Córdoba is a UNESCO site and, for many, a must see tourist stop where half a day is spent circling the Mezquita taking selfies before moving on. What earns it a place on our list is the history running through its streets and within its walls. This was once the richest city in the world, a refuge for Roman elites escaping Rome itself, until Julius Caesar arrived and wiped them out to assert his power. In Córdoba, the past is unavoidable, it follows you wherever you roam.

Founded as Corduba in 152 BC, the city grew rich on olive oil, silver, and political ambition. After Julius Caesar annihilated Córdoba in 45 BC, he rebuilt it as a loyal imperial capital until Rome collapsed. When the Umayyads arrived in the 8th century, they transformed the city into the intellectual center of the western world, with libraries, paved streets, and public baths at a time when much of Europe was lagging behind. What is rarely mentioned is how tangled this history really was. Mosques became churches. Churches repurposed minarets and called them bell towers. Visigothic basilicas survived beneath Islamic prayer halls. Córdoba has always been a patchwork of survival and a never-ending struggle for power.

Go to the Mezquita. Don’t skip it. But don’t stop there either. Understand what you’re looking at, why it exists, and how its influence spills far beyond its walls. Then step out into the rest of the city. Wander the streets, the patios, the lesser-visited churches and ruins. The Mezquita is where it starts. Understanding Córdoba means walking about and letting the rest of the city finish the sentence.

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Beyond the famous arches, Córdoba keeps a busy calendar of street life and deep-rooted traditions that reward anyone who is willing to explore.

We’re currently putting together a full guide to Córdoba’s streets, patios, and hidden corners.

From tucked-away taverns in the Judería to overlooked churches and secret courtyards, we’re gathering the stories that turn a visit into an understanding of the city.

Check back soon, or follow our blog for the latest discoveries from Córdoba and beyond.

Complete Guide Coming Soon