General Information

Situated deep in Andalusian Autonomous Region, Cordoba is a compendium of history and modernity. This ancient city, which has been declared World Heritage Site, is a living legacy of the diverse cultures that settled in it throughout history.

Very few places in the world can boast of having been the capital of Hispania Ulterior under the Roman Empire, and the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. Such splendour is palpable in the intellectual wealth of this centre of wisdom and knowledge, that has seen the birth of figures like Seneca, Averroes and Maimonides.

To take a stroll through the historic quarter of Cordoba is to discover a beautiful network of small streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards arranged around the Mosque-Cathedral, which reflects the importance of the city during medieval times and which is a real symbol of the capital.

Without disregarding its splendid past, Cordoba is definitely a modern city that has been able to adapt to the present day, offering the most modern infrastructures and services, as well as a large network of hotels.

Very well connected to the other Andalusian capitals, Cordoba also has the high speed train (AVE) and a very extensive railway network linking it to all the big cities, like Madrid and Seville. Once inside the city, a large network of buses and taxis enable visitors to reach any destination in a few minutes.

Cordoba is also synonymous with art, culture and leisure, thanks to a myriad of cultural events that are organised here throughout the year: Flamenco festivals, concerts, ballet and other activities that are complemented by a number of museums and an exciting nightlife.

Meanwhile, the province is home to important buildings of the Andalusian heritage, whose highest expression is the Medina Azahara, located on the outskirts of the city. But there is great spectacle also for nature lovers. The parks of Sierra de Cardeña in Los Pedroches and Montoro, the Hornachuelos Sierra and Sierras Subbéticas offer the possibility of practising all kinds of open-air sports, while at the same time enjoying the natural wealth of this province.

Gastronomy

The colour of the orange trees, all year round, and the scent of their blossoms are the ideal environment in which to taste the varied cuisine offered by almost all bars and restaurants in the city (Iberian cured meats, cheese, fish and particularly the excellent stews), to go with the generous glasses of wine that, in Cordoba, have such a special flavour.

Shopping

From the typical souvenirs and craft work from the shops and workshops of the Jewish Quarter, to the fashion, books and CDs from the shops in the pedestrian precinct in the centre of the city or the shopping centres on the outskirts, the city of Cordoba offers the visitor a wide range of products.

The Jewish Quarter and the streets surrounding the Mosque, such as Torrijos, Deanes, Romero and la Calleja de las Flores, are full of shops selling gifts, photographs and souvenirs. In this area you can buy the typical souvenirs of the city such as ornately carved gold and silver, leather repoussé work with both classical and modern designs, together with certain food products, especially olive oil and wine.

The liveliest commercial area is the centre of the city in streets such as Cruz Conde, Ronda de los Tejares or the pedestrian streets Conde de Gondomar and the avenida de Gran Capitán Here, and in the adjacent streets, you will find the large franchises selling the latest fashions, books, shoes and CDs.

Street markets: a little bit of everything
If you are looking for shoes, bags, clothes or costume jewellery at reasonable prices or second-hand, the best thing to do is go to the El Arenal Sunday street market which is open until 14.00 hours. Here you can also buy seasonal fruit and vegetables, all kinds of condiments and even flowers. During the week there is a street market in the Vistalegre duarter every Tuesday and Friday.

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