I've noticed mixed reports from people who've been there. Rick Steves' guidebook says that the Mezquits is all there really is in Cordoba, but I know he only suggest major sights. From reading Fodor's it sounds like the only attraction I'd want to visit is the Museo de los Patios. We are fine with just wandering around Other than the Mezquita what is the atmosphere there?

Interesting--couldn't post for weeks and now I must have accidentally hit enter while typing my question and the post entered. To finish what I was trying to say: If we are turned off by souvenir shopping and tacky areas and don't want to see the modern part of the city, but enjoy ambience and wandering, realistically how long should we allow to explore Cordoba? Would a six hour afternoon do it, or would we be sorry we hadn't allocated more time? One other thing, I read was that the Mezquita is really better to see in late afternoon or early evening; any thoughts on this?

I liked it but only spent a few hours there. I got off the train on my way from Madrid to Seville, stored my luggage and walked into the area around the Mezquita. There was some other building that I don't remember the name of that had beautiful gardens. I thought the area had alot of atmosphere but again, I only spent a short time there.

I was in Cordoba at Christmas. The old part of the city around the Mezquita and the River Guadalquivir is very attractive with narrow pedestrian streets and lots of old buildings. I arrived on the afternoon of the 24th, but the Mezquita had closed by 5 pm. It was open on Christmas morning, and after seeing it and wandering around, I had a quick lunch then got a train to Sevilla. I always prefer a flexible itinerary with nothing booked in advance, and my visit to Cordoba worked out just right - I felt I'd had enough time there, and went on to Sevilla and Lisboa.

Cordoba was the first Spanish city I saw but I don't think that is the main reason for its being one of my favourites.<BR>The Mezquita is one of the finest buildings I have seen - although I can wait a hundred or so years before going into the cathedral part again. The synagogue {although very small and ruined] and all the old Jewish area around is is intensely atmospheric {I am not a Jew myself] The patios of the houses are rightly esteemed and there is vegetation everywhere.<BR>I am sorry O have yet to see Medina Azahara but I have heard great things of it from friends.

Stay overnight or at least do not leave until the evening..plenty of atmosphere in the windy streets and the day trippers have gone. DavidX offers many good suggestions.

the archeological museum has some great roman floor mosaics and a nearby cafe with excellent expresso. You can do Cordoba in a day but it swarms with bus tours doing the same thing in the morning/early afternoon. The Mezquita is a jewel and it alone makes the stop worthwhile.

I think Cordoba has lots of atmosphere, ambience. The Mezquita is interesting, but I liked wandering around taking in the Moorish architecture. I also got a kick out of the &quot;Carmens,&quot; women who walk around selling rosemary sprigs. They are little con artists who try to get into your wallet. I had some very good paella in Cordoba. I think it is nice to walk around with an ice cream cone, also. I would only stay half a day to a day.

C&oacute;rdoba is the most dramatic city in Andaluc&iacute;a, the most Spanish city, and definitely my number one. Of course the Mezquita is a 'must see' but what I liked the most is the Jewish quarter (La Juder&iacute;a) with its whitewashed houses of which many have beautiful pat&iacute;os with marble floors, columns or fountains. Just great to stroll around for an afternoon and have drinks in one of the local taverns.<BR>We visited one long day and were sorry we didn't spend the night.

Thanks! You've convinced me we need an overnight.

You need to stay over night. Cordoba is far too interesting just to tick off in a few hours. My wife and I found it one of the most chilled out and relaxing places, with excellent tapas up by the ruined roman temple. The old Jewish quarter has a fair sprinkling of bars to relax over a glass of Montilla. We went at the end of September when it was quiet but the weather was still warm.

I have read the mixed reviews on Cordoba. I have also read the mixed reviews on Granada. I love both cities.<BR><BR>What is most fascinating to me about Cordoba is that the mixture of cultures is most evident. The Moorish Mezquita, the Jewish Synagogue and the Chistian Alcazar (not as impresive as Sevilla's, but has some lovely gardens) are all worthy of a visit and seeing them in an afternoon shows the rich mixture of cultures.<BR><BR>We stayed overnight and really enjoyed ourselves. We walked through the Juderia and the area around it, through the small residential streets and marveled at the beautiful private patios (yes, you can peak in). We had a lovely dinner at the Caballo Rojo. <BR><BR>Cordoba does not have the liveliness of Sevilla's nightlife, but it is very walkable.