The wedge-shaped neighborhood of San Rafael de la Albaida is primarily residential, a development on the northwestern outskirts of Córdoba in the El Tabrero district. Walk along the quiet streets to understand what daily life is like in this city of southern Spain.
As the area is primarily residential, don’t expect to find any hotels or large stores. Instead, a few shops, bars and restaurants are tucked into narrow spaces in long blocks of stuccoed buildings. Glance up at occasional flower boxes and balconies. Spend most of your time greeting local residents and practicing using your Spanish language skills.
From San Rafael de la Albaida, drive north just 30 minutes to reach the Sierra Moreno mountains. Stop at the visitor center of the Periurban Park of Los Villares de Córdoba, Here you’ll find a bird observation area, a signposted nature trail, a viewpoint, sports fields and a children’s play area. The site has extensive information about endangered species and protected spaces. Ask about the status of the Iberian lynx and visit the Center for Irrecoverable Species. For a novel experience, join a guided mushroom-picking tour.
Return to San Rafael de la Albaida and purchase supplies at the hypermarket just south of the neighborhood to prepare dinner at home. Recreate some of the favorite recipes of Córdoba including gazpacho, a cold tomato soup. Try making croquetas de setas (wild mushroom croquettes) from your mountain mushroom harvest or cook the delicious and somewhat more complicated ox-tail stew.
If you’re not interested in cooking dinner, walk around the neighborhood to enjoy tapas at one of the small local cafés or head south toward the city center where you’ll find restaurants of every variety.
San Rafael de la Albaida is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) northwest of the center of Córdoba. Walk or drive here or ride a bus to the hypermarket bordering the neighborhood.
