Córdoba

Travelers come for the Mezquita-Catedral, a former mosque with a cathedral built inside it, and for the Jewish Quarter and courtyards around it.

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Córdoba is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, on the Guadalquivir river at the foot of the Sierra Morena. It was the capital of the Umayyad emirate and caliphate of al-Andalus, and in the 10th century it was one of the largest and most advanced cities in the world. Its best-known monument, the Mezquita-Catedral, was built as a mosque from 784 to 786 and became a cathedral after Ferdinand III took the city in 1236. Around it lie the Jewish Quarter, with narrow, irregular streets, and the courtyard houses of the old town.

The historic center, the Roman Bridge and the courtyards are the main reasons to visit. Summers are very hot: July and August highs average about 37 °C, and days above 40 °C are common, so spring and early autumn suit walking the old town best. High-speed trains link the city with Seville, Málaga and Madrid, which makes a day trip practical, though an overnight stay gives time for the patios. Plan one or two days to see the Mezquita and the old town at an easy pace.

Córdoba in five

Book the Mezquita-Catedral on its official siteBuy tickets on the official portal, not from resellers. Free entry exists only early on weekdays and Saturdays, in silence and with no guide.Mezquita tickets and how to visit
Choose a base inside the old townJudería and the Mezquita area put the main sights at your door, and the streets are quiet after dark. Rooms near the train station are cheaper but a 20 to 25 minute walk away.Where to stay in Córdoba
Plan around the May patiosThe Patios festival in May opens private courtyards and fills hotels, and the city sets the dates each year. Book months ahead, or visit in April or October for the same warm weather with fewer queues.Córdoba in one or two days
Use the fast train from Seville or MadridSeville is about 45 minutes by AVE and Madrid about 1 hour 45 minutes. Arriving from outside the EU? Allow extra time for EES registration at your first Schengen entry.EES explained
Avoid midday in summerJuly and August afternoons are among Spain's hottest. Do the Mezquita first thing, rest through the afternoon and walk the old town after sunset.

Things to do in Córdoba

See all attractions in Córdoba

A group of people standing next to a body of water

Museum · CórdobaCentro de Flamenco FosforitoVisit on a Sunday morning for a chance to see a free live performance; check the center’s website for details.

Castle · CórdobaAlcázar de los Reyes CristianosConsider booking tickets in advance, especially at busy times.

Museum · CórdobaMedina AzaharaVisit the museum first, then take the shuttle bus to the archaeological site; private cars cannot reach the ruins.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CórdobaPut the places you like in Córdoba on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: No major airport; fly to Seville, Málaga or Madrid, then train
Getting there: AVE from Seville in about 45 min; from Madrid about 1 hr 45 min
Getting around: Walk; the old town is flat and compact
Best base: Judería and the Mezquita area
Time needed: 1 day trip, or 2 days for a slow visit

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Cool, quiet
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Cool, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Spring, mild
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Holy Week (varies)
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Patios festival
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low19°Hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low22°Very hot
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh38°Low22°Very hot
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Warm
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Autumn, mild
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Cool
DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Cool, quiet

Average daily high and low in Córdoba, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Córdoba

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 12°
Humidity: 35%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Córdoba

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today25°12°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue24°14°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed22°15°31%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 31%.
Thu22°14°38%Thursday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 38%.
Fri22°13°18%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sat23°12°17%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 17%.
Sun22°16°57%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 57%.

Updated 09:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Sevilleabout 45 min by fast trainA bigger city with the cathedral and the Alcázar.Read the guide
Granadaabout 2 to 3 hours by train or carThe Alhambra, which needs advance tickets.Read the guide
Málagaabout 1 hour by fast trainCoastal city on the Costa del Sol.Read the guide
Medina Azaharaabout 25 min by shuttle busThe ruined caliphal palace-city, 5.5 km out; the shuttle runs fixed departures, so reserve online.

Before you go to Córdoba

Mezquita-Catedral ticketsOfficial portal, timed entryBook timed entry

Stays in old town CórdobaCourtyard and station-side hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for Andalusian citiesData for rail apps and ticket QR codesRead the guide

Cover for a summer city tripHeat illness and train cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Córdoba, checked

Mosque-Cathedral entry is €15 for adults. Free entry runs Monday to Saturday 8:30 to 9:30 with individual access and strict silence.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Córdoba guides

the inside of a building with columns and arches

ItineraryCórdoba in one or two days: a timed plan and when to stay the nightChecked Oct 1, 2026

How toMezquita-Catedral tickets: price, free hour, hours and how to visitChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Córdoba: four bases, from the Judería to the stationChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Córdoba

All of Spain

Entry rules, trains and regions across the country

Read the guide Seville travel guide

The 45-minute fast train neighbor

Read the guide Granada travel guide

The Alhambra, a longer ride to the east

Read the guide

Córdoba FAQ

Is Córdoba worth visiting?

Yes. The Mezquita-Catedral is one of the most remarkable buildings in Spain, and the old town is compact and walkable. One night is enough for most trips.

How many days do you need in Córdoba?

One long day covers the Mezquita, the Jewish Quarter and a patio or two. Stay two days if you want the Alcázar, the river and a slow evening.

Can you do Córdoba as a day trip from Seville?

Yes. The AVE takes about 45 minutes, so you can arrive early and return in the evening. Book the Mezquita ahead and avoid midday in summer.

How much is the Mezquita-Catedral and is there a free time?

General admission is €15 at the time of checking, and entry is free Monday to Saturday between 8:30 and 9:30 with individual access and strict silence. Check the official page before you go.

When is the best time to visit Córdoba?

March to May and October for mild weather. May brings the Patios festival, which fills hotels. July and August are very hot, so start early and rest at midday.

How do you get to Medina Azahara from Córdoba?

A dedicated shuttle leaves from the Glorieta Cruz Roja and takes about 25 minutes. Its site lists two morning departures (10:00 and 10:45) and a summer evening one, so reserve online and check the site's open days.