Córdoba on a Budget: Free Sights & Money-Saving Tips
Free visits, €3 tapas, great hostels. Here's how to make the most of Córdoba without breaking the bank.
Estimated daily budget
Free visits
Mezquita-Cathedral
Free entry from 8:30 to 9:30am Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays). Arrive early to beat the queue. The Patio de los Naranjos is always free.
Standard price: €13 adult, €7 (10–14 years), free under 10s
Synagogue of Córdoba
One of only three medieval synagogues preserved in Spain. Free for EU residents, a symbolic €0.30 for others.
Learn more →Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs
Free on Thursdays from 12 to 2:30pm (excluding public holidays). Enjoy the gardens and Roman mosaic halls at no cost.
Learn more →Roman Bridge
Iconic monument accessible 24/7. Spectacular views of the Mezquita at sunset. Perfect for photos.
Learn more →Also free
Judería, San Basilio, Santa Marina – free to wander
Free entry; equestrian shows charged separately
May – 50+ patios open free of charge
Tip-based guided tours (Córdoba Tips Tours)
The Mezquita offers a free visit slot from 8:30 to 9:30am on weekdays
Where to eat cheaply
The menú del día: your best friend
On weekdays, most restaurants offer a full set lunch (starter + main + dessert + drink) for €8–12. At weekends, expect to pay €12–15.
Tip: Lunch is always cheaper than dinner in Spain.
Bar Santos
Legendary tapas
Famous for its giant tortilla. Tapas from €2.90. Authentic local atmosphere.
Budget: €5–10/person
Taberna Góngora
Traditional cuisine
Salmorejo, aubergines with honey, rabo de toro. Generous portions at gentle prices.
Budget: €7.50–15/person
Mercado Victoria
Food market
Multiple stalls with varied cuisines. Perfect for sampling everything without overspending.
Budget: €8–15/person
Pastelería Francesa
Artisan patisserie
Tarte Tropézienne, cheesecake, homemade cookies. An ideal sweet break near the Mezquita.
Budget: €2–8/person
La Cuchara de San Lorenzo
Michelin Bib Gourmand
Stewed dishes in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood. Michelin quality at a reasonable price.
Budget: €20–35/person
Taberna El Número 10
Michelin selection
Cordovan tapas and Montilla-Moriles wine tastings in the Judería.
Budget: €20–40/person
The tapas culture
- • A tapa costs €2.50–5 – enough for a snack
- • Order 2–3 tapas per person for a full meal
- • Half-portions (media raciones) are ideal for sharing
- • The set lunch (menú del día) at €11–15 is the best value for money
Taberna Salinas serves authentic Cordovan cuisine at modest prices
Where to sleep cheaply
Hostels
€14–25/night
Dormitories in the historic centre. Cats Hostel and Libere Córdoba are the most popular.
- ✓ Free Wi-Fi
- ✓ Shared kitchen
- ✓ Friendly atmosphere
Guesthouses
€25–45/night
Private rooms in traditional Andalusian houses with patios. Hotel Marisa and Hotel Viento10 (sauna/jacuzzi included) offer excellent value.
- ✓ Private room
- ✓ Breakfast sometimes included
- ✓ Authentic charm
2-star hotels
€35–55/night
Hotel comfort at guesthouse prices. Hostal Alcazar, Hotel Mezquita (€47–72, opposite the Mezquita) and La Llave de la Judería (€62–150) are highly rated.
- ✓ En-suite bathroom
- ✓ Air conditioning
- ✓ Excellent location
Best budget neighbourhood: San Basilio has 20+ affordable options close to the Alcázar and the patios. Prices there are 20–30% lower than around the Mezquita.
Best value for money: Casa de los Azulejos (€72–110) includes a pool, free parking and homemade breakfast. Rated 9.5/10 on Booking.com.
Tips for saving money
Season and timing
- • January, July, August: lowest hotel rates
- • Book 2–3 weeks ahead for the best prices
- • Avoid Holy Week and the Festival of Patios (May) on a tight budget
- • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper than weekends
Passes and discounts
- • Best of Andalusia Card (€66): Mezquita + Alcázar Seville + Alhambra
- • International student card: discounts at most museums
- • EU residents: free entry at several sites
- • Seniors 65+: frequent reduced rates
Full price details: Córdoba passes and tickets guide →
Self-catering and picnics
- • Mercadona and Carrefour supermarkets for breakfast supplies
- • Picnic in the Alcázar gardens or along the Guadalquivir
- • Fruit and cheese from the covered market
- • Bocadillos (sandwiches): €3–5 at bars
Getting around
- • The entire historic centre can be explored on foot
- • City bus: €1.30 per journey
- • No need for taxis or a hire car
- • From the station: 20 min walk to the Mezquita
A sample €50 day
Breakfast at the hostel
Included, or self-catered with supermarket supplies (€2)
Mezquita (free entry)
Make the most of the free morning slot. Patio de los Naranjos included. (€0)
Stroll through the Judería
Synagogue (free for EU citizens), Calleja de las Flores. (€0)
Menú del día
Full set lunch with drink at a local restaurant. (€10)
San Basilio neighbourhood and patios
Walk through the patio district; Alcázar free if it's Thursday. (€0)
Roman Bridge at sunset
Free and spectacular view of the Mezquita. (€0)
Tapas in the centre
3–4 varied tapas with a drink. (€12)
With a €20 hostel bed, the total daily budget comes to €44.
Ready to explore Córdoba without breaking the bank?
The itineraries and free-visit guides below keep costs in check.
Official sources
This guide draws on official and recognised sources to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
- Córdoba Tourism Office
Ticket prices for monuments and attractions
- Spain.info – Official Spanish Tourism Portal
Budget and average costs for travelling in Spain
- Booking.com – Córdoba hotel prices
Up-to-date accommodation rates for Córdoba
- INE – Instituto Nacional de Estadística
Official statistics on tourism and prices in Spain