A Day Trip to Cordoba from Seville | Itinerary + Things to Do

Planning a day trip to Cordoba from Seville? This guide will show you how to get to Cordoba, the top things to do, and how to plan your time.

A day trip to Cordoba from Seville is not only worthwhile but very easy to do on your own.

While I love a good group tour, I only join them when public transportation is tricky or if I'm trying to string together multiple locations in one day.

While there are plenty of tours to choose from for a Seville to Cordoba day trip, this is one I would recommend doing yourself. It's an easy train ride and you can plan your day as you wish versus being tied to a group schedule. 

Cordoba is my favorite day trip from Seville with its fascinating history and glorious past. While the rest of Europe was stuck in the Dark Ages, Cordoba flourished. It was a city with wealth, wisdom, art, and order.

Cordoba, now quite small, was actually the second-largest city in Europe during the 10th century. Perhaps one of the most interesting things about Cordoba is that Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived together peacefully. Cordoba was a city of one culture and three religions.

Culturally, the people dressed in the same fashion, ate the same food, appreciated the same art, and spoke the same language. Yet, in private, practiced different religions. 

With today’s turmoil between religions, Cordoba is a city that really gets you thinking. Walking the streets, you can’t help but visualize people of the past, coming from three very different religious backgrounds, yet all living together and adopting the same culture. 

If you have extra time in Seville, a day trip to Cordoba is hands down the easiest and most worthwhile.

You'll have enough time to visit the famous Mezquita, the Moorish mosque turned Cathedral, wander the Jewish Quarter, peek into a few picture-perfect patios, take in the views across the Roman bridge, and enjoy a tapas lunch.

Now let’s dive into the details of your day trip to Cordoba from Seville!

This map shows everything listed for how to spend 1 day in Cordoba. Click the icon at the top left for a list view of each pinned location. Select the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), select the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

Where is Cordoba, Spain

Cordoba is located in the Andalusia region of Southern Spain. It’s about 80 miles northeast of Seville and 245 miles south of Madrid.

Cordoba’s location between Madrid and Seville actually makes for a convenient stop between the two cities. More on that in the next section. 

How to get to Cordoba

Seville to Cordoba train

A day trip to Cordoba from Seville is simple and fast via a non-stop train service. Travel time is around 40 minutes and tickets can be found for as low as $15 each way if you book in advance. 

Cordoba stopover on the way to Madrid

Cordoba is also a convenient stop if you're traveling between Seville and Madrid or vice versa. Cordoba to Madrid is just under 2 hours. Anticipate paying around $45 for Cordoba to Madrid if you book in advance. 

For a stopover in Cordoba, you'll most likely have to store your bags. There are luggage lockers in the bus station across from the Cordoba train station, but they are often already filled up.

Cordoba Locker is a more reliable option.

Also check out Nannybag. You can pre-book your luggage storage with partner hotels and companies. It will be more expensive than the lockers but offers peace of mind. 

It’s a 20-minute walk from the train station to the Mezquita in the city center. The walk is actually quite nice as it’s mostly along a park.

Taxis are available just outside the train/bus station and will cost around €12 to get to the city center. A cheaper option is to take bus #3 and get off at the San Fernando stop and walk about 5 minutes to the Mezquita. Bus tickets are €1.30.

Google Maps works well if you decide to go the public transportation route listing bus numbers and times. 

SEE my Seville blog posts:

BEST TAPAS IN SEVILLE SPAIN - TOP 5

TOP 5 SEVILLE ROOFTOP BARS WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS

3 DAYS IN SEVILLE – A COMPLETE GUIDE OF THINGS TO DO

1 WEEK IN SPAIN – ITINERARY FOR SEVILLE, GRANADA, MADRID

How much time do you need for a day trip to Cordoba from Seville?

The amount of time you need for your day trip to Cordoba from Seville depends entirely on what you want to see. Many tourists visit the Mezquita and then head to their next destination.

If you have limited time in Spain and/or this is your first visit to Spain, I would recommend about three hours for your day trip to Cordoba.

This allows enough time to see the Mezquita, snap a few pictures of the Roman bridge, and wander around the surrounding old town.

The Mezquita is a brilliant sight, but if you already have limited time in cities like Seville, Granada, and Madrid, you’re going to want to focus your precious hours in those cities.

If you aren’t on a time crunch and have had your fill of Seville, Madrid, and other popular cities in Spain, then plan on spending the entire day in Cordoba. 

After completing several day trips to Cordoba from Seville myself, the sweet spot seems to be 6 hours if I'm not having dinner in Cordoba, 8 hours if I am having dinner in Cordoba.

Book an early morning Seville to Cordoba train and return after dinner. This is essential. The morning part of my day trip is always my favorite time. The city can get very crowded in the late morning/afternoon.

Arriving first thing in the a.m. will allow enough time to tour the Mezquita (with minimal crowds) and surrounding old town, wander the Jewish Quarter, enjoy a meal or two, take a walking tour, and visit a few other sights. 

Cordoba is also a great place to spend a night if you really want to slow down and enjoy the city empty in the morning/evening when the day trippers are gone.

I spent the night last once and really enjoyed how peaceful it was in the morning and evening. 

Getting around Cordoba

Cordoba is 100% walkable with a compact city center. You can get to pretty much anywhere in 25 minutes or less by foot, including the train station and all the top attractions.

I recommend walking everywhere because the city is beautiful, clean, and well-preserved. In fact, half the fun of a day trip to Cordoba is taking in the quaint streets between site visits.

If you need a lift, taxis are available outside the train and bus station and are also fairly easy to find at tourist attractions. Cordoba also has a good bus system. 

Use Google maps if you need to navigate the buses as it shows which bus numbers to take and what stops to get off at.   

Best things to do for your day trip to Cordoba, Spain

Walking Tour of Cordoba

If you have limited time in Cordoba or just want someone to take the guesswork out of what to visit, consider booking a walking tour. Many of them include the sights I list in the next section and give insights to the history and fascinating stories of Cordoba’s past. 

This 4 hour tour takes you to the highlights of Cordoba including the Mezquita, Jewish Quarter, Synagogue, and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. It’s $56 a person and includes entrance to all the sights.

If it's within your budget, I highly recommend opting for the private tour ($140 per person) to make the most of your limited time.

This 2.5 hour tour focuses on the Mezquita and Jewish Quarter. The $38 ticket includes entrance to the sights.

Cordoba Mezquita

The first stop on your day trip to Cordoba itinerary should be the Mezquita. If you can’t make it before 11:00 am, visit later in the day, preferably after 3:00 pm, to avoid the worst of the crowds. 

The Mezquita, aka the Great Mosque of Cordoba, is without a doubt the highlight of Cordoba. This mosque-turned-cathedral is considered Europe’s best Islamic sight after the Alhambra in neighboring Granada.

I easily spent over an hour just touring the ground floor and walking through the 856 pillars topped with eye-catching red and white double arches. 

Take your time to absorb the significance and beauty of the Mezquita. For four centuries Muslims worshiped in and were called to prayer from the Mezquita.

In 1236 the mosque was converted into a catholic cathedral after Cordoba was conquered by King Ferdinand III.

Don’t leave without touring the outside courtyard, Patio de los Naranjos, filled with palm, cypress, and orange trees. If you want spectacular views of the city, climb the bell tower!

Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line. General admission tickets are €13 (€16 if you want to include a climb up the bell tower). Night visits are €20 if you want something a little different. Varying discounts are offered for students, disabled, local residents, children, and individuals over 65.  

Consider a “skip the line” tour if you want to dive deep into the history of the Mezquita. This 75 minute tour is $37 (includes entrance fee) and absolutely worth it for everything you learn as well as the perk of being able to skip the line. You can select the private tour option for $120 per person.

ROMAN BRIDGE

Walk across the pedestrian bridge for postcard-perfect views of Cordoba. 

Historic Center and Jewish Quarter

The area surrounding the Mezquita is known as the historic center of Cordoba. Wander this area and continue northwest to enter the Jewish Quarter. Both neighborhoods are small and filled with narrow picturesque streets. 

The most popular and probably the most photographed street is Calleja de las Flores. Here you will find whitewashed buildings and balconies filled with flowers. 

Calle de San Bastilio

Neighboring the Jewish Quarter is the San Bastilio neighborhood, most famous for having some of the best flower-filled patios and courtyards during the Feria de los Patios, the patio contest of Cordoba in May.  

If you see a private courtyard or patio closed by only an iron gate, don't be afraid to take a peek. The residents leave the main wooden door open and have the iron gate closed to allow others to admire their patio.

You will also find the Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos in this neighborhood. While the gardens are beautiful and worth a visit if you have time to spare during your Seville to Cordoba day trip, I personally think this sight is skippable. Especially if you visited the Alcazar in Seville. 

Plaza de las Tendillas (new town)

To give yourself a comprehensive look at Cordoba, Spain visit the modern part of the city starting with Plaza de las Tendillas. 

This grand square is a nice contrast to the historic city center and the perfect spot to get your shopping fix.

Walk down Calle Conde de Gondomar and Calle Jose Cruz Conde to find popular stores like Zara and Massimo Dutti.

Try The Golden Stack for a coffee/snack break.

San Andres-San Pablo

This neighborhood is a great spot for tapas and where you will find a mix of locals and tourists dining out.

La Cuarta offers beautifully presented dishes like tuna tartar and artichokes with Iberian ham. Taberna Los Berengueles is the perfect option for Andalusian fare in an old palace. Salinas serves traditional Cordoba cuisine in a rustic atmosphere.

Stop by Plaza de la Corredera, a historic square similar to Plaza Mayor in Madrid, that's filled with restaurants and bars. 

Now that you've seen the top sights and ended with a wonderful tapas dinner, it's time to head back to Seville!

In Summary

These are all the must-visit sights in Cordoba, Spain and I’m sure you’ll discover a few favorites of your own.

Seville to Cordoba via train makes for an incredibly easy and worthwhile day trip. Whether you're here for just a few hours to see the famous Mezquita, or you have an entire day to wander the varying neighborhoods, I’m sure you'll leave feeling glad you visited this historic and charming city. 

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A Day Trip to Cordoba from Seville | Itinerary + Things to Do

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Come back after your trip! Share your favorite experiences and things to do from your day trip to Cordoba in the comments below!