The Andalucian city of Cordoba is home to the Mezquita, the most elaborate mosque in Moorish Spain. 

This 10th century mosque boasts an eye-popping 850 granite and marble pillars and was built to hold up to 20,000 worshippers. Although many of the original Islamic architectural features are still evident, the centre of the mosque was overtaken in the 16th century by a Renaissance cathedral.

Cordoba's old quarter (the former Moorish and Jewish areas) surrounds the Mezquita, and its tangle of alleyways, picturesque squares and courtyards make for an atmospheric amble.  

Cordoba is linked to Seville by the high-speed AVE train.