Cats Hostel is in a former monastery in Córdoba's historic centre, and the building has kept its character. The stone walls, arched doorways, and central patio come from a structure that was not designed as a hotel. The property is part of the Cats Hostels chain across several Spanish cities, which means consistent maintenance standards and a staff that knows how to run a lively hostel without letting it become chaotic.
The Patio and Bar
The central patio — white columns, plants, a fountain — is where the social life happens. Mornings: coffee and travel tips. Evenings: beer from €2, tapas €3–4. The integrated café-bar is open to guests and keeps prices firmly in backpacker territory. The patio fills up before dinner, which makes it easy to find a travel partner for the next day. The shared kitchen is well-equipped for those who want to self-cater, with enough worktop and storage for eight or ten people cooking at once.
Rooms
Dorms sleep between four and twelve people, all clean, air-conditioned, and organised. Each bunk has its own reading light, a USB charging port, and an individual secure locker large enough for a 40-litre backpack. Privacy curtains mean you can sleep while a neighbour reads. Private rooms are available for anyone who wants more quiet — they share the same facilities as the dorms but with a door that locks. Fast free Wi-Fi covers the whole property.
What the Hostel Organises
The multilingual team runs activities that actually help solo travellers meet people: the Free Walking Tour goes out every morning at 11am, covering the Mezquita-Catedral, the Calleja de las Flores, and the old Synagogue. Evenings through the week bring tapas crawls and occasional flamenco classes. None of this is compulsory — the hostel is equally good for people who want to do their own thing and use the patio as a base to return to.
The Location
The Mezquita is 5 minutes on foot. Plaza de la Corredera — Córdoba's arcaded square, good for morning coffee — is 4 minutes. The Alcázar is 8 minutes. The Roman Bridge is 7 minutes. This is the right place to be for anyone who wants to move on foot between the city's main sites without relying on taxis.
For a private room in the same area without hostel-style accommodation, Casa de los Azulejos has a pool, free parking, and a flower-filled patio from €72/night.
