The cathedral in Cordoba was the single most impressive monument I saw on my brief trip around western Andalucía. It is one of the greatest architectural achievements I have visited and really is worthy of the great praise and visitors it receives. The famous horseshoe arches are incredible and you can really get a great feel for the architectural forces of the building.

The much-maligned Christian additions to the mosque were also quite impressive, though under restoration when I visited. It was a major tourist attraction but it was surprising how you can lose tour groups in the forest of pillars, you can also get a pretty decent guided tour by just moving from one group to the next never hearing more than a few phrases from each.

Throughout the historic centre it felt quite hard to get away from areas that were touristy and discover a slightly more authentic side to the city. The centre is very reminiscent of North African medinas, but walking through you would sometimes struggle to find clues that the reconquest has happened as everything sells itself on Moroccan themes. It was very nice but a little false. Though the Banos Arabes (Arab Baths) were a nice treat. Also the food was very good, a recommendation goes to Almatea, which had a great selection of local organic produce and a decent vegetarian menu, which can be hard to come by in this part of Spain. It overlooks the Roman bridge, and I have to agree with Philip below that it has been over restored it is just essentially a new bridge.

That said the whole of the centre was well preserved and certainly worthy of a place on the WHS, and the cathedral is exceptional, one of the finest buildings I have visited, so it is worth going out of your way for.