Planning a 3-day Cordoba itinerary, but not quite sure what to do? Then you are in the right place! I have spent plenty of time in the UNESCO city and created this ultimate itinerary so you can explore the best attractions in and around the city.
Because Cordoba is so much more than the Mosque-Cathedral and the beautiful patios. The city has a deep heritage in the three main religions that have lived there throughout the centuries: the Moorish, the Jews, and the Christians.
It is home to 4 UNESCO sites. You find attractions like the only standing synagogue in Andalucia, a fantastic Alcazar, a lost city of the Caliphate of Cordoba, and a Game of Thrones castle.
It is not surprising that you can spend several days in Cordoba without getting bored. Read on to find out the best things to do in 3 days in Cordoba, Spain.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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3-Day Cordoba Itinerary Day One
Mosque-Cathedral
The UNESCO-listed Mosque-Cathedral is a unique site as it’s basically a church inside a mosque, and one of the main reasons to visit Cordoba. After the reconquest, the Christians destroyed the mosques and built cathedrals instead on the same spot.
For some reason, they didn’t destroy the grand mosque of Cordoba. Instead, they integrated the cathedral inside the impressive mosque.
The red and white columns from the old mosque are set throughout the building, and then there is one section that houses the old mosque and one for the Christian altar and choir.
It’s said that both religions prayed in this mosque at the same time, which is quite unique.
It is so beautiful, and I highly recommend going on this guided tour as you will learn so much about the dramatic history of this site.
It is also worth making time for climbing the clock tower for sweeping views of the city and the Mosque-cathedral’s orange garden below.
Read my complete guide to getting tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral before you go.
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
Next, visit the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. It’s located just a few minutes walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.
The Alcazar dates back to the 8th century and was originally the residence of the Caliphate of Cordoba. You can walk through the medieval halls and along the castle walls.
However, my favorite part of the visit is the vast, beautiful garden. The perfectly groomed courtyard is decorated with several fountains, statues, plants, and lined with alleys, making it the perfect place to walk around.
You get a really good panoramic view of the gardens from the towers and walls. It really gives you an idea of the grandeur of this place!
You can get separate Cordoba Alcazar tickets across the road from the entrance or get a joint guided tour in advance, which includes the Mosque-Cathedral and the Jewish quarter.
Jewish Quarter and Synagogue
The Jewish Quarter is next to the old town and is full of charming white houses, narrow streets, and interesting sites where you can learn more about the Jewish history in Cordoba. Make sure you visit the Sefarad Museum, where there is plenty of interesting information about Jewish history and music.
Nearby, you also find the house museum Casa Andalusí and the Zoco Municipal de Artesanía, where you can purchase artesans directly from artists to this day.
But most importantly, you can visit Andalucia’s only remaining mosque and one of the best preserved in Spain. It is free to enter and is located right in front of the Sefarad Museum.
Stroll around the historic center
Spend the rest of the day walking around the quaint historic center. It is full of old charm with Arabic tea houses and Spanish restaurants. Make sure you head to Calleja de las Flores, a picturesque, narrow street with colorful pot plants
When you reach the small square at the end, turn around and you get the most photographed view in the old town with the Mosque-cathedral’s clock tower at the end.
Cordoba Day Two
Take a patio tour
Cordoba is famous for its colorful patios, and one of the absolute best things to do is to visit these splendid courtyards.
A patio tour will usually cover 5-6 patios in the San Basilio neighborhood where private people open their doors to beautifully groomed courtyards. I highly recommend this tour!
If you happen to visit in the first two weeks of May, you can see a lot more courtyards throughout the city and all for free!
Visit Baños del Alcázar Califal
The old Arabic hammam, Baños del Alcázar Califal, is located not far from the San Basilio neighborhood and near the Alcazar.
It dates back to the 10th century, built during the reign of Caliph Al-Hakam II. The archaeological remains were accidentally found in early 1900s and I found them in quite good shape.
Besides the hot, warm, and cold baths with starshaped skylights in the ceilings, you can learn about the ancient piping system and interestingly how they had under floor heating (I honestly thought that was a Scandinavian thing – or at least a cold-country thing).
Cross the Roman Bridge
Next, head to the 1st-century Roman Bridge. It is an iconic site in Cordoba and usually boasts life. Street sellers and buskers find spots along the bridge while locals and tourists alike walk back and forth. There are great photo opportunities from the bridge.
Climb the Torre de la Calahorra
On the other side of the Roman Bridge, you reach 12th-century defensive fortress, Torre de la Calahorra. It was built on the outside of the city walls to protect the city from intruders.
Today, it’s home to a museum about Cordoba’s history, but my favorite part is that you can climb the tower for epic views of the Roman Bridge and the old town on the other side.
Make sure you walk around the tower too, I really enjoy the view from the back of the tower overlooking the Roman Bridge as you can see the side of the bridge with the city views as a backdrop.
Visit Almodovar del Rio Castle
Almodovar del Rio Castle is mostly known for being a filming location for Game of Thrones. It is located in Almodovar del Rio, just half an hour from Cordoba. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry. There are buses
It is in a really good state, and you can truly imagine what it must have been like to live there. You can walk up the towers and along the castle walls, and there are different exhibitions throughout the castle grounds, most of them dedicated to Game of Thrones.
Cordoba Day 3
Visit the Viana Palace
Start your day by visiting the Viana Palace. It dates back to the 14th century when it was a manor house.
In my opinion, the best part of the palace are the gardens. If you can’t get hold of tickets to the palace itself, there are usually available tickets for the patios.
The palace is home to 12 patios and gardens, which are all unique and so pretty. Plenty of colorful flowers, groomed plants and trees, fountains, and statues decorate the different patios.
Generally, the Viana Palace tickets sell out quickly, so I hihgly recommend booking as early as possible to plan your itinerary.
Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara is an archaeological site about 8 kilometers outside the city and was the seat of the Caliphate in the 10th century.
The visit includes the museum, which is a 15-minute drive from Cordoba, and a shuttle bus from there to the archaeological site which takes another 10 minutes.
It’s not possible to park at the archaeological site, so you must leave the car at the museum and get the shuttle bus.
I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the archaeological site to get the most of it! This is a great tour where you’ll meet the guide at the archaeological site.
If you don’t have a car, the best way to visit is by this guided tour from Cordoba, which includes transport from the city.
Shopping, sightseeing, people watching…
Spend the rest of your last day of this Cordoba 3-day itinerary doing what you feel like, whether it’s shopping or seeing some more sights, like the Plaza de la Corredera or the Roman Temple.
Or maybe you just want to go for a drink, good food, and soak in the fantastic energy of Cordoba. Either way, I think it’s important to make space for a bit of “you-time” in any travel itinerary!
Best time to visit Cordoba
Cordoba is one of the hottest cities in Spain during summer, and temperatures can easily reach 50ºC. The heat in the city is really humid and even for me who enjoys the heat, I strictly stay away from both seville and Cordiba in the summer as I loose all energy in the excessive heat they get there.
Many attractions and shops close down during July and August, including patios, due to the heat, so I don’t recommend traveling to Cordoba in summer.
The rest of the year, however, Cordoba is a fantastic destination. Winters get colder than the coastal destinations in Andalucia, so make sure you bring warm clothes.
But the best time to visit Cordoba is without a doubt the first two weeks in May when they celebrate the Patio Festival. This is a colorful and fun time in Cordoba, where all patios that join the festival are open and free to the public.
Getting around Cordoba
Cordoba is a walkable city, and you don’t need any public transport to reach any of the attractions. There are tours taking you to Medina Azahara, and you can take the local bus to Almodovar del Rio to see the Game of Thrones Castle if you don’t have a rental car.
You can either find a hotel with parking, park in a paid parking garage, or leave your car for free at any of the parking areas around the river bend towards the Feria Ground (around 15-20 minutes walk to the old town).
Where to stay
When considering where to stay in Cordoba, there are a few different neighborhoods that are great. The Jewish quarter is fantastic if you don’t have a car.
It is in the middle of the historical center, and all the attractions. Besides, the atmosphere is really cozy, especially at night.
If you prefer to stay near the colorful patios of San Basilio, or maybe even rent a room in one of the colorful houses that display their patios, Alcazar Viejo is a great area for you.
Maybe you prefer staying close to shopping and nightlife, then look for accommodation in the downtown area.
Here are my top picks:
LUXURY: Hospes Palacio del Bailio – this exquisite 5-star boutique hotel is set in a 16th-century palace in the heart of Cordoba with an outdoor pool for hot days. The rooms are beautifully decorated to make you feel like you’re staying in an Arabic palace.
MID-RANGE: Eurostars Azahar – decorated in Art Deco Style, this is a great hotel located in the old town, yet with quiet rooms. The hotel also has a fitness room.
BUDGET: Hostal Maestre – a lovely hotel with a traditional courtyard. The hotel offers private parking.
Summing up 3 Days in Cordoba Spain
Summing up, you’ll get to experience a lot in 3 days in Cordoba. This itinerary is made with room for swapping around on activities if necessary.
Opening hours can differ depending on what time of the year you travel, so you might have to change around, but also if you book entry tickets and tours late, they might be sold out on your planned visit times, so I always recommend booking as early as possible to avoid any disappointments.
Altogether, Cordoba is one of my favorite cities in Andalucia (do I say that a lot about many different destinations?), and it has so much to explore! I can’t phantom how most travelers just spend one day in Cordoba!
Happy travels!