More about: Cordoba Mosque Tickets and Tours
When we think of the Andalusian city of Cordoba, the first thing that comes to mind for many travellers is its Cathedral-Mosque, one of the most enigmatic monuments in Spain and a cultural reference point for Hispano-Muslim Umayyad art in the Western world.
In 2019, the Mosque of Cordoba exceeded two million visitors for the first time, making it one of the most visited monuments in Spain. If you want to include this visit in your trip to the city, book your tickets or guided tour in advance. I'll tell you about it:
Complete tour of Cordoba with tickets
The best of Cordoba, with a specialised guide and entrance tickets included.
Perfect if you want to take a guided tour with an expert to get to know the best of the city and, of course, the famous Mosque of Cordoba.
A visit to the Mosque of Cordoba is one of the city's essential plans. The whole complex is absolutely admirable. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, this temple experienced its greatest splendour in the times of the Caliphate of Cordoba when extensions were made to make it the second largest mosque in the world after Mecca, with a capacity for 20,000 worshippers.
During the guided tour you will see how this primitive mosque, which was built on the remains of a Visigothic church, changed over the years with various remodelling and extensions until it was transformed into what is now the Catholic cathedral.
The best thing about this tour is that, as well as discovering the Mosque, you'll take a tour to see the best of the city, its Jewish quarter and the Alcázar. During 4 hours you will make a real journey through time and you will never see the city with the same eyes again.
Why choose this option: this is the most complete tour to discover the city and its Mosque for a very reasonable price.
Recommended if... you have little time in the city and you want to discover its essential corners with an expert guide.
How to buy tickets for the Mosque of Cordoba at the box office
The ticket office is located in the Patio de los Naranjos. However, there are usually a lot of tourists crowding around it to get theirs and long queues form, which can delay access and may affect the activities you have planned for the rest of the day and test your patience.
Free tickets
Another way to see the Mosque of Cordoba is to get up early to enter for free during the first shift in the morning from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM. However, this free tour only lasts 45 minutes and does not allow you to see some very interesting parts of the monument such as the treasure room, the choir or some chapels that remain in darkness, which gives the impression of being an incomplete visit in a temple as large and important as this one.
Why is it essential to visit the Mosque of Cordoba?
This is Cordoba's most emblematic monument and an essential visit during a trip to the Andalusian city, both for its historical and artistic importance.
When I travelled to Cordoba it was clear to me that this monument was going to form part of my activity plan as I didn't want to miss the opportunity to see in person a place I have heard so much about in books and documentaries. And I can say that it is a visit that I totally recommend. It is a unique and amazing monument that leaves no one indifferent.
To contemplate it from the inside is like taking a trip back in time to the heyday of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Its history summarises the progress of the Umayyad style in Spain mixed with elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art from the Christian temple, resulting in an authentic work of art at the service of God and spirituality.
The Cordoba Mosque complex is divided into five zones and, in my opinion, there are so many details to see that the best way to explore it is to take a guided tour to make sure you don't miss anything. It's well worth it!
Tips for visiting the Mosque of Cordoba
How to get to the temple?
The entrance to the Mosque of Cordoba is through the Patio de los Naranjos, which is accessed from Calle Cardenal Herrero, Calle Torrijos or Calle Magistral González Francés.
When to visit it?
As a recommendation, try to go during the week. The busiest days are Saturdays, while Sundays are the main day for religious celebrations and opening hours can be more limited.
How long does it take to see the Mosque of Cordoba?
A leisurely visit should take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, after the visit you have a little more time to stroll around and enjoy the view inside the temple.
What to wear to visit the Mosque of Cordoba?
Remember that this is an important Catholic church, so you should dress decently when entering the cathedral. You may not wear tank tops, knee-length garments or hats.
What other places to see in Cordoba?
I said in this post that the old quarter of Cordoba has an inexhaustible wealth of monuments, which makes this city a wonderful place to travel to and get lost in to discover all the historical and artistic treasures hidden in its squares and streets.
If you want to know what other places you can't miss during a trip to Cordoba, I recommend you take a look at my article What to see and do in Cordoba, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain!