Visit planning
Palacio de Viana: tickets, hours, and the 12 courtyards explained
The Mezquita charges €15 and queues form before it opens. Viana, 15 minutes north on foot, charges €8.50 and rarely crowds. Twelve Andalusian courtyards spanning five centuries, each with its own planting scheme. In April, the jasmine smell hits you before you're through the gate.
Reserve Courtyard Entry
4.5 ★ · 962 verified reviews
Written by
María Fernanda González Ten years covering Córdoba's UNESCO heritage sites, sourcing from Junta de Andalucía documentation.
Published
The Palacio de Viana is a 15th-century Renaissance palace on Plaza de Don Gome, roughly 800 metres north of the Mezquita. It is known locally as the "Museum of 12 Patios" for the sequence of Andalusian courtyards that run through and around the building, each one planted differently, from a different period of the palace's expansion across five centuries. The Córdoba Festival of Patios, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012, uses Viana as one of its principal venues.
In April and May the patios are at full bloom: jasmine climbs the walls, orange trees frame the doorways, and geraniums fill the terracotta pots stacked in every corner. The smell from the flower beds carries into the street before you pay for your ticket.
This guide covers current ticket prices, the difference between self-guided and guided entry, seasonal opening hours, and practical information for planning your visit. Prices and hours are sourced from the official website at palacioviana.com.
At a glance
- Entry fee
- €8.50 courtyards · €9 guided tour · €14 combined
- Hours (winter, Sept 1–June 30)
- Tue–Sat 10:00–19:00 · Sun 10:00–15:00 · Mon closed
- Hours (summer, July 1–Aug 31)
- Tue–Sun 09:00–15:00 · Mon closed
- Visit duration
- 45 min–1.5 hours depending on option
- Address
- Plaza de Don Gome, 2, 14003 Córdoba
- Bookings & info
- +34 957 496 741palacioviana.com
In this guide
Ticket prices & options
Viana offers three entry options. Self-guided courtyard entry covers all 12 patios and the ground floor at your own pace. The guided interior tour adds the upper palace rooms. The combined ticket covers both. There is no online booking system for self-guided entry; you buy at the door.
| Ticket type | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Self-guided entry | €8.50 | All 12 courtyards + ground floor |
| Guided interior tour | €9.00 | Palace rooms: tapestries, porcelain, arms (40 min) |
| Combined ticket Best value | €14.00 | Courtyards + guided tour of palace rooms |
| Children under 10 | Free | No ticket needed |
| Seniors with Andalucía Gold Card | Free | Show card at entrance |
| People with disabilities (≥33%) | Free | Disability certificate required |
Guided interior tour: booking
Call +34 957 496 741 or check palacioviana.com for guided tour schedules. Sessions run at fixed times and can fill on spring weekends; call ahead if you want to guarantee a slot.
Self-guided courtyard entry does not require booking. Walk-up purchase at the door.
The self-guided ticket is good value relative to other Córdoba monuments. The Mezquita-Catedral charges €15 and the Alcázar charges €5 for a smaller footprint. At €8.50 for 12 distinct courtyards plus ground floor collections, Viana competes well for time and cost.
For the guided interior tour, call ahead: sessions are fixed-schedule and spring weekends book out.
Opening hours
Viana runs two seasonal schedules. Winter hours (September 1 to June 30) give you afternoon time on weekdays; Sunday hours are shorter year-round. Summer hours (July and August) shift to a morning-only timetable. Both schedules close on Mondays.
| Season | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Sept 1 – June 30 | Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 – 19:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 15:00 | |
| Monday | Closed (year-round) | |
| Summer July 1 – Aug 31 | Tuesday – Sunday | 09:00 – 15:00 |
| Monday | Closed (year-round) |
Viana closes on some local public holidays. Check palacioviana.com before visiting if your dates fall around Semana Santa, Corpus Christi, or local Córdoba festivals.
Planning visits to multiple sites on the same day? The Córdoba opening hours guide covers all major monuments in one place, including which close on Mondays.
The 12 courtyards
The palace grew through a series of acquisitions and expansions from the 15th to 20th centuries. Each expansion added courtyards, and each owner brought different planting preferences. The result is 12 patios that read as a compressed history of Andalusian garden design rather than a single coherent scheme.
One of the 12 courtyards: the formal patios near the main entrance contrast with the wilder plantings deeper in the complex.
“In April, the jasmine smell hits you before you're through the gate.”
What to expect in each courtyard
The patios near the main entrance tend toward formal Renaissance symmetry: box hedges, central fountains, and orange trees in geometric rows. Move deeper into the complex and the planting becomes denser. Climbing roses, jasmine, wisteria, and bougainvillea fill the walls; terracotta pots are stacked two and three high on every ledge. The Patio de las Rejas (Courtyard of the Grilles) and the Patio de la Cancela are generally considered the most photogenic, though this depends entirely on the season.
April and May: peak bloom
The best time to visit is late April through May. Jasmine and roses are both in flower, the geraniums are at full density, and the temperature is 18 to 22 degrees rather than the 35-plus of July. The Córdoba Patio Festival runs in early May and Viana is one of the featured venues. Hours may extend slightly during the festival period, but crowds also increase. Come at opening time on a weekday to avoid both problems.
The palace rooms (guided tour only)
The interior tour covers the upper-floor reception rooms, which house the Viana family collections: 18th-century Flemish tapestries, Chinese and Japanese porcelain, an arms and armour collection spanning several centuries, and period furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. The tour takes 40 minutes and requires a guide. You cannot access the upper rooms independently. If Andalusian decorative arts interest you, it is worth the €14 combined ticket. If you are here mainly for the patios, the €8.50 self-guided entry is sufficient.
Tips for visiting
Viana is far less crowded than the Mezquita or the Alcázar, but it does get busy on spring weekends when the patio bloom is at its best. These are the practical points worth knowing.
1
Go at opening time on a weekday
The palace opens at 10:00 (09:00 in summer). Groups arrive from mid-morning onwards. The first 45 minutes after opening on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday are typically quiet enough to photograph the main courtyards without other visitors in the frame.
2
Start at the far end, not the main entrance patios
Most visitors follow the main route from the entrance forward. Walk past the first two courtyards and begin at the back of the complex, working toward the entrance. The rear patios are quieter and often the most densely planted.
3
April–May: arrive early or accept the crowds
During the Festival of Patios (early May) and the weeks either side of it, Viana draws larger numbers. The patios are worth it, but set realistic expectations for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Weekday mornings remain relatively clear even in peak bloom.
4
Bring water in summer
July and August in Córdoba regularly exceed 40 degrees. The patios are largely open to the sky. Summer hours end at 15:00, but the morning heat is still significant. Carry water; there is no cafe inside the complex.
5
Book the guided tour by phone
If you want the interior palace rooms, call +34 957 496 741 before your visit to confirm the day's guided tour times. Sessions are fixed-schedule and the combined ticket (€14) is not always automatically available without a booked session.
Getting there & practical info
Address
Plaza de Don Gome, 2, 14003 Córdoba
Phone
Getting there on foot
15 minutes on foot from the Mezquita-Catedral, walking north through the historic centre. Plaza de Don Gome is a small square; the palace entrance is clearly signed on the north side.
Parking
Limited street parking near Plaza de Don Gome. The surrounding streets are partially pedestrianised. The closest car parks are on Ronda de Isasa or near the Alcázar gardens.
Accessibility
The ground-floor courtyards are accessible by wheelchair, though the surfaces are traditional stone and tile rather than smooth paths. The upper palace rooms accessed via the guided tour involve stairs and are not wheelchair accessible. Call ahead to discuss specific needs.
Photography
Allowed throughout the courtyards and ground floor. Interior photography on the guided tour follows the guide's instructions; some rooms restrict flash. Tripods are generally not permitted without prior authorisation.
Combine with
The Palacio de Viana monument page covers the palace's full history and collections. Nearby: the Mosque-Cathedral is 15 minutes south on foot, and Plaza de la Corredera is 10 minutes east.
Planning multiple monument visits
For combined ticket options and pass comparisons across Córdoba's monuments, see the Córdoba passes & tickets guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Palacio de Viana cost to enter?
Self-guided entry to the 12 courtyards and ground floor costs €8.50. A 40-minute guided interior tour of the palace rooms costs €9. The combined ticket (courtyards plus guided tour) is €14. Children under 10, people with a disability certificate of 33% or above, and seniors holding the Andalucía Gold Card enter free.
Do I need to book Palacio de Viana tickets in advance?
No advance booking is required for self-guided courtyard entry. Buy your ticket at the door on Plaza de Don Gome. For the guided interior tour, it is worth calling ahead (+34 957 496 741) to check available times, as guided sessions run on a fixed schedule and can fill on busy weekends in spring.
What is the difference between self-guided entry and the guided tour?
Self-guided entry (€8.50) covers all 12 courtyards and the ground floor. You move at your own pace through the gardens, patios, and outdoor collections. The guided interior tour (€9 separately, or €14 combined) takes you through the palace rooms: historical tapestries, 18th-century porcelain collections, arms and armour, and period furniture across the upper floors. The combined ticket makes sense if you want the full picture; for patio-focused visitors, self-guided is enough.
When is the Palacio de Viana open?
Winter hours (September 1 to June 30): Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 19:00, Sunday 10:00 to 15:00. Summer hours (July 1 to August 31): Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 15:00. The palace is closed every Monday, year-round. Check before visiting on public holidays.
Is the Palacio de Viana worth visiting?
Yes. At €8.50, it is the best-value patio experience in Córdoba. The Mezquita-Catedral charges €15 and fills with tour groups from 10am onwards; Viana, a 15-minute walk north, draws a fraction of that traffic. The 12 courtyards each have a distinct character: some lean toward formal Renaissance symmetry, others are densely planted with citrus, jasmine, and climbing roses. In April and May the scent from the flower beds carries through the entire complex. The monument page covers the palace's full history and architecture if you want more context before your visit.
When is the best time to visit the Palacio de Viana?
April and May are the peak bloom months: jasmine, roses, wisteria, and geraniums are at their fullest. The Festival of Patios takes place in early May and Viana is among the key venues. Early morning on a weekday (when the palace opens at 10:00) is quieter than weekend afternoons. Summer mornings before noon are fine; avoid the mid-afternoon in July and August when the palace closes at 15:00 anyway.
Ready to visit the Palacio de Viana?
No advance booking needed for self-guided entry. The GetYourGuide ticket confirms your slot and covers the €8.50 courtyard fee. For the guided interior tour, call the palace directly.
Official ticket price. No hidden booking fees through GetYourGuide.
Further reading
Sources & official information
- Palacio de Viana: Official website (opens in a new tab)
Official ticket prices, guided tour schedules, and seasonal opening hours
- Turismo de Córdoba: Palacio de Viana (opens in a new tab)
Official visitor information from the Córdoba tourism authority
Reserve Courtyard Entry
Tours are selected for quality, not commission. We earn a small fee if you book — at no extra cost to you.
Book the €8.50 courtyard ticket through GetYourGuide. No queue at the door, instant confirmation.
