Cordoba, with a population of about 300,000, is definitely a city rather than a town. Yet it’s small enough to get around on foot or bike, and has more old-world charm than many places half its size.
Few cities can boast this combination of old-world charm with all the conveniences of modern life in the way that Cordoba can. But don’t take our word for it – come and see for yourself!
Arriving at the ultra-modern train station, you might think you’ve made a mistake and landed in Madrid or Barcelona. But take a short stroll past the palm trees, fountains and parks that lead to the old Jewish quarter, and soon the whitewashed walls and cobblestone streets will reassure you that you have indeed got the right place. In a city with an amazing wealth of architectural treasures, the ninth-century mosque is the jewel in the crown and a must-see for anybody ever visiting Spain.
Heading back towards the city centre, you’ll discover a modern vibrant metropolis with the shopping centres, bars, cinemas and clubs you’d expect to find in any modern city.
And if you tire of what Cordoba’s city life has to offer, the surrounding countryside offers a host of opportunities to get away from it all. If travel is your passion, you can be in Madrid within two hours and in Seville, or even down on the Costa del Sol, in less than an hour, thanks to the AVE high speed train.
Weatherwise, Cordoba, like the rest of southern Spain, is warm and dry almost all year, with a short winter (from November to February) and soaring temperatures in the summer months.
Although usually a relatively quiet and peaceful place, Cordoba really lets its hair down for the local festivals in spring. Of course spring comes early in southern Spain with people taking to the streets in fancy dress for the Carnival in February. Soon afterwards, Easter is celebrated with candle-lit processions through the city streets. The month of May consists of a succession of local festivals including the festival of the crosses (cruces), the wine-tasting festival (la cata), the patios festival and the local fair (feria).
Dancing traditional local dances and partying into the small hours make the month of May very special in a very special city. Unlike bigger cities, or even cities similar in size, Cordoba hasn’t got a large or visible ex-pat population. While some English teachers may get together for the twice-monthly pub quiz in English or meet up for a drink from time to time, most teachers find it more attractive to integrate with the local population.