The Parador de Córdoba is on the hills of Arruzafa, 4 km above the city, where the Umayyad caliphs kept their summer residence. The name Arruzafa comes from the Arabic Al-Rusafa — the royal gardens that covered this hillside in the 10th century. The Parador is part of Spain's national network, built on a historically charged site with remnants of an ancient Arab palace integrated into its architecture.
Pool and Gardens
The pool looks over Córdoba and the Guadalquivir valley — the kind of view where you can pick out the Mezquita-Catedral, the Roman Bridge, and the Torre de la Calahorra from the same vantage point. The gardens are large enough to walk in, shaded enough to be pleasant in summer. Rooms are spacious and furnished in Castilian style, with all modern amenities.
Getting In and Out
The Parador is for guests with a car. It's 15 minutes' drive from the centre — a practical advantage if you want quiet nights and a base for day trips around the province. The restaurant serves Andalusian cuisine with the illuminated city spread below at night. Free parking on site.
The historic district is 10 minutes by car or accessible by city bus. For days when you don't want to drive into the centre, the bus runs regularly.
If You'd Rather Stay in the Centre
The Hospes Palacio del Bailío is a 5-star experience in a 16th-century Renaissance palace with Roman ruins, 5 minutes from the Mezquita. For Mezquita views from your terrace, the Eurostars Conquistador has a rooftop right beside the monument. The NH Collection Amistad Córdoba has a rooftop pool on Plaza de Maimónides. Hotel Viento10 has a sauna and jacuzzi in a former 16th-century hospital.