The city of Cordoba in the Andalucia region of Southern Spain is a World Heritage Site and a town that is undoubtedly worth adding to any Spain itinerary. However, if you’re pressed for time and trying to see as much of this fantastic country as possible, then it’s worth considering visiting here by planning a Seville to Cordoba day trip.
Spending one day in Cordoba will allow you to see the world-famous sites that the city is known for as well as
How to Get from Seville to Cordoba
If you plan to take a day trip from Seville to Cordoba then you have four options for organising transport; train, bus, car and organised tour.
Seville to Cordoba by Train
If you want to make the most of your one day in Cordoba and aren’t travelling on a tight budget, then the best way to travel from Seville to Cordoba is by train. Fast trains take only 43 minutes one way and there are some slower trains that take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is usually at least one train per hour but they are more frequent around rush hour.
Like elsewhere in Spain, train tickets tend to be more expensive than buses so your best bet, if you want to secure a cheap fare, is to book train tickets in advance. Click here to browse train timetables.
From the train station, you can walk into the city centre in around 15 to 20 minutes. There are also local buses you can take if you need to travel further away that cost
€1.30 per ticket and can be bought on-board from the bus driver.
Seville to Cordoba by Bus
If you are unable to secure a good deal on train tickets then taking a bus from Seville to Cordoba is another option when visiting Cordoba as a day trip. Buses are, however, a lot slower than trains and you should expect to spend about 2 hours one way when travelling from Seville to Cordoba.
This does mean that you will have less time exploring the city, however, it will save you money if travelling on a budget. Buses from Seville to Cordoba are less frequent than trains so it’s important to book tickets in advance to make sure you make it back to Seville in one day! Click here to browse bus fares in Spain
The bus station in Cordoba is next to the train station so you can also walk into the city centre easily if travelling from Seville to Cordoba by bus.
Seville to Cordoba by Organised Tour
If you prefer the convenience of having your Seville to Cordoba day trip organised for you then there are a number of day tours that you can book.
This full-day tour from Seville that is available on GetYourGuide is a great option as it includes all transport, entry into the Mezquita and free time to explore on your own. You also get the chance to explore some of the Andalucian countryside on the way. A similar tour is also available on Viator.
Seville to Cordoba by Car
A great option for travelling not only from Seville to Cordoba but also all around Southern Spain is to rent a car. This will give you the option of being able to visit on your own schedule and not be at the mercy of train or bus timetables! You can also add a stop in the small town of Ecija which can be difficult to time if taking public transport.
We recommend using Rentalcars.com to find great deals on car rental in Spain – click here to browse car hire options in Spain.
If you are from outside of the EU, Spanish law requires that you have an international driver’s license to rent a car. While car rental companies might still hire you a car with a different license, you will have to accept the risk of getting a fine and your car potentially towed if you get pulled over when driving.
Cordoba Day Trip from Seville Itinerary
Once you’ve worked out the best way to travel from Seville to Cordoba, it’s time to start enjoying the beauty of this city! This Cordoba itinerary aims to find a balance between seeing the highlights of the city but also allows you to explore some of the quaint and charming streets that will undoubtedly make you fall in love with Cordoba.
Walking Tour
In order to see as much of Cordoba in a day as possible, I recommend trying to get to Cordoba early enough to join Oway Tours’ Free Walking Tour of Cordoba.
While the tour doesn’t visit inside any of the monuments in Cordoba, it provides visitors with a fantastic introduction to the city, showing you where all the main sites are as well as providing in-depth historical context of the city and its key attractions as well as local recommendations!
You will walk past the Mezquita-Catedral, the Jewish Quarter and old synagogue and the main highlights of Cordoba of the Old City such as the Alcazar and Roman Bridge.
The tour runs daily and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. They advise to book online to confirm your spot. As with all free walking tours, make sure to tip the guide at the end of your tour if you enjoy it as that is how the tour guides make their living!
If you can’t make it on the free walking tour or want a longer tour that includes entrance into some of the city’s sites, then this 4-hour guided walking tour is a good option.
Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba
Chances are one of the main reasons you want to spend one day in Cordoba is to see its most famous attraction — the Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba. Rest assured, this site is definitely worth going a trip to Cordoba from Seville!
Part of the space where the Mosque of Cordoba (which is now the Cathedral of the city) currently stands was first used by Christians as a Church in the 6th century. Changing Muslim and Christian rule in the centuries that followed resulted in different religious influences on the site.
This has led to the Mezquita-Catedral being a unique monument, unlike anything else in the world. As you walk around inside, you will con
Tickets to visit cost €13 each for adults. If you also wish to climb the Bell Tower then it’s an additional €3, however, tickets need to be purchased separately from a different kiosk next to the Bell Tower.
If you’re only spending one day in the city then it’s worth considering pre-purchasing tickets online as lines can get quite long, particularly in the middle of the day. I also recommend purchasing tickets for the Bell Tower as soon as you arrive as they only let in a limited number of people in half an hour blocks. This means you need to reserve your spot as soon as possible in busy periods!
To pre-purchase tickets, you’ll need to organise a guided tour however this will give you the additional benefit of learning a lot more about the history of the site as well as the skip-the-line ticket!
Lunch
After spending a few hours exploring the historical centre of Cordoba and the Mezquita-Catedral, it will likely be early afternoon which is just the right time for lunch in Spain on your Seville to Cordoba day trip!
As with nearly all tourist attractions around the world, I recommend taking the time to walk away from the Mezquita-Catedral and other main attractions and get lunch in a more local area.
One great option is to head to Plaza de la Corredera where there are a number of restaurants that set up tables in the square — perfect for a sunny day!
Bar Casa Patri in the plaza is a popular spot for locals and serves half or full portions of many traditional dishes from Andalucia. Prices here are low and portions are large, making this a great option if you’re visiting Cordoba on a budget. There is also a market below the plaza where you can pick up local produce. however, most stalls are closed by around 2 pm.
Another option for lunch is to head to Calle Enrique Romero Torres where there are a number of restaurants that have a menú del día which translates to the daily menu. I can highly recommend Taberna La Alquería which has a daily menu for that includes two courses and a dessert or coffee.
They serve typical dishes from the region and also have a number of outdoor tables for those common sunny days that you experience in Cordoba!
Stroll around Cordoba
If you eat lunch near Plaza de la Corredera or on Calle Enrique Romero Torres then take some time to stroll around these areas following your meal.
Despite only being a 10-15 minute walk from the main tourist attractions of Cordoba, these areas have a lot fewer people making it extremely pleasant to stroll along the charming cobblestone streets and discover winding narrow alleys, small churches and plant-filled squares. It’s also worth spending some time walking along Ronda de Isasa which runs next to the Guadalquivir River.
Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos
If you follow the path along the Guadalquivir River, you will end up next to another one of Cordona’s famous monuments – Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos which translates to the Castle of Christian Monarchs.
The castle was originally built in the 14th century and has been used historically as one of the main headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition as well as fighting against Granada which was the last Moorish kingdom in modern-day Spain. In the 19th century, the Alcazar was also used as a prison.
Similar to other Alcazars around Andalucia, one of the highlights of visiting is strolling through the magnificent gardens and enjoying the natural surroundings. You can
Have more than one day in Cordoba?
While you can see the main attractions of Cordoba on a day trip from Seville, it will definitely end up being a busy day so if you prefer to travel at a slower pace then you should consider spending two days in Cordoba.
This will allow you to take your time at all the attractions without needing to rush through them and also allow you to explore more of the hidden corners and get to know the culture of this charming city.
You can save money by visiting the Mezquita first thing in the morning between 8:30-9:30 am when there is free entry for visitors. If you want to make the most of this option, then make sure to get there as close as possible to 8:30 as you will be required to leave by 9:30.
Prices in Cordoba also tend to be cheaper than nearby Seville for things like accommodation and food so you can likely save money by spending the night in Cordoba rather than Seville.
Where to stay in Cordoba
Hotel Posada de Vallina – a hotel perfect mid-range visitors staying in Cordoba. They have a number of comfortable rooms to choose from and a great location close to all of the city’s top attractions. Click here to see their latest prices
Hesperia Córdoba – a fantastic boutique hotel that is located on the banks of the river. All rooms are extremely modern, clean and they also have a rooftop pool. Click here to see their latest prices.
Puerta de la Luna – a fantastic small hostel located in the heart of Cordoba which offers both dorms and private rooms. They have a great atmosphere, breakfast available and helpful staff. Click here to see their latest prices
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Cordoba!
A Seville to Cordoba day trip is a fantastic way to see the highlights of this Andalucian town in one day while also allowing you to enjoy some of the hidden charms of the city!
Are you planning to visit Cordoba? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
