Córdoba

Córdoba is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. Situated in the center of the Andalusian Autonomous Region, Cordoba is a great cultural reference point in Europe. This ancient city, which has been declared a World Heritage Site, is a mixture of the diverse cultures that settled it throughout history.

The area with the most to see is around the Old City. Everything is in walking distance, (train station, bus station, shopping area, tourist sites, restaurants, bars, etc). The typical tourist can do with the standard tourist map which can be obtained from the tourist offices (one on the east side of the Mezquita-Cathedral and the other between the Alcázar and the city walls). Orientation is provided by the river, Plaza de las Tendillas and Passeo de la Victoria. The area around the Mezquita-Cathedral is crammed with places to stay, eat and buy souvenirs.However, many visitors find it a bit too touristy, with more interesting things found wandering to the east of the Mezquita-Cathedral. On Sunday mornings you can watch a procession after the Catholic mass. Exercise caution when walking around the area near the Mezquita: Gypsies and beggers will try to sucker you for some money and they often work in teams. You may find yourself being charged 40 Euro for a palm reading, or having your money snatched by a little kid working together with the supposed palm reader. Just keep an eye on your things and don't get caught up with their scams.