Monday 30th January - Cordoba

We spent some considerable time planning an outline of the first half of this trip before we left home.  This proved to be more problematic than we expected as the places on our ‘must see’ list didn’t fall into a neat sequential route.  Some places seemed doomed to remain on our bucket list for a future long weekend visit.  One such place was Cordoba.  At our current campsite in Conil de la Frontera, we are as close to Cordoba as we’re going to be on our journey at some 183 miles distance.  Whilst this is too far for a meaningful day trip, we decided to take the opportunity of a secure campsite to leave the caravan behind and splash out on a night of comparative luxury in a Cordoba Hotel.

Our internet research had highlighted the parking issues in Cordoba and helped us locate secure overnight parking in an underground car park very close to our chosen hotel, so we headed there.  As campers, we have never in the past been interested in whether a site has internet connection; preferring to enjoy the novelty of being completely unconnected for a while.  However, we now really understand the need for decent wifi for travelers who are planning routes, trying to find decent and well-reviewed campsites and for booking etc. not to mention trying to keep in touch with family and friends back home.

Our main ‘must see’ in Cordoba was, unsurprisingly, The Mesquita, and our hotel, Hotel Mesquita was right on the doorstep.  

View from the bedroom window

Hotel interior

Whilst unassuming from the outside, the hotel turned out to be very comfortable within and our bedroom window was just across the narrow street from the Mesquita, which made for a pretty amazing outlook.

Cordoba boasts over three thousand hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 21 degrees c, so today was just another warm, sunny day for Codobans.  Having checked into our hotel we decided to start our visit with the Mesquita.  When we looked at the entry and closing times we discovered that you can visit for free from 08.30 to 09.30 in the morning, a saving of some 20 euros and, as our hotel was just across the road, this seemed a no-brainer.  The Mesquita could wait for a day.  Decision made, we wandered around the labyrinth of narrow streets within the old city walls to get our bearings.  Everywhere you look there is something interesting to see; white streets festooned with pots of flowers and interesting little patios.

Calleja y Plaza de las Flores

A stunning hallway we spied through
an open doorway in the Jewish Quarter

On the Puente Roman

View from Puente Roman

The renaissance gate, Puerta del Puente

In one of the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter we happened upon a lovely little Salon de Te.  The décor was as Moorish as the atmosphere, with  low tables and chairs, plenty of cushions, the sound of running water and Moorish music playing - time for a lovely pot of tea in our own little oasis.

Inside the Salon de Té in Calle Buen Pastor.  Someone couldn't be happier

Having had a lovely day sightseeing, we went back to the Hotel to change and asked the Hotel Receptionist for his recommendation for dinner.  He directed us to Teberna Restaurante El Paseo where we ended the day with a bottle or Cava and excellent meal.

Note: Double-Click on photos for an enlarged view.   Feel free to post a comment on the blog.