More about: Cordoba Tours
Cordoba is a charming city. Strolling through its old quarter is a delight as it has an inexhaustible wealth of monuments. However, for a newcomer it can be overwhelming as it is one of the largest in Europe. With the help of a local guide, you can discover the city and see its fascinating history from a different perspective. Are you up for the adventure?
1. What are the best guided tours in Cordoba?
2. Full day city tour of Cordoba with entrance ticket to the Mosque
Discovering all the charms of the Andalusian city is an adventure. It is true that as in any trip, you can see the same monuments on your own, but the wonderful thing about a guided tour is not so much what you see, but what you feel when you understand the soul of Cordoba.
That is to say, not to stay on the surface but to delve into the meaning of each place and its secrets. To understand, for example, why there is a cathedral inside a mosque or why there are Christian chapels with Mudejar decoration.
A full day tour of the city of Cordoba with a local guide and entrance to the Mosque is a highly recommended experience that opens the eyes and the mind.
About the visit to the Mosque
It is the most emblematic monument of Cordoba. This temple summarises the evolution of Umayyad art in Spain mixed with elements of the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian cathedral inside, resulting in an enigmatic work of art at the service of spirituality and God.
About the visit to the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba
This is the best preserved medieval Jewish quarter in Europe. A labyrinth of white houses and narrow streets containing treasures such as the sculpture of Maimonides, the Mudejar chapel of San Bartolomé, the traditional souk and the Cordoba synagogue, the only one of medieval origin in Andalusia. Contemplating the living legacy of the Sephardic community was an experience I enjoyed very much.
About the visit to the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
A medieval palace-fortress of great historical importance in Spain. Learning about the episodes that took place in its halls and that changed the course of history is fascinating but so is strolling through its beautiful gardens and along its battlements, from where there are breathtaking panoramic views of the old town of Cordoba. Get your camera ready! You won't stop taking pictures.
Why I like this option
In just four hours you'll see the highlights of Cordoba, on an interesting route through its narrow cobbled streets that will take you to some of the most beautiful corners of the city.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
The cathedral-mosque of Cordoba is a universal monument but also a religious temple. Remember that to visit it you should dress decently, avoiding clothes with straps and above the knee.
3. Guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral and the Alcazar
The old quarter of Cordoba is a beauty in which you can lose yourself a thousand times. Its wealth of monuments is enormous, but if you want to get to know its great icon, the Mosque, in more depth, I suggest you take a guided tour of this temple which will give you the sensation of travelling back in time to Al-Andalus and the period of the Reconquest.
This guided tour of the Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba also includes admission to the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, a medieval palace-fortress that played an important role in the history of Spain and which has beautiful gardens on the banks of the Guadalquivir River that are worthy of a postcard.
About the visit to the Mosque
Considered the greatest exponent of Andalusian art, it will leave you in awe of its charm and beauty. Contemplating it from the inside while listening to the guide's narration is like taking a trip back in time to the heyday of the Caliphate of Cordoba. After the Reconquest it was adapted to Christian worship, giving it that peculiar appearance that makes this temple a unique place in the world.
About the visit to the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
A beautiful medieval palace-fortress from the 14th century that has many surprising spaces inside such as the tower of the Lions, the royal baths of Doña Leonor or the museum of Roman mosaics. My favourite part is the gardens, the pools and fountains outside, it's simply beautiful!
Why I like this option
This option is one of the most complete and you get to see the highlights of Cordoba in a 2 hours and 30 minutes tour. In addition, you will have the chance to explore these monuments with an expert local guide, who will show you Cordoba in a different way and all the secrets you didn't know.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
Keep your camera handy because on this tour you will have the most beautiful panoramic views of Cordoba.
4. Sightseeing bus tour with free stops around the city of Cordoba
Strolling through the streets of Cordoba while sightseeing is a real pleasure for the traveller, especially when it comes to a historic centre as beautiful as the old Umayyad city. But have you ever thought about taking a tourist bus with free stops to move quickly around Cordoba while you rest and enjoy the scenery at the same time?
It's a good idea if you're making a quick visit to the city or if your trip takes place during the sweltering Andalusian summer, when temperatures soar and walking down the street can be a challenge. The tourist bus is an ideal option for touring Cordoba and enjoying the sights without getting cold or hot.
How does it work?
This hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour of Cordoba is based on the hop-on hop-off concept. This means that you can use the ticket as a means of transport to hop on and off as many times as you like at the stops that make up the route, or you can use the whole tour to explore the city in comfort.
You can choose between a 1-day or 2-day ticket and there is no limit to the number of days you can use the ticket during that time. All the tourist buses have air conditioning on board and are adapted for prams and wheelchair users.
This tourist bus tour of Cordoba is a fantastic way to get to know Cordoba because it also includes two free walking tours which you can take to get a closer look at some of the city's main tourist attractions.
Panoramic tour of Cordoba
Lasting 90 minutes, the Axerquia-Centro walking tour departs at 12:00 noon from bus stop 16. Some of the sights you can see during the Cordoba Panoramic Tour are:
- Palacio de la Merced
- Roman Bridge
- Botanical Garden of Cordoba
- Victoria Market
- Almodovar Gate
- Baths of the Caliphal Alcázar of Cordoba
Intimate tour of Cordoba
Lasting 90 minutes, this walking tour of the Jewish Quarter departs at 5pm from bus stop 16. Some of the sights you will see during the intimate route of Cordoba are:
- Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
- Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
- Palacio de Viana
- Palacio de la Merced
- Roman Temple
Why I like this option
The truth is that taking a tourist bus tour, although it may seem too crowded, allows you to have the best panoramic views while you go quietly resting (and escaping the heat) and listening to a guided commentary of the whole city.
In addition, the ticket includes two free walking tours highly recommended to combine the bus tour with a couple of very interesting guided walks through the most popular corners of the city.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
Don't hesitate and take the free walking tours of Cordoba included with your tourist bus ticket - you'll more than offset the cost of the ticket and learn a lot about the city!
5. Why is it worth taking a walking tour in Cordoba?
Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1994, the historic centre of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful I have ever had the opportunity to visit.
Throughout history, different peoples such as the Romans, the Visigoths, the Muslims, the Jews and the Christians settled in this land and left their mark, which today constitutes the beautiful historical-artistic heritage of Cordoba.
Walking through the streets of the old town on a stroll is a delight. There is always something amazing to see around every corner but I admit that for a newcomer it can be a bit overwhelming. The centre is so big, there is so much to see and you might not know where to start your visit.
That's why I recommend you get the help of a local guide. From experience, I think it makes the difference between seeing Cordoba and feeling it. Moreover, taking a guided tour of Cordoba makes it easier to discover the city, its secrets and what I like the most, the guides show it to the traveller in a different and fun way, telling curiosities that would probably go unnoticed on a route on your own.
Advantages of taking a guided tour of Cordoba
- You will be accompanied by a local guide who is passionate about the historical and artistic heritage of Cordoba.
- You won't have to wait in long queues to buy tickets at the ticket office.
- Direct access to the monuments.
- You will get to know the most iconic tourist attractions of Cordoba, its history and surprising curiosities that will make for a very entertaining day during your stay.
6. What other places to visit in Cordoba?
The old quarter of Cordoba is one of the largest in Europe and has a vast historical and cultural heritage, the result of the mark left by various peoples over the centuries. It is an exciting place because you can really feel the history of the city.
If you're planning a trip to the Caliphate capital and want to know what other places you can't miss during a visit, I suggest you take a look at my article on what to see and do in Cordoba, one of the most beautiful cities in southern Spain!