If you consult any guide to Cordoba, or ask a friend who has already been there which is the best area to stay in Cordoba, it is likely they will tell you that the only possible solution is accommodation near the wonderful Arab mosque, the Mezquita. While acknowledging the undeniable merits of that answer, bear in mind that, in truth, this enchanting medieval little town can offer many other comfortable and surprising options in unexpectedly charming neighbourhoods.
So what are the best neighbourhoods to stay in Córdoba? Is it better to choose a central hotel, among the streets of the Judería, or in the charming, quiet alleys of the Barrio Santa Marina? Is the local atmosphere of the Barrio San Lorenzo better, or the lively little streets around Plaza de la Corredera?
In this article we will try to help you understand the characteristics of Córdoba’s main neighbourhoods, outlining the pros and cons of any potential accommodation and selecting some of the most interesting places to stay, so that you are ready and prepared to choose the best place to stay in Córdoba.
Guide to the neighbourhoods
Contents
Search for accommodation in Cordoba
Barrio Centro, waking up a stone’s throw from the Mezquita
Your friend was probably right when giving you his advice on where to stay in Cordoba. Looking for accommodation near the Mezquita and using it as a strategic base from which to visit Cordoba is certainly an excellent choice, and without a shadow of a doubt the most popular one among travellers passing through Cordoba on their tour of Andalusia.
The characteristic network of small, slightly uphill streets, some of which have views of the Mezquita’s bell tower, is an area rich in charming hotel properties, and it is hard to resist the temptation to choose one right here. After all, another absolutely decisive factor is its proximity to the other places of interest in Cordoba, such as the Alcazar of Cordoba, Puente Romano, the Judería etc. The only drawback: parking is difficult to find. As with all the other central districts, you will need to look for a parking space for the car outside the centre and reach your hotel on foot, or ask the hotelier about the most convenient solution.
Parking spaces available in Cordoba
Here are our recommendations for accommodation:
- Hotel Boutique Caireles: when they say a stone’s throw, they really mean a stone’s throw! This luxurious and spectacular hotel is located very close to the Mezquita. Not only the location, though: the property boasts all the services you could wish for during your stay in the heart of Cordoba.
- Balcon de Cordoba: another place to stay for an unforgettable break near the Mezquita. The view from the terrace of this small, very elegant hotel is among the most beautiful one could imagine. The hotel also boasts an elegant patio where you can sip an orange juice in the shade of the plants.
- Los Omeyas: It is not always easy to find affordable hostels near the Mezquita. The two-star Hotel Los Omeyas is a good option for staying in an excellent location at a fairly reasonable price.
All available hotels near the Mezquita
La Judería, a magical place to stay in Cordoba
One of Cordoba’s most famous districts lies just a 5 minute walk from the Mezquita, and is well connected to Barrio Centro. Staying in one of the hotels in this area offers roughly the same advantages as Barrio Centro, but it certainly has a very different charm in terms of atmosphere: the Judería (at the link provided you will find a recommended itinerary) may remind you of Seville’s Barrio Santa Cruz, and if you look carefully, you can even find a little hotel in a tiny lane, away from the streets full of tourists looking for little shops and artisan workshops. In this case too, the same advice applies for the car as for the Centro. We recommend:
- La Llave de la Juderìa Hotel Boutique: accommodation of incomparable beauty, in the heart of the Judería, in a privileged position away from the bustle of the neighbourhood’s narrow streets. The hotel, although small, is enchanting: many travellers are impressed by the care with which the rooms have been arranged.
- Albergue Inturjoven Cordoba: is there a way to sleep in Cordoba, right in the middle of the Judería, without spending a fortune? Head to this youth hostel: of course, you should not expect all the comforts of a 5-star hotel, but savings and a strategic location are guaranteed.
All hotels available in the Judería
Barrio San Andrés and surroundings: a crossroads between the two souls of Córdoba
Within no more than 15 minutes of the Mezquita, there is an area of Cordoba where there are some hotels well worth considering. The Barrio San Andrés, whose central landmark is the Roman Temple, lies to the north-east of the Mosque of Cordoba, not far from two other of Cordoba’s most distinctive sights, two squares that could not be more different from one another: Plaza de la Corredera and Plaza del Potro.
Around these two squares winds a tangle of little streets full of restaurants and bars: if you walk ten minutes in a north-westerly direction you will come to Plaza de las Tendillas, with its modern streets teeming with young people drinking beer and eating tapas, and strolling among the fashionable shops. In short, if you decide that this is the Cordoba district where you want to stay, know that you have chosen a perfect crossroads between the old city and the modern one! Unfortunately, when it comes to the car, it’s the same story: park it just outside the centre, that is the best solution. We recommend the following hotels:
- Casa de los Azulejos: needless to say, this is a wonderful place to stay in Cordoba if your passion is the Andalusian style of flower-filled patios and azulejos with intriguing patterns. These elements are all present in this tastefully restored hotel, which also has a lovely terrace where breakfast is served.
- Hotel Gran Plaza: modern and well-kept hotel, mid-range. It is in a good location for all the attractions, not far from the Roman Temple ruins.
All available hotels in Barrio San Andrés and surrounding areas
Barrio Santa Marina, home to bullfighters
Let’s move a little further north, to Barrio Santa Marina. From direct experience, we can safely say that staying in this area is ideal for anyone who is a little unsure about where to sleep in Cordoba, while wanting to avoid the noisy streets of the centre.
It is a restrained, charming and quiet district, a web of very narrow streets, among white houses and bare alleys, rarely brightened by a small flower-filled balcony. Bullfighters traditionally lived here, as shown by the statue dedicated to the toreador Manolete, which stands in front of the beautiful church that gives the barrio its name.The few hotels in this district are about a 20-minute walk from the old centre. This area is not far from more outlying roads where you can park your car close to your chosen accommodation. Here is the hotel we recommend:
- Hotel Boutique Puerta del Rincós: one of the most interesting options in this area is this beautiful Andalusian-style hotel, characterised by the presence of a courtyard around which the quiet, clean and well-furnished rooms look out. Excellent value for money: the classic hotel that has 2 stars but deserves double that.
All hotels in Barrio Santa Marina
Barrio San Lorenzo, the popular Cordoba
The Barrio San Lorenzo borders Barrio Santa Marina, partly echoing its charm. However, choosing one of the few hotels in this district on the edge of the Casco Antiguo – an area with a very ancient popular tradition – means immersing yourself even more in the true, authentic Cordoba. The Iglesia de San Lorenzo, built after the Reconquista, is its emblem: a marvellous church that seems to spring from nowhere, in a little square where narrow lanes converge.
Barrio San Lorenzo is an interesting option, because it allows you to gradually get into the spirit of the city, in a pleasant process of moving closer (strictly on foot) to the tourist centre, which is no more than 20 minutes away. We suggest this hotel:
- Hotel de los Faroles: the most suitable choice for those who want to take a stroll through Barrio San Lorenzo before immersing themselves in the city centre. The Andalusian-style courtyard, where breakfast is served in the morning, is very lovely.
All hotels in Barrio San Lorenzo
