Visiting Córdoba in 2 days
A weekend covers all four UNESCO sites and leaves room for the neighbourhoods, a hammam, and a proper Córdoban dinner. Day 1 tackles the historic centre; Day 2 goes broader.
Before you go
- Best time: April–May (Patio Festival) or September–October
- Getting here: AVE from Madrid (1h45) or from Seville (45min)
- Estimated budget: €150–200 per person (excluding accommodation) — check our guide to optimise your spending
- Book ahead: Mezquita tickets online, restaurants at weekends
Day 1: The Mezquita and the Judería
The historic heart of Córdoba
Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita)
Start with Córdoba's iconic monument. Arrive at opening time (10am) to avoid the crowds. Allow 1h30–2h. Don't miss the forest of columns, the mihrab and the Renaissance cathedral.
Price: €13 | Bell tower: +€3 (panoramic view)
Strolling through the Judería
Get lost in the whitewashed lanes of the former Jewish quarter. Walk through the Calleja de las Flores, Córdoba's most photographed alleyway.
Córdoba Synagogue
One of three medieval synagogues preserved in Spain. Small but richly decorated with Mudéjar plasterwork.
Price: Free for EU citizens
Try salmorejo, Córdoba's signature speciality. Our recommendations:
The flower-lined lanes of the Judería, Córdoba's historic heart
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
The fortress where the Catholic Monarchs received Christopher Columbus. The gardens are magnificent in the late afternoon.
Price: €5 | Free: before 9:30am
Roman Bridge and sunset
Cross the 2nd-century bridge to reach the Torre de la Calahorra. Spectacular view of the Mezquita at sunset.
Dine at a traditional tavern. Try flamenquín and rabo de toro.
Replace the end of Day 1 afternoon with a 2-hour guided bike tour. Covers the Mezquita, Alcázar, Roman Bridge and Fernandine churches that walking tours never visit.
€29 per person · Bike, helmet and guide included · 6–7 km effort-free
Rather than walking, end Day 1 with a horse-drawn carriage ride at sunset. The 45-minute circuit passes through the Mezquita, Judería and Roman Bridge under a traditional canopy.
€60–70 per carriage (4–6 people) · Departs Plaza del Triunfo
Day 2: Neighbourhoods and hidden treasures
The other side of Córdoba
Palacio de Viana
The "patio museum": 12 flower-filled patios in a Renaissance palace. Essential for understanding Córdoba's patio culture.
Price: €10 (patios + museum) | €6 (patios only)
San Basilio neighbourhood
The neighbourhood of authentic patios. Several are open to the public year-round. Calm and local atmosphere, far from tourist crowds.
Plaza de la Corredera
Andalusia's only rectangular square, surrounded by arcades. Saturday morning market. Perfect for a coffee on the terrace.
Do a tapas bar crawl around Plaza de la Corredera or in the Santa Marina neighbourhood.
Medina Azahara, the palatine city to discover on the second day
Excursion to the 10th-century Caliphate city, Córdoba's 4th UNESCO site. Allow 3–4h including travel. A guided tour with transport simplifies logistics.
Browse the Zoco Municipal for embossed leather or silverware to take home. Then relax at the Hammam Al Andalus (relaxing Arabic baths) or visit the Archaeological Museum.
See all museumsFor a memorable dinner, book at Noor (2 Michelin stars, Al-Andalus cuisine), Choco (1 star, creative cuisine by chef Kisko García) or Bodegas Campos for a traditional experience.
Adjusting the length of your stay
Córdoba in 1 day
The essentials: Mezquita, Judería and Alcázar. Ideal as a stopover from Seville or Madrid.
3-day itinerary
Full programme with Medina Azahara, San Basilio patios and authentic neighbourhoods.
Córdoba weekend
Friday evening to Sunday: arrival, exploration and departure all planned.
Summary
UNESCO sites visited
Monuments discovered
Specialities tasted