Wondering how to spend one day in Cordoba, Spain? Then you’re in the right place.
Cordoba is one of the most unique destinations in southern Spain and hosts 4 UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites.
There is so much history and culture to this incredible city that it remains a mystery to me why it doesn’t receive just as many visitors as Seville, Granada, and Malaga. There are just so many reasons why Cordoba is worth a visit.
In spring, you can also witness the incredible UNESCO-listed Patios festival, where the locals show off their most stunning courtyards decorated with colorful pot plants, fountains, and elegant statues. Yet, most travelers only spend one day in Cordoba.
Luckily, you can see the most important sites in the center of Cordoba in a day if you plan it well. I highly recommend joining one of two tours of Cordoba’s top attractions to get the most out of your day.
After exploring the city thoroughly and spending months there, I’m here to help you with your Cordoba itinerary so that you can get the most out of your day trip.
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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One day in Cordoba itinerary
PRO TIP TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CORDOBA ITINERARY!
Book a guided tour that includes the Mosque-Cathedral, Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos, the Synagogue, and the Jewish Quarter. CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE!
See the Mosque-Catedral
The first thing to do when visiting Cordoba in one day is to get Mosque-Cathedral tickets. As the name suggests, this is a wondrous fusion of an ancient Moorish mosque and the chapels that were built after the Christian reconquest in the 1200s.
The original mosque dates all the way back to the 700s when Emir Abd-ar-Rahman ruled Cordoba and the city was a leading hub for culture and science.
850 columns hold up a wealth of beautifully carved arches, and it is incredible to walk between them. It’s no wonder such a unique site has found a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
It is also well worth climbing the clock tower for sweeping views. Before entering the magnificent Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, you will be met by one of the most beautiful orange gardens you will ever see.
Patio de Los Naranjos greets you with its elegance and, of course, its numerous orange trees, and is not only one of the prettiest but also one of the oldest gardens in Europe.
I highly recommend getting skip-the-line tickets in advance so that you avoid large queues, especially in the high season.
Visit the Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos
The majestic Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Mosque-Cathedral.
This incredible complex was built by the Moors on Roman remains and later reconstructed by order of King Alfonso XI of Castile in the 1300s after the reconquest. Besides being a royal residence, it also served as a prison.
The Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos is one of the most impressive places to see in Cordoba, Spain, in one day, with perfectly groomed gardens, beautiful fountains, and colorful flowers.
There are also majestic halls inside with old Roman mosaics on display. I also love the views from the fortress walls and towers, especially of the gardens.
Make sure you pre-book tickets for the Alcazar, but to get the most out of the visit, I recommend taking this guided tour of the complex.
Opening hours 16th of September to the 15th of June:
Tuesday-Saturday: 08:30-20:00
Sunday + Bank Holidays: 08:30-14:30
Mondays Closed
Opening hours 16th of June to 15th of September:
Tuesday-Saturday: 08:30-15:00
Sunday + Bank Holidays: 08:30-14:30
Mondays Closed
VISITING MORE PLACES IN ANDALUCIA? GET THE ANDALUSIA PASS!
If you’re visiting Granada and Seville too, I highly recommend getting the Andalusia Pass, which includes a guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral, an entry ticket to the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and a ticket to the Alhambra. Besides, it includes an audio-guided tour of Granada and Seville that you can use on your smartphone. PURCHASE THE ANDALUSIA CARD HERE!
Lunch in the old town
The historic center in Cordoba is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and I highly recommend walking around its streets to look for a cute place to have lunch. When you only have one day in Cordoba, it is a great way to combine two things at once.
There are plenty of restaurants and bars with something for everyone. I especially love Restaurante Amaltea for their abundant vegetarian and vegan choices.
After lunch, I suggest taking a tour of the patios of Cordoba. But the tour I recommend has mostly had availability from 18:00, which should give you time to explore the Roman Bridge, the Calahorra Tower, and the Jewish Quarter first.
The latter is close to the San Basilio neighborhood where the patio tours go, so you can always go back there after the patio tour if you run short of time.
The important thing is to enjoy and not to stress!
Cross the Roman Bridge
Next, head to the iconic Roman Bridge to cross the Guadalquivir River. The bridge was first built by the Romans in the 1st century and later rebuilt by the Moors.
The vibrant atmosphere on the bridge is filled with buskers, locals chattering, and tourists snapping pictures.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan like Mohammed, you’ll also notice that the bridge played the role of the Long Bridge of Volantis. I, on the other hand, had no idea!
The bridge offers a lovely view of the Mosque-Cathedral on one side and the Calahorra Tower on the other end, where you’ll be heading next.
Explore the Calahorra Tower
Visiting the Moorish Calahorra Tower is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Cordoba in one day.
Inside, there is a small museum dedicated to Islamic history and its influence on Cordoba city. There are also some models of the Moorish structures in the city that I think are pretty cool.
Finally, my favorite is always to climb to the top for the views, and the Calahorra Tower does not disappoint. It’s also pretty cool to get a bird’s eye perspective on the Roman Bridge.
Opening hours:
November-February: 10:00-18:00
March-May + October: 10:00-19:00
June-September: 10:00-14:00 and 16:30-20:30
Explore the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter in Cordoba’s UNESCO-listed historical center is another neighborhood you should not miss out on when visiting the city for one day. Cordoba does not get much better than this, with narrow streets zig-zagging through whitewashed houses.
Getting lost in the cobbled streets is one of the best things to do in Cordoba. Especially beautiful is the Calleja de Las Flores, a narrow street decorated with pot plants on each side.
This is one of the most photographed streets in Cordoba, so you can expect there to be a lot of people, but I still think it’s worth adding this picturesque street to your itinerary. You’ll see the bell tower when you turn around at the square at the end of the street.
I highly recommend taking this tour of the Jewish Quarter to get the most out of your visit.
Enter Cordoba Synagogue
In the Jewish Quarter, you will find one of Spain’s best-preserved Synagogues and the only one in Andalucia. After the Jews were expelled from the city in 1942, the temple was used as both a hospital and a school.
It was first in the 19th century that the incredibly beautiful structure was recognized as a national monument.
The first time I entered, I honestly didn’t think it was very well preserved, and I was a bit disappointed, comparing it to the Mosque-Cathedral.
Later, I’ve been to other synagogues in Spain, like the one in Lorca (Murcia), and I changed my mind! They are nothing compared to the Mudejar-style synagogue in Cordoba.
Make sure you notice the detailed Hebrew inscriptions on the walls. Visiting the synagogue is a must on your Cordoba one day itinerary.
Opening hours 1st of September to 30th of June:
Tuesday-Saturday 09:00-21:00
Sundays + Public Holidays 09:00-15:00
Mondays Closed
Opening hours 1st of July to 31st of August:
Tuesday-Sunday + Public Holidays 09:00-15:00
Mondays Closed
Zoco Municipal
Historically, every Muslim city had a large souk, also known as a marketplace. Cordoba was no different. In the 10th century, this marketplace in Cordoba turned into a guarded royal market selling different things like perfume, silk, and spices.
Now, it houses different workshops where local artists sell their handicrafts. It’s a great place for shopping in Cordoba, as you find unique handmade items like gold, silver, ceramics, and leather goods.
The courtyard itself is also very pretty, so it’s worth taking a peek inside as it’s located just a few meters from the Synagogue.
Step back in time in Casa Andalusí
Not far from the synagogue, you find a lovely gem that I recommend checking out!
This museum house is going to take your breath away. It is literally like stepping back in time with the elegance of Moorish and Andalusian styles in the furnished rooms. It was built in the 12th century but was restored and reopened in 1997.
The patios are also stunningly beautiful with arches, flowers, and fountains. You should not miss out on this visit during your day trip to Cordoba.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-19:00
Tour of the patios
The patios of Cordoba are some of the prettiest you’ll come across in the whole country. The private courtyards you can visit all year round are all in the San Basilio neighborhood, which is also one of the most beautiful areas to stay in Cordoba.
I highly recommend taking this tour of the beautiful patios of Cordoba. It usually starts at 18:00, which is why I added it at the end of the itinerary, but it’s pretty close to the Jewish Quarter, so I suggest you plan according to the time you book the tour and go back to the Jewish Quarter after the tour if you haven’t seen it all yet.
If you travel in May, you will be able to see a lot more spectacular patios than the rest of the year due to the UNESCO-listed Patio Festival of Cordoba.
However, some patios are open all year round, and a guided tour is the best way to see them when you visit Cordoba in one day.
If you opt out of the patio tour, I’ve added an extra attraction at the end that you might like to do instead. If you’re not sure if it’s worth it, read my patio tour review.
How to get to Cordoba
Cordoba is easily reached by car, train, and bus. The closest airports are Malaga, Granada, and Seville.
Driving times from the biggest cities nearby are:
- Seville – 1.5 hours
- Granada – 2 hours
- Malaga – 1 hour 45 minutes
Check rental cars and availability here.
Parking: There are multiple parking houses in the city center where you can park for a fee or there are a few free parking areas outside the city center.
We usually park the van around the Feria ground, closer to the river bend which is only a 15-20 minute walk to the historic center along the river.
The train connection to Cordoba is also excellent with direct trains from Malaga, Granada, and Seville. The train station is a 15-minute walk from the historic center.
Estimated train travel times from these cities are:
- Seville (Sevilla Santa Justa) – 45 minutes
- Granada – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Malaga (Málaga Maria Zambrano) – 1 hour
Taking the bus is just as easy, and might be cheaper, so it is worth checking out the price differences on your travel dates. The bus terminal in Cordoba is also a 15-20-minute walk from the historic center.
Estimated bus travel times from these cities are:
- Seville (Sevilla Plaza de Armas) – 45 minutes
- Granada (Estacion de Autobuses) – 2 hours 30 minutes
- Malaga (Estacion de Autobuses) – 2 hours 15 minutes
Check availability and prices here.
Best time to visit Cordoba
The best time to visit Cordoba is no doubt during May when the annual patio festival is held. This is when the locals open up their beautiful patios to the public, competing for the prettiest patio in Cordoba.
There are also contests for the best patios in the province which makes it a great time to go on day trips from Cordoba to nearby towns and villages.
The weather is also pleasant from April to May and mid-September to November. The winter in Cordoba can get chilly with temperatures down to 5 degrees Celsius in the daytime, dropping down to zero at night. It’s definitely not among the warmest places in Andalucia in the winter.
However, on a sunny day, it is enjoyable to walk around the city and a great excuse to grab a hot drink in the sun.
The only time of the year I recommend you not visit Cordoba is in July and August. Together with Seville, Cordoba is the hottest city in Spain, and temperatures easily climb up to 45-50 degrees Celsius. With nowhere to cool down, it is brutal!
To be completely honest, I would rather spend the summer in any of these coastal towns in Andalucia than in Cordoba.
Considering spending more time in Cordoba? Read my 3-Day Cordoba Itinerary
Reflections on a day trip to Cordoba
There is no doubt you get a lot done in a day in Cordoba, even though there are enough interesting things to do in Cordoba for days.
The history and soul of this city capture you from the moment you set foot in it. I can still remember the feeling of walking its cobbled streets and reflecting in the orange garden 20 years ago!
Whether you spend 1 day in Cordoba or more, it is a truly spellbinding place and no doubt one of the prettiest and most wondrous cities in southern Spain.
After exploring Cordoba, you might want to check out the amazing day trips from Cordoba that you can do, like Rute, Iznájar, and Priego de Cordoba.
Happy travels!