Córdoba Day Trip - Perfect 1-Day Córdobay Itinerary (+ Map)

The highlights of Córdoba can all be seen in one day, making it a great day trip from Seville or Málaga. This one-day itinerary helps you plan your trip while navigating Córdoba’s tricky opening times.

Home to an Islamic Caliphate, a vibrant Jewish Community and Christian conquerors, Córdoba is one of Spain’s most intriguing cities.

The Jewish Quarter is a maze of little lanes and alleyways, Christian castles and churches dominate the skyline, and pretty patios are surrounded by traditional tapas bars.

But the highlight, and the main reason to see Córdoba on a day trip, is the incredible Mosque-Cathedral, one of the most interesting buildings in the world.

Our first visit to Córdoba was in 2018. We were back recently, and it’s safe to say that we found Córdoba just as alluring as it was the first time.

However, it was much busier, primarily due to large groups on guided tours. So, seeing Cordoba independently is the best way to do it.

The highlights can all be visited in a single day, and at just 40 minutes by train, Córdoba is an excellent day trip from Seville.

There are also a few other destinations from where you can visit Córdoba on a day trip, and we have covered those below as well.

We have put all the sights on a walkable route and structured the day so you can see everything while navigating Córdoba’s tricky opening times.

WHAT NOT TO MISS IN CÓRDOBA?

To keep things simple, here are the 4 things we think you really shouldn’t miss on your day trip to Córdoba.

1. MEZQUITA – CATEDRAL DE CÓRDOBA

The Mosque-Cathedral is the undeniable highlight of Córdoba. Originally built in 785 CE as a mosque, it was converted to a cathedral after the Christian conquest in 1236. The building’s mix of Christian opulence and Islamic iconography is enthralling.

It’s simply one of the most remarkable buildings in the world.

2. SAN BASILIO PATIOS

When the Muslims captured Córdoba in 711 CE, they continued the Roman tradition of building houses around a central courtyard. Today, the patios of Córdoba are whitewashed internal gardens adorned with colourful flowers.

We recommend the San Basilio patios on a day trip because they are centrally located and easy to walk around.

3. ALCÁZAR OF THE CHRISTIAN MONARCHS

The Christians built the Alcázar after they conquered Córdoba in 1328. The fortress tower provides a beautiful view, while the manicured gardens with water features and Islamic details are one of the highlights of visiting Córdoba.

4. JEWISH QUARTER

The well-preserved Jewish Quarter of Córdoba was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The labyrinth of small streets and alleyways is the best part of the city to stroll around, and it has many interesting things to see.

MAP – CÓRDOBA DAY TRIP

We’ve combined the attractions on this day trip on a walking route starting from the train station, where most people will probably arrive.

This is just a rough guide; you’ll want to look down a few smaller laneways in the Jewish Quarter to explore properly. But Córdoba is very compact, and most sights are relatively close together. 

You might also find our Andalucía itinerary by train useful.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OPENING HOURS

There are some opening hours that you need to be aware of when planning your Córdoba day trip:

• The Alcazar is closed on Monday.
• Between 15 June and 15 September, the Alcázar is only open until 2:45 pm.
• Between 16 September and 14 June, the Alcàzar is open until 8 pm.
• The San Basilio Patios are closed all day Tuesday and Sunday evenings.
• The San Basilio Patios close between 2 and 5 pm.

So, if you plan to visit Córdoba over the summer months, you need to see the Alcázar and the San Basilio Patios in the morning.

You could visit the patios in the early evening (except Sunday), but we think this is the best time to visit the Mezquita-Catedral, so we wouldn’t recommend it.

Below are suggested times if you visit between 15 June and 15 September.

WHEN TO VISIT CÓRDOBA?

Córdoba is an excellent year-round destination. However, it is best avoided from June to September when the weather can be stifling.

We suggest visiting Córdoba between March and May when it’s not too hot, and the gardens look wonderful.

In particular, Córdoba springs into action during the second week of May for the Patio Festival.

Monday and Tuesday are not the best days to visit Córdoba, as at least one of the major attractions will be closed.

WHAT TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?

We recommend booking the Mezquita-Catedral and the Bell Tower to secure the timeslot you want.

The official Mezquita-Catedral website is the cheapest place to book tickets.

You need to book the mosque and bell tower entrances separately. Book the Mezquita-Catedral for around 4 pm and the bell tower for around 5:30 pm to follow this itinerary.

Book tickets for the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs if you are visiting between June 15 and September 15.

During this period, the Alcázar has reduced hours, so it might be harder to get tickets for the timeslot you want. To follow this itinerary, book your entrance for around 11 am.

Book tickets on the official Alcázar website. Tickets for the Baños can be purchased with the Alcázar.

GETTING TO CÓRDOBA FOR A DAY TRIP

Córdoba is well connected by train from several other popular destinations in Spain, and the train station is just a 15-minute walk from the town centre. It’s an accessible city, so booking an expensive tour is unnecessary.

DAY TRIP FROM SEVILLE

A day trip from Seville is the most popular way to see Córdoba. The fast train from Seville to Córdoba takes around 40 minutes.

Book your train tickets here.

While in Seville, you might find our other guides helpful. We have a 3-day Seville itinerary covering all the highlights on a self-guided walking tour and a detailed guide covering the best things to do in Seville.

DAY TRIP FROM MÀLAGA

The train service from Málaga to Córdoba takes between 50 minutes and 1 hour, with the return journey taking 1 hour and 10 minutes. So, Córdoba is a great day trip from Málaga.

Book your train tickets from Málaga.

Our guide covering the best things to do in Málaga includes top attractions, hidden tapas, bars and great places to stay. 

DAY TRIP FROM MADRID

The high-speed train service from Madrid to Córdoba takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. This makes visiting Córdoba on a day trip possible, but we wouldn’t recommend it. You wouldn’t have enough time without rushing about.

However, it’s doable if you’re pressed for time and want to see the Mezquita-Catedral.

Book your train tickets from Madrid.

Please read our guide to visiting Madrid, which covers all the best attractions (in our opinion), plus helpful tips on where to stay and how to save money.

DRIVING TO CÓRDOBA

If you plan to drive to Córdoba, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

Firstly, it’s not as bad as other guides we have read online suggest. We’ve driven to Córdoba every time without incident.

However, the streets in the old town are incredibly narrow. You need to avoid driving into the centre by using Google Maps to find a parking lot on the edge of the old town.

As Córdoba is relatively compact, you can easily find a parking lot within 15 minutes’ walk into the centre.

If you are driving in or out of Córdoba and you see a sign saying, “residents only,” avoid turning down these streets and wait for Google Maps (or whatever navigation system you use) to recalculate. We saw someone driving down a tiny road like this, scratching both sides of their cars.

If you are staying overnight in Córdoba, look for a hotel with parking on the outskirts of the old town.

Some hotels have their own underground parking; others will send you to a nearby public parking lot. Expect to pay around €18 to €20 per night for parking.

The last time we were in Córdoba we stayed at Hotel Selu. The location was excellent, the rooms were clean and tidy, and it was good value. They have their own underground parking, which is relatively spacious (by Spanish standards).

This is just some advice if you plan on driving to Córdoba. Catching the train is still the best way to get there.

GETTING AROUND CÓRDOBA

Córdoba is a very compact city, and each of the sights on our itinerary can easily be seen on foot. From the train station to the Mezquita-Catedral, at the end of the itinerary, it’s around 20 minutes’ walk.  

IS ONE DAY ENOUGH?

One day is just enough time to see the main sights in Córdoba.

However, with compact opening hours, you will share them with plenty of others. The last time we were in Córdoba (October 2024), it was jam-packed with large tour groups from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

If you have the time, consider spending the night.

The city is much quieter in the early morning and evening, and you can see the sights more leisurely. You also have the option to visit the Madinat al-Zahra, on the outskirts of town.

If you decide to stay longer, read our 2-day itinerary for Córdoba.

CÓRDOBA DAY TRIP ITINERARY

JEWISH QUARTER

Start this itinerary in the well-preserved Jewish Quarter (La Judería), where Jewish people lived between the 10^th and 15^th Centuries.

Living under Islamic Law at the time, the Jewish Quarter retains the traditional layout of the medieval Islamic city with a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways. 

It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

The best approach is to wander around and head down intriguing alleyways, but here are a few points of interest to locate.

LA CASA ANDALUSÍ (10 AM TO 8 PM)

The thoughtful restoration of La Casa Andalusí transports you back to the times of Islamic Spain, with rooms and courtyards decorated in beautiful tile work. It also contains a museum of the paper manufacturing process, which the Muslims introduced to Spain.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE (TUE TO SUN, 9 AM TO 3 PM)

The Synagogue was built between 1314 and 1315 and features beautiful Mudéjar-style plant motifs in exquisite plasterwork. It’s free to enter.

MAIMÓNIDES STATUE

Maimónides was a Jewish philosopher from Córdoba, considered one of the greatest Torah scholars of medieval times. His statue is a popular landmark in the Jewish Quarter.

CHAPEL OF SAN BARTOLOMÉ (10:30 AM TO 1:30 PM & 3:30 PM TO 6:30 PM)

This beautiful, tiny chapel is another wonderful example of Mudéjar architecture (an Islamic style of architecture in Spain). It features beautiful tilework and plasterwork, with murals from previous restorations barely visible behind the altar. It’s €1.50 to enter.

ALCÁZAR OF THE CHRISTIAN MONARCHS

After the Christian conquest of Spain, Christian King Alfonso XI of Castile began building the Alcázar on the site of the existing Muslim fortress in 1328.

The building has had many uses over the years, including being a royal residence, a prison, and the headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition.  It was where the monarchs first interviewed Christopher Columbus.

The most interesting building inside is the Hall of the Mosaics, which features several Roman mosaics found under Corredera Square.

You can also climb to the top of the tower for beautiful views over Córdoba.

The highlight, however, is the manicured gardens. They contain statues of all the monarchs connected to the Alcázar amongst long rows of trees, marble and water features.

As mentioned above, the queue can be a bit slow, so buying tickets in advance is a good idea.

Free Entry – The Alcázar is free on Thursdays.

Opening Hours – From June 15 to September 15, the Alcázar is open from 8:15 am to 2:45 pm (last admission 2:15 pm); from September 16 to June 14, it’s open from 8:15 pm to 8 pm (last admission 7:15 pm).

Therefore, if you are visiting over the summer, you need to squeeze the Alcazar in before lunch, but you could visit after lunch in other months.

The Alcázar is closed on Mondays.

BAŃOS DE ALCÁZAR CALIFAL

The Baños de Alcázar Califal was the hammam for the Umayyad Alcázar, which has long ago disappeared.

There are a few rooms you can wander into, but there is little to see of the baths now. The interactive displays give a sense of what they looked like.

It’s worth popping in for a quick look after visiting the Alcázar, but only if you have time.

We liked it primarily for its historical significance. It was the location of the execution of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Rahman V. This event drained power from the Caliphate, and within a few years, Seville rose in Córdoba’s place.

The Bańos have the same opening hours as the Alcázar.

PATIOS OF SAN BASILIO

You can’t visit Córdoba without seeing the patios – the beautiful courtyards adorned with colourful plants.

The owners compete in the Festival of the Courtyards each year in the first two weeks of May, but you can see the patios throughout the year.

Palacio de Viana has 12 stunning courtyards surrounding a beautiful mansion; however, it’s a little out of the centre. So, we suggest you focus on the Patios in the San Basilio neighbourhood for this itinerary.

Tickets – Tickets for the San Basilio patios are purchased in person from the Ruta de Patios Ticket Office. We have marked the location on the map above. Tickets provide access to 5 patios in the neighbourhood.

Cost – The patios are €6.50

Hours – The patios are open from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm. We think our itinerary gives you enough time to see them before they close at 2 pm. However, if this feels rushed, you could visit the Mezquita-Catedral first and then the patios later in the day.  

Important – The patios are closed on Tuesday.

LUNCH

After the patios close at 2 pm, join the Spanish for late lunch in the San Basilio area. We have two recommendations for you:

Masón San Basilio – This traditional taverna feels like you’re eating on one of the patios. It has a great menu of local dishes at very reasonable prices, and the front bar is always packed with locals. There are a few high tables on the street out front, which would be great if you could nab one.

Bodega San Basilio – This is also a traditional option packed with locals. We ate standing up at the bar, which is a great way to experience the vibrant atmosphere. The staff are friendly and happy to provide recommendations.

ROMAN BRIDGE

After lunch, stroll across the Roman Bridge to get views back to the Mezquita-Catedral and the Alcázar. You’ll pass the imposing gate Puerta del Puente on the way, which is worth a quick snap.

Torre de la Calahorra rises from the far side of the Roman Bridge. Inside is a small museum about the three cultures that have lived in Córdoba, but it’s not worth visiting on a day trip.

MEZQUITA-CATEDRAL

By now, it should be late afternoon, and the Mezquita-Catedral is the perfect place to cool off while it’s hot outside.

Temperatures aside, it is by far the main highlight of Córdoba. One of the most intriguing buildings in the world, it rivals the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

The mosque was commissioned in 785 CE by Abd al-Rahman, the emir of Al-Andalus, the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula. It took 200 years to complete and would be a monument to the emir’s success.

The mosque was converted into a church when the Christians ended Islamic rule in Córdoba in 1236.

Initially, the structure was left largely untouched, but in 1523, King Carlos V authorised the construction of a Christian cathedral within the mosque.

The impact of these historical events is astounding.

Rows of red and white arches undulate like waves, broken by the imposing Christian cathedral at the centre.

Prayer niches adorned with intricate Islamic calligraphy and mosaics compete with Christian iconography. The cathedral at the mosque’s centre is a prominent display of wealth and power, contrasting with the low-lying and understated Muslim prayer hall.  

BELL TOWER

After the Christian conquest, the minaret of the old mosque was converted into a bell tower.

Climbing the stairs to the top gives you a fantastic view of the Mezquita-Catedral, where you can see the full scale of the Christian cathedral punching through the roof of the Islamic prayer hall.

We put the Mosque-Cathedral visit towards the end of this day trip because the light from the bell tower is better in the afternoon. If you go up in the morning, the sun will be behind the mosque, making it difficult to capture in photographs.

We’d suggest booking the Bell Tower for around 1 to 1.5 hours after your entry for the Mezquita-Catedral.

DRINKS & RELAX

By now, you might be ready for a break before leaving Córdoba for the day.

We suggest heading to Cosmopolitan Food in Plaza de Judá Levi, which has tables outside the square. It’s roughly on the way back to the train station, so it’s an excellent place to stop for a break.  

BACK TO THE STATION

On your way back to the station (or your car park if you have driven to Córdoba), stop off at Calle de los Flores. It’s a pretty, very narrow laneway that is a popular photo spot.

On our map above, you’ll see that we have also included a quick stop at Plaza de las Tendillas.

This is the commercial centre of Córdoba, and while there’s not much to see, it’s worth having a quick look around on your way back to the train station if you have time.

MORE ANDALUCÍA GUIDES

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• How to visit Ronda on a day trip from Seville or Málaga.
• Read up on the best things to do in Cádiz.
• See the incredible history of the region in our 2-day itinerary for Córdoba.
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• Visit more interesting places in Andalucía.
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