Holiday rentals and lettings in Cordoba

Cordoba is a glorious patchwork of Arab architecture, colourful patios and water fountains, in which a fusion of myriad cultures and religions reveals itself in its architecture, artwork, and traditional dishes. Holiday rentals in Cordoba are ten and penny in the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the city’s historic centre, a truly privileged area to stay in that is unlike anywhere else in Europe. Drive away from the centre and the city quickly makes way to olive groves and rolling hills that stretch to the horizon, home to a wealth of larger lettings available to rent that are ideal for family holidays.

Cordoba comprises almost exclusively flats, some of which afford unreal balcony vistas over the historic centre, the turrets of the grandiose mosque, and the sparkling river cutting through it all. If you are travelling in a large group, there are some lovely houses to rent just outside of the city in the surrounding countryside that make an ideal base to explore this wonderful part of the world1

Cordoba is located in the south of Spain in the historical region of Andalusia. Despite its size and importance Cordoba surprisingly does not have an international airport. Many visitors choose to fly into Sevilla and take the 45-minute high-speed train ride to Cordoba. Alternatively, Madrid, one of Europe’s biggest airport hubs, is less than 2 hours away by train.

The old part of Cordoba is divided into several enchanting neighbourhoods with their own vibe and appearance. San Basilio is home to many of Cordoba’s flower-filled courtyards and patios. San Andres-San Pablo is right in the centre of Cordoba’s old town and the place for fine restaurants and shopping. Juderia is home to both the city’s spectacular mosque and its beautiful synagogue, and Santa Marina pays homage to the labyrinthine cobble-stone lanes and gorgeous little squares that characterize Andalusia.

In Cordoba you can eat like a king or queen with a wide range of local gastronomic specialities such as salmorejo, a traditional tomato soup served cold and delicious on those hot summer days, flamenquin, a delicious combination of Serrano ham, pork and egg all fried into a guilty pleasure, succulent fried aubergines, and the city’s famous snails. Spring is the snail season, and they can be found in many small squares and bars in the centre, although they say that in La Magdalena they prepare the finest snails in the city.

The historic centre of Cordoba reflects thousands of years of occupation by different national and cultural groups such as the Romans, Moors and Christians. The centrepiece of this unique commingle of architectural delights is the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, with its gargantuan interior that boasts 1,300 columns and 360 red-white stone arches. This building is rated by some people as the most beautiful building in the world, and is best explored hand in hand with a guide, who will bring its colourful history to life.

The Alcazar of Cordoba is a fairy-tale Arabic inspired garden that enchants its visitors with kaleidoscope flowerbeds that line pretty ponds with the medieval Alcazar castle towering in the background.

In the first week of May a competition for the ocular minded is held in Cordoba. Lush floral patios are created throughout the city with neighbours vying to create the patio offering the most memorable visual feast of colourful flowers, stone mosaics and ceramic decorations.

The Royal Stables is the birthplace of the famous purebred Andalusian horse. Book your place at one of the nightly shows that take place at the stables and experience these majestic creatures in action!

The competition is stiff, but the elegant 15th-century Palacio de Viana boasts perhaps Cordoba’s most resplendent public space. The palace contains 13 patios and intricately designed gardens aromatically populated with brightly coloured plants, flowers and trees.

Almodovar Gate is one of the highlights of the old town. It is Cordoba’s best-preserved Moorish city gate and over 700 years old. Imagine the gates been winched open for you to pass through into the city all those centuries ago, and look where we are now, with the gates wide open for anyone who chooses to explore this wonderful city!