GLOBAL travel website Skyscanner has named Córdoba in Spain as a trending travel destination for next year.
In its latest Travel Trends report, the flight comparison website named the destinations that had seen a boom in searches in the last 12 months.
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Córdoba in Spain was one of the five places in Europe that had seen a spike in searches from Brit holidaymakers.
Located in Andalusia in southern Spain, Córdoba isn’t as famous as other destinations in the region like Seville, Granada and Malaga.
Despite not being a household name, the Spanish city has plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It’s also packed with flower-decked courtyards – with a ‘patio festival’ every summer where you can tour them – as well as live flamenco performances across the city.
Córdoba used to be Spain’s former Islamic capital, with the city’s Great Mosque being a testament to its heritage.
The Mezquita mosque is the biggest attraction in the city, with Lonely Planet writing: “One of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture, the Mezquita hints, with all its lustrous decoration, at a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with a heady interaction of diverse, vibrant cultures.”
Visitors enter the mosque through Patio de los Naranjos, a lovely courtyard decorated with orange, palm and cypress trees and fountains.
Its interior, with red and white stone columns, garners the most attention from visitors.
Holidaymakers can also climb the 54m-high bell tower for panoramic views overlooking the city.
Entry tickets cost €13, with night tours of the Mezquita mosque costing €20 per person.
Another nod to the city’s Islamic heritage is the Hammam Al Ándalus – a luxurious experience that harks back to when bathhouses were an integral part of daily life.
Entry tickets cost just over £50 and include access to the thermal baths, steam room and other massages and treatments.
There are plenty of other attractions in the Spanish city, including Palacio de Viana – a renaissance palace that’s known for its twelve patios and extensive art collection.
Meanwhile, the Alcázar Castle of Cordoba is another popular place for tourists to visit, serving as both a fortress and a palace in its history.
Built under Castilian rule in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Spanish fortress was where the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel first met Columbus in 1486.
Inside the fortress, visitors will find Roman mosaics on display while its gardens are full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees and flowers.
Other attractions include the Roman Bridge, which spans over the Guadalquivir River.
Trying local cuisine is a must in Spain, with Córdoba having a few of its own.
Holidaymakers should try salmorejo (a thicker version of gazpacho), flamenquín (a breaded roll of ham and pork) and rabo de toro (oxtail stew).
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Wine bars are another must for holidaymakers, with several cheap spots dotted throughout the city.
The prices of wines are said to start from just €1 (84p) at Jugo Vinos Vivos Tienda.
Otherwise there is also JUGO Vinos Vivos, which has not only been called a “charming hidden gem” but also the “best wine bar in Cordoba”.
Hotels in Córdoba are relatively cheap, with Sun Online Travel finding rooms at Eurostars Conquistador, a four-star hotel, from £67 per night, based on two people sharing a room.
It’s best to visit Córdoba in May when scents of jasmine and orange blossom fill the air.
The closest airport to Córdoba is Seville Airport where direct flights operate from the UK.
Direct flights operate from UK cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.
EasyJet flies a direct route from London Gatwick to Seville, with return fares starting from as little as £37 in January.
From Seville, Brits will need to board a train to Córdoba, which will take roughly one hour.
Other lesser-known places to visit in Andalusia
THE Sun’s travel reporter Hope Brotherton spent several days exploring lesser-known cities in Andalusia, here are some of her recommendations…
Conil de la Frontera
Because of its seaside roots, the Spanish town is known for its tuna fishing industry. On my visit, my guide recommended grabbing a bite to eat at Anticuario Conil Tapas – a restaurant in the heart of the town. I opted for a bottle of beer and a plate of red tuna accompanied by a small smattering of French fries – needless to say, it hit the spot.
To walk off my lunch, I climbed Torre de Guzman – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The tower, which was built in the 14th century, used to be part of the old castle and the walls, which once guarded the city. From the top of the tower, which is free to enter, visitors can enjoy views of the Andalusian Coast, terracotta rooftops and whitewashed houses.
Other attractions include España Square, which is the main square in the town. While I didn’t have enough time for a swim in the sea, there are several beaches in Conil, including Playa Punta Lejos.
Cadiz
The Spanish port city of Cadiz isn’t top of most British holidaymakers, even though I think it should be.
It’s around a 90-minute train journey from Seville and there’s so much to do to keep holidaymakers entertained.
Make a beeline for the city’s cathedral. It’s topped with a glistening golden dome that reflects the sunlight, making it impossible to miss.
Nearby, there’s also el Callejon del Duende, the narrowest street in the city. While it’s been closed to the public for years, I popped my camera through the gate at its entrance and snapped away at the tiny passageway now filled with plants and flowers.
As my tour guide advised, I visited the Roman amphitheatre (free to enter) as soon as it opened so I could avoid the hordes of day-trippers who flood the city from their cruise ships.
Meanwhile, these are the best all inclusive deals for Spain this year.
And we found the best all inclusive family holidays this summer.
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