A key tip for Córdoba is to match each place to the right day. The Mosque-Cathedral lists no weekly closing day, but the Alcázar and Medina Azahara close on Mondays, and their hours change a lot with the season. Here is what you need to plan, including how to get there.
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Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: Guided Tour in 4 Languages
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A guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and a guided visit of the Alcázar about an hour. Medina Azahara takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, including the shuttle bus up to the ruins. A combined guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter and the Alcázar takes about four hours.
Rules at the Mosque-Cathedral
The Mosque-Cathedral is still a place of worship, and Mass is celebrated every day. Wear suitable clothes, take off your hat and do not enter barefoot. Large bags are banned, and tripods are not allowed. Do not photograph celebrations, and note that photos are not allowed at all during the night visit. Groups of more than 10 people need radio guide systems. Children under 7 cannot climb the Bell Tower.
The early free visit, from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 and 9:30, is without groups, and access closes at 9:20.
Hours at a glance
- The Mosque-Cathedral is open from 10:00 to 19:00 on 30 October 2026, with last entry at 18:30. The hours change with the season and on days with special celebrations.
- The Alcázar opens Tuesday to Sunday. In winter it closes at 20:15 from Tuesday to Friday, at 17:30 on Saturday and at 14:15 on Sundays and holidays. In summer it closes at 14:15.
- Medina Azahara opens Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays and holidays from 9:00 to 15:00 until 20 March. It is closed on Mondays, except Mondays that are the eve of a holiday. The calendar for 2027 is not confirmed.
How do I get to Córdoba by train?
Trains run to Córdoba from Seville (Santa Justa), Málaga (María Zambrano) and Madrid (Puerta de Atocha). From Seville the journey takes less than an hour in an AVE. From Madrid it takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
If you are staying in Seville, you can also go on a day trip with a guide. Our sister guides Seville Cathedral Visit and Alcázar Seville Visit cover the other great sights of the city.
From the station to the old town
The station is called Córdoba-Julio Anguita, and until 2025 it was Córdoba Central. It is about 1.5 to 2 kilometres from the historic centre. On foot it takes about 25 minutes to the Jewish Quarter and the Mosque-Cathedral. City bus line 3 takes about 10 to 15 minutes to Plaza de las Tendillas, and a taxi takes 5 to 10 minutes. More details are on the directions page.
How do I get to Medina Azahara?
Medina Azahara is 8 km west of Córdoba, on the A-431 road at km 5.5. By car you park at the museum car park, and the museum is where the visit starts. From the museum, shuttle buses are the only way up to the ruins, and they run continuously during opening hours. A municipal tourist bus has run from Paseo de la Victoria twice a day from Tuesday to Sunday, but we could not confirm its timetable for this winter. If you do not have a car, a guided tour is the simplest option: see the tickets page of Medina Azahara.
What to remember about Mondays, holidays and 2027
On Monday the Alcázar and Medina Azahara are closed, so plan the Mosque-Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter for that day. At the end of 2026 the Alcázar has no confirmed special hours on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, and Medina Azahara is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December. The closing days of Medina Azahara for 2027 are not confirmed yet, so check them before you go.
