A travel expert has revealed a city in Spain that is often overlooked by British tourists, but it is an absolute must-visit. Joanne Lynn, head of European product at Riviera Travel, has highlighted the Spanish hidden gems everyone should visit at some point in their lifetime.

She said: "For many, Spain is a go-to destination during the peak summer travel season. Generally, tourists tend to flock to two major cities - Madrid and Barcelona, but I believe people are limiting themselves and not experiencing everything the country has to offer."

Topping her list was Córdoba, a city in Andalusia, Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. With a population of 324,902, it is the 12th-largest city in Spain.

The city primarily lies on the right bank of the Guadalquivir River in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Córdoba has lots of bars and restaurants to enjoy, as well as pretty streets to wander, with golden-stone buildings dotted with wrought-iron balconies and interior courtyards.

The city is home to notable examples of Moorish architecture, such as the 8th-century Mosque-Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now operates as a cathedral.

The site has since been expanded to encompass the entire historic centre of Córdoba, which boasts a wealth of monuments that preserve large traces of Roman, Islamic, and Christian eras.

The archaeological site of Madinat al-Zahra, near the city, is also a World Heritage Site, while the Festival de los Patios, where people open their courtyards to one another, has been recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Joanne said: "My first Spanish hidden gem recommendation is Cordoba, a city combining history, culture and natural beauty to create an extremely welcoming destination.

"The city is home to some incredible attractions, including La Mezquita-Cathedral, a blend of Moorish and Christian architecture - a must-see for anyone considering a trip to Spain.

"Additionally, Cordoba is the birthplace of salmorejo, a cold soup consisting of pureed tomatoes, bread, oil, vinegar and garlic. Simple but delicious!"

Those looking to visit Cordoba can fly to Seville from London and Edinburgh, or to Malaga from London, Manchester, Bristol, and Birmingham. The city offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from hotels to holiday lets.

Also on Joanne Lynn's list of Spain's hidden gem cities were Granada, Pamplona, Burgos, Toledo, and Salamanca.