Córdoba Backpacking Travel Guide

Hostels

Cordoba Bed and Be

Backpackers Al-Katre

Sights and Highlights

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba

Also know as the Mezquita. A building with a fascinating story. Originally built in 784 by Emir Abd al-Rahman I  on the site of an old church. It was then known as the Grand Mosque of Cordoba. When Córdoba was returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church. A cathedral nave was then built within the walls of the structure during the 16th century. It is this Cathedral, built inside the Grand Mosque of Cordoba that gives it the name it now know by.

Since the early 2000s, Spanish Muslims have lobbied the Roman Catholic Church to allow them to pray in the cathedral but has been rejected by the church authorities in Spain and by the Vatican.

Price of entry is normally 10€, but between 8:30 and 9:30, entry is free. Full details on visiting the Mezquita at catedraldecordoba.es/.

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

The Alcázar of Córdoba, is a medieval Alcázar located next to the Guadalquivir River and near the Grand Mosque. The present day structure dates back to 1328 when Alfonso XI of Castile began building on the site of an old Visigoth fortress. The structure was built after the Reconquista in Córdoba, but appears Islamic since Alfonso used the Mudéjar style. A great example of the lasting influence the Al-Andalus period has had on Spanish architecture. The Inquisition began using the Alcázar as one of its headquarters in 1482, converting much of it, including the Arab baths, into torture and interrogation chambers. The Inquisition maintained a tribunal here for three centuries.

Opening hours vary over the course of the year. Check out andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/alcazar for details. Entrance is 4.5€. Free entry on Wednesdays.

Roman Bridge of Córdoba

The Roman bridge of Córdoba was originally built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river, though it has been reconstructed at various times since. The present structure dates from a Moorish reconstruction in the 8th century. It has 16 arcades, one less than original and a total length of 247 meters. The Roman Bridge was the filming location used for the Long Bridge of Volantis. It is the bridge that Tyrion Lannister pisses off just before he is captured by Ser Jorah Mormont.

The bridge is very picturesque. Take a walk across it to the other side and then look back towards the Mezquita for some great photo opportunities.

Free Walking Tour Cordoba

This group run a bunch of different tours is Cordoba. Their main free tour is run at 10:30am every day of the week. It runs for 2.5 hours and the meeting point is the Plaza de las Tendillas.

To Eat

Bar Santos

This place is famous for its spanish omelette (tortilla española or tortilla de patatas). The reason it gets special mention is because the omelette here is absolutely huge, it resembles a cheese wheel it is so fat. It is customary to order a serving of salmorejo to go with it and perhaps a beer as well. It's a pretty touristy place these days. It gets mentioned in a lot of travel guides these days. If the queue is small it is worth checking out. Located next to the Mezquita.

Delorean

An authentic tapas bar where the dishes come for free when you order a beer. This is the only style of tapas the budget traveller should be eating in Spain. It is cheap and a fantastic way to start of a night out on the town. For only a few euro you can grab a drink and a couple of plates of tapas. Amazing value.

La Abadía

Another great place to some drinks and tapas at a good price. A good variety of tapas that to choose from. Two people can easily drink and eat for 8€.

Casa de Kebab

The beef burgers are really good. Some friends also had a doner kebab and pizza. They make decent falafel have good wifi too.

For Drinking

Cervezas Califa