Córdoba is one of the many beautiful cities in Andalusia Spain. It is not one of the biggest, hence why it can be done in just one day. If you are traveling to Seville or Granada, it is the perfect day trip to do. The unique thing about Córdoba is that it has a lot of Moorish (Arabic) influence combined with a lot of Roman aspects mixed in. It is mostly known for its Mesquita, however, there is a lot more to see in this city.

How to Get to Córdoba?

There are a few options to get to Córdoba depending on the transport of your choice and where you are coming from.

→ Check out the www.renfe.com for the most up to date prices & book your tickets.

Travel By Train

Seville to Córdoba
If you are staying in Seville, you can take a quick 45 minute- 1h30 train ride to Córdoba Train station. A 1-way ticket will cost you between 11-25 euros and is best booked (at least 1 day) in advance, a return ticket will cost around 25-40 euros. Depending on if you take the fast train (AVANT/AVE) or local train (MD) prices will vary a lot.

Granada to Córdoba
A trip from Granada to Córdoba is around 1h30-2h for a one way. There is usually not a local train so you will need to take the AVANT or AVE train, which are a bit more expensive. It usually costs around 20-25eur for a one way, and 50 return.

Driving to Córdoba

Another option is to rent a car in Spain and explore the whole Andalusia region this way. If you are traveling in a group (family or friends) I think this is the best option. However, as a backpacker you can totally get around by taking the trains. Popular car rental companies in Spain are: Goldcar, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar

Córdoba in 24 hours

If you only have one day to see the city of Córdoba, you can follow this route (starting at the train station) to see most of what the city has to offer.

Sinagoga de Córdoba

As mentioned before, Córdoba represents a mix of different cultures and religions. There is also a Jewish Quarter in the city. When walking around in this area, you cannot miss out on visiting the synagogue. It is one of the best preserved Medieval synagogues in Spain. It is free to visit this National Monument.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos de Córdoba

In many of the large cities in Andalusia, you can find some sort of castle that served as a residence for the royal family. Córdoba is no exception of this, the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs was a fortress for Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. Tickets cost between 2.50 euros - 5 euros and guided tours are around 25 euros (reservation needed). The Alcazar is closed on Mondays.

Patios Cordobeses

If you are visiting during spring (and in particular May) you need to visit the patios of Córdoba. There is a festival in May cals Fiesta de los Patios where all places showcase their flower filled patios and it is a wonderful sight. However, during the rest of the year, you can also explore some of these patios (for free). Check out this pdf & website for more updated information.

Puente Romano de Córdoba

If you want to have a beautiful viewpoint over the city of Córdoba, check the Puente Romano de Córdoba. It is not only a beautiful bridge but also gives magnificent views over the rest of Córdoba.

Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba

The highlight of your trip to Córdoba will be the Mezquita. It is one of the most impressive buildings in the Andalusia region. The building describes and showcases the history of Spain like no other monument can. What started as a Visigoth Basilica turned into a muslim chapel, then a Mosque during Muslim Spain ruling. Around the 12th century, the city was overtaken by the Christian army who turned the Mezquita into a Catholic Church. During the 19th century restaurations began to reveal some of the Muslim influences back in the Church and by 1984 it was declared as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. There is so much more to this building which is why I highly recommend a (guided) visit.

Tickets are between 9-11 euros and are available at the Mezquita. If you want a guided tour, expect to pay around 25 euros.

Templo Romano de Córdoba

Just like the many islamic influences, there are also a lot of Roman remains in the city of Córdoba. One of the best preserved in the city is the templo romano de Córdoba. It was discovered in the 1950s when the city was expanding the city hall. There is not much to see or do around the temple, but it is worth stopping by to snap a photo before heading home.