How to make the most of 1 day in Córdoba

🔎 What should you see in Córdoba?

If you go alone then you need to decide what you want to experience of the main attractions on your Cordoba day trip. Generally on a first visit everyone wants to experience the Mezquita. The truth is that there just isn’t enough time to get to see everything with just 1 day in Cordoba. 

👣 take a free walking tour – Guru Walks offers free tours that last between 1.5 – 2 hours.

✝️☪️ The Mezquita

This UNESCO World Heritage site is the main draw for most people visiting Córdoba. In fact, many people choose to visit as a day trip from Sevilla or Málaga purely to visit this incredible site. This is the famous mosque-cathedral of Córdoba.

This is not only one of the most iconic sites in Córdoba but possibly also in Spain. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.

The Mezquita actually began its life in the mid-sixth century when the Visigoths were the rulers of Córdoba. They built the Basilica of San Vicente (for reference, this was even before the Basilica at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul) – a Christian church. The Muslims built the mosque on the same site and continued to add to it until the Christian conquest when it was consecrated as a Catholic church. 

Visitors today will marvel at the arches and will be fascinated by the working cathedral in the centre of this ancient Muslim building. 

The central patio is called the Patio de los Naranjos. In spring the blossom on the orange trees makes the whole city smell amazing. It’s a lovely place to sit and take in the atmosphere. You don’t need a ticket to enter the patio.

🏰 Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos & its beautiful gardens

This World Heritage fortress-palace was built in the fourteenth century by the Catholic Monarchs over the remains of an old Moorish castle. You can explore the buildings, the incredible gardens, and the towers offering fabulous views of the Mezquita. There are wonderful Roman mosaics here to enjoy, too. 

While the Alcazar is not considered by many to be as magnificent as its neighbour, the Mezquita, it is still a historically fascinating building and it also has also been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.

In my opinion, the views from the top of the tower are better than those from the Mezquita’s Bell Tower.

I recommend booking tickets in advance as otherwise you may well face long queues to buy one on the day.

🏛 Roman Bridge & Torre de la Calahorra

Just a short walk from the Mezquita are the Puerta del Puente, the Puente Romano, the Guadlquivir River and then, on the other side of the river, is the Torre de la Calahorra offers gorgeous panoramic views from the roof.

✡️ Jewish Quarter & the Old City

You must try to make time to explore the Old Jewish City. As you wander through the maze of streets, don’t miss the Calleja de las Flores, one of the most iconic of all the narrow streets. Apart from the souvenir stores and gorgeous buildings you’ll also find one of the last remaining synagogues in all of Spain and 2 small museums here: Casa de Sefarad and Casa Andalusí – both offering a fascinating look at medieval life in Córdoba.

🌺 Fiesta de los Patios

In May, Cordoba’s patios are a flowery delight as owners’ open them up to visitors to enjoy. In April you may well be lucky enough to have some patios already open but otherwise, they’re generally closed. 

🕌 Medina Azahara 

Also written as Medinat Al-Zahra, this is a fascinating archaeological site just outside Cordoba. You will need between 2 – 3 hours to see it properly.

This site was built in the 10th century and was once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can see the remains of the city, part of an early medieval palace as well as the gorgeous ruins of the Mezquita (the first in Spain to point towards Mecca).

👣 We visited without a tour but I actually wish we’d gone with a guide as there is so much to see and learn here and I know we missed out by not having an expert by our sides.

🚌 You park/arrive at the excellent visitors’ centre with a small museum. From here you have to take a bus (€3 per adult €1.50 per child) to the actual ruins.

→ Take a 3 hr tour of the Medina Azahara with a certified archaeologist guide.

And finally, to help with your Andalucía adventure planning