Cordoba Tourist Information and Tourism

(Cordoba, Andalucia, Spain)

Located along a particularly curvaceous stretch of the Guadalquivir River (Rio Guadalquivir) and on the southern side of Spain, the Andalucian city of Cordoba is surrounded by vast expanses of scenic countryside. This is a sophisticated and attractive city, with hot summers and warm spring weather.

Many tourists researching a holiday and tourism in Cordoba find that spring is a particularly pleasant time to visit, when the city is filled with springtime flowers and most importantly, before the scorching summer heat reliably arrives. Spring makes its appearance in April and the temperature gradually begins to warm up month by month, reaching its peaks in July and August.

The city boasts a particularly lengthy and fascinating history, being founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and once actually covering the majority of Andalucia. Today, Cordoba has become a popular tourist destination, with a maze of characterful streets spreading out from the historic Mezquita Cathedral and a beautifully preserved Old City district, which is now a World Heritage Site. For tourist information in Cordoba, the Municipal Tourist Office is to be found sitting on the Plaza de Juda Levi, on the southern side of the city centre and close to the Roman Bridge (Puente Romano).

Cordoba Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

The Plaza de las Tendillas functions as the main square in Cordoba and is to be found on the northern outskirts of the Mezquita (Mosque Cathedral), which began its life as a medieval mosque and has its origins as far back as the 8th century. Something of a tourist magnet, the Mezquita is a good place for visitors to begin their sightseeing, although there are certainly many other very worthy attractions spread around Cordoba. These include the Alcazar Califal castle - rebuilt in the 14th century, the Chapel of San Bartolomé - part of the city's university, with a fine Mudejar facade, the 15th-century Episcopal Palace - also known as the Obispado de Cordoba, and the 18th-century Palacio de la Merced - once visited by Christopher Columbus. More information about Cordoba Tourist Attractions.

The very strong Christian, Muslim and Roman periods in the history of Cordoba have all helped to shape the city of today, with a number of ancient sites still standing in various guises. Providing a gateway into the city's Judéria district is the Puerta de Almodóvar, which dates from the 14th century and comes with a noticeable Moorish character. The fortified Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (or Alcazar of Cordoba) presides over the historic core of Cordoba, where it was once a regal palace called home by Spanish royalty and played an important role in the infamous Spanish Inquisition. Even older is the Roman Temple, with its ancient crumbling Corinthian columns forming the only surviving elements of a 1st-century temple in this former Roman city. More information about Cordoba Landmarks and Monuments.

If you are a tourist planning an itinerary for a visit to Cordoba, then it makes sense to add in a museum or two, particularly as there are so many to choose from. The Museum of Fine Arts (Museo del Bellas Artes) is a very good starting point and this gallery enjoys an especially interesting setting, within a former church from the 15th century. At Cordoba's Archaeological Museum (Museo Auqueológico), many collections of ancient artefacts are accompanied by information about the city's Iberian, Moorish and Roman heritage. At the 14th-century Viana Palace, the Patio Museum offers the chance to see inside one of Spain's biggest and most impressive private palaces, including its series of 12 courtyards and historic tapestries from Flanders. More information about Cordoba Museums and Cordoba Art Galleries.

There are many enticing Spanish tourist attractions spread around Andalucia and beyond, with countless interesting towns and cities being within reach of Cordoba. Lying to the south-east is the giant city of Granada, where the jewel in its crown really is the Moorish palace-fortress named the Alhambra. Seville sits to the west and has many ancient sights to see, including its 15th-century cathedral and Giralda tower, while if you head to the south of Cordoba, the beaches of Malaga and the Costa del Sol await day trippers prepared for an early start. Also worth considering are excursions to the popular tourist destinations of Antequera (south) and Jaén (east), as well as Andujar (east), at the base of the Saint Morena Mountains. More information about Cordoba Attractions Nearby.

More Cordoba Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: Spain (south)
• Location: Andalucia
• Status: city
• Area: approximately 485 square miles / 1,256 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 350,000
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Country dialling code: +34
• Telephone area code: 957
• Average daily Cordoba January temperature: 16°C / 61°F
• Average daily Cordoba July temperature: 28°C / 82°F