What to see in Córdoba in 2 days?

Córdoba is a must-visit destination for all lovers of culture, history, art, traditions, and gastronomy… Without a doubt, everyone should visit the city at least once in their life. But how many days would you need to discover Córdoba on a two-day getaway or a weekend with our guide? The answer, if you truly want to get to know the city, is: 365 days a year. And even then, there would still be many surprises left to discover.

Now, if you’re reading this, don’t worry—I know you don’t have that much time to devote to tourism (if only we could spend the whole year traveling). Most of the time, those who arrive in Córdoba are passing through to another destination, or planning a weekend or a long weekend.

In this article I will try to make those days you spend in the city serve to fall in love with one of the most fascinating destinations in the world, Córdoba.

Before we begin, remember that there are many ways to get to know Córdoba, and each of us must find the one that best matches our personality. Let us not forget that we are talking about one of the cities with the most UNESCO heritage recognitions: the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba and the subsequent extension to its Historic Centre, the Cordoban Patios Festival, and the Caliphal City of Medina Azahara, joined by other designations shared with different destinations such as Flamenco or the Mediterranean Diet, which find their unique expression in our city. Therefore, if you plan to visit Córdoba and want to enjoy a unique experience, do not hesitate to contact us—we will help you make the most of every second you spend in the city.

Although we might wish for much more time, sometimes we have less than 24 hours to get to know the city. In this case, the same questions always arise: What should you see in Córdoba in one day? How can you make the most of your time to leave with a great impression of the city?

If this is your situation, I recommend that the first thing you do in the morning is join us for the Historic Centre FreeTour. We start at Plaza del Triunfo, between the Mosque and the Roman Bridge, next to Puerta del Puente. With this free tour–style guided visit, you will get in touch with the city of Córdoba, begin to navigate its streets and locate some of its main monuments and squares, and discover the history that has shaped a millenary city and the reason for this maze of streets. In approximately two hours, you will have understood why UNESCO is so fixated on Córdoba.

We finish this visit at Plaza de la Corredera, right in the city centre—a perfect spot for a first morning break to sit on one of its many terraces and enjoy a beer, a soft drink, or a typical fino from Montilla-Moriles.

Very close to this square is the next destination on our route: the Palace of Viana. Although it takes less than 10 minutes on foot to reach its entrance, I always recommend the same to those who visit Córdoba: “Don’t take the direct route—get lost and wander through the streets.” By taking a small detour, you might come across characteristic spots such as the Church of San Lorenzo or that of San Agustín.

Once you arrive at the Palace of Viana, you will discover a monument whose origins date back to the medieval period, but which has been modified and expanded up to the 20th century. This is undoubtedly a rather unknown space, especially on quick visits to the city, but it constitutes an essential stop to understand the essence of Cordoban society from the 15th century to the present day. The entrance fee (€10) includes a self-guided tour of the twelve patios and a garden surrounding the residence—an excellent option to briefly savor the Cordoban Patios tradition—and a guided tour inside the palace to enjoy its collections.

When you leave the palace, I can tell you that the most important thing to see remains—your stomach, so it’s time for a lunch break. I recommend checking a previous blog post where we suggest some of the best and most typical restaurants and taverns, but if you don’t want to go far from Viana or your energy is low, right at its doorstep you will find Taberna el Rincón de las Beatillas, an excellent choice to taste typical Cordoban cuisine.

At this point, after regaining your strength, you’ll be wondering when to visit Córdoba’s best-known monument: the Mosque–Cathedral.

Well, the time has come. Return to where you started this morning, and you will find the city’s largest and most famous building. I recommend booking a guided visit inside, as this way you will not only see but truly understand a unique place in the world with over a thousand years of history. If you’ve followed my advice so far, at the main entrance—known as the Puerta del Perdón, just under the Bell Tower—your guide will be waiting to make you fall in love with this spectacular space.

By the time you finish your visit to the Mosque–Cathedral, you will likely be watching the clock, as your time in Córdoba may be running out. But if you have an extra hour, make the most of it. You can continue the guided tour by enjoying the Jewish Quarter, entering the Synagogue—one of only three medieval synagogues remaining in Spain. Once the visit ends, you will find numerous souvenir shops in the same neighbourhood where you can buy a memento of your trip to Córdoba.

You may not have time for anything else, but if your schedule allows, seek out the sunset. Cross the Roman Bridge, walk along the Calahorra Tower, and look out over the Guadalquivir. This is the best possible finale to your day—a panoramic view unparalleled in the City of Three Cultures.

Chances are, if you’re planning your trip to Córdoba, you’ve already realized that one day is not enough (thank you for that reflection), and you’re probably looking for lodging where you can stay overnight and extend your visit. In a previous blog post you’ll find 10 charming hotels in Córdoba that can help you choose the best sleeping option in the city. If this is your case, allow me to give you two pieces of advice: if you spend more days in the city, embrace slow tourism—you’ll enjoy everything much more; and take advantage of the last hours of the day, as Córdoba by night is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see on your many travels.

If you plan to spend one night and wonder what to see in Córdoba in two days, I wouldn’t change much from what I recommended for Day 1, except I would swap the timing for visiting the Palace of Viana. That is, after finishing the Historic Centre FreeTour, instead of heading to the Palace, return to the riverside area to visit the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, as before lunch we will take a highly recommended guided tour inside to learn about this 14th-century royal fortress and its various uses through the centuries. This doesn’t eliminate the visit to the Palace of Viana, but simply postpones it.

The other major change I recommend for the first day relates to my earlier advice: “make the most of the last hours of the day.” In the late afternoon–evening, after visiting the Mosque–Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter, join the Night Tour FreeTour which starts at Plaza del Triunfo (where you began the morning’s Historic Centre FreeTour). This way, you will discover other parts of the city such as the Alcázar Viejo neighbourhood—so characteristic during the Cordoban Patios Festival—the city walls, or Plaza de las Tendillas, Córdoba’s modern centre, where the tour ends. In Plaza de las Tendillas, you’ll see that Córdoba is not only a historical city but also very much alive today. Plus, you’ll find plenty of dinner options nearby.

Before ending your first day, enjoy the tranquility of Córdoba at night and take a walk to Cristo de los Faroles in Plaza de Capuchinos. It’s a breathtaking spot that will lead you to Córdoba’s most popular neighbourhoods.

Start your second day energized, as your morning will be fully occupied and there will be no excuse to miss visiting Medina Azahara, the Caliphal City. This archaeological site is about 7 kilometers from Córdoba’s centre, but don’t worry if you don’t have a car—there’s a bus that takes you directly to the museum. In this case, I not only recommend but almost insist that you book a guided visit, as the best way to enjoy the site is accompanied by a Heritage Interpreter; otherwise, the experience loses much of its impact. Also, by booking the tour with us, we’ll handle your bus ticket or give you detailed directions to the site if you drive yourself.

Once back in Córdoba—and by now it will be lunch time—I recommend booking a table at Taberna Moriles. Although it’s a bit outside the centre, it’s on the way back from Medina Azahara, whether by car or bus.

In the afternoon, resume the visit to the Palace of Viana that you postponed from the previous day. Remember, to reach it, don’t take the most direct route—get lost in Córdoba’s neighbourhoods, and you’ll find wonderful spots throughout the Historic Centre.

Making the most of the opening hours of Córdoba’s museums and monuments, when you finish the Palace visit, I have two recommendations. You won’t have time for both, so choose the one that best fits your personality. On one hand, there’s the Archaeological Museum, in my opinion the best museum in Córdoba. Besides being free for European Union citizens, it houses a tremendous treasure: the remains of the ancient Roman Theatre. But if you prefer Fine Arts over archaeology, I recommend the pair formed by the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts of Córdoba and the Julio Romero de Torres Museum. Both are located in the former Hospital de la Caridad in Plaza del Potro (which you’ll already know from the Historic Centre FreeTour). Now, if you want to see all three museums and many more sights in Córdoba, the best option is to extend your stay to a third day.

After these two intense days exploring the city, you’ll have two things clear about Córdoba: first, that it’s a wonderful destination—an experience you’ll remember forever; second, that even after not stopping for a second, there are still many things left to see. For this reason, if you decide to extend your stay by one more day, or you already planned a longer trip and wonder what to see in Córdoba in three days, here are my final recommendations.

First, spend the morning visiting the museums you couldn’t see the previous day. If you finally opted for the Archaeological Museum, now is the time to explore the Fine Arts and Julio Romero de Torres Museums. If you visited those two on the afternoon of Day 2, then go to the Archaeological one.

Besides these museums, there are three more very interesting places to understand some of the different cultures that have shaped Córdoba’s identity: the Casa de Sefarad, which revives the legacy of the Judeo-Spanish (Sephardic) culture; the Casa Andalusí, which offers an experience of how the East–West blend formed Andalusi culture; and the Calahorra Tower, home to the Living Museum of al-Andalus and one of the best panoramic views of the city.

After a morning visiting some museums and delving into Córdoba’s artistic and cultural traditions, head to the Alcázar Viejo neighbourhood (which you know from the Night FreeTour). Two reasons will draw you there: first, you’ll be looking for a place to eat, and in this neighbourhood you’ll find high-quality taverns such as Posada del Caballo Andaluz; second, after lunch you can take a guided tour of some of the city’s most award-winning patios, learning why this tradition is rightfully recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

To conclude your adventure, and if time allows, at the entrance to the neighbourhood you’ll find the Royal Stables of Córdoba, where you can enjoy the “Passion and Duende of the Andalusian Horse” show—a perfect finale to your experience in the city.

Finally, allow me to give you a practical tip: check opening hours before planning your trip. Keep in mind that publicly owned monuments and museums are closed on Mondays and Sunday afternoons, and some sites offer free entry at certain hours on specific days. Taking these factors into account will help you rearrange your days to make the most of your visit. But without a doubt, if you want your Córdoba trip to be unique, contact us—we’ll be delighted to advise and accompany you during your stay in Córdoba.