Cordoba or Granada?
 

Hi Fellow Travelers, <BR>I will be in Spain for a week in December and I will only have time to go to either Cordoba or Granada. Which city should I pick? I am most interested in the Moorish/Islamic history and flavor of both cities and I have a hard time to choose one. <BR>Thanks for your suggestions!

Hard choice, friend ! Both are worth more than a quick visit. In Cordoba I found the most impressive Cathedral I've ever seen, built in the middle of a huge arab mosque; there is also the Medina Azahara (X-XI C) in the outskirts of the town. In Granada, by its turn, the Alhambra makes one remember old arab tales ... Last year I stayed two days in each of these cities (and two days in Sevilla as well); although I enjoyed them all very much, if I had to choose one I think it would be Cordoba. In its heydays, as an independent caliphate, the city was the most important cultural centre of Europe, and the narrow white streets of the Juderia retains a certain atmosphere of the old times. Cordoba was also an important city for the romans (capital of one of the provinces of the empire), and the old bridge over the Guadalquivir is still known as the Roman Bridge. Another interesting point is the number of statues of San Raphael spread all over the city. If you have any questions, feel free to write !

I would have to disagree with Edson. Although the mosque in Cordoba is quite spectacular the city itself leaves much to be desired. The alhambra is absolutely fantastic! The tenerife itself is worth the trip. And the city of Granada is beautiful and full of excitement. You don't want to miss it!

Tough choice!!! My vote also goes to Granada by just a hair...you can't make a bad choice with either one, though. Granada offers the Alhambra which is unsurpassed in its beauty and has the Albaicin neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter ) for atmosphere and old world charm. The cathedral of Granada is incredible and holds the remains of the Catholic Kings Ferdinand and Isabella. But Edson's comments are right on...the Mezquita (Mosque) of Cordoba is absolutely amazing, I think of all the sights in Spain my husband was most blown away by the unbelieveable situation of a huge baroque(?) cathedral smack dab in the middle of a massive mosque! Enjoy whichever you choose and plan your next trip to include the other, Maria

Granada for the Alhambra.

We've visited both Cordoba and Granada several times and, by far, Granada is our choice. The city, the setting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Alhambra and Generalife gardens are unsurpassed. As mentioned in a previous response, the cathedral in Cordoba is interesting as is the Roman bridge, but the city as a whole leaves a lot to be desired [in short, Cordoba can be seen in 2 hours!] <BR>

Is it possible to do a quick morning in Cordoba, and then the rest of the time in Granada? I've speeded up traveling alot in my life, just to finesse situations like this. If you can rearrange things you might have to rush a bit, but you'd get to do both. I've gotten myself frazzled on trips that many would have opted out of, but I've rarely regretted my decisions, especially in an area I'm not sure of returning to. In the long run, the memory of the Cordoba cathedral would be worth it, and it very well might be doable for you.

Hi Alfred, I am a 100% with Maria, <BR>just for a hair Granada, and then visit Cordoba next trip. When in Cordoba eat at El Caballo Rojo. Buen Viaje.

My father-in-law is a scholar of Islam. When we asked him where to go if we had to choose between Granada and Cordoba on our upcoming trip, he said Granada by all means. That's what we'll do, as we don't want to try fitting in too much.

What is the best airport to fly into to get to Granada?