Cordoba is a romantic city of white washed walls in a maze of narrow streets enclosed by an ancient wall.  The best time to go is in Spring or Fall, when the weather is warm but not too hot, and you can get lost in the city streets without being bombarded by tourists.  We went recently in February, and the weather was lovely, there were palm trees and orange trees everywhere.  A word to the tourist- don't eat the oranges, they are bitter.  If you have some time in Cordoba, you can explore the modern city, with its Corte Ingles department store and pedestrian streets lined with cafes and shops.  For a cheap meal, there is a Burger King in front of the mosque, the main attraction of Cordoba.  The restaurants in the touristy area are a bit pricier than in the rest of Spain; a Menu del Dia full meal and drink will cost you upwards of 11 euros.  Also, if you have time, don't miss the Medina Azahara, ancient ruins of a palantine city that is just outside Cordoba.  As part of Andalusia, Cordoba is also a good place to see flamenco, but be aware that most flamenco shows open to the public are for the tourists.

The Mosque

The mosque in Cordoba has been declared a world heritage site.  It is the main tourist attraction of Cordoba.  As a result, it now costs 6.50 euros to enter, expensive by Spain standards.  Also note that it is relatively dark inside- therefore, maybe not a good idea for small children, and also be sure to bring a very good flash because you are allowed to take pictures!  According to the tourist office of Spain, "where the Mosque stands today, there used to be a basilica consecrated to San Vicente in Visigothic times. When the Arabs conquered Cordoba in 711, the building was shared and divided into two equal parts for Muslims and Christians. This odd arrangement lasted until 784 when Abd al-Rahman I decided to build a new mosque at the site, a mosque which was finished by his son Hisham I in 790.

The building was progressively enlarged, and it was Almanzor, Hisham II's favourite, who carried out the last extension by adding eight aisles to the eastern part of the building and who finished El Patio de los Naranjos (ie, of the Orange Trees), where four large ritual fountains were installed. After the reconquest of Cordoba in 1236, the mosque was consecrated to Christian worship and remained unchanged until 1384, when the chancel was enlarged by destroying arches and columns and replacing them with Gothic architecture. In 1523, part of the prayer hall was remodeled along Renaissance lines."

The Alcazar

The Alcazar is much less expensive and also worth a visit.  The most interesting part inside are some well-restored Roman mosaics.  The main feature of the Alcazar is outside- the patio filled with orange trees, and the large garden with pools of fish, fountains, flowers, and neatly tailored shrubs.  It is a perfect photo shot, and a lovely spot to just sit and relax.

Other Attractions

In Cordoba there is a historic synagogue, located near a nice bull fighting museum.  The synagogue is free.  Be sure to wander away from the touristy area through the other streets within the old city walls.  Discover a unique cafe, and stop to enjoy the ambience.  Wander across the Roman bridge just outside the city walls.

Don't miss the patio festival- see section on Festivals and Holidays in Spain.  Throughout the year in the main tourist area you can find houses with the patio open for you to peer into and take a picture.  Patios typically have ceramic plates and many plants covering the walls, and often have fountains in the centers.