How to Spend 1 to 2 Days in Córdoba Spain: A Detailed Itinerary

Córdoba is yet another city in Andalusia that blew away our expectations. We knew that visiting the amazing Mosque-Cathedral would be a highlight of our time in Spain, but simply wandering through the city center and enjoying the views from a rooftop bar were also unforgettable.

We spent two and a half days in Córdoba, touring its top attractions plus many unique and less touristy places. With one day in Córdoba, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. But with two days in Córdoba, you can go deeper, adding in things like visits to teahouses and lesser known but still amazing sights.

In this guide, we’ll help you plan the perfect trip to Córdoba, complete with detailed itineraries and helpful travel tips.

How Many Days Do You Need in Córdoba?

With one day in Córdoba, it is possible to visit the top attractions, which include the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Jewish Quarter, and the Roman Bridge. If you are here in the spring or early fall, be sure to also visit the patios, one of Córdoba’s most iconic sights.

Two days in Córdoba is ideal, since this additional day gives you more time to wander the city streets, day trip to Medina Azahara or the Castle of Almodóvar del Río, and visit a few hidden gems in town.

One Day in Córdoba Itinerary

With one day in Córdoba, we recommend concentrating your visit to the city center, where you will find most of the city’s top attractions. For those with more time (scroll farther to see the 2-day Cordoba itinerary), you can add on the Medina Azahara, which sits outside of the city center, plus a few off the beaten path locations.

9:00 am: Historic City Center

Get acquainted with Córdoba by strolling through its historic city center. With its white-washed buildings, colorful trim work, flowerpots, and winding cobblestoned streets, it is a charming place to explore. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are a few places we recommend seeing:

The Roman Temple is one of the oldest buildings in Córdoba, dating back to the 1st century.

The Jewish Quarter is a delight to visit, with its narrow, cobblestoned streets and walls decorated with flowerpots. The Jewish Quarter is located west of the Mosque-Cathedral. Exploring these streets, seeing the Almodovar Gate, and walking along Calle Cairuan, a street that runs along the outside of the city walls, are all nice experiences.

Calle Cairuan

Calleja de los Flores is one of the most unique photo spots in Cordoba. Visit this short, narrow street for a photo of the Mosque-Cathedral’s bell tower.

Calleja de los Flores | Córdoba Itinerary

10:00 am: Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

The Mosque-Cathedral (also called Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its columns and two-tiered archways.

A visit to this building is awe-inspiring, with its array of archways and domes, blend of Muslim and Christian architecture, and tilework.

It dates back to 785, with further additions in the next two centuries, and in 988 it was the largest mosque in the world outside of Abbasid Iraq. Following the Reconquista in 1236, the mosque was converted into a cathedral.

Don’t Miss: Things to see inside of the Mosque-Cathedral include the hippostyle hall (the prayer hall with the two-tiered archways…there are approximately 850 columns!), the mihrab (a beautifully decorated niche on the south end of the prayer hall), the maqsura area (a series of archways and domes near the mihrab), and Capilla Mayor (the nave in the center of the building).

How Long Does it Take? A visit to the Mosque-Cathedral lasts about an hour. On this itinerary, we’ve given you an hour and a half, which is plenty of time to visit the Mosque-Cathedral, spend some time in Patio de los Naranjos (the tree-covered courtyard of the cathedral) and to stroll along the outer walls of the Mosque-Cathedral, where you can see the ancient gates, or doorways into the Mosque-Cathedral.

The mihrab

11:30 am: Climb the Bell Tower of the Mosque-Cathedral

The Bell Tower is part of the Mosque-Cathedral complex. From the top of the bell tower, you get a stunning view of Córdoba.

The bell tower is on a separate ticket from the Mosque-Cathedral (your Mosque-Cathedral ticket does not include the bell tower…a lot of visitors were confused by this when we were here). When you purchase your ticket to the bell tower, you will book a timed entry spot (11:30 works well for this itinerary).

12:00 pm: Lunch

For lunch, we have two recommendations.

Tea Room (Salón de Té): This place is amazing and one of our favorite dining experiences in Córdoba. Dine in a tearoom, complete with Moorish architecture, colorful lanterns, and lots of comfy seating in quiet, cozy nooks. The food is also great, especially for those who want to try an array of teas, Moroccan foods, plus healthy options like avocado toast, Greek yogurt, and hummus. The pastries are wonderful as well. It is located in the Jewish Quarter, just a 5-minute walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.

Salón de Té | Córdoba Itinerary

La Lianta de Quini: This restaurant is located on Calleja del Salmorejo Cordobés, a narrow street that has the official recipe for Córdoba Salmorejo on the wall. At the very end of this street is La Lianta de Quini, a restaurant that serves traditional Córdoban cuisine. In the evenings on some weekdays they have live music, so this is also a place to save for dinner.

La Lianta de Quini

1:30 pm: Patios of Córdoba

Córdoba is famous for its patios, small courtyards decorated with potted flowers.

The Courtyards Festival of Córdoba (aka the Patios Festival of Cordoba) is a 2-week festival held at the beginning of May. Participants decorate their patios and visitors can see the patios for free. It is such an important part of the city’s culture that it is listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

If you aren’t in town during this festival, you can still see the patios of Córdoba. Some homes have their patios open outside of the main festival.

Ruta de Patios has five patios to see in the San Basilio neighborhood. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the ticket office (which is located at C/San Basilio 14).

It takes between 1 to 2 hours to visit all of the patios. A visit to each patio is rather quick, taking about 5 minutes, although lines can be long to enter. These are small spaces so only a few people are permitted to enter at a time.

On the official website, you can get pricing, hours of operation, and a route map to see the location of all five patios. I also recommend checking the official website to see if the patios will be open during your visit. The best time to visit the patios is from April through June, when the flowers are in bloom, but patios can be open outside of this time frame.

If the patios are not open during your visit, it is still a very nice experience to walk around the San Basilio neighborhood.

San Basilio | Córdoba Itinerary

3:30 pm: The Alcazar of the Christian Kings

The Alcazar was one of the primary residences of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Christopher Columbus had his first audience here to get support for his expedition to Asia.

It is located in the city center, a short walk from the San Basilio neighborhood. The entrance is on Avenue del Alcazar, on the southeast corner of the building.

The gardens at the Alcazar

The Hall of Mosaics

4:30 pm: Roman Bridge and Calahorra Tower

From the Alcazar, it is a very short walk to the Roman Bridge. You will walk through Plaza del Triunfo, where you can see the Triumph of San Rafael (a monument devoted to the Archangel Raphael), and Puerta del Puente, a Renaissance gate that once was part of the city’s defensive walls.

Stroll across the Roman Bridge, which was originally constructed by the Romans. However, it has been rebuilt several times. Game of Thrones fans may recognize this bridge, as it was a filming location for season 5.

Calahorra Tower sits on the opposite side of the Roman Bridge. Climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view over the Roman Bridge, Guadalquivir River, and Córdoba. Inside of the tower, the Al-Andalus Living Museum covers the history and culture of Córdoba from the 9th to 13th centuries.

Get hours and pricing on the official website.

The view from Calahorra Tower | Córdoba Itinerary

5:30 pm: Rooftop Bar & Big Views of Córdoba

This was one of our favorite experiences in Córdoba. Just a short walk from the Calahorra Tower sits a rooftop bar with an amazing view of Córdoba.

The Rooftop Terrace at Hotel Hesperia Córdoba is open from late afternoon through evening. They serve cocktails, beer, and wine with snacks (chips and nuts). The view from here is spectacular and this is a great way to sit and take a break after a busy day of sightseeing.

A thunderstorm rolled through Córdoba while we were here and watching the show of dark clouds and streaks of lightning was wild.

This photo was taken on the walk from the rooftop bar to the Roman Bridge. What a wicked sky!

7:00 pm: Dinner & Optional Flamenco Show

In the evening, have dinner. You also have the option to watch a flamenco show.

We watched a Flamenco show at Baños Árabes de Santa María. Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, the performance is held inside ancient Arab baths, which adds a very unique element to the overall experience. It is also a small group show, with roughly twenty customers, rather than a performance on a larger stage or less intimate environment. Tickets include dinner, which is typical Andalusia cuisine.

Here is the link to make your reservation in advance. You can also watch a Flamenco show at Tablao Cardenal or Tablao El Jaleo.

If you prefer to skip the flamenco show and just have dinner, we recommend Bodegas Mezquita, a lovely restaurant that serves traditional Andalusian cuisine. We were big fans of the Andalusian chicken tagine. Make a reservation in advance.

2 Days in Córdoba Itinerary

This itinerary builds on the one above. With your additional day in Córdoba, you can add on Medina Azahara plus a few more sites in the city center of Córdoba.

2 Days in Córdoba Itinerary: Day 1

Follow the itinerary above.

2 Days in Córdoba Itinerary: Day 2

Morning: Medina Azahara

Also called Madinat al-Zahra, this small city was built in the 10th century during the Umayyad dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.

There are two parts to a visit: the museum and the archaeological site. The archaeological site is located several kilometers from the museum, and you can only get here by shuttle (you are not allowed to drive and park at the site).

If you have a car, you will drive to the museum and park here. Inside of the museum, purchase a ticket, which also includes the archaeological site. After visiting the museum, walk back out to the parking lot. You will board a shuttle which takes you to the archaeological site (about a 5-minute drive). Tickets for the bus are purchased on the bus.

The archaeological site is the best part of the experience. Stroll along the remains of the city streets, see the archways of Bab al-Sudda (the eastern portico and entrance into the Alcazar), the Upper Basilical Hall, the House of the Water Basin, and Salon Rico. Inside of Salon Rico are archways that look very similar to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

In total, a visit to Medina Azahara takes 2 to 3 hours, which includes time for the bus rides to and from the museum. Get hours and pricing on the official website.

If you do not have a car, don’t want the hassle of driving, or prefer to visit Medina Azahara with a guide, this guided tour includes your transportation to and from Córdoba and gets fantastic reviews.

Afternoon: City Center of Córdoba

In the afternoon, there are a few more notable places to visit.

Palacio de Viana

Palacio de Viana is another great place to see patios in Córdoba. On a visit here, not only will you tour a historic palace, but you will also get to see numerous courtyards and patios, many of which are decorated with flowerpots, archways, and fountains.

The palace is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). Get hours and pricing on the official website.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

On the morning of day 1, you had the option to visit the Jewish Quarter. This afternoon, you can return here, if you skipped it on day 1, or if you simply want more time to explore this very picturesque part of Córdoba.

Visit the Córdoba Synagogue and see the colorful tiles inside of Capilla Mudéjar de San Bartolomé.

Just outside of the Jewish Quarter, see the Almodóvar Gate and go for a stroll along Calle Cairuan, a street that runs along the outside of the walls. This street is lined with small reflecting pools (once the moat that sat outside of the walls) and gardens and is another great place for photography.

Almodovar Gate

Visit a Hammam

One more option is to end your day at a Hammam, a very relaxing way to end your visit in Córdoba and to recharge for the next destination on your trip to Spain.

Evening: Dinner

In the evening, have dinner. More restaurant recommendations include Sibuya Urban Sushi Bar (we ate at their location in Granada and had a great experience) and Restaurante Damasco (a highly rated Halal restaurant in the city center).

Best Time to Visit Córdoba

The best time to visit Córdoba is in the spring (March through May) when the weather is warm and the flowers are in bloom. One of the most festive times to visit Córdoba is during the Festival of the Patios, which takes place the first two weeks of May.

Our visit was at the end of April, a gorgeous time to visit Córdoba. We had warm weather during the day, cool weather at night, and mostly sunny skies. On one of our three afternoons in Córdoba, a series of thunderstorms rolled through town, creating dramatic skies and some of my favorite photos from this part of our trip.

Córdoba is one of the hottest cities in Europe during the summer months. Daytime temperatures can easily hit 37°C/99°F although it can get much warmer than this (on some days, temperatures can soar past 45°C/113°F) so keep this in mind if you are designing a summertime itinerary through Spain.

Córdoba remains relatively mild in winter, and with lower crowds this time of year, Córdoba is a great place to escape the cold in Europe.

How to Get Around Córdoba

With the exception of Medina Azahara, everything we list in this Córdoba itinerary is located within the city center, which is relatively small and easily walkable. However, to visit Medina Azahara, you will need a car, a guided tour that includes your transportation, or you can use a ride share app or taxi to get there.

Where to Stay in Córdoba

La Ermita Suites is a budget hotel with a fantastic location near the Mosque-Cathedral.

Highly rated mid-range hotels in the city center include Eurostars Maimonides (some rooms have a view of the Mosque-Cathedral), La Trinidad Cordoba (a boutique hotel that gets exceptional reviews), Hotel Pasado de Vallina (a gorgeous hotel with an unbeatable location next to the Mosque-Cathedral…click the link to see photos!), and Casa Turística Patio Cordobes (a great option for families or small groups who want an apartment in the city center).

Casa del Cardenal is a 4-star hotel that gets near perfect reviews. The hotel is a historic building that offers several room types.

For the ultimate in luxury, stay at Hospes Palacio del Bailio. This 5-star hotel is located inside of a 16th century palace in the city center of Cordoba. The service is impeccable and onsite is a pool, a spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

If you have any questions about how to plan your Córdoba itinerary or how to spend 1 or 2 days in Córdoba, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Spain

ANDALUSIA: In our guides to Andalusia, Spain, we cover the best things to do in Seville, the best way to spend one day in Seville, and a one day itinerary with a walking tour of Ronda. And if you have plans to visit Granada, don’t miss our article How to Plan a Trip to Granada and our Guide to the Alhambra. We also have an article about the Best Things to Do in Córdoba and How to Visit the Rock of Gibraltar.

MADRID: Visit the must-see sights plus a few hidden gems in our article Best Things to Do in Madrid. We also have a detailed itinerary on How to Spend One Day in Madrid.

TOLEDO: Toledo is the most popular day trip from Madrid. Learn how to plan your visit with our article Best Things to Do in Toledo and How to Plan a Toledo Day Trip from Madrid.

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