Hello friends. We started our second day in Spain at the train station. We set off from Malaga to Córdoba. Córdoba is a historic city located in the heart of Andalusia. As we wandered through the narrow streets, we came across buildings reflecting both Arab and Spanish architecture. The historic center had a special charm and the grandeur of the Mezquita and the houses filled with colorful balconies impressed us greatly.
When we got on the train, the cleanliness of the station immediately caught our attention. Not a single corner was dirty. This was probably partly due to entry being allowed only with a ticket. That’s why everything was spotless. We queued for ticket control. It wasn’t like in Germany, where no one actually checks and just having a ticket is enough. Here the procedure was a bit different. The train was going to Madrid and it was very comfortable, with cozy seats. Our journey lasted about 50 minutes.
When we arrived in Córdoba, it was still hours before we could check in. Officially they had listed 4:00 pm for us. So around noon, we followed the reviews and went to a normal pizzeria. The area was full of white pigeons. Cicadas were buzzing, which I can’t say I liked, but their sound reminded me of summer and wasn’t annoying at all. Combined with the Mediterranean heat, it created a very pleasant atmosphere.
While fiddling with my phone, I realized that we were actually inside the historic center. At first glanc the buildings looked like ordinary houses. This meant we had a lot to explore over the next five nights. The next day, we planned to visit the Alcázar. We had plenty of time here, so we walked slowly, browsing shops and wandering through narrow streets.
Messages from our host started coming in. We went to settle in. The place we stayed at was called the Alfonso Apartments. The living room was spacious. On Booking.com, three nights in such places usually cost around 900 euros. We stayed five nights for 404 euros, so 80 euros per night. Quite reasonable. Two gentlemen welcomed us and were very polite. The bathroom was up to hotel standards and towels were ready. The living room was bright and quiet. The closet was full and there were laundry drying facilities, an iron and plenty of supplies. The balcony view was nice, but the real surprise was on the terrace.
We took the key and went upstairs. Sun loungers, shaded areas and a wide city view awaited us. The Alcázar and the mosque were in the background and it was possible to see half the city. The terrace was incredible.
Markets weren’t very close. Mercadona was at least 30 minutes away. We stopped by Aldi, got pizza and two Aperols cost 10 euros, the pizza 13 euros. Eating on the terrace with such a view was very enjoyable.
In the late afternoon we went out. At the corner where Claudio Marcelo and Capitulares streets intersect, we came across a Roman temple with pigeons sitting on it. Although this wasn’t the only temple in Córdoba, it’s known from archaeological excavations and considered the most important. It dates back to the time of Emperor Claudius. Only the foundations, stairs, altar and some column shafts with capitals remained. Restoration work was ongoing. The temperature was still 39 degrees Celsius and the stones were scorching. My phone even showed 41 degrees at times. It was really blistering.
This is where Córdoba’s history comes to life. It remained under Islamic influence for around 600 years. Like in Istanbul, the traces of two religions intertwined. Buildings changed hands and were used for different purposes. This is very noticeable.
The streets were narrow and balconies were full of flowers. Walking among the stone streets, I could feel the traces of the past. At every corner, it was possible to encounter a mix of Arab and Spanish architecture. In small squares, people sat and chatted. The aroma of coffee from cafés and the colors of the flowers made the streets even more beautiful. While waiting for the evening coolness, I continued walking. I couldn’t go without walking. I stopped by a few markets. The DIA chain was very common but had limited products. Mercadona was a better option.
At night the city had completely changed. Our host had said to go out at night, it’s safe, don’t worry. He was right. People were out and music, dance and fun had started. We even saw a flamenco concert. When we reached the Roman Bridge, the view looked like a painting, with lights, the crescent moon, guitar sounds and songs.
Then we wandered through the narrow streets again. We reached the Mezquita. Its majestic walls and thick stones were incredible. The Arab influence was still alive. Even though the city was hot, exploring was enjoyable.
We ended the night heading back to our apartment. Cafés were open, but there were almost no tourists. It felt as if only locals were out. I really liked that. Córdoba was a complete surprise for us. At first I had thought it was a small, ordinary city, but I was wrong.
The next day, we went to the Alcázar. I’ll tell you about that in my next posts. For now, I’ll end the day here. See you.