Judería
First-timersThe old Jewish quarter by the Mezquita.
Córdoba city guide
Córdoba Travel Guide
The Mezquita, a great mosque with a cathedral built inside it, a Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir, and flower-filled patios that open to visitors every May.
10
Hostels in the city
8.1
Average, from 10,363 reviews
850+
Columns in the Mezquita
10th c.
The caliphs' capital
45 min
To Seville
The caliphs' city
In the tenth century, Córdoba was the capital of the Caliphate of al-Andalus and one of the largest and most sophisticated cities in the world, with libraries, universities and a vast mosque. Muslims, Christians and Jews lived side by side.
The Mezquita, the great mosque, survives with its forest of red and white arches, and after the Christian conquest a cathedral was built inside it. The old town around it, with the Jewish quarter and its synagogue, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Córdoba is at its best in May, when residents open their flower-covered patios. One or two days is right; it is forty-five minutes from Seville.
Where to stay
Stay in the Judería, the old Jewish quarter, near the Mezquita.
Centro
Being centralAround the Plaza de las Tendillas.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 8 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
How long have you got?
The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.
Things to do
Things to do in Córdoba
The Mezquita-Catedral, with more than 850 columns and horseshoe arches, is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Europe. Go early to see it at its quietest.
Cross the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir, and visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, with its terraced gardens.
Walk the Judería, the Jewish quarter, to the fourteenth-century synagogue and the Calleja de las Flores, a lane of flower pots with a view of the Mezquita's tower.
Medina Azahara, the ruined palace-city of the caliphs, a UNESCO site, is eight kilometres outside the city.
Free things
Free things to do in Córdoba
The Roman bridge, the Judería and the Calleja de las Flores are free.
The synagogue is free for EU citizens and inexpensive for others.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Córdoba
Salmorejo, the thick cold tomato soup, comes from Córdoba. Flamenquín, rolled pork and ham fried in breadcrumbs, and rabo de toro, oxtail stew, are the other local dishes.
A menú del día is €11 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Córdoba
Córdoba is quieter than Seville at night, with tavernas in the old town and bars around the Plaza de las Tendillas.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Córdoba
The old town is walkable. AVE trains reach Seville in about forty-five minutes and Madrid in about an hour and three-quarters.
Buses reach Granada and Málaga.
Costs
What Córdoba costs
Córdoba is cheap. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €40 to €55.
Prices rise during the May patios festival.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Córdoba
Córdoba is safe.
The summer heat regularly passes 40°C; avoid the afternoon sun in July and August.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Córdoba
The caliphs' palace and Andalusia.
Seville
The Alcázar and the cathedral.
Granada
The Alhambra.
What's on
What is on while you are there
In May, the patios open and the city bursts into flower.
14 November
José Mercé
José Mercé honors his fellow Cordoban Manuel Alejandro with a show featuring flamenco versions of some of Alejandro's most iconic songs. The performance includes…
1 Dec – 6 Jan
Christmas in Córdoba
Christmas in Córdoba brings a festive atmosphere to the historic centre from December 1 to early January. The Plaza de las Tendillas hosts a…
20 November
Santiago Auserón
Santiago Auserón returns to the stage with a project revisiting his greatest hits alongside a highly skilled band. His new project, La Academia Nocturna,…
26–27 November
Dialogues on the Horizon
Dialogues on the Horizon brings you a special concert featuring Sophie Dervaux, a leading bassoonist, performing a new concerto by Manuel Martínez Burgos. The…
2 December
Mecano Inimitable
Mecano Inimitable is a music-theater show that blends live music, impressions, humor, and surprises in a journey through three decades of great songs. The…
9 December
This Is How Jerez Sings at Christmas
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Así Canta Jerez en Navidad brings the heartfelt spirit of Jerez de la Frontera's Christmas traditions to life through flamenco.…
11 December
The Gran Vía
La Gran Vía is a comic and satirical zarzuela that humorously reflects the social, political, and economic changes in Madrid during the opening of…
11 December
El Kanka
El Kanka returns to the stage with his unmistakable blend of humor, poetry, and rhythm. The singer-songwriter from Málaga offers a lively show filled…
Hostels
Where to stay in Córdoba
The top-rated places to stay in Córdoba right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hostal Almanzor
Rooms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Backpackers Al-Katre
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Cats Hostels Cordoba
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Safestay Cordoba Mezquita Catedral
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Hostal La Fuente
Rooms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Orfebre Góngora
Rooms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Arc House Ribera Only Adults
Rooms from €18 a night
See dates and book
Arc House Córdoba
Rooms from €18 a night
See dates and book
When to go
April, May and October are best. May has the patios.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Holy Week
May
Patios
Jun
Hot
Jul
Extreme heat
Aug
Extreme heat
Sep
Hot
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. One of the hottest cities in Spain in summer.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
May festival prices run higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Córdoba travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
What is the Mezquita?
A tenth-century mosque with a cathedral built inside it.
When is the patios festival?
The first two weeks of May.
How far is Seville?
About forty-five minutes by AVE.
Is Córdoba hot in summer?
Very, often over 40°C.
What is Medina Azahara?
The ruined palace-city of the caliphs, eight kilometres outside the city.
How many days do you need?
One or two.
When is the best time to visit?
April, May and October.
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