Welcome to Córdoba! In this week’s blog, we will explore this wonderful city located in the heart of Andalusia. A must-visit destination that you have to include in your itinerary through the south of Spain, where history and modern life blend perfectly to create one of the most charming cities you have ever visited. Sounds interesting? Then keep reading the blog to find out how to spend One day in Cordoba, Spain.
The city of Córdoba offers a unique mix of Moorish architecture, Roman relics and Jewish traditions. In just one day in Córdoba, you will be able to explore the charming Jewish Quartier, full of small patios full of colorful flowers, be amazed by the impressive cathedral-mosque and discover all the roman ruins spread throughout the city.
But Córdoba has much more to offer than culture. The city is full of lively restaurants and tapas places where you will always find Spaniards enjoying the sun in the terraces. And of course, nobody has better popular parties than Spain and let me tell you, Córdoba is no exception. The Patio’s Festival, which takes place in May, has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
So, let’s explore Córdoba together and discover all the wonderfull things this city has to offer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CÓRDOBA
Córdoba is the third most visited city in Andalusia, after Sevilla and Granada, which makes it a very popular destination in Spain. Despite its popularity, here are some interesting facts about Córdoba that you might not know.
- The city is a historical melting pot. Throughout its history, Córdoba has been the home to many religions and cultures. The city was first founded by the romans, it then received moorish influences during the Muslim invasion in Spain and once the city was taken over again by the catholics, the jewish community was created in the city until they were banned by the Catholic Monarchs.
- Córdoba’s historic center has a UNESCO World Heritage Status. The city center of Cordoba has been recognized by UNESCO for its historic value. This includes the beautiful Jewish Quartier, the Mosque-Cathedral and the blooming Patio’s of Cordoba.
- Córdoba was home to the first university in the world, the Al-Qarawiyyin University which was found in 859 AD.
- The city was home to some of the best ancient philosophers like Maimonides and Averroes.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO VISIT CÓRDOBA?
The answer to this question is always difficult. Córdoba is a “relatively” small city but its rich history and lively ambiance make it a city with a lot to offer. Ideally, I would recommend you stay here two days to be able to see all there is to visit and to explore the city without having to rush from one place to the other.
However, if you only have one day to spend in Córdoba, don’t let this discourage you from visiting it. In fact, I was only here for one day and I was able to cover its most famous sites and had a fantastic time.
One day, I will return to Cordoba and visit the few places that I didn’t have time to include in my itinerary.
ONE DAY IN CÓRDOBA, SPAIN
This itinerary includes everything I did during our visit to Córdoba and it includes the must-visit places in the city. However, we were only here for a day and, since we don’t like rushing from one place to another, we had to skip some places that I would have loved to visit. At the end of this blog, I will share them in case you have some extra time.
MEZQUITA - cATEDRAL DE cÓRDOBA
Begin your day by visiting Córdoba’s breathtaking Mezquita – Catedral. This unique building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a hybrid between a mosque and a cathedral. The building was first constructed as a mosque in the year 785 and was afterwards, converted into a cathedral in the year 1236.
As soon as you step into the building you will be amazed by the endless white and red arches, the intricate Mihrab showing the direction of prayer and the rich gothic chapel of the cathedral.
The most famous part of this building is of course, the white and red horseshoe arches that fill up the interior of the building as a forest. However, make sure to pay attention to all the details this historic place has to offer.
Your visit to the Mosque – Cathedral of Córdoba will be divided into 4 parts:
The Gardens (El Patio De Los Naranjos)
The first thing you’ll visit will be the gardens or “El patio de los naranjos” as it is called in Spanish due to the many orange trees planted in the garden. Here, on top of the many orange trees, you’ll also get some nice views of the bell tower.
Good to know: No matter how appetizing these oranges look, I don’t recommend you pick one from the tree and eat it. These oranges are very bitter and are not suitable to eat raw!
Entrance to the gardens is completely free and, here you’ll find the ticket office where you can buy your entrance tickets. However, I recommend booking your tickets online to ensure you get to visit the cathedral and avoid having to wait in line.
Practical information:
- The tickets to visit the Mosque – Cathedral are for a specific day and time slot. Make sure to book them online to ensure you get to enter at your desired moment. You can buy your tickets here.
- Entry fee to the Mosque-Cathedral is 13 € per person in 2025. Always check the official website to get the latest applicable information.
The Mosque
The Mosque is the biggest part of the building and the most famous part too. You have probably seen many photos on your social media of the endless red and white arches. As soon as you step into the mosque, you’ll be awed by the beauty of this place and will feel the urge to start taking many photos.
I don’t blame you, I certainy did this too. However, I highly encourage you to don’t just focus on this. The mosque has such a rich historic and cultural background. Make sure to spend some time learning about the history of this place.
The Cathedral
In the middle of the building, and in between the many arches, you’ll find the main gothic chapel of the Cathedral which was part of the 16th century expansion of the building.
Its quite impressive to find this beautiful and intricate chapel in the middle of the forest of columns and arches. I particularly liked the magnificent ceilings in this area.
The Bell Tower
The last part you can visit, is the Bell Tower which is accessible via the courtyard. It is located where the former minaret of the mosque was placed.
The Bell Tower is the tallest building in the city with a height of 54 meters. From the top, you will get amazing panoramic views of Córdoba’s white houses, the mosque-cathedral and the Guadalquivir River!
Practical information:
- To access the Bell Tower you’ll have to pay a 3 € supplement.
- You can only access the Bell Tower with a guide every 30 minutes.
APERITIVO AT BAR SANTOS
Once you’re done visiting the Mosque-Cathedral, it will most probably be close to noon. If you know anything about Spanish traditions, you’ll know that it is common to have lunch quite late in Spain, approximately between 2pm and 3pm. To make it until lunch time, we sometimes have what we call “aperitivo” (a mid morning snack).
Right next to the Mosque-Cathedral, you’ll find Bar Santos, à small bar which is famous for making the biggest Spanish Tortillas in Spain. Head inside and get some drinks and a portion of Spanish Tortilla to fuel up before you keep visiting the city.
Tip: The bar is very small and has no place to sit down. Most people order things to go and eat it outside in front of the Mosque-Cathedral.
EXPLORE THE JEWISH QUARTER ("LA JUDERÍA")
After fueling up, it’s time to explore the beautiful Jewish Quarter. This charming neighborhood is full of cute alleys and courtyards with whitewashed houses adorned with vibrant flowers. Just lose yourself in this charming area, explore it without a fixed destination and see what hidden gems you can discover.
While you explore the area, you’ll most likely stumble into the following famous landmarks within the quartier.
The Córdoba Synagogue
The synagogue in Cordoba is one of the three best preserved Medieval synagogues in Spain. It was built in 1315 and remained in use until the Jews were expelled from Spain. The building still standing today shows Mudejar many decorative plasterworks with Mudejar-style plant motifs.
Practical information:
- Price: Entrance to the synagogue is free.
- Opening Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday between 9:00 and 15:00. Closed on Mondays.
Maimonides Statue
Maimonides was one of the most influential rabbi, philosopher, astronomer and physician of this time. He lived in Córdoba until his family was expelled from the city for refusing to convert to Islam. After that, he lived in Morocco and Egypt.
The statue is located not far from the synagoge and it depicts the philosopher in a sitting position with a book representing his vast literary contribution. Legend says that touching Maimonides statue’s feet will bring you good luck.
Calleja de Las Flores
Another iconic landmark within the Jewish Quartier is Calleja de las Flores. This cute alley filled with flowers and traditional balconies offers a nice view of the Mosque’s bell tower.
LUNCH AT TABERNA SALINAS
For lunch, is time to taste some traditional dishes from the region. When in Córdoba, I recommend trying the following dishes;
- Salmorejo Andaluz: A cold tomato soup which is similar to gazpacho but much more creamier.
- Cazon en adobo: Cazón is a type of shark whose meat is marinated overnight and fried.
- Rabo de toro: A delicious oxtail stew.
CORDOBA'S PATIOS TOUR
After lunch, it is time to join a tour to visit the “Patios Cordoboses” (Córdoba’s Patios). In this tour you’ll learn about the history of these beautiful courtyards and how they evolved throughout the years until they become what they are today.
Most courtyards are private properties and it is not possible to visit them on your own. The tour will grant you access to 5 patios while the guide explains about the different elements in them.
Book your Patio’s Tour here: Patio’s Guided Tour
VISIT THE ALCAZAR DE LOS REYES CRISTIANOS
The Alcazar is an impressive castle that served both as a fortress and a palace and was the former residence of the Christian Monarchs. The building was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
The castle is quite simple with a squared shape with four defensive towers in each corner (the main keep, the tower of inquisition, the tower of lions and the tower of the dove). From these towers you will get beautiful views over the city.
However, the most remarkable part about the Alcazar is its beautiful Moorish-inspired gardens. These are impressive with several fountains and many trees and plants decorating them around. You’ll definetely want to spend here some time taking in all its beauty.
Practical information:
- Price: The entry ticket to the Alcazar is 6,71 € per person (prices applicable in 2025).
- Opening Hours: The Alcazar is open Tuesday to Friday between 8:15 and 20:15. On Saturday it is open until 17:30 and on Sunday until 14:00. The Alcazar is closed on Monday.
THE ROMAN BRIDGE
Finish your day in Córdoba by crossing the Roman Bridge, a historic bridge that crosses over the Guadalquivir River and connects the old town with Calahorra Tower. The bridge was originally built in 1st century BC but has been reconstructed a few times over the centuries.
The first thing you’ll see as you approach the bridge is the Bridge Gate (“Puerta del Puente”).
From the other side of the bridge, you’ll get magnificent views of the city skyline, with the Mosque Cathedral and the Alcazar. Just relax here while you are soaking in the views.
The Roman Bridge is the perfect place to watch sunset. The golden light of the sun setting will give the city a special color and there is no better way to end your day in Córdoba.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN CÓRDOBA
Do you have some extra time in Córdoba? Here’s a list of places you should include in your itinerary.
- Casa Andalusí Museum: A house-museum that will transport you to the Caliphate days.
- Palacio de Viana: A beautiful renaissance palace in Córdoba with 12 different courtyards with unique designs that range from traditional Andalusian patios to more formal designs.
- Caliphal Baths: The remains of Arabic baths (hamman) that were used to wash before prayer during the Caliphate era of Córdoba.
- The House of Sepharad: A cultural center with permanent exhibitions that show the traditions and culture of the hispanic jews in Córdoba.
- Medina Azahara Archeological Site: The archeological ruins of the once opulent Moorish city. This site is located outside Córdoba’s city center but there is a shuttle bus that takes you departing every 20 minutes.
HOW TO REACH CÓRDOBA
The city of Córdoba is very well connected so you have different options to get there.
- By Plane: Córdoba doesn’t have an international airport. However, you can fly to the nearby airports of Seville or Málaga. From there you can either rent a car and drive to Córdoba (approximately 1.5 hours driving) or get there by train.
- By Train: Spain has a very good functionning high-speed train system called AVE. These will allow you to reach Córdoba from Madrid in 2 hours time. Alternatively, you can get to Córdoba from Sevilla or Málaga in approximately 1 hour.
- By Car. Driving from Madrid will take you a bit longer (around 4 hours), but it will give you more flexibility to move around the area.
ACCOMMODATION IN CÓRDOBA
If you’re staying overnight in Córdoba, I definitely recommend booking your accommodation within the city center. Cordoba’s historic center has a very authentic atmosphere which will guarantee you a fantastic stay.
We only visited Córdoba as a day trip but if were to stay overnight, these are some hotels I would choose for myself.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your google maps account. To view it on your phone while traveling, open Google Maps, click on the menu button and go to “Your Places”, click on Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.
INFOGRAPHIC
No time to read the full blog post? Here’s an infographic I’ve created with the most important information about it.
And that’s it for this week’s blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy travels!
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