The city of Córdoba is a great place to visit when you’re in Andalucía. Whether you only have time for a day trip or you can manage a few more days, you’ll have a wonderful time. The highlight of Córdoba is, of course, the Mezquita, but there’s so much more to see and experience in the city once you’ve checked out this incredible historical building.

Let’s take a look at all the excellent things there are to do in Córdoba, Spain.

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Cordoba highlights – why do people visit?

People visit Cordoba primarily because it is home to the world-famous, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mezquita. They’re not wrong, it’s utterly gorgeous and absolutely must be seen but did you know that Cordoba has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than anywhere else in the world?

That’s right, within a ten kilometres radius there is the Mezquita, the Medina Azahara, the historic centre of Cordoba and the Cordoba Fiesta de los Patios (in May), which has been named a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. 

And when Spanish people visit Cordoba they often also take time to visit the Sierra Subbeticas, a national park in the province of Cordoba.

How long do you need to see Cordoba?

Many visitors come to Córdoba for just a day but there is more than enough to do in the city, let alone the province, to keep you busy for a lot longer than that. I’d recommend staying at least 1 or 2 nights if you can.

When is the best time to visit Cordoba?

Be aware that the city is very popular with international and local visitors alike so remember that local holidays will mean a busy city. 

🔆 Cordoba’s summers are hot and dry. Cordoba actually has some of the highest summer temperatures of all of Europe with an average high of 37C (99F) in July and August. Temperatures over 40C (104F) are not uncommon in summer.

☔️ Winters are mild and often wet. I’ve visited in winter and definitely didn’t find it particularly cold. You will need a jacket though, for sure.

The “official” best months to visit are May – June and October – December. I also recommend going in April because at this time the patios, which are celebrated in May, are pretty much ready for visitors and open for excited eyes.

How do I get to Cordoba?

✈️ Plane: Cordoba has its own airport but it is not served by commercial airlines. Sevilla, Granada and Malaga airports are all within easy reach.

→ Check flight options now

🛤 Train: Cordoba’s railway station is well-served from all the main cities in Spain with over twenty trains a day. Trains can be a great budget option for exploring Europe as long as you remember to book in advance. ⭐️ It’s even possible to visit Cordoba from Madrid as it’s an easy two hour train journey!

→ Check train timetables and book tickets with Trainline

🚌 Buses: The main bus station is next to the train station and there are regular intercity buses available.

→ Check bus timetables and book tickets on either BusBud or Omio

🚗 Car: As in the rest of Spain, the roads are good. You can easily rent a car and drive around Spain. Foreign visitors are permitted to drive for six months on their overseas licenses. You can also book a cab to drive you from the airport to your accommodation in Cordoba.

→ Check rental car options

Most popular things to do in Cordoba City

✝️☪️ Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral

This is not only one of the most iconic sites in Cordoba 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 ran Cordoba. They built the Basilica of San Vicente (for reference, this is even earlier than the Basilica at 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. 

Interesting fact: the qibla wall in the Mesquita does not face Mecca but instead faces south. 

🤫 Did you know that there is a tiny, almost unknown, tenth century mezquita sitting waiting for your visit in Huelva Province?

🔔 Mezquita Bell Tower

The bell tower is on the same site as the Mezquita but requires a separate ticket to ascend. The bell tower was built over a 10th century minaret in the late sixteenth century.

The views of the Mezquita and of Cordoba from the top of the bell tower are quite spectacular. 

⭐️ Tickets can be purchased in person once you arrive but since tickets are extremely limited, again buying online is preferable. 

🏛 Puente Romano

Everyone should take a walk over the Roman Bridge, it’s an iconic bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River. From here check out the enormous water wheel on your right-hand side. There may well be buskers on the bridge so be sure to stop and listen.

⭐️ If you’re into bridges then Ronda will surely appeal

🗼 Torre de la Calahorra and Museum of Al-Andalus

Directly opposite the Mezquita at the other end of the Roman Bridge is the Torre de la Calahorra, a medieval tower that houses the Museum of Al-Andalus. This small museum explores the history and culture of the region via audioguide. Don’t miss the gorgeous rooftop views over the city (photo above). 

🏰 Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

This World Heritage fortress-palace was built in the fourteenth century by the Catholic Monarchs over the remains of a Moorish castle. It has incredible gardens, towers offering fabulous views of the Mezquita, and some wonderful Roman mosaics. 

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 UNESCO World Heritage status.

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

📚 Archaeological Museum

A highly regarded museum has a large collection of artifacts from the three main periods of Cordoba’s history. Roman, Visigoth and Islamic. 

🕍 Jewish Quarter

Visitors to Cordoba love to stroll through the narrow and winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. There are many shops and restaurants to visit in this part of Cordoba. 

Did you know that Gibraltar also has a strong Jewish past?

🌼 Patios of Cordoba

If you’re visiting Cordoba in May then you’re in for a treat as this is when the city’s courtyards open up to the public as part of the “Festival of the Courtyards”. However, there are also courtyards that are open to the public all year round. You just need to know where to look. It’s possible to visit the patios with a tour or on your own.

→ Book your Córdoba patio tour now

🌸 Calleja de las Flores

📸 This small alleyway is popular for its view of the Mezquita Bell Tower through the flower pots. If you go during the day you’ll join a line of people wanting their photo taken there. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowd. 

If you love tiny roads flanked by flowers then the pueblo blanco Mijas in Malaga should also be on your list of places to visit.

Take a free walking tour

👣 Book a free walking tour of Córdoba though Guru Walks

🚌 If you don’t love walking tours then the hop-on-hop-off bus is a good alternative

Less Well-Known Things to Do in Cordoba

Cordoba Synagogue

Hidden in the Jewish Quarter is one of the last remaining synagogues in Spain. It was built in the fourteenth century and is no longer active. It is very small but it’s worth sticking your head in as you walk around the Jewish Quarter. 

Casa de Sefarad

Right opposite the synagogue is Casa de Sefarad, a small but interesting museum about Jewish life in Cordoba. I particularly loved this museum because it gives a different take, a less rosy & more critical view of, medieval equality and tolerance between people of the three religions living in Cordoba up until the Inquisition. 

Casa Andalusí

Also in the Jewish Quarter is the fascinating Casa Andalusí, a small house-come-museum dedicated to life in twelfth-century Islamic Cordoba. 

Palacio de Viana

A little out of the centre of town is this palace of twelve gorgeous courtyards.

Caliphal Baths

This is a small and well preserved example of a traditional Muslim bathhouse with a good explanation of how these 10th century baths were used. Do not confuse this place with the modern Hammam Al Andalus, which is a modern-day and gorgeous-looking spa (anyone want to treat me?).

Roman Temple

Most visitors to Cordoba stay firmly in the old city but if you take the time to walk through the modern city (take in Plaza de las Tendillas to see modern Spanish life at its finest) then you’ll find this ruined Roman temple in the middle of town. 

Palacio de la Merced

This stunning eighteenth-century palace is home to the provincial government of Cordoba. It is possible to visit the courtyard and the gardens outside as well as the galleries upstairs.

Interesting Córdoba city activities

Córdoba isn’t all ancient buildings and museums, there’s plenty of life to be experienced here too:

Visit a traditional Moorish tea room

If you’re looking for somewhere to rest, refuel and have a fabulous experience then you can’t go wrong with the Salon de Té. This beautifully decorated Moorish (Halal) restaurant and tea room serves north African teas and pastries, breakfasts and main meals. We ate a very nice small lunch here and came out feeling extremely relaxed. It’s a great place to escape the crowds of Córdoba.

Experience a flamenco show

💃🏻 Whether you’re a die hard flamenco fan or just haven’t had a chance to experience flamenco yet, I highly recommend taking the opportunity to watch professional flamenco when you’re in Córdoba.

→ Book flamenco tickets now

🐴 If you like flamenco and you like horses then you are in for a treat with the Caballerizas Reales where the 2 combine for a spectacular 70 minute show!

→ Book to see the Caballerizas Reales

Tapas tour of Córdoba

🫒 Take a 2 hour tapas tour of Córdoba, exploring both the city and its cuisine. The tour ends on a roof top terrace with wine and beautiful views of the Mezquita. There are generally vegetarian options too.

→ Book a tapas tour now

Visit the spa

🛀🏽 Unwind in the luxurious spa, Hammam al Andalus.

→ Book your spa experience now

Things to do outside Cordoba – Day trips

Of course, day trips are always easier with a car than with public transport. Handily, driving in Spain is not a scary experience because drivers tend to be extremely well behaved. If you don’t feel up to driving, though, you can find some great day tour options.

🚗 Check rental car options

👣 Check tour options on GetYourGuide and Viator

Medina Azahara

Also written as Medinat Al-Zahra, this is a fascinating archaeological site just outside Cordoba. While you’re unlikely to visit if you’re only in Córdoba for 1 day, I do highly recommend checking this place out if you can. 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.

Castillo de Almodóvar del Río

This fabulous castle and fortress sits on a hill overlooking the Guadalquivir. It was built around the year 740 CE by the Moorish rulers of the region. The (fully restored) castle has been open to the public since 2001 and makes for a great day out for anyone who enjoys a good traditional castle. It is particularly a great thing to do if you’re visiting with kids.

🐉 And yes, before you ask, you have seen it in the Game of Thrones

→ Buy tickets to the Castillo de Almodóvar del Río

Parque Periurbano la Sierrazuela

This small forest is a really fun place to spend a day although it would be hard to get to without a car. Whether you take a picnic or plan to eat in the cafe here you’ll have a lot of fun. The forest is shaded and cool and there are picnic tables throughout the forest.

As you walk you’ll find ancient dolmens, reconstructed neolithic houses and wonderful views. There is also an aerial tree top course here although I’ve never seen it in action.

Explore the wine & oil route

Did you know that Cordoba is also a wine-producing region? The south of Cordoba province is known as Campiña de Cordoba and it’s covered in olive trees and grapevines. From this region come some of Spain’s very best olive oils  (remember how this was a Roman olive oil region) and some deep, sherry-like wines made from the Pedro Ximénez grape called the Montilla-Moriles wine. 

Spend the day on a 5⭐️ luxury tour of vineyards & olive orchards with a fabulous sommelier, Mara de Miguel (considered Córdoba’s finest) in a convertible. Learn about the region’s viticulture & the history of olive oil in the region. Includes lunch and numerous tastings including wine, olive oil, balsamic vinegars and even a locally matured whisky.

→ Reserve your luxury wine tour now

Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbeticas

Perfectly accessible for a day trip, the Parque Natural Sierres Subbeticas is also an incredible place to base yourself for a few days if you enjoy wild views, soaring hills, cave and streams. The highest peak here is La Tiñosa at 1570m above sea level. Whether you want to visit for a day or stay a few days, I highly recommend Zuheros as an incredible place. This park is one of those places that Spaniards just adore for walking and exploring. If walking isn’t your thing then how about a vespa tour of the area?

Visit the prettiest village: Zuheros

This small town is known as one of Spain’s most beautiful towns and I’d absolutely agree. With its white, red-roofed homes, its brilliantly located castle—slap bang in the middle of town— and its towering craggy hills behind the town, Zuheros is not somewhere you’ll quickly forget. It would be fair to say that Zuheros is one of my favourite places in Spain. 

If you’re into small towns near mountain ranges then I also highly recommend considering stopping off in Antequera, right in the middle of Andalucía as it’s historically and geographically an extremely interesting place.

Where next in Andalucía?