What to do in Cordoba in Spain

Travel guide of what to do in Córdoba, Spain, in 1 or 2 days, with tips on accommodation, how to get there and its main tourist attractions such as the Mosque-Cathedral and the Roman Bridge.

Our trip to the city of Córdoba in the Andalusia region of Spain was a delight. Our main objective was to see the famous Mosque-Cathedral, but there are plenty of places to see in Cordoba. And the other spots in the city are so enchanting, that the two days we stayed there really marked our trip through Spain.

We have two more posts about travel to Spain, be sure to read:

Table of Contents

Brief history of the city of Cordoba in Spain

Córdoba, also known as Córdova, gained importance when it was conquered by the Romans in 206 BC, including one of its main tourist attractions, the Roman Bridge, from this period.

Another important fact for its construction was the period in which it was dominated by Muslims, when the Mosque and several palaces, buildings and a library that was once considered the largest in the world were built.

With the conquest of the city by Spanish Christians in the 13th century, the city received several architectural modifications, including the most famous, the Mosque-Cathedral.

As you can see, the city of Córdoba is very rich in history, religion and culture. And its historic center, with its narrow white streets with colorful details, and the Mosque-Cathedral have the status of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Where to stay in Cordoba

It is not very difficult to find a place to stay in Córdoba, Spain, the city has several options very well located.

We chose Hotel La Boutique Puerta Osario like our stay in Córdoba. The hotel is located in the historic area, but its charm is really in the rooms. I loved the decoration, even with 3 beds and even with the addition of suitcases and toys scattered around. Other details, the breakfast is hearty and there is parking at the hotel.

We stayed close to Puerta Osario, one of the oldest gates of the Roman Wall of Córdoba and a 15-minute walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.

Other hotel and hostel accommodation options can be found on Booking.com:

Booking.com Booking.com

How to get to Cordoba

The city of Córdoba is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain. As we were traveling by car, we included your visit on the way from Madrid to Seville.

Córdoba is located at a distance of approximately 400 km from Madrid (~ 4h15min ) or at a distance of 141 km (~ 1h40min) from Seville. The roads are well built and very well signposted, in addition to having several beautiful landscapes and views along the way.

However, if you don’t have a car, there are several options for day trip excursions and transfers to the city of Córdoba, for example:

Map with the sights we visited in Córdoba

We made a map with all the sights we visited, as well as a suggestion of places to eat. This way it is easier for you to choose the location of your accommodation, whether hostel or hotel.

Find the best deals on guided tours and promotions for tickets to tourist attractions in Córdoba, Spain.

Córdoba is the type of city where the interesting thing is found in the alleys intersected by the white houses and the beautiful hidden courtyards. In the two nights we stayed in the city, we managed to do everything we wanted and even went to the Palácio de Viana, which was initially not in the plans.

What to do in Cordoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip

As I already mentioned, the Mosque-Cathedral was the icing on the cake and that’s where we started our tour. We bought the entrance ticket right there in one of the vending machines, as there was no queue. The normal cashier, with an attendant, was with a lot of people.

The Mosque-Cathedral is really impressive and beautiful. What enchants most is the fusion between Christian and Islamic culture. In addition to the arches painted in red and white, which for me were the highlight of the visit, the play of light and shadow formed by the stained glass windows throughout the building is fantastic. We went in the morning and got a beautiful light, it was worth waking up early.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Cathedral-Mosque

We also visited the magnificent Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, with its wonderful gardens, which almost made us believe it was summer in the middle of December in the European winter. We bought tickets on the spot, there was a small queue of about 10 minutes. We reserved 2 hours of the day to explore the place and that was enough.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

On the way out, take the opportunity to jump over the Roman Bridge to marvel at the view with the city in the background. So beautiful. And on the way back, already preparing the genoveva for the next jamon sandwich, visit the Roman Temple, better, its ruins with what’s left of it.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Jamon and Roman Bridge

Then we walked to the Juderia region where we went to the Synagogue of Cordoba. The tip now is to walk aimlessly through its alleys, admiring the white walls adorned with their colorful flower pots until you reach Calleja de las Flores, the place that sums up all this beauty.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Calleja de las Flores

At the end of the day, we return to the Mosque-Cathedral area, visit its garden with orange trees typical of the region and visit the tower. More in a stroke of luck at the last hour at the end of the day. It was beautiful to see the sunset over Córdoba from there.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Sunset at the tower of the Mosque-Cathedral

On the second day, we woke up, had breakfast and went to visit the courtyard of the Palacio de la Merced and the Patio Viana, which is an open museum with several courtyards, which represent the soul of Córdoba. They are so famous that at Christmas there are tours to visit the city’s courtyards and see the Christmas decorations. And even outside the Christmas season, it’s worth a look.

What to do in Córdoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Patio Viana

We still went to Plaza de la Corredera, which has an architecture that we have seen in other Spanish cities, a practically perfect rectangle and tall buildings of the same height around it.

What to do in Cordoba, Spain in 1 or 2 days trip - Plaza de la Corredera

Oh! Before I forget, be sure to try the restaurant Bocadillo de Jamon do Viandas. It’s touristy, I know, but the jamon and bread used for the sandwich were super mega fresh and very reasonably priced.

Extra: Suggested 1-day itinerary in Cordoba in Spain

As I mentioned, we stayed two nights in the city. We chose this option mainly because we went in winter, where the day is much shorter. The sun rises at 9am and by 6pm it’s already pretty dark.

Also, we were traveling with Olivia, so the pace is much slower.

Anyway, if you only have one day to get to know the city, it is quite possible to make a very complete itinerary. And if you go during the summer, there will be much more sunlight, so you can enjoy the tour a lot.

Our suggestion is the following order:

Alcazar of the Christian Kings
Roman Bridge
Roman Temple
Bairro Juderia
- Synagogue
- Calleja de las Flores
Mosque-Cathedral
Climb the tower of the Mosque-Cathedral to watch the sunset

The Palacio de Viana is open from 10 am to 7 pm, if you manage to include it in the itinerary, its courtyards are really beautiful, but I believe that the points we visited on the 1st day already summarize a trip very well around town.

We had already seen pictures and read about the city of Córdoba, but it was still a pleasant surprise. An excellent stop before continuing the journey from Madrid to Seville.

Where to travel next?

General international travel tips

For general travel tips, be sure to check out:

Brief history of the city of Cordoba in Spain

Where to stay in Cordoba

How to get to Cordoba

Map with the sights we visited in Córdoba