Córdoba was the first destination we experienced in Andalucia Spain. And honestly, we were blown away. There are so many incredible things to do in Córdoba Spain, that although you can do Córdoba in a day, it’s definitely worthy of staying a couple of nights rather than as a day trip. From exploring the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba to the beautiful patios filled with flowers, here are our favourite picks of the best things to do in Córdoba Spain.
More Cordoba Blog Posts:
Cordoba Spain Travel Guide: Things To Do, Where To Eat, Hotels + Essentials
Where To Stay In Cordoba Spain: Best Cordoba Hotels + Map
Map Of Things To Do In Córdoba Spain
Here is our Córdoba Spain Map, pinpointing what to do in Córdoba Spain, so you can easily find your way around. We also have a printable Things to do in Córdoba map at the end of this post so you can easily save it to your phone or print it out to take with you when you travel to Córdoba Spain.
1. Mosque-Cathedral Of Cordoba
If there is one attraction you must see in Cordoba Spain, it’s the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, otherwise known as the Mezquita. The Moorish architecture of red and white arches that engulf you as you explore the Mosque-Cathedral is incredible, but then to reveal a Cathedral in the centre of all of this is just unlike anything we have ever seen before. Construction on the Mezquita began in 786 and lasted for a period of over 200 years. It was not until much later that construction began on the cathedral in the centre of the Mezquita. The courtyard at the front of the Mosque-Cathedral is the beautiful Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of the oranges), which is full of orange trees.
Our tip for visiting the Mosque-Cathedral to avoid the heavy crowds is that you can actually enter at 8.30 am before it officially opens. The Mezquita has free entrance at this time, but you will have to exit before 9.30. Even though there are still plenty of people there at this time, it is much less than throughout the day. We thought this was just enough time to visit the Mosque-Cathedral, but if you want more time you can always re-enter at 10 am or later in the day and pay for the ticket, just be prepared for more crowds. At 8.30 am the cathedral section is still gated off, which I believe opens up at 10 am, but you can still see it entirely with the gates closed.
Cost: 10 Euro | Free entry between 8.30 to 9.30 am Monday to Saturday.
More Information: Check opening times here and current prices here.
2. Mezquita Bell Tower
During your visit to the Mosque-Cathedral, make sure to also climb the Bell tower for amazing views over Cordoba. You can buy your ticket at a desk at the bottom of the tower at which time you will be given a timeslot to go up. As someone who is always a little weary of bell tower stairs and space inside, I can safely say that this one was great, good stairs and spacious enough.
Cost: 2 Euro
More Information: Check opening times here and current prices here.
3. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos is a fortress and palace from during Christian Rule and also the site of the Spanish Inquisition. The fortress itself doesn’t have a lot to look at, but you can go up the towers to get some nice views over Cordoba (but personally, we preferred the view from the Mosque-Cathedral bell tower). The highlight of our visit here was exploring the beautiful gardens, which are actually in a Moorish style. There are beautiful pools of water, interesting and varied plants and flowers, and it’s spread over quite a large area. We purchased our tickets at the door, and the line up for tickets was not long when visiting in April.
Cost: 5 Euro
More Information: Check opening times and current prices here.
4. Explore The Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba (Juderia)
Exploring the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter (Juderia) of Córdoba is one of the best things to do in Córdoba, although it can be a little touristy. This area is where Jewish people once lived in Cordoba, and you can still see examples of this today, particularly at the Córdoba Synagogue and Casa Sefarad (a restored house and museum). La Puerta de Almodovar is one of the original gates into the Jewish Quarter and Historic Centre of Córdoba. From outside the gate, you can see the old city walls. Another place to see in this area is the Capilla Mudejar de San Bartolome, a small chapel which is an example of Mudéjar art.
5. Puente Romano (Roman Bridge Of Cordoba)
The Puente Romano (Roman Bridge of Cordoba) is a beautiful example of Roman architecture in Cordoba. It’s nice to look at this bridge from afar and walk over for the full experience. At the end of the bridge is the Calahorra Tower, which you can go up and also has a museum. As we had already gone up two towers in Cordoba, we gave this one a miss.
Cost: Free to walk over the bridge | 4.50 Euro for Calahorra Tower
More Information: Check Calahorra Tower opening times and current prices here.
6. Fiesta de los Patios
There are also some great festivals in Cordoba. The Fiesta de los Patios is held each year for a two week period in May, and during this time, residents open their beautiful courtyards to the public and there is a competition for the most beautiful patio. Following on from this festival is Cordoba Spring Feria, in the last week of May.
Cost: Free entry during Fiesta de los Patios
More Information: Dates and Schedules for the Patio Festival.
7. Palacio de Viana (Viana Palace)
If you don’t happen to be visiting Cordoba in May, you can still see many beautiful patios just by walking through the streets. But we would definitely recommend going to Palacio de Viana, where you can see twelve beautiful patios filled with incredible plants, flowers and trees. We loved exploring the different courtyards, and they actually give you a really informative guide sheet. You can also buy a combined ticket to see the palace interiors too, but we only visited the courtyards.
Cost: 8 Euro for courtyards and palace | 5 Euro for courtyards only
More Information: Check opening times and current prices here.
8. Calleja de las Flores
Cost: Free
9. Calle de Pedro Gimenez
But there are so many beautiful streets in Cordoba to explore. Another one of our favourites felt like you enter a world that no-one else knows about. Calle de Pedro Gimenez is just off Plaza de la Concha. It’s a tiny little street that has a water fountain and a small courtyard at the end. But honestly, just leave plenty of time to wander the streets, as most of them are gorgeous.
Cost: Free
10. Roman Temple Of Cordoba
You can also walk past the Roman Temple of Cordoba.
Cost: Free
11. Best Plazas In Cordoba
There are also some interesting plazas you can walk through in Cordoba. The Plaza de la Corredera dates back to the 17th century and was once used as a bullring and a place for burnings during the inquisition. It is enclosed by a large building with red and white arches and balconies which is very visually impacting when you first see it, but the longer you linger it looks a little rough around the edges. Another plaza to walk through is the commercial centre of Cordoba at Plaza de las Tendillas, and one of our favourites, Plaza del Potro where you will find a fountain, a Flamenco museum, which is free to enter and the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine arts).
Cost: Free
12. Casa de las Cabezas
Casa de las Cabezas, otherwise known as the House of the Heads, is a restored house that shows what life was like in the middle ages.
Cost: 5 Euro
More Information: Check opening times and current prices.
13. Mercado Victoria
You can also visit the fresh fruit and vegetable market, Mercado Victoria.
More Information: Check opening times and stalls here.
14. Medina Azahara
One thing to do in Córdoba that we would have loved to do but didn’t have time, was a day trip to the ancient ruins of Palace Town Medina Azahara (Medinat al-Zahra). This UNESCO world heritage site dates back to the 10th century and was meant to be the most magnificent place to have been built. But only 74 years after it was built, the city was destroyed during civil wars and looted. You can reach Medina Azahara with tourist buses from Cordoba. We imagine you would need at least half a day to include this in your Cordoba itinerary.
More Information: Check opening times and the daily bus schedule to Medina Azahara
15. Eat Traditional Food
For us, eating is always one of our favourite things to do anywhere we go, and Cordoba is no different.
Try some local dishes like salmorejo, a cold soup made from tomato, garlic, bread and oil, flamenquín, which is pork and ham rolled together, crumbed and deep-fried, and also rabo de toro which is stewed bull’s tail.
Wander into a local tapas bar, eat at the best restaurants in Cordoba, and take your pick at the local bakeries. For some of our favourite places to eat in Cordoba Spain take a look at our ‘Cordoba Travel Guide‘.
For more information on Córdoba Spain see Córdoba Tourism Board.
Things To Do In Córdoba Spain Printable
Get your free printable things to do in Cordoba guide here.
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Córdoba Travel Guide Spain: Things To Do, Where To Eat, Hotels + Essentials
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