Cordoba is often experienced as a day trip from Seville. However, Cordoba is worth an overnight stay and has plenty to see. In fact, we stayed there 2 days and nights, and I think we will need to return again to see more. While you can see the most famous sites on a one day visit, you will not be able to see everything Cordoba has to offer. You also will not have much time to truly experience Cordoba. But, if one day is all you have, this itinerary was made to help you squeeze in as much as possible in the time you have. Do note that it is best to visit Cordoba Wednesday through Saturday, if you have a choice. The Mezquita has more limited opening hours on Sunday, the Royal Alcazar and Casa Andalusi are closed on Mondays, and the equestrian horse show only operates Wed -Sat.
Morning: One day in Cordoba itinerary
8:00 am | Stop for breakfast in the park on your way to the historical center
Many people arrive in Cordoba by train or bus. The stations are across the street from one another, and you can walk through a nice park from either station to old town where the key attractions are. See my directions for walking from these stations. Inside the park you will walk past Mercado Victoria which is a great place to grab a bite to eat and fuel your day. Mercado Victoria opens at 8:30am. Plan to spend no more than 30 minutes eating here. If you do not arrive in Cordoba early, you can adjust this itinerary to fit your arrival time. In fact, it would be best if you arrived the evening before and began this itinerary with the evening suggestions, and then finished it up the next day.
TIP: If you traveling from Madrid to Seville, consider stopping in Cordoba along the way, and spending a night or two.
8:30am-10:00am | Visit the Mezquita and Belltower, Puerta del Puente, Roman Bridge, and Torre de Calahorra
How you plan your time here depends on your arrival time. If you can get to the Mezquita between 8:30-9:20am, you can visit it free (unless you are with a tour group). This can save some money, but also allow you to see the Mezquita when it is less busy as tour groups cannot enter this early. You will need to plan your arrival time to accommodate this earlier visit. Also, if getting an early start, you will not be able to grab breakfast at Mercado Victoria this morning as it does not open until 8:30am. However, there is a Starbucks located across from the entrance to the Mezquita-Cathedral where you could grab coffee sometime during the morning visit, maybe after the visit to the Belltower. Be sure to use this tool to check the Mezquita-Cathedral’s special events calendar for exceptions to regular opening hours when planning your visit.
Here is the suggested itinerary for an early start:
8:30am | Visit the Mezquita-Cathedral (free entrance). You will be asked to leave beginning at 9:20am.
9:30 | Visit the Mezquita-Cathedral Belltower (book in advance for this earliest timeslot)
10:00am | Walk behind the Mezquita-Cathedral by Puerta del Puente, across the Roman Bridge, and visit Torre de Calahorra on the other side to get excellent views of the Cathedral and rest of Cordoba.
Otherwise, here is a suggested itinerary for a later arrival at 9:30am, or having stopped to eat at Mercado Victoria on the way:
9:30am | Visit the Mezquita-Cathedral Belltower ( book in advance for this earliest timeslot)
10:00am : Visit the Mezquita-Cathedral (book in advance for this earliest timeslot)
10:45am: Walk behind the Mezquita-Cathedral by Puerta del Puente, across the Roman Bridge, and visit Torre de Calahorra. Walk across the bridge to take in the views of Cordoba and the Mezquita-Cathedral. You won’t have time to see the Torre de Calahorra museum. You don’t need to purchase the Torre de Calahorra tickets in advance so you can wait and see if it works out.
Photo: Exterior wall of the Mezquita-Cathedral
Photo: Interior of the Mezquita-Cathedral showing the famous striped arches.
Photo: Torre de Calahorra
Photo: View from top of Torre de Calahorra
11:15am | Visit the Alcazar of the Christian Kings (Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos)
11:15am | Visit the Alcazar of the Christian Kings. Note that there are free entrance times during specific windows. On Thursdays only, entrance is free in summer after 12:00 noon until close and in winter it is free after 6pm until close. If you want to visit during the free hours on Thursdays in summer, you can use this time to visit the Torre de Calahorra museum across the Roman Bridge, and return here around noon. If you are here on Thursdays during the winter, you can move this to 6pm and visit here instead of the patios (which may not be open to the public during winter).
Afternoon: One day in Cordoba itinerary
1:00pm | Lunch at Restaurante La Chiquita de Quini
Make your way to La Chiquita de Quini for lunch. Check out the English menu here.
2:30pm | Explore Old Town and Jewish Quarter
After a filling and relaxing lunch, head out to explore the old town and Jewish quarter. The restaurant is located in the middle of several places you don’t want to miss seeing.
To the right, you can see Calleja de las Flores, a picturesque street with lots potted flowers, and Calleja del Panuelo, a cute narrow Moorish-style street opening onto a square with fountain.
To the left, you can see the old Jewish synagogue, the Cordoba souk or Zoco, and the Casa Andalusi.
I suggest heading to the right to see the picturesque streets Cordoba is famous for to take in the vibe and snap some photos. Then head back past the restaurant toward the Synagogue. See the Jewish synagogue (this is a very quick visit and entrance was free when I visited last time), look around the Cordoba Zoco at the local artisan goods (only cost is if you buy something), and then spend an hour visiting Casa de Andalusi at 4pm. No need to buy these tickets in advance; you can wait and see how you feel and whether you have enough time. The synagogue and Cordoba zoco are right around it.
Photo above: Cordoba old town
Photo above: Restaurant with bar in Cordoba old town
Photo above: Remains of Jewish synagogue
Photo above: Exterior of Casa Andalusi
Photo above: Entrance to Cordoba Zoco
Photo above: Artisan shops inside the Zoco
5pm | Enjoy a coffee or glass of wine
By now a break is probably a good idea. Find someplace to sit down and have a drink, and rest your feet. If it’s summer, choose someplace with air conditioning to get a break from the heat.
Evening: One day in Cordoba itinerary
A lot of tourists leave around dinner time. But, if you want to stay late or even stay a night, the itinerary continues with ideas. Note, you could arrive the night before and start with the evening itinerary the day you arrive. Then leave Cordoba the next day around 5pm.
6:00pm | Explore the patios of Cordoba
Cordoba is famous for its patios which are open to the public for various festivals. Streets filled with patios and flowers include Calle San Basilio and Calle Martin Roa. In early to mid-May, homeowners spend 10 days competing for a prize for the most beautifully decorated patio. Tourists can openly view 50 or so patios that would normally be behind iron gates. This festival dates back to 1918, offering visitors a real visual feast and the opportunity to take the kind of photos most people expect to see from a visit to Cordoba. Learn more here. Download a list of patios with map, or pick up a map at the Cordoba tourist office. Patios are generally open to the public between 11:00am and 2:00pm, and then again from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
Additionally, if you visit around Christmas time, you can experience the Festival of the Cordoba Patios at Christmas. Approximately 40 patios display flowers, Christmas decorations and offer entertainment in the evening.
You can still see lots of flowers at other times of the year. But if you are there during one of the festivals, you will be in for a real treat!
7:30 or 9:00pm| See the Passion and Spirit of the Andalusian Horse (equestrian show)
A night at this equestrian horse show will definitely delight, and leave you with memories. Even if you don’t get bit by one of the horses, like I did! The show is elaborate and the horses… well they are really something to marvel at. This is a must-see show. And if you get premium tickets, which are affordable and worth the “premium,” you get to meet and greet the horses and their trainers beforehand. The venue is the actual royal stables from the Alcazar next door, and the horses are Andalusian horses performing in their hometown. You just can’t experience this anywhere else. I highly recommend this evening event that takes place between 7:30pm and 9pm, depending on the time of year. The hotter the time of year, the later it is scheduled for. In the winter, when we visited, the show took place at 7:30pm. In the heat of summer, it takes place at 9pm. Tickets are sold online although I could never get it to work; you can also purchase tickets on arrival. We purchased ours at a little 24 HR kiosk across from the Royal Alcazar, enroute to the stables.
9:00pm or 10:30pm | Dinner at Puerta Sevilla Taberna Restaurante
Make a reservation at Puerta Sevilla Taberna Restaurante, to end the night just right. You can check out the menu in advance. This restaurant is a short walk from the Royal stables and is the perfect place to unwind after the show. It opens at 8pm for dinner. During the week, the restaurant offers a menu of the day which can be a good value. Try the Salmorejo (traditional Cordoban cold tomato soup) as a starter and end your meal with a slice of Cordoban pie. These are two Cordoban specialties served here. I highly recommend the oxtail as the main dish.
If you have more time in Cordoba
Viana Palace
Viana Palace is known for its stunning collection of twelve patios, each with distinct themes and designs, the palace showcases the beauty of Andalusian architecture and landscaping. Inside, you can explore an impressive array of art, tapestries, and historical artifacts that tell the stories of the palace’s past residents. The problem with this place is only that it is not located in the historic center where the other key sights are located. These means that it is often the place that gets skipped on the itinerary. Which is too bad because it looks lovely. And you can experience Cordoba’s famous patios here between the actual festivals. So if you want to see this site, make sure to make time for it. It is well worth a visit.
Plaza de la Corredera
On your way to Viana Palace, you could come across Plaza de la Corredera. This unique rectangular square, surrounded by arches, is the only one of its kind in Andalusia and has been a central gathering spot for centuries, hosting markets, bullfights, and public celebrations. Today, it’s a lively area filled with bars and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Cordoban dishes and tapas.
Medina Azahara
Just outside the city you will find a unique opportunity to explore the remains of a grand 10th-century caliphal city, built by Abd al-Rahman III. This UNESCO-listed archaeological site encapsulates the glory of the Umayyad dynasty in Andalusia, showcasing intricate carvings, horseshoe arches, and the opulent life of its rulers. The modern museum at the site enriches the visit with displays of unearthed artifacts, helping visitors understand the historical and cultural significance of this once-vibrant city. To get to Medina Azahara from Córdoba, you can take a bus that directly connects the city to the site. The buses are available from Córdoba’s city center and provide a convenient and direct route to the archaeological site. The touristic bus costs 10 EUR round-trip and departs Cordoba from Tuesday to Sunday at 11:00am, and has extra trips on the weekends (Sat/Sun) at 10:00am. During the summer, there is one more option at 4:30pm Tuesday through Saturday. It leaves Cordoba from the riverside where the Royal Alcazar is located. You have to purchase tickets in advance at the Cordoba tourist office, so they will give you exact directions.
Castillo de Almodóvar del Río
The Castillo de Almodovar del Rio is a day trip from Cordoba. Experience medieval Spain at this castle, with its well-preserved Moorish fortress architecture providing breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Its historical significance and the beautifully maintained structure allow visitors to immerse themselves in the past. The castle’s use as a filming location for “Game of Thrones” adds an extra layer of intrigue for fans. There are bus services available that connect Córdoba to Almodóvar del Río (ask at the tourist office), or if you have a rental car, it is a quick 30-minute drive and the castle is well-posted and accessible.
We saw this castle when we wizzed by it on the train ride from Madrid to Seville. So we missed building this into our itinerary. It is one of the reasons we will have to return to Andalusia.
Quick List: Book your One Day in Cordoba itinerary using this list
- Get a copy of Monuments and Museum Opening Hours from the Cordoba Tourist Office. Here is one from March 2024, but you can click on Horarios.pdf at the bottom of this webpage to get the most updated version. This is an excellent document to help you plan and budget sightseeing.
- Book tickets to the Mezquita-Cathedral and Belltower. General admission was 13 EUR for adults | 7 EUR for children 10-14 | Free for children under 10 (as of March 2024). Belltower tickets are an extra 3 EUR. If planning to visit during the FREE visit time of 8:30-9:20am, confirm your free visit will be possible on the date you choose by emailing informacion@mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es.
- Book your tickets to the Alcazar of the Christian Kings (de los Reyes Cristianos) online. Or purchase them in Cordoba either at the automatic ticket machine on-site, at the bus station, a the Visitor Center of Cordoba, or at the 24H kiosk located in front of the Alcazar. If you want to visit during the free hours, confirm your free visit will be possible on the date of you choose by emailing museos@ayuncordoba.es.
- Reserve a table for lunch at La Chiquita de Quini using their online booking form. Aim for 1pm when they open for lunch, but no later than 1:30pm.
- See about booking tickets for the equestrian show online, and downloading the festival map if you will be in Cordoba during one of the patio festivals.
- Make a dinner reservation at Puerta Sevilla Taberna Restaurante, to end the night just right.
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