Day trip Madrid–Córdoba by AVE
1h45 by train, everything walkable from the station, and tickets from €7 if you book ahead. The case for Córdoba over Seville or Granada is straightforward.
AVE journey time
One-way ticket
Trains per day
Between the sights
Why choose Córdoba over other day trips?
From Madrid, three Andalusian cities make for a feasible day trip: Toledo, Seville and Córdoba. Each has its case. But Córdoba has one advantage the others don't: everything fits within a 500-metre radius. No taxis, no buses, no map-checking every five minutes. The Mezquita, the Judería, the Alcázar and the Roman Bridge are all within easy walking distance of each other.
Seville takes two and a half hours each way. Granada has no direct AVE link and requires a connecting bus from Antequera. Córdoba is 1h43 from Madrid Atocha — and UNESCO has listed its entire historic centre, not just a single monument.
Closer than Seville
1h45 versus 2h30 for Seville. You gain nearly two extra hours on the ground.
Ultra-compact centre
All the major sights within 500m of each other. No local transport needed.
Unique heritage
Islamic, Jewish and Christian heritage side by side — a combination found nowhere else in Europe.
How to book your AVE ticket
Four operators serve the Madrid–Córdoba route. Prices vary enormously depending on how far in advance you book — sometimes by a factor of ten. The rule: book your return trip the moment your dates are confirmed.
Renfe AVE
Historical operator- ▸ The most departures (every 30–60 min)
- ▸ Básico (non-exchangeable), Elige (flexible) and Prémium fares
- ▸ Price: €15–72 depending on lead time and class
iryo
Private operator- ▸ Italian Frecciarossa trains, high comfort
- ▸ Often competitive with Renfe on certain time slots
- ▸ Price: €12–65
OUIGO
French low-cost operator- ▸ The cheapest tickets on the market from €7
- ▸ Fewer departures, reduced services (paid baggage)
- ▸ Price: €7–30 when booking early
AVLO (Renfe low-cost)
Renfe's budget arm- ▸ Renfe's low-cost subsidiary, same infrastructure
- ▸ Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable
- ▸ Price: €10–35
One-day itinerary in Córdoba
Leaving Madrid around 7am, you arrive in Córdoba by 9–9:30am. Here is an itinerary that covers the essentials at a relaxed pace — and gets you back to Madrid in time for dinner.
Departure from Madrid Puerta de Atocha
Take a train between 7am and 8am from Atocha. Arriving at Córdoba Central (Julio Anguita station) around 9–9:30am. Leave your luggage at Atocha's left-luggage lockers if you have bags — it will save you time.
Station to historic centre (20 min)
The walk via the Paseo de la Victoria takes 20 minutes and passes through gardens — a welcome stretch after the train. Other options: bus lines 3, 4 or 5 (€1.40) or taxi (around €8).
Mezquita-Cathedral (2h30)
The unmissable. Book your tickets (€13) online before you leave — in high season, morning slots go quickly. Allow 2 hours for a full visit: the forest of 856 columns, the Umayyad mihrab and the Renaissance cathedral embedded at the heart of the mosque.
Mezquita ticket guide →Judería, Calleja de las Flores and Synagogue (1h)
The medieval Jewish quarter, right behind the Mezquita. Wander the alleyways, find the Calleja de las Flores (the flower alley) and visit the 14th-century Synagogue (free entry for EU citizens, €0.30 otherwise). One of only three medieval synagogues still standing in Spain.
Lunch in the centre
Tapas bars around the Mezquita start serving from 1pm. For a reasonably priced meal, head to the Plaza de la Corredera or look for a menú del día (€10–15). Avoid terraces directly facing the Mezquita — you pay for the location.
Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs and gardens (1h30)
Five minutes from the Mezquita. The medieval palace costs €5 and gives access to terraced gardens with fountains and pools. In summer, stick to the garden terraces — they are shaded and considerably cooler than the streets.
Roman Bridge, Calahorra Tower and Guadalquivir walk (1h)
The Roman Bridge is free and open around the clock. Crossing it gives a direct view of the Mezquita from the river side — the classic Córdoba photograph. The Calahorra Tower (museum of three cultures, €4.50) is optional depending on your time.
Return to the station
Allow 20–25 minutes to reach Córdoba Central station on foot. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before departure. Trains between 6:30pm and 7pm get you back to Madrid Atocha before 9pm.
The Mezquita deserves at least two hours — the forest of columns is unlike anything else
The sights not to miss
Mezquita-Cathédrale
The unmissable monument. 856 marble columns, a 10th-century Umayyad mihrab and a 16th-century cathedral embedded within. Allow 2 hours minimum.
€13 • Online booking recommendedJudería
The medieval Jewish quarter, with its white alleyways and flower pots. The Calleja de las Flores and the Synagogue are worth an hour.
Free entry (Synagogue: €0.30 or free for EU citizens)Alcázar des Rois Chrétiens
A medieval palace with towers, rooms of Roman mosaics and terraced gardens. One of the least crowded sights in Córdoba.
€5 • Free at certain timesPont Romain et Tour Calahorra
The 1st-century bridge gives the best view of the Mezquita from the river. Free to access at any time.
Free • Calahorra Tower: €4.50Estimated day budget
per person
- Return train (OUIGO, early) €15–20
- Mezquita €13
- Alcázar €5
- Tapas lunch €12–15
- Bus/walking €0–3
- Free walking tour €0 (tip ~€10)
- Estimated total €45–55
per person
- Return train (Renfe, 2–3 wks ahead) €30–40
- Mezquita €13
- Alcázar + Calahorra Tower €9.50
- Restaurant lunch €20–25
- Coffee, taxi, misc. €10
- Estimated total €75–95
per person
- Return train (Renfe Prémium) €60–80
- Mezquita + guided tour €22–35
- Alcázar + others €10
- Gastronomy lunch €35–45
- Taxi, coffees, misc. €15
- Estimated total €110–130
To save more, see our Córdoba on a budget guide — including free-entry times at the Mezquita and the Alcázar.
The Alcázar gardens, with their pools and fountains, offer a peaceful pause in the middle of the day
Practical tips
Book the Mezquita before you leave
Online tickets at mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es sometimes sell out several days in advance in high season. Don't leave this until the last minute.
Leave early
The first train at 7 or 7:30am gives you an extra hour on the ground. And you arrive at the Mezquita before the tour groups, which typically show up after 10:30am.
Leave your luggage at Atocha
Madrid Puerta de Atocha has automated left-luggage lockers (€3–6/day). No need to drag a suitcase through the Judería.
Comfortable shoes
The cobblestones of the Judería are uneven. Avoid thin flat soles — you will easily walk 8–10 km over the course of the day.
Watch out for summer heat
In July and August, temperatures in Córdoba regularly exceed 40°C. Bring water, visit air-conditioned monuments in the middle of the day, and save outdoor walks for the morning or late afternoon.
Card accepted everywhere
Monuments, restaurants and bars all accept card payments with no minimum spend. A little cash remains handy for small purchases at markets.
What if you want to stay longer?
One day is enough for the main monuments. But Córdoba has more to offer: Medina Azahara (an archaeological site 8 km out), the museums, flamenco tablaos, the flower-filled patios. If you have two or three days, here is where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Madrid–Córdoba day trip really feasible?
Yes — and it is actually quite comfortable. Leaving Madrid at 7am, you are in Córdoba before 9:30am. With a return around 6:30–7pm, you have roughly 8–9 hours on the ground. The historic centre is so compact that this is more than enough to see the Mezquita, the Judería, the Alcázar and the Roman Bridge without rushing.
What is the best time of year for this trip?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are ideal: temperatures between 18 and 28°C, pleasant light. In May, the Patio Festival opens private flower-filled courtyards to the public. Summer (July–August) is possible but exhausting with temperatures regularly above 40°C. Winter is mild (12–18°C) and very uncrowded.
Do you absolutely need to book the return train in advance?
Not strictly — there are around 30 trains a day and seats are rarely all sold out. But the cheapest tickets (OUIGO, AVLO) go fast, and in high season demand rises. Booking your return at the planning stage guarantees your fare and peace of mind.
Can you travel to Córdoba by AVE without a prior booking?
Yes, but expect to pay more. Same-day tickets with Renfe can reach €60–72 one way. OUIGO generally doesn't sell last-minute tickets at the same prices. If you are being spontaneous, still check prices a few days ahead on Trainline or Omio.
What if I want to extend my stay and sleep in Córdoba?
Two or three days let you add Medina Azahara (the former caliphate capital, 8 km out), the museums, and a flamenco night. See our Córdoba hotel guide — properties in the historic centre offer very different experiences depending on your budget. It is also easy to combine Córdoba with Seville (40 min by train) for an Andalusian circuit over a few days.
Ready to plan your day trip?
Book your AVE ticket and your Mezquita entry in advance — that is all the planning you need. The rest discovers itself as you wander the alleyways.
Other day trips from or to Córdoba
Official sources
This guide draws on official and recognised sources to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
- Renfe - AVE Madrid–Córdoba tickets
Official booking for AVE and AVLO trains, with real-time timetables
- OUIGO España
Low-cost Madrid–Córdoba tickets, sometimes from €7
- iryo - High-speed train
Private operator on the Madrid–Córdoba route, Frecciarossa trains
- Córdoba Tourism Office
Official information on monuments, opening hours and events
- Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba
Online ticket booking and official opening hours