Visit Córdoba: What to do and see in Córdoba?

Visiting Cordoba is indeed one of the essential stages of a road trip in Andalusia. Like the cities of Seville and Granada, Cordoba is full of things to do and see and its history is one of the most fascinating in the region, as evidenced by its main monument, the famous mosque-cathedral.

Cordoba is a city that is easy to visit. Indeed, it is possible to visit Cordoba in one day even if two days are, for me, preferable to visit the essentials of the city and soak up its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Less touristy than Seville, but also smaller, Cordoba is a city on a human scale that can be visited mainly on foot.
Cordoba is ideally placed because if you choose to connect Malaga to Seville by train, you will necessarily pass through this city. It is therefore very convenient to stop there. Even if a stay in the city will make you a slight detour if you want to connect Seville to Granada, this one is well worth it.

Summary:

• Prepare your visit to Cordoba
• Visit Córdoba: What to do and see?
• Where to sleep in Cordoba?
• Practical advice for visiting Córdoba
• My opinion on my visit to Cordoba

Visit the Mosque-Cathedral:
Book online and quickly your guided tour in French of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Book your visit

Prepare your visit to Cordoba

Before embarking on the list of things to do and see in Cordoba, let's start this article with a small list of things to pay attention to before flying to Cordoba. Here are the different steps to follow to prepare your stay in Cordoba.

• Choose your flights to Cordoba
• Car rental
• Book your activities to visit Cordoba
• Choose your hotel in Cordoba

Choose your flights to Cordoba

Let's start with the flights. Very few flights arrive directly in Cordoba. The small airport is only very poorly served. If you want to visit Cordoba, then you will have to look at flights to Seville, Granada or Malaga.
These two cities, Seville and Malaga, are the closest to have a very well served international airport.

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Car rental

Arriving by plane in Seville or Granada will require you either to take the train to reach Cordoba, or to rent a car. Car rental will, of course, be more practical if you want to visit Andalusia and go to its main cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga or Ronda.
For this, I recommend the use of a car rental comparator: personally, we regularly use Airportrentals.com, ideal for finding the best car rental offers at airports and in town.

See all rates

Book your activities to visit Cordoba

In order to visit Cordoba in complete serenity, I recommend that you book some of your visits in advance. Even if it is not essential to reserve them 3 months in advance (as is the case with the Alhambra in Granada), it will still be preferable to reserve them a few days before your visit, especially during the tourist season. and all the more so if your stay in Cordoba is of short duration.
Here are the main visits to make in Cordoba:

Choose your hotel in Cordoba

Cordoba is not a very large city, so it will be easy to find accommodation in the center of the city, allowing you to visit most of Cordoba on foot.
Go to Booking.com to find a selection of hotels or apartments.
Moreover, we have written a dedicated article to answer this vast question of housing.

View all accommodations in Córdoba To read: Where to sleep in Cordoba?
For more information on the best neighborhoods and accommodations to stay in Cordoba, you can also read our dedicated and comprehensive article on the subject: Where to sleep in Cordoba?

Visit Córdoba: What to do and see?

Let's continue our article with essentials of a visit to Cordoba. Even if the Mosque-Cathedral is, by far, the essential place par excellence of a visit to Cordoba, you will see that many other places also deserve to be visited in Cordoba.

• Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
• Alcazar of Cordoba
• Roman bridge
• Tour de la Calahorra
• Royal stables
• Synagogue and Jewish quarter
• Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Cordoba
• Fine Arts Museum of Cordoba
• Corredera Place
• Place of the Tendillas
• Roman Forum
• Royal Botanical Garden and Zoo of Cordoba
• Viana Palace
• Madinat Al-Zahra

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

The unmissable number 1 during a visit to Cordoba is undoubtedly its famous mosque-cathedral. An unusual religious building of impressive size.
The history of this monument is rich in twists and turns.

History of the Mosque-Cathedral

Originally, this Mosque-Cathedral was built to be used as a temple until 584, when, on the site of the temple, a church was built by the Visigoth invaders.
It was in 786, a few years after the Arabs invaded Andalusia, that this church was converted into a mosque and then enlarged several times to reach a size of 23 m000. The mosque then becomes the second largest in the Arab world behind that of Mecca. It can accommodate more than 2 worshippers.
It was in 1236 that the mosque again took on the role of church until 1523 when a real cathedral was built in the middle of this mosque.

Book your visit

There are different ways to visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. The first is to go there and then buy your tickets directly on site. These are priced at €10. It will be necessary to add to this price an audio guide at 3€, then 2€ to climb to the top of the bell tower. Be careful, the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is the most touristic monument in the city and you will most certainly have to wait several tens of minutes at the ticket office to get the precious sesame.

The other solution, which I highly recommend, is to opt for a guided tour of this Mosque-Cathedral. This has several advantages, first of all its price. It is rare that there is such a small difference between a simple visit and a guided visit. These are around 18-20€. The advantage is that you will not have to queue in front of the ticket office and you also benefit from the advice of a guide. The history of the Mosque-Cathedral and its surprising architecture are sometimes complex to understand and the explanations of a guide will not be too much.
If you only have to do one guided tour in Cordoba, it is undoubtedly that of the Mosque-Cathedral that I would recommend. Guided tours of the latter can also be combined with other tours such as the Jewish Quarter and the Alcazar.

Book your visit to the Mosque-Cathedral

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Entrance fees for the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

Here is an overview of the prices to visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba:

• Entrance to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba: €11
• Audioguide : 3€
• Entry to the bell tower: €2
• Guided tour: between €16 and €25

Visiting times of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is open all year round.

• From March to October:
  Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
  Sundays and religious holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 15 p.m. to 19 p.m.
• From November to February:
  Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
  Sundays and religious holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m.

In order to be certain of the opening of the Mosque-Cathedral at the time of your visit, validate the timetables and check the offices on the official website of the Mosque-Cathedral.

Alcazar of Cordoba

The Alcazar of Cordoba, or the Alcazar of Christian Kings of Cordoba, is a fortress where the Catholic kings lived until 750, when the Arabs invaded Andalusia. From this date, the Alcazar will have many functions, first of all a palace. Then it was enlarged and improved to be used as one of the first tribunals of the inquisition; then as a torture chamber. From 1810, the Alcazar was used as a garrison for the troops of Napoleon 1st, then as a prison, from 1821 and finally as a tourist spot since the 1950s.
The Alcazar can be visited, among other things you can admire its sumptuous gardens.

The Alcazar is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 15 p.m. The entrance will cost you 4,5€

Book your guided tour of the Alcazar of Cordoba

Roman bridge

The Roman bridge is the main bridge that connects the two banks of Cordoba. This bridge has long been the only way to join the two banks of the Guadalquivir. Built by the Romans in the 2008st century BC, the bridge was modified many times, first by the Moors in the XNUMXth century then during the Renaissance and finally, more recently in XNUMX.
The bridge is exclusively pedestrian. You will find there, in the middle of it, a memorial to the glory of the Archangel Raphael.
On one side of the bridge is the “Bridge Gate”; on the other, the Calahorra tower which we will talk about in more detail just after. Crossing the bridge is something that you absolutely must do during your visit to Cordoba, as the view from it, but also from the other side, is magnificent. Go there in the evening or even at night to contemplate the illuminated Mosque-Cathedral.

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Tour de la Calahorra

The Calahorra tower is nothing but a remnant of a fortification of Islamic origin. The present appearance of the tower dates from the XNUMXth century. This tower is located at the end of the Roman bridge, on the other side of the Guadalquivir.
This tower can be visited, it is now a museum retracing the history of Andalusia. You will learn more about the key figures in the history of the region but also about the science and music of the time. An astonishing model of the Alhambra of Granada is there.

Regarding the visit, it takes place with an audioguide (available in French). Visiting the tower will take you about 30 to 60 minutes. You will also have the possibility of climbing to the top of it and being able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, but also of the Roman bridge and the Guadalquivir.

Visiting hours and prices of the Calahorra Tower

• From May to September:
  Open from 10 p.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16:30 p.m. to 19 p.m.
• From October to April:
  Open from 10h to 18h
• Price:
  €4,50

Royal stables

Not far from the Alcazar, the Royal Stables (Los Caballerizas Reales) are among the places to visit in Cordoba. The latter, built during the reign of Philip II, saw the best horses in all of Andalusia pass through. They are even at the origin of the Andalusian horse breed.
The royal stables can be visited, it will cost you 5€. It is also possible to attend performances. These stables are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Synagogue and Jewish quarter

You will see that visiting Cordoba essentially consists of strolling through its narrow streets so typical of the region. The Jewish Quarter is the perfect example. Apart from the synagogue, the only one remaining in Andalusia after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, visiting this district consists of getting lost in its alleys and discovering its nooks.
The visit to the synagogue remains a must in the district, even if it is very small, the visit is free. This dates from 1315 but it has an atypical history since in 1492 it was used as a hospital and then as a school.
In 1885 the synagogue was declared a national monument and was renovated immediately after.

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Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Cordoba

The Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Cordoba is located a few hundred meters from the Mosque-Cathedral towards Plaza de las Tendillas. This museum traces the history of Cordoba and its surroundings, from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The museum has been declared, since 1962, a Property of Cultural Interest. It is, in fact, located in the former “Palacia de los Paez de Castillejo”.

Fine Arts Museum of Cordoba

Another important museum in Cordoba, the Museum of Fine Arts. This one, located on Potro Square, is housed in the former charity hospital. It houses an important collection of paintings, from the 1930th century to the present day. In this same building you will also find the museum of Julio Romero de Torres, a painter from Cordoba who died in XNUMX.

Corredera Place

After its museums, let's move on to the squares of Cordoba. Impossible to visit Cordoba without going to one of its main squares, the “Plaza de la Corredera”. It is the largest square in Cordoba. It has a rectangular shape, well known in France but it is a very rare arrangement in Spain. Besides, there are only 3 in Spain and only one in Andalusia!
This square is a place of life where various events take place such as a weekly flea market on Saturdays.
The square is characterized by its surrounding buildings and in particular its arches under which you will have to pass to reach it.
You will find many bars and restaurants all around the square. It is a very pleasant place to walk and enjoy the terraces.

Place of the Tendillas

Plaza de las Tendillas is certainly smaller than Plaza de la Corredera, but it benefits from a more central position, which makes it more popular. Plaza de las Tendiallas is a gathering place for the inhabitants of Cordoba. You will also find many cafes, restaurants and shops all around. In the center of it, there is a fountain, in the middle of which is placed an equestrian statue of the “Gran Capitán”.

Roman Forum

Not far from Plaza de las Tendillas, going a little further along Calle Claudio Marcelo, you will come across the remains of an impressive Roman temple. Built in the 12st century, during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius, this temple has, or at least its vestiges, surprising columns. Even if only these XNUMX main columns remain today, we are quite aware of the dimensions of the latter. It is currently not possible to visit the site, you will have to content yourself with admiring it from Capitulares Street.

Cordoba Royal Botanical Garden and Zoo

The Royal Botanical Garden of Cordoba is the largest park in the city. This garden, created in 1987 and which extends over more than 5 hectares, has a multitude of plant species endemic to Andalusia. This botanical garden also houses two museums: a paleobotanical museum and an ethnobotanical museum.

Not far from the Royal Botanical Garden is the Cordoba Zoological Park. Opened in 1967, the Cordoba Zoo recently reopened its doors after more than 7 years of closure for modernization and upgrading works. The Cordoba Zoo is now a center for the protection, conservation and study of endangered animals.

Viana Palace

Let's continue our visit to Cordoba by heading a little further north, about twenty minutes on foot from the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, to admire another of Cordoba's must-sees: the Viana Palace. The Viana Palace, once home to the Marquises of Viana, is now a palace-museum, open to the public.
The particularity of this palace lies in its 12 sumptuous patios and gardens. This palace, built in the 800th century, was enlarged and modified many times. It exhibits many archives, nearly 1119 documents, some of which date from XNUMX!

Book your guided tour of the palace and patios

Madinat Al-Zahra

In order to visit all the essentials of a stay in Cordoba, you will have to leave the historic center of the city a little, towards Madinat al-Zahra, located about 15 kilometers west of Cordoba.
Madinat al-Zahra is an ancient city founded around 940 by the first caliph of Andalusia, Abd al-Rahman III. This city was intended to be the administrative and political center of the westernmost region of the Caliphate. The history of this city is astonishing since it only lasted barely 75 years before being partly destroyed, looted and then abandoned.

The madinat al-Zahra is now a surprisingly well-preserved testimony to this era and is one of the places to visit in Cordoba.
You will find there vestiges of the city, old doors, old houses, gardens or even mosques.
In order to visit the madinat al-Zahra, you will first have to go to the museum, located about 3 kilometers away. The museum retraces the history of the city and exhibits a collection of objects found during the excavations.
The visit to the museum and the madinat al-Zahra is free, only the bus (compulsory) taking you from the museum to the site of the madinat is chargeable (2€).
If you do not have a vehicle, then you can opt for an excursion to the madinat from Cordoba. Guided tours with transport are available for around €20 per person.

Book your visit to Madinat al-Zahra from Cordoba

Where to sleep in Cordoba?

Cordoba is not a very large city, so it will be quite easy to find a conveniently located accommodation in Cordoba.
I am going to present to you here 5 districts of the city center of Cordoba which stand out for their particularly pleasant location:

• San Basile:
  A small neighborhood located behind the Alcazar of Cordoba that will make a very good location to stay in Cordoba
• La Juderia :
  La Juderia is the old Jewish quarter, it is the most central neighborhood of Cordoba. This district is made up of a maze of small streets that will make a perfect place to sleep in Cordoba.
• San Perdo:
  Neighborhood adjacent to the Jewish quarter, this neighborhood remains a very good choice of accommodation in Cordoba.
• Saint Andrew–Saint Paul:
  Located north of San Pedro, this lively and touristy district will be perfect for a stay in Cordoba.
• Miraflores:
  Located on the other side of the Guadalquivir, this district will offer you a breathtaking view of the city center of Cordoba. Less touristy than the previous districts, it will nevertheless constitute a pleasant accommodation solution close to the historic center of Cordoba.

In terms of accommodation, here are two addresses that will allow you to stay at a lower cost in Cordoba:

Hotel de Los Faroles is a simple, Andalusian-style hotel with a flowery patio and rather basic rooms. The number one asset of this hotel will be its location.

The Luis de Gongora hospederia will also be a very good choice if you want to enjoy a good location, not far from the Jewish quarter of Cordoba. Rooms, again, relatively simple but clean and with all the necessary comfort.

If you have a slightly more comfortable budget, then I recommend, in the traditional Andalusian style, the hotel Maciá Alfaros. A 4-star establishment, perfectly located, not far from Cordoba's main square, Plaza de la Correderra, a ten-minute walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.

If you like modern establishments with a refined style, then I would recommend the Eurostars Azahar. A 4-star hotel, also perfectly located in the historic center of Cordoba.

Want to treat yourself?
If you really want to treat yourself while visiting Cordoba, then head to Hospes Palacio del Bailio. This hotel, located in a XNUMXth century palace, is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious in the city. Benefiting from a prime location, you can enjoy its large terrace, its swimming pool but also its top-of-the-range service.

If you want to know more about “Where to sleep in Cordoba”, do not hesitate to read our dedicated article.

Practical advice for visiting Córdoba

Now that you know a little more about the organization of your visit to Cordoba and the essentials to visit in Cordoba, I suggest you answer some practical questions that could prove to be useful in preparing for your stay.

• How to get to Cordoba?
• How to get around Cordoba?
• Where to park in Cordoba?
• When to visit Cordoba?
• How long to visit Cordoba?

How to get to Cordoba?

As I told you above, it is difficult to reach Cordoba by plane. Instead, you will have to head to one of the three large cities in the vicinity, which are Seville, Granada and Malaga.

• Getting to Cordoba from Seville:
  By car : Count 1h40 drive
  By train : Count 45 minutes and between 20 to 30€
• Getting to Cordoba from Malaga:
  By car : Count 1h50 drive
  By train : Count 1 hour and between 30 to 40€
• Getting to Cordoba from Granada:
  By car : Count 2h20 drive
  By train : Count 2 hours and between 30 to 40€

How to get around Cordoba?

If you arrive in Cordoba by train, note that Cordoba station is located approximately 1,5 km from the historic center of Cordoba, about twenty minutes on foot. You can also easily take a taxi or a bus.
To move then in Cordoba, you can very easily walk: the city center is not very big.
Otherwise, you can opt for the 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus. You'll enjoy unlimited access to this Cordoba hop-on hop-off bus that will drop you off at Cordoba's main places of interest. Book your ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus

Where to park in Cordoba?

If you go to Cordoba by car, the question of parking will arise. The easiest way is to opt for a hotel with parking. Otherwise, you will find underground car parks on the edge of the city centre. Or free places outside the city. This last possibility can take you quite far from the city center or in less frequented areas. Do your homework before leaving your car.

When to visit Cordoba?

In order to visit Cordoba in the best conditions, you will have to ask yourself when to visit Cordoba and what are the best times to visit this city.
You should know that Cordoba, like all of Andalusia, enjoys a particularly mild climate. Even if the winter is a little cooler and rainier, this period is not a real bad time to visit Cordoba. However, to put the odds on your side, promote the periods from mid-September to November and from the end of March to the end of June.
Although, like winter, summer is not a real bad time, I do not necessarily recommend this time of year. The heat can be stifling in this region of Andalusia, sometimes exceeding 40 degrees. The cities of Andalusia empty out in the afternoon, many places close and only reopen at the end of the day.

How long to visit Cordoba?

If you want to have a nice overview of Cordoba and enjoy the different touristic places to visit, I recommend you to stay at least 2 days in Cordoba. You will have enough time to go around the city, visit the main places that we have previously presented and also plan an excursion to the Madinat Al-Zahra. For this last place, if you are by car, you can plan a stop when arriving in Cordoba or when leaving. It is quite easily accessible.

My opinion on my visit to Cordoba

To finish this article, you may be interested in my feedback. I had the chance to visit this city several times, and each time it is a real pleasure! Admittedly, it is smaller than Seville or even Granada, but Cordoba is on a human scale and its main advantage is that you can do everything on foot. I really enjoyed walking through the alleys and soaking up the Spanish atmosphere that reigns there. The fact that the historic center is pedestrianized makes it all the more pleasant. Without forgetting the visits to be made such as the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcazar and the royal stables. Everything is really beautiful and pleasant to visit.
Regarding the period, I went there in the spring, the ideal period.
To conclude, I sincerely recommend that you visit Cordoba at least once!