The best cycling routes around Guadalcázar

Scattered along the riverbed, christened by the Arabs as Guadalquivir (“great or copious river”) as it passes through the World Heritage city, are what were once symbols of the milling industry in Córdoba, which today remain inserted in an unparalleled landscape setting, silent witnesses to the city's evolution.

But when the time is right and all the patios open, it is wonderful to admire the floral splendor in the backyard. For this, you sometimes have to queue for 15 minutes.

Circular route from Turruñuelos Park, Córdoba, passing through: - Torrehoria Viewpoint (19.5 km) - Torre del Beato (23.1 km) - Torre de las Siete Esquinas (24.5 km) - Bridge over the canal (29.5 km) The route begins along the Guadalmellato Canal, ascends through La Canchuela, Llanos de los Mesoneros, passes the El Cruce gas station, enters the "Fangor" forest, Torrehoria, Camino del Nuo Bajo, Torre del Beato, Torre de las Siete Esquinas, and from there descends to reach the start of the Trassierra Trail. Except for the descent from Siete Esquinas, the route, exceptionally beautiful given the recent rainfall in the mountains with runoff everywhere, follows paths without technical difficulty, making it even more appealing. It's a challenging distance but offers stunning views of the surrounding area and the city and its environs from the highest points.

Ruins of a silver mine with residential buildings

Castillo de Almodóvar del Río (Hisnu-l-mudawar; "the round castle") is a castle of Arab Muslim origin in the town of Almodóvar del Río, Province of Córdoba, Spain. Previously a Roman fort, the current structure is of Arab Umayyad origin, in the year 760. During the Middle Ages, it underwent several renovations and reconstructions. Between 1901 and 1936, it was restored by the owner Raphael Desmaissiers, 12th Count of Torravala, under the technical direction of the architect Adolfo Fernández Casanova. The most important towers are the Cuadrada, the Redonda, and the Homenaje.

The Molino de la Albolafia is located very close to the Roman bridge and on the right bank of the Guadalquivir. It was built by Abd al-Rahman II to bring water from the river to the emirs' palace via an ingenious aqueduct. The mill has a restored naura or water wheel, which was originally ordered to be dismantled by Queen Isabella La Católica because of the noise it produced near the Alcázar, the royal residence. This mill has been part of the city's coat of arms since the fourteenth century.

The quiet, characteristic San Basilio district is famous for its patios that compete with each other every year in May to see who is the most beautiful. It is wonderful to stroll through the pretty streets with numerous bodegas and original restaurants, far from the tourist flow.

Córdoba, on the northern bank of the Guadalquivir, is one of the three largest cities in Andalusia, along with Seville and Granada, but is quieter than the other two. The beautiful city was once the heart of Roman Baetica and later one of the leading centres of Al-Andalus. The mosque-cathedral with red and white arches symbolises the enormous wealth of Spanish-Islamic civilisation. But the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is certainly not the only thing the city has to offer. Churches and palaces, a maze of narrow streets and alleys, patios and balconies full of flowers: everything invites you to a romantic exploration full of surprises.