11.10.2017

A Day in Cordoba + More Tapas at Las Teresas

Blue skies over Córdoba in Spain.
I split my Andalusian adventure up into three parts: Five days in Sevilla, a day and a half in Ronda, and three days in Granada. The extra days in Sevilla left me time to take a day trip to the beautiful city of Córdoba. The train ride is fairly short, around an hour and half. Or you can take the fast AVE train and get there in 45 minutes, but shell out a bit more money. I took the longer ride and it was just fine. I really lucked out on weather, it was a warm, sunny day with perfect blue skies.

A canal leads the way to the historic center of Córdoba, Spain.
A horse rests outside of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
The triumphal arch marks the start of the bridge over the Guadalquivir river in the historic center of Córdoba.


First up, a wander up and down the Puente Romano. The bridge crosses the Guadalquivir River punctuated by the Triumphal Arch on one side and the Torre de la Calahorra on the other. Originally built by the Romans in the 1st century, then reconstructed by the Moors in the 8th century, the bridge underwent significant restoration ten years ago. After my walk I visited the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, a stunning building brimming with history which deserves a post of its own.

A view over the Roman Bridge looking towards the historic center of Córdoba, Spain.
A sunny view of Córdoba and the Guadalquivir river from the Roman Bridge.
A sunny view of Córdoba and the Guadalquivir river from the Roman Bridge.



My last stop was the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or, the Castle of the Christian Monarchs, once the home of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The buildings are more in the style of a fortress than castle, but the gardens are as grand as can be. They're definitely the real draw of the property. I spent some time exploring the grounds, discovering hidden sculptures and lounging around on shaded benches.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or, the Castle of the Christian Monarchs, once the home of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The buildings
A view through a window at Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Córdoba, Spain.
A monument in the gardens of Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or, the Castle of the Christian Monarchs, in Córdoba, Spain



After a bit of a snooze at my hotel I hopped across the street for another meal of tapas at Last Teresas. I ordered my new go to drink, a tinto al limon, and settled in with a bowl of plump cured olives and a tapa of nutty hand sliced Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. I chatted a bit with a nice couple from Australia who had just arrived from Granada. Once the kitchen opened up I ordered a racione (like a larger portion of tapa or a small entrée) of fried puntillitas, baby squid. The squids were lightly battered and seasoned with just salt and pepper. A lovely end to a busy day in Andalucia.

The rustic and traditional interior of Las Teresas tapas bar in Sevilla.
Marinated olives are a great start to a tapas tasting at Las Teresas in Sevilla.
Tile work and small tables populate the colorful, traditional interior of Las Teresas in Sevilla, Spain.
Manchego & red wine an excellent pairing at Sevilla's Las Teresas.
Masterfully cut Jamón ibérico is a must at Las Teresas in Sevilla, Spain.
Masterfully cut Jamón ibérico is a must at Las Teresas in Sevilla, Spain.
A tapa of fried squid and calamari is definitely suitable for sharing at Las Teresas in Sevilla, Spain.
You know a restaurant is serious about their Jamón ibérico when they're stocked with this many legs.


Courtyard decorations in central Córdoba, Spain.
A quiet spot at Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba.
The immaculately maintained gardens at Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba.
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