Looking for the perfect day trip in Southern Spain? If so, consider Cordoba as your next weekend getaway. Due to its quaint size, all you need is a few hours of exploring in order to fully value the city for what it’s worth.
Brief History on Cordoba
Comfortably situated in the Andalucia region of Spain, Cordoba is a quaint city with a deeply-rooted past. Initially serving as the capital of the Roman Empire, Cordoba was later captured and transformed by the Moorish Empire and was made into the central hub of the Iberian Peninsula. Just by taking a look at Cordoba’s unique past, it’s easy to see why this city showcases layers upon layers of history.
When visiting Cordoba today, the star attraction of the entire city is the beautiful Mezquita. Dating back to 784 A.D., the Mezquita was initially created as an Islamic mosque that was eventually converted into a Catholic Cathedral after the Reconquista. Although the religious turmoil in this city has faded away, the impact of its history is still imprinted throughout its fortified walls to this day.
If you are planning on exploring Southern Spain, try making a day trip to Cordoba. Below is a quick guide on how to spend a day in this beautifully enchanting city.
How long should you spend in Cordoba?
Well… it depends. If you are on a Spanish holiday and really want to get a good feel for every place you visit, a weekend would be perfect. However, for travelers that are on a bit of a time crunch (like most of us are), then taking a day trip from Sevilla or Granada will be just fine.
When I visited, I was using Sevilla as my home base to travel around the Andalucian region. Even though I only had a day in Cordoba for exploring, I still felt like I got a pretty good feel for the city as a whole.
How to get to Cordoba
Depending on where you’re coming from, you can get to Cordoba either by train or by bus.
The AVE high-speed train and bus station are across the street from each other and will drop you off right outside the old town. From there, you can either walk 25 minutes or take a taxi for about 8 euros.
Granada, Sevilla, and Madrid are all popular cities to travel from. When I was traveling from Sevilla, I took an early morning bus which only cost about 12 euros each way, and took about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Things to Do in Cordoba
Check out the Patio de Los Naranjos
Welcoming you to the grand Mezquita, the Patio de Los Naranjos is a beautiful, open courtyard that’s free to enter. From this courtyard, view the soaring bell tower, through the many orange trees that are beautifully scattered throughout the spacious plaza.
Admire the Mezquita
From 8:30-9:30 in the morning, the Mezquita is free to enter. If you plan on arriving later in the day, you can buy your ticket in the courtyard for 8 Euros.
Give yourself plenty of time when viewing this ornately decorated house of worship. When you first walk in, you will be welcomed by a striking view of striped red and white arches that stretch the entire width of the church.
In the very beginning of the Mezquita, the structure is undoubtedly Moorish in architecture. It is simple yet beautiful; uncomplicated by details or extravagant frills.
As you continue traveling deeper into the center, Catholic influences begin to appear more and more around each and every corner. From the exposed walls of the building, you can see the once-present Mosque, which has now been deliberately covered by ornately decorated biblical statues and references.
Situated right in the middle of the Mezquita, there is a tall, spacious cathedral right in the center. While standing in this church, you almost forget the Islamic temple that lies right outside its defined enclosure.
Stroll along the Roman Bridge
Once you’ve taken a step back in time while viewing the Mezquita, go get a breath of fresh air on the Roman Bridge. Stretched out across the Guadalquivir river, this ancient bridge provides outstanding views of the historical center.
As you can see, Cordoba is the perfect day trip from Sevilla, Granada, or even Madrid. For me, I loved my day trip to Cordoba. All I needed was a few hours to submerge myself in the fascinating history of the Mezquita and the surrounding town. Not only does Cordoba showcase an interesting pastime in Spanish history, but it is also an inexpensive day trip to take in Southern Spain!
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