There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.
The ancient streets of Cordoba will take you on a journey through history, where you can explore centuries-old castles, cathedrals decorated like mosques, and even an ancient Roman temple. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the drool-worthy Andalusian food you’ll find around every corner!
I recently spent one day in Cordoba and was fortunate enough to explore this historically-significant city on a quiet Tuesday, one of the quietest days of the week.
Exploring the city with barely any other tourists around was magical, and had me convinced that Cordoba is the ideal city to visit in Andalucía if you’re looking to enjoy some peace and quiet.
The most popular way to visit Cordoba is on a day trip from Seville, so in this perfect one day itinerary we’re going to cover all of the best things to see, do and eat in one day in Cordoba.
Let’s go!
Table of Contents
How to Get to Cordoba from Seville
Getting to Cordoba by Train
If you’re visiting Cordoba on a day trip from Seville, the best way to get there is via train. That’s because the train journey is just 45 minutes, compared to the 1 hour and 45 minutes that the bus journey takes!
There are plenty of direct trains to Cordoba from Seville every day and Cordoba, and you generally have two options – the fast train (45 minutes, typically around €28 each way) and the slow train (1 hour and 20 minutes, typically around €13 each way).
The Seville train station is called Seville Santa Justa, and it’s a 30-minute walk from central Seville, or you can take the 21 or 32 bus from the centre to the train station, which takes just 15 minutes.
Once you arrive in Cordoba on the train from Seville (or Cadiz, or Malaga, etc.) it takes around 20 minutes to walk to the Old Town. However, you’ll get to check out other sights on the way, so the walk doesn’t feel like a chore.
Getting to Cordoba by Bus
Multiple direct buses run from Seville to Cordoba every day, so if you couldn’t find train times to suit you and you’re okay with a longer journey time this is a great option.
As I mentioned earlier, the journey takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, and tickets cost around €13 each way. The Seville to Cordoba bus departs from Seville Plaza de Armas bus station, just a 10-minute walk from the city centre. In Cordoba, the bus station is right next door to the train station.
Nearest Airport to Cordoba, Spain
Seville Airport is the closest airport to Cordoba, Spain. Seville Airport is around 110 km from Cordoba. If you’re heading straight to Cordoba from the airport, you’ll have to take the EA bus from Seville Airport to the city centre, then catch the train or bus to Cordoba.
One Day in Cordoba Itinerary
Stop 1 – Coffee at The Golden Stack
On arrival at the city, the perfect first stop is for a cup of coffee at The Golden Stack. This place also serves up heaping plates of pancakes, so if you haven’t already eaten breakfast, then hey – problem solved!
A latte here costs just €2! This was music to my ears – I’m sure we all love affordable, delicious coffee!
Stop 2 – Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
Caffeine consumed, wander over to one of the top tourist attractions in Cordoba – the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, also called Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. This impressive structure was built in 1328 AD and was originally designed to be a fortress and palace for the region’s Christian kings.
IMPORTANT: The Alcazar is closed on Mondays, as are a few other attractions in Cordoba, so I advise against going on your Seville to Cordoba day trip on a Monday.
Exploring the castle is an unmissable experience in Cordoba and the perfect introduction to the city’s varied and captivating history. Of course, the inside of the castle is impressive, but the Jardines del Alcazar, the castle’s gardens, are some of the most stunning parts of the city!
The best way to explore the Alcazar and its gardens is on this guided tour, where you’ll get the lowdown on everything you need to know. Of course, you’re able to explore the palace by yourself, but joining a guided tour enables you to dig deeper into the castle’s history, understand why certain features of the castle exist, and learn more about the people who once lived here.
The tour of the Alcazar lasts one hour, and you get to skip the ticket line when you enter. Score!
Click here to book your place!
Stop 3 – Roman Bridge of Córdoba
Just outside the Alcazar, stretching across the Guadalquivir (yup, this is the same river as the one that flows through Seville!) you’ll find the iconic Roman Bridge.
The bridge was constructed, as the name suggests, by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, and it’s a staggering feat of engineering that it’s stood the test of time. It’s largely believed to be one of the best-preserved Roman bridges in the world!
On each end of the bridge you’ll see tall towers, which were used as defensive structures and also designed in such a way that would add to the bridge’s ~aesthetic~. Get your camera out and get ready to snap photos from every angle, because as far as bridges go, the Roman Bridge is a real stunner.
Stop 4 – Lunch at Taberna Góngora
The place I’ve picked out for lunch on this one day in Cordoba itinerary may be a slight walk away from the Roman Bridge (around 13 minutes) but trust me, it’s worth it. Aim to get here before 1pm, or else you’ll end up having to queue for a table!
Taberna Góngora is a typical local tavern filled with locals, and the food here is hearty, authentic, and, of course, so darn good! The menu is huge, the portions are huge, but the prices are not.
Media-racion dishes (this supposedly means “half portion”, but they were more than enough) cost around €6.50. Taberna Góngora is a very affordable lunch option in Cordoba.
Stop 5 – Roman Temple
Just around the corner from Taberna Góngora is another remnant of the Romans’ time in Cordoba, the Roman Temple.
Don’t get me wrong, this is hardly going to be the most impressive temple you’ve ever seen. You’re in the area, though, so you may as well check it out.
Also known as the Temple of Claudius, the temple was built during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) and took around forty years to complete. It’s dedicated to the Roman god Jupiter, a sky god who was believed to oversee all aspects of life.
There isn’t any information at the temple about its history or origins, so if you want to learn more, squeeze in a visit to the Cordoba Archaeological Museum during your one day in Cordoba. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday and entry costs €1.50
Stop 6 – Calleja de las Flores
A quick stop on this Cordoba itinerary is the Calleja de las Flores, one of the most photographed spots in the city. No matter what time you visit this tiny alleyway filled with flowers, you’ll find Instagrammers here snapping photos and posing amongst the blooms.
I’d seen so many photos online of this delightful alleyway and was super excited to see it for myself. However, I forgot to consider that I was visiting Cordoba in the middle of winter, the absolute worst time to see flowers blooming.
As a result, the alleyway was pretty “meh” for me. If you’re visiting Cordoba in spring or summer, though, be sure to stop here – photos of the street in bloom look amazing!
Stop 7 – La Casa Andalusí
At this point on your Cordoba day trip you’ve probably realised that Cordoba has been influenced by many different settlers over the years, and this mishmash of styles has contributed to Cordoban and Andalusian life in many ways.
The best place to see how these styles merge into Cordoban life is at La Casa Andalusí. This traditional Andalusian house dates back to the 10th century, and you’ll find it in the heart of the city’s historic Jewish Quarter.
Inside, you’ll find a perfect example of traditional Andalusian architecture and interior design, with intricate tile patterns, wooden beams and painted ceilings. You can really feel the influence of Andalucia’s Moorish settlers here, and, although you don’t need long to visit (around 20 minutes is plenty) it’s a worthwhile stop on your Cordoba itinerary.
Entry to La Casa Andalusí costs €4.
Stop 8 – Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)
Another monument in Cordoba that pays testament to its history of different settlers is the UNESCO-listed Mezquita. This giant building was originally designed to be a mosque in the 8th century when Cordoba was under the rule of the Umayyad dynasty.
In the 16th century, the Mezquita was converted into a cathedral by the Catholic monarchs who occupied the city at that time.
There is a lovely courtyard, lined with orange trees, outside the cathedral that you can explore for free, or else you can enter the cathedral itself for €17.
Since this is one of the most popular attractions in Cordoba I recommend purchasing your ticket in advance to skip the line. I visited Cordoba on a quiet Tuesday in January and this place still had a huge line!
Many school trips visit the Mezquita, meaning the ticket line can consist of over 40 schoolchildren, as well as hordes of other tourists. Save your time and sanity by purchasing your tickets in advance here!
Stop 9 – Sample Pastel Cordobés (Cordoba Cake)
Foodies, this is your time – Cordoba is famous for having its very own cake, the Pastel Cordobés. You can get a slice of this delicious apple-pie-style cake from bakeries all over the city, and it’ll usually cost you around €2.
I’ve tried to research what exactly is in this cake but it’s not particularly clear. The recipe cites “angel hair” as an ingredient but, like… what is that??
In any event, the cake is totally delicious and something you should definitely try during your one day in Cordoba.
Is One Day in Cordoba Enough?
One day in Cordoba is more than enough. Although your Seville to Cordoba day trip will be quite a busy day, this one day itinerary covers pretty much every single thing in Cordoba that’s worth doing or seeing.
One day in Cordoba is the right amount of time – two days or more in the city would, in my opinion, be too long.
Where to Stay in Cordoba
If you decide to extend your one day in Cordoba and stay overnight in the city, you’ll get to enjoy the city during its quietest periods, once all the daytrippers have returned back to Seville.
Travellers who enjoy spending time in a quiet and relaxed city should certainly consider staying in Cordoba overnight – it’s a very chill place!
Budget Hotel
There are no hostels in Granada, so even backpackers staying in Cordoba will need to stay in a budget hotel. Luckily, this bright and colourful guest house is perfect for budget travellers in Cordoba!
This place is teeming with character and is in the perfect location 180 metres from the Mezquita. Rooms start at just €32 per night – click here to check availability & book!
Mid-Range Hotel
A mid-range budget can get you a lot in Cordoba – take, for example, this beautiful hotel with traditional Moorish decor. The hotel is actually inside a group of buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries – it doesn’t get cooler than that!
There’s the option to choose a room with a spa bath, perfect for a romantic short break in Cordoba, and the hotel also has a pool!
Click here to check availability and book!
When is the Best Time to Visit Cordoba?
The best time to visit Cordoba is spring – March until May. At this time of year you’ll get clear blue skies, with warm and pleasant weather. Autumn (October and November) offers similar weather, making it another great time to visit Cordoba.
In summer, June-August, temperatures in Cordoba get crazy hot (like 36°C+/ 97°F+ hot!). For this reason, the weather might make it tricky to sightsee in Cordoba in summer!
I actually visited Cordoba in winter, in January. Although January is a great time to visit the Andalucía region as a whole, the weather was pretty chilly and the skies were grey on my Seville to Cordoba day trip. For that reason, winter isn’t the best time of year to visit Cordoba.
Which is Better, Cordoba or Granada?
Both Cordoba and Granada are popular cities for tourists to visit in Andalucia, known for their UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Moorish Heritage. Of course, choosing which city is “better” is objective, but if you want to know my opinion, Granada is better to visit than Cordoba!
Not only is the Alhambra, Granada’s UNESCO site, far more impressive (in my opinion) than Cordoba’s Mezquita, but I also found that the city of Granada was far more picturesque, with more to see and do.
If you have time, though, as I did, visit them both! Then you can choose for yourself which one is best.
Is Cordoba Worth Visiting?
If you have time to spare on your Andalucía itinerary or are a completionist and want to make sure you don’t miss one of the most-visited cities in the region, you should visit Cordoba. However, if you don’t have time to visit, or are on the fence about whether or not to visit Cordoba, I think you can manage to skip it.
The Andalusian cities of Seville, Cadiz and Granada are far more captivating than Cordoba, in my experience, and although the UNESCO Mezquita is impressive, it’s certainly not going to change your life or be a highlight of your trip to Spain.
Again – I’m not saying Cordoba is not worth a visit at all – it is! I’m just saying it’s not an essential, unmissable stop on your Andalucía itinerary.
Have a wonderful time in Cordoba!