stage for festivals, markets, bullfights and executions. Today it hosts a market, and you can sit down for a break at one of the small tables of the local bars.

Palacio de Viana

The Palacio de Viana is famous for its 12 flower-filled patios, courtyards and gardens, plants and fountains. Inside you can admire tapestries, paintings, period furniture, and a library with 7,000 volumes. Unfortunately it was closed on the day we visited the city. Here’s the link  to the website for more information.

The Roman Bridge

The Roman Bridge was for centuries the only bridge giving access to the city. At sunset you can admire breathtaking views from here. We walked back and forth across it with Olimpia and Sakè, who probably caught the curiosity of a few tourists and briefly stole the scene from history.

Around Córdoba: Madinat al-Zahra

At the start of this article we mentioned a day trip out of town. Before reaching Córdoba’s centre, we wanted to visit the remains of the mysterious city of Madinat al-Zahra (8 kilometres from Córdoba).

You can reach the site — only partly open to visitors in summer 2023 — either aboard the shuttle departing from the car park next to the museum (3 euros return per person) or by walking about 2 km, as we did. Admission to the site is free, as is parking.

Feeling like tapas?

We really enjoyed the tortilla at Bar Santos. Located in the Jewish quarter, right next to the steps of the Mezquita, this small historic spot serves all kinds of tapas to enjoy as street food. We couldn’t resist trying a slice of tortilla  , served here in truly generous portions. The price is 2.80 euros per portion, but one shared between two can be enough for a snack: it’s served hot on a paper plate together with a packet of breadsticks. You can enjoy it sitting right on the steps of the Mosque, letting your thoughts settle in front of such wonder.

If you’d like to see our faces full of joy through the streets of the city, here’s the dedicated video.