Car Hire in Cordoba

About Córdoba

Córdoba is a city in southern Spain, more specifically in the province of Andalusia. It is the third-largest city in this Spanish province and the eleventh largest in Spain. It is also the capital of the province of the same name, Cordoba. The city has an extremely rich history, first, it was an Iberian city, then a Roman one, and in the Middle Ages, it was the capital of the Islamic Caliphate. Today, all the remains of these past civilizations and cultures are visible through the monuments and architecture that you can admire in this beautiful city. It is interesting to note that Cordoba was the most populous city in the world in the 10th century. It was also the intellectual center of Europe as a lot of attention was paid especially to mathematics and astronomy.

If you have decided to take the road trip through Andalusia, or perhaps even a road trip through all of Spain, be sure to visit Córdoba as well. Take at least a couple of days to see and get to know the city, because, in addition to top-notch museums and galleries where you can learn about the city's rich history and landscape, Cordoba also offers a large number of architectural sights that you should not miss. At the same time, there are a large number of beautifully landscaped parks that are a real feast for the eyes and a true oasis of calm where you can relax and refresh yourself under the treetops and surrounded by other plants after the intense adventures that the city has to offer. Not to forget the Guadalquivir River, which is also something special. Along the river, you can see many picturesque mills for grinding grain, which date back to the Moorish period and are now set up for tourist purposes. In the city, besides the architecture, you can also feel the spirit of Spanish tradition, which is reflected in the bullfights. For this purpose, you can visit the spectacular arena where the bullfights took place.

If you have decided to visit Andalusia in May, be sure to stop in Cordoba as well, because in May it hosts the Feria de Los Patios, the festival around flowers that is celebrated nowhere else in the country.

Basic info and car hire in Córdoba

• Location: Andalusia, Spain
• Population: 325,708 
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Mediterranean climate
• Holidays in Córdoba: Find more information about public holidays in Spain here.
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Córdoba are in good condition.
• Car hire in Córdoba:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Córdoba is Córdoba Railway Station and Cordoba Las Quemadus. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Córdoba!

 Driving in Córdoba

To drive a car in Córdoba you must be 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and show valid proof of insurance for the vehicle you are driving. In Córdoba, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. The speed limit on the motorway is 120 km/h (75 mph). On normal roads the speed limit is 90 km/h (75 mph), on urban roads, it is 50 km/h (50 mph), and on all other through roads, there is a speed limit sign.

It's good to know that Spain has strict drink-driving laws, allowing only 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per milliliter of blood - stricter than in the UK, where the limit is 0.8. Novice drivers are effectively banned from driving under the influence with a very low limit of 0.1 mg/l. Seatbelts front and rear are compulsory everywhere.

 One thing: for those not used to roundabouts: There are a lot of them in Spain! And the following rules apply: The driver who is already in the roundabout has the right of way unless there is a traffic light at the roundabout that regulates the flow of traffic. Before leaving the roundabout, you should put on your right turn signal to indicate that you are leaving the roundabout.

If you are caught speeding in Córdoba, the Spanish police act very quickly, and the lack of Spanish is not considered an excuse. The police do not mind that you are a tourist on holiday, and fines are often issued immediately unless you can prove that you are a permanent resident in Spain. If you receive a fine, make sure the officer gives you an official receipt and if you pay immediately, the fine is usually reduced by 20%.

The Spanish law on the use of indicators on motorways is strictly enforced. You risk a fine if you fail to signal before overtaking and after overtaking if you move back into the adjacent lane. Traffic coming from the left always has the right of way. If you see a solid white line in the middle of the road, do not cross it. Continue until you either see a dotted white line or look for a sign that says "Cambio de Sentido" where you can safely and legally turn around.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Spain is 18 years. However, most car rental companies require you to be at least 21 to rent a car and at least 25 years to avoid paying an additional young driver fee. 
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.  
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Spain)
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Spain and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car:  If you are traveling with children under 12 or less than 135cm tall, you are required by law to have a child seat in your car. If you do not have your own, most car rental companies will provide one for a fee. However, it is advisable to request such a seat before collecting the vehicle, otherwise one may not always be available.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits:  The speed limit is 50 km/h in cities, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on the motorway.
• Parking suggestions:  Parking is prohibited in Spain in all areas where the curbs are marked yellow. The parking spaces marked in blue usually have a parking meter and you must buy a parking ticket to park in these spaces. You will usually find a machine nearby where you can purchase your parking ticket. Most of these blue areas have a parking limit of 2 hours, but this is displayed on the machine.

What to see in Córdoba

Passion and "Duende" of the Andalusian Horse permanent equestrian show

These are royal stables that have served and still serve as the home of one of the greatest Andalusian treasures - horses. Horses are a strong part of the tradition of this Spanish region and animals that the inhabitants are very connected and proud of. Today, a magnificent exhibition dedicated to these noble animals is arranged in these stables and is a must-see. Here you can also see a magnificent show with horses, where they present you with music and dance, different approaches to the training of Spanish horses, and the show is truly a feast for the eyes. 

Alcázar fortress of the Christian Monarchs

It is a fortress that initially served as a residence from which Christian monarchs ruled, later it also served as a court used by religious representatives to conduct court proceedings and eventually also served as a civil prison. Well, today its purpose is touristy and what makes it special is for example the magnificent garden that represents each monarch individually who ruled from this beautiful fortress. Since 1994, it has also been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Great Mosque of Cordoba

It is located in the historic center of the city and is considered one of the most beautiful Muslim buildings in Spain. It has been built for as many as 9 centuries and this is reflected in the mix of styles that can be admired on this mighty building. Of course, the fact that different religions settled in it also left its mark, and each of them left its mark, today it serves as a cathedral and is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city. 

Roman temple

The ruins that have been excavated and found in the area next to the town hall say that it was a huge temple. Today, a part of these ruins is on display, which has also been restored, and in it, we can admire the architecture that was built to worship Roman mythology and the gods.

Roman Bridge and Bridge Gate

It is a magnificent architecture that they believe was built in the period of Augustus and connects the city with the Callahora tower. Throughout history, it has served various purposes, but it has also been the scene of the most iconic battles that took place to defend the city, especially at the time of its creation, as well as later.

Best restaurants in Córdoba:

Adarraga

Sibuya Urban Sushi Bar Cordoba

Restaurante Damasco

A Mortero

Bodegas Mezquita Ribera

Taberna Casa Pedro Ximenez