Architectural Cordoba: From the Romans to the Ummayads

Layers of ideas from different civilizations have been elegantly interwoven in Córdoba, once the dazzling capital of Al-Andalus and one of Europe’s great cultural crossroads.

On this walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with architect and local Walkitect guide, Manuel, you’ll lose yourself in narrow alleyways and sunlit plazas, surrounded by centuries of living history. You’ll also discover the eastern and northern quarters of Córdoba’s historic center, where Manuel will bring the stories behind the buildings and streets to life.

The tour starts outside the Mosque-Catherdal, one of the most extraordinary religious buildings in the world, that seamlessly blends Islamic geometry with Christian grandeur. From there you’ll explore quaint streets and hear about Cordoba’s architectural evolution, and how the city’s layout has been shaped by Roman planning, Islamic urbanism, medieval growth, and modern adaptation. Before the tour ends in Plaza de las Tendillas, you’ll have also gained insight into the city’s culinary culture, from salmorejo (a cold tomato soup) and flamenquín (a classic fried pork and cheese roll) to traditional tabernas that echo with local flavor.

On this 90-minute Cordoba tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Take in Calleja de las Flores, a postcard-perfect alleyway where flowers are the main character in the story
• Walk through Plaza de Jerónimo Paez, home to the Archaeological Museum, where Córdoba’s Roman and Visigothic foundations are preserved
• Pop into Museo Julio Romero de Torres (a museum dedicated to painter Julio Romero de Torres) on Plaza del Potro, a picturesque square filled with literary and artistic heritage
• Walk past churches showcasing early Gothic architecture and Andalusian craftsmanship, including Iglesia de San Pablo and Church of San Francisco
• Soak up slices of local life in Plaza de la Corredera, one of Andalusia’s rare Castilian-style squares, historically used for markets, gatherings, and even bullfights
• Gaze at Templo Romano, the remains of a once-majestic Roman complex that hints at Córdoba’s imperial past

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience Córdoba with depth, beyond just seeing the sights. By the end of this insightful walk with an architect, you’ll have a new appreciation for this city which was created by centuries of change and thousands of hands.