Start the day with a walking tour of the old city, where the Moorish Quarter and Jewish Quarter are dotted with quiet squares. If you’re visiting during the city’s Patio Festival, join a tour featuring some of the flower-filled homes that open their doors for the event.

Even if you saw the magnificent Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral) in the morning, it’s worth stopping again, because the light in the courtyard of orange trees changes throughout the day. You’re guaranteed to find notice you missed at first. Opt for a guided tour that explores the site’s complex architecture and history.

To watch a flamenco show in Cordoba, snag tickets in advance for an evening of foot-stomping, guitar-strumming, and castanets. Andalucia is where flamenco began, so there’s no better place to catch a performance.

Head to a local market and wake up your taste buds with Andalucian staples: fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, dry sausages, and tangy cheese. Whether you strike out on your own or join a foodie tour that includes a market visit, you’ll enjoy the best and freshest fare, and discover new flavors.

After a morning of snacks, you’ll be ready to relax with another legacy of Moorish culture in Cordoba: the hamman, a traditional spa. Book admission to a spa in advance, so you can show up with tickets in hand, then get straight to soaking your travel aches away in the mixed-gender pools.

For your last evening on Cordoba, join the locals in the city’s buzzing tapas bars. Drop by an eatery for pre-dinner snacks, or make a meal of tapas on a tour that takes in the hottest spots in town, from rooftop terraces to wine bars.