Where to Stay in Cordoba: A Guide to the 3 Best Neighborhoods
Cordoba, in the southern province of Andalusia, is a fascinating and extremely photogenic Spanish city. Famed for its beautiful patios and complex history, Cordoba is a popular city to visit for a weekend away or as a stop-off on a longer trip around Spain.
I first went to Cordoba as part of a trip around Andalusia in which I went to Seville and Granada too. Whilst the whole region is stunning, there's something particularly impressive about Cordoba, its architecture, the food, and the people.
But unlike some of the bigger cities in Spain, such as Madrid and Barcelona, less is known about Cordoba and especially the best neighborhoods to explore and stay in. There are loads of great accommodation options in this city, including boutique hotels, mid-range apartments, and 5-star hotels.
In this guide, I'm going to take you through my favorite things to do in the colorful city as well as the best barrios to explore and hotels to choose from.
Where to Stay in Cordoba: The 3 Best Neighbourhoods
Cordoba is a really walkable city and wherever you stay centrally will be close to other districts and tourist spots. It does have a good public transport system for those that prefer it – which is very welcome on extremely hot days when walking around isn't an option.
- Juderia: The Old Jewish Quarter is a great place for first-time visitors thanks to its beauty and central location.
- San Basilio: The perfect neighborhood to stay in for exploring the patios.
- Central Cordoba: An ideal place to stay for shopping and visiting tourist attractions.
1. Where to Stay in Cordoba for First-Time Visitors: Juderia (My Favorite)
Best area for: Exploring winding streets, restaurants, and a friendly atmosphere.
The historic Jewish quarter is the heart of Cordoba and a great place to base yourself for your trip. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site! This neighborhood is a maze of whitewashed streets, incredible buildings, and bright blue pots overflowing with geraniums.
The area was once the core of Jewish life in Cordoba and traces of the Jewish, Moorish, and Christian cultures can be seen across the city. In fact, Cordoba has often been referred to as The City of Three Cultures.
As well as plenty of historic buildings and beautiful streets to get lost in, there are lots of great bars, restaurants, and cafes in the Juderia. It borders the Guadalquivir River and many of them line it, offering amazing tapas and traditional Cordoban dishes.
Pros of Staying in Juderia
- Very central location
- Lots to do, including tourist attractions, restaurants, and cafes
- Beautiful streets to wander around
- Good accommodation options
Cons of Staying in Juderia
- Can get very touristy, especially during the patio festival
- Parking can be difficult
- It's a popular place for tourists to stay, so accommodation is usually more expensive
Best Hotels in Juderia
($$$) Hotel Madinat
A beautiful, small, and luxury hotel in a renovated building in the heart of Cordoba's old town. There's a rooftop terrace and all rooms are beautifully decorated and have air conditioning.
($$) NH Collection Amistad Córdoba
This converted 18th-century mansion is the perfect place to enjoy Cordoba. Details of the original building, such as ceramic floors, have been kept and there's also an outdoor swimming pool.
($) Apartamentos la Fuente
These cute little apartments are in an outstanding location and are a great place to enjoy your Cordoba visit. They're charming, cute, and clean and there's even a mini outdoor swimming pool!
Things to Do in The Juderia Neighborhood
Visit the Mezquita: You can't go to Cordoba without visiting the Mezquita. It's one of the most impressive buildings I've ever been in and it really does give you goosebumps. The mosque was first built in the 8th century and was expanded for centuries afterward. When Cordoba was captured by Christian forces it was converted into a cathedral and recent excavations have uncovered a lot of the original Islamic era design. It's a beautiful representation of architecture and Cordoba's diverse and rich history.
And, if you do go, don't buy a ticket! It's free to enter the Mezquita from Mon-Sat between 8.30-9.30 am. There are also fewer people and you won't need to queue.
Stroll Down the Calleja de las Flores: This is one of the most beautiful streets in the whole of Cordoba, especially in spring when all the plants are in full bloom. Make sure you turn around at points to get a stunning view of the Mezquita Bell Tower at the end of the street. I'd recommend going early in the morning to avoid all the crowds and the heat.
Visit Cordoba's Synagogue: The synagogue in Cordoba is one of the best preserved in all of Spain. It's quite small, making many believe that it was privately owned at one point, but it's still incredibly beautiful.
Try White Salmorejo: Salmorejo is a delicious cold soup made from tomatoes, bread, garlic, and olive oil. One of my favorite restaurants, which was recommended to me by a good friend from Cordoba, is Regadera, which does an amazing Mazzamora, a cold soup made from almonds and bread.
2. Where to Stay in Cordoba for Patios, History, and Beauty: San Basilio (Alcazar Viejo)
Best area for: Access to the patio festival and proximity to tourist attractions.
One of the main reasons people go to Cordoba is for the Feria de los Patios, the patio festival. Every May, patios across the city are opened up for people to walk around and enjoy, and it really is something very special. I managed to time my trip to Cordoba to coincide with the festival and every corner of the city becomes the perfect photo opportunity.
San Basilio is where a lot of the patios are, so it's easy to stay here and walk from one to the other. But even if you don't go in May, you can still enjoy the year-round patios, the beautiful side streets, and some of the most important cultural places in Cordoba.
Pros of Staying in San Basilio
- Perfect for visiting patios all year round
- Close to top tourist spots
- Close to the Juderia neighborhood
- It's beautiful and fun to explore
Cons of Staying in San Basilio
- Very overcrowded during the patio festival
- Accommodation prices increase a lot during May
- Slightly further away from central Cordoba than Juderia
Best Hotels to Stay in San Basilio
($$) Apartamentos en Patio Cordobés San Basilio
What could be better than actually staying on a patio in San Basilio? This wonderful boutique hotel is close to the Alcazar and Roman Bridge and offers everything you need – including access to a private patio!
($$) Hostel Mayflowers
This beautiful hostel/hotel offers private rooms and bathrooms, some of which have a hot tub! It's well designed with many original features and there's a common kitchen too.
($) San Basilio's Red House
A great B&B offering different-sized rooms some of which also have a terrace. It's clean, comfortable, and close to the center of San Basilio. There's also a garden for all guests to relax in and enjoy.
Things to Do in San Basilio
Visit Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Kings): This amazing building used to be both a fortress and a palace and it's really impressive to walk around. It's interesting to see the different architectural styles that have influenced the development of the building, but arguably the best bits are the amazing courtyards that are full of colored plants, exotic herbs, and trees.
Take a Guided Tour: Going on a private walking tour around Cordoba is a great way to see even more of San Basilio and other areas of the city.
Visit Award-Winning Patios: Many of the best patios are on San Basilio Street, so it's the perfect place to see the most famous and impressive ones. Some of them require an entrance fee and booking in advance, but many are free!
3. Where to Stay in Cordoba for a Mix of Old and New: Central Cordoba
Best area for: Shopping, access to other neighborhoods, and public transport.
Central Cordoba is a wonderful area of the city, full of tapas bars, beautiful architecture, and lots of tourist attractions. Unlike some other neighborhoods on this list, Central Cordoba is more modern, meaning it transforms into a fun and lively area at night. There are some great shopping streets in the neighborhood and it's a wonderful base for exploring the rest of the city and the different areas.
Cordoba is famous for its pottery and tiles, mainly influenced by the popularity of the patios, and the center is full of artisan shops selling beautiful, handpainted pottery for you to take home.
Pros of Staying in Central Cordoba
- Good mixture of tourist attractions, shopping streets, history, and places to eat
- Easy access to the other districts
- Lots of great accommodation options
- Closer to the train station
Cons of Staying in Central Cordoba
- Perhaps not as beautiful as some of the other areas
Best Hotels to Stay in Central Cordoba
($$$) Hospes Palacio del Bailio
This 5* hotel is in a 16th-century palace in the heart of central Cordoba. The design is a beautiful fusion of past and present. There's an orange grove, a sun terrace, and a beautiful outdoor pool. As far as luxury hotels in Cordoba go, this is hard to beat!
($$) H10 Palacio Colomera
H10 Palacio Colomera is an elegant and well-located hotel 300 meters from the Roman Temple. The rooms are spacious and there's a beautiful sun deck and pool.
($) Belmonte Rooms
Belmonte rooms are all airconditioned, comfortable, and very well-priced. They're in a great location to the south of the center, so close to Juderia neighborhood too.
Things to Do in Central Cordoba
Visit Plaza de las Tendillas: Plaza de las Tendillas is the main square in Cordoba that's surrounded by shopping streets and impressive buildings. There are lots of restaurants and bars in the area and the square itself has a beautiful fountain in the middle.
Go to The Roman Temple: The Roman Temple in Cordoba is the perfect symbol of Cordoba's varied and rich past. Although only the columns now remain, they're brilliantly preserved and are a must-see when visiting Cordoba.
Palacio de Viana: To the northeast of the central district is the Palacio de Viana, a beautiful palace and museum with 12 brilliant patios. If you don't fancy walking from patio to patio, this is a great place to come as they're all in one place!
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Where to Stay in Cordoba – Frequently Asked Questions
☀️ When's the Best Time to Visit Cordoba?
Cordoba gets very hot in the summer, so I'd avoid visiting then. Even though it's much busier during the patio festival in May, I'd still recommend going. The city comes alive with some really stunning courtyards that are amazing to see. October and April are also good months to visit.
🚆 How to Get to Cordoba?
The best way to get to Cordoba is via the high-speed train, AVE, which is run by RENFE. There are several trains a day that arrives directly at Cordoba train station and it's well connected to other major cities all over Spain. There is an airport in Cordoba but it's small and not many airlines fly there. If you want to arrive by plane, you'll need to fly to Seville or Malaga and either rent a car or get the train to Cordoba.
📅 How Long to See Cordoba?
Cordoba isn't a huge city but there are plenty of things to do. I'd say 3 nights is enough to explore the different neighborhoods, marvel at the patios, and see the main tourist attractions.
💰 Is Cordoba Expensive?
Generally speaking, Cordoba isn't expensive; you can find well-priced accommodation and food in most areas. If you're looking for luxury, then you can find it too, which will make things more expensive.
🏠 What Kind of Accommodation Is There in Cordoba?
You can find whatever you're looking for in Cordoba, including hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxury apartments with their very own patio! Booking in advance is recommended, especially during May.
Where To Stay in Cordoba – Final Words
Cordoba is a beautiful Andalusian city full of color, history, and culture. The food in the whole region is delicious and you'll find lots of fresh, cool, and very tasty dishes in every neighborhood.
It's a place I'd love to go back to at a different time of year and I can really recommend traveling around Andalusia and making Cordoba part of your trip!
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