La Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba) is captivating. It brings hordes of tourists to this Andalusian town annually. It is one of many interesting things to do in Cordoba Spain. If you only have one day in Cordoba, you will be busy.
La Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)
The red and white archways captivated my attention from the moment we entered. The contrast between the Moorish architecture and Catholic artefacts somehow blend seamlessly. As a result, the structure feels endless. It is a visual treat around every corner. It remains the largest structure of its kind in the western Muslim world.
La Mezquita is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. While we marvelled at everything we saw, we know we missed quite a bit by not having a guided tour. If I ever get back, I will have a guide. My top choice is a 2-hour tour of the Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral has an art historian guide and skip-the-line ticket.
⇒ Check availability on Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral: Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
If I were worried about time and trying to cram in all the cool things to do in Cordoba in a day or two, I might consider this shorter (and very popular) 75-minute tour:
⇒ Check availability of the 75-minute Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral Guided Tour
Exterior of La Mezquita
A brief history of La Mesquita (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba):
- Initially built as the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins.
- In 711 AD the Muslims conquered Spain. The Christians and Muslims shared the church, each occupying half of the building.
- Construction of the Grand Mosque of Córdoba began in 784 after the Christian half was purchased and demolished.
- Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the church converted to Roman Catholic.
- Now it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jewish Quarter Cordoba
At the centre of the maze of narrow streets that make up the Juderia. This medieval Jewish ghetto is home to one of only three original synagogues remaining in Spain. Built in 1315 in the Mudéjar-style it was transformed into a church in the 16th century, only to later be rediscovered in the 19th century.
Roman Bridge and Torre de la Calahorra
The Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) is a 16-arched bridge spanning the Río Guadalquivir. It was originally built after Caesar’s victory over Pompey the Great. With renovations and reconstructions over time, it barely resembles its Roman roots. If it looks familiar, perhaps you recognise it as the Long Bridge of Volantis from 
The tower at the south end is a fortified gate built during the late 12th century to protect the bridge. Today the tower is Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus, a museum highlighting the cultural achievements of Al-Andalus.
Standing on the Roman Bridge, looking to the south. The Torre de la Calahorra (tower) can be seen sticking up at the other end of the bridge.
Standing on the Roman Bridge, looking to the north towards the city gate and the pedestal topped with The Triumph of San Rafael de Glorieta of the Count of Guadalhorce dedicated to the archangel San Rafael, angel guardian of the city.
More Things to Do in Cordoba
- Let the speed of the dancer’s feet at a Flamenco show mesmerise you.
⇒ Get tickets for the famous Cordoba Flamenco Show at Tablao el Cardenal
(be sure to read the reviews on the page if you are unsure.
They will convince you this is the show to see.)
- Visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (The Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs), a former Caliphal Palace. It later became the residence of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon and the location where they met Christopher Columbus as he prepared to take his first voyage to the Americas.
- Let the lush nature and fountains relax you at Jardín Botánico de Córdoba (Cordoba’s Botanical Garden).
- Unwind with a hammam bath (a different and much more relaxing experience than the hammam bath we had in Morocco).
- Increase your understanding of Spain’s controversial sport at the Bullfighting Museum.
- Explore the 12 patios and fountains of Palacio de los Marqueses de Viana.
Ancient city gate
Walk Around Cordoba at Night
Lit up and golden, La Mesquita looks beautiful at night. And, we found a fabulous little ice cream shop in one of the corners. However, once again, we wish we had taken a tour. If we didn’t have our girls with us, I would have opted for the one with wine and tapas. However, since we were on a family trip, I think I would have just done the walking tour:
⇒ Check details on the Cordoba Evening Traditional Tapas Walking Tour
OR ⇒ Check details on the Córdoba Night Walking Tour
Take a Tour: Don’t Miss Any of the Things to do in Cordoba Spain
- If you prefer a full city tour, there are several reputable companies offering Cordoba Spain tours, as well as the option of a hop-on-hop-off bus.
⇒ Get your Cordoba hop-on-hop-off bus pass
⇒ Check Cordoba tour options and availability with Viator, at TripAdvisor Company
⇒ Check Cordoba tour options and availability with Get Your Guide
OR ⇒ Check Cordoba tour options and availability with City Discovery
If you prefer to do it yourself, you might want one of these books:
Practical Information: Cordoba Travel Tips
- Cordoba is in southern Spain about 150 km north-east of Seville.
- La Mezquita’s published opening time is 10 am, but if you arrive between 8.30 and 10 am entry is free. Other early birders have mentioned that they had to be out by 9.30. However, we had free entrance at arriving at 9.55 am, and we stayed until we were done.
- We stayed at Hotel Mezquita, an affordable Andalusian house style accommodation directly across the street from La Mezquita. Surrounded by historic buildings, our hotel was clean, colourful, and had a larger than average room for our family. For us, it is the perfect place to stay.
⇒ Check prices and availability at Hotel Mezquita in Cordoba
- Parking for La Mezquita and the nearby hotels (including Hotel Mezquita) is several blocks away from the entrance.
⇒ Visit HotelsCombined to compare other Cordoba accommodations
This article is part of a series highlighting a driving loop through Spain and Portugal that both started and ended in Costa Brava. Our key stops included Saragosa, Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada. Then in Portugal, we visited Evora, Sintra, Obidos, and Alcobaca before returning to Spain: Vigo, La Coruna, Santillana del Mar, and San Sebastian.
If you had only one day in Cordoba, which of these would you visit?
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They all look enticing but I particularly like your nighttime photos!
Thanks. I love taking nighttime shots. They are all handheld on this page.
I would most likely visit La Mezquita if I had only one day in Cordoba. However, it would be a difficult choice considering how beautiful the other sites are too. We passed by Cordoba on our way to Toledo some years ago when we went to Spain, but didn’t have enough time to stop and visit. I’d love to go back though.
We drove to Cordoba from Toledo, staying at least a night in both.
Thirteen years ago this week, I was touring Cordoba and La Mezquita myself! I wish I could go back and make by 18-year-old self listen to the guide better, but I do recall being stunned by the architecture of La Mezquita and loved walking around the city with friends. This was a fun trip down memory lane for me. 🙂
Yes, imagine how smart the world would be if we could all go back and have our younger selves listen better.
These photos are stunning. I would love to take a walk around here 🙂
Thanks Claire, I hope you get to Spain someday.
What a great adventure spending so much time exploring Spain!
I’ve visited Barcelona, but would love to see Cordoba and Madrid!
Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos again!
We had two home exchanges in Spain, one long term in Palamos (Costa Brava), the other in Galicia. We visited Cordoba as we travelled between the two.
Another one to add to my list of places to visit
Mollyx
It is one I would highly recommend.
Hi!
As soon I have seen the picture I knew, our Mezquita in Cordoba!!! so stunning buildins, isnt it? The photos are spectacular!
Have a great week Rhonda!
Nuria
http://www.travelera.es
It is such a distinctive icon. I think anyone who has been there, recognises it instantly.
That bridge is such interesting architecture. You make me want to visit Spain! Your night shots are stunning. We usually get up early on our travels and by after dinner, we are zonked and miss out on the city lights. Time to change that up now and then!
Gorgeous photos! I would love to visit the Roman bridge.
There are interesting things on both ends of the bridge.
How i wish i can also see those you showed us! They are truly amazing and very impressive, and your photos are so beautiful. Thanks.
Maybe one day you will get to.
Oh, man…it’s so beautiful. With only a day, I’d probably just wander the streets and stare at everything. But, choosing from the above, I imagine I’d visit the cathedral.
I hope you would take time to go into a few places.
Such a pretty place! I imagine this building took forever to construct with all the detail!
I am sure it did, and then it would have been modified each time it was taken over.
What beautiful pics. What a lovely place to visit. I would love to visit there.
I hope you get a chance to tour in Spain some day.
I went here in 2009 and we really love to walk around La Mezquita. It is such a beautiful, historical place.
The best thing about the old places is that they never change.
Wow! So many wonderful photos!
Thanks Birgitta.
Boa tarde, gostei de conhecer o seu excelente trabalho fotografico, as fotos são magicas no seu enquanto e na qualidade, Córdova é uma cidade lindas cheia historia conhecida e misteriosa, a mesquita é conhecida internacionalmente pela enorme beleza, , julgo que já existiram mais mesquitas na bela cidade, a que bem fotografou é uma mesquita dentro da outra, suas duas mesquitas, concorda?
Votos de feliz semana.
AG
Gracias.
Stunning photography. I would definitely visit the church no matter how long I had. I love taking little trips with you through out the world.
I think everyone who comes to Cordoba goes to the Mosque-Church of Cordoba.
Remarkably beautiful!
Thanks Teresa.
Wow – just breathtaking!
Thanks Fi.
Such lovely photos! looks like an amazing trip.
Travelling through Spain was full of surprises. Cordoba was one of the best.
These are truly amazing photos, what a wonderful experience!
Have a fabulous week where ever you travel….Be safe!
Karren
Thanks Karren.
Wow, the Cathedral of Cordoba just got put on my bucket list. I’ve read about it before but your post really got my interest.
It was similar photos that got me hooked originally.
Spain is such a stunning country. I’ve been only to Barcelona, but I want to go back for a longer period to explore its different regions. Beautiful photos, Rhonda!
Barcelona is fabulous, so based around the work of Gaudi. Cordoba is quite different.
Marvelous images, my dear!
Thanks.
And the largest building is Catholic. Ironic. But very beautiful.
It wasn’t originally Catholic.
I have some friends there now. This is their second time there so I’m guessing they like Spain very much.
Great shots as always.
Have a fabulous day. 🙂
Oh, lucky friends. I would love to be back in Spain.
Oh I want, want, want to see all of these. Bucket list items for sure.
Worth a Thousand Words
Cordoba really is a must see destination.
Brings back great memories.
Same for me when I looked through them to update the post.
Absolutely breathtaking! So beautiful and so much history. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jessica.
so beautiful! international art amazes me. i envy your brave travels!
LOL – we didn’t feel very brave.
Sometimes when I see such grand designs, I can’t help but wonder how many labor hours goes into creating the master piece. It is gorgeous.
There must be an enormous amount of hours that went into the creation of the mosque.
Wow. Never been – but I sure want to now.
I love it all — the architecture is truly amazing and just stunning. The ceiling is absolute art.
Everything about the place is truly amazing and just stunning.
very fantastic photos, I love its history, very amazing stories related to it.
Thanks John.
That is impressive! It’s amazing that they built churches like that centuries ago – and that they are still standing strong. I’ve never been to Spain, but I saw plenty in England and Scotland.
I loved both England and Scotland, but there is a special place in my heart for Spain.
I remember my parents visiting Spain years ago and going on those tours. They had an amazing experience.
There are plenty of tours that go here, but we opted to do it on our own.
They really are stunning shots!
Thannks.
Beautiful photos!!! I studied architectural history in college and would love to go somewhere like spain to study all the beautiful, historic architecture. Thanks for sharing with us! I’ve linked up.
There are so many places in Europe that would be ideal for an architectural study.
I have never been to Spain but would love to go. I think the picture of the altar is my favorite. So much detail. Gorgeous photos.
Thanks Patty. I love the red and white arches.
Gorgeous photos!
I’ve been to Spain (Madrid) however it was the worse experience of my life as my husband was injured in a terrorist bombing. 🙁
OMG, that is so terrible. I am so sorry to read this.
Gorgeous photos of the Cathedral. I love the ceiling photo. The photo of the alter is amazing – a lot of architecture to take in! Breathtaking, really.
It is a magnificent mosque – church.
What incredible architecture, and I love the colors. Thanks for sharing!
We saw a church with similar colours in Western Australia. It turned out to be modelled after this one.
Love the detail!
🙂 Danica
Thanks Danica.
That is one interesting looking building. I love all the details. I sadly have never been to Spain. So, pictures will have to do!
Glad I have lots of them to share.
That is really a beautiful church.. 🙂
With such an interesting history.
I also haven’t visited this part of Spain, but would love to go! Gorgeous photos!
Thanks Julie, I hope you get here. It’s such a fabulous city.
I like all the shots! It is beautiful! I’ve been to cathedrals in Paris and Italy. Never Spain. Thanks for sharing!
The cathedrals in Paris and Italy that we visited were all quite different then La Mezquita.
It is a gorgeous place.
Thanks Rosey.
That’s a beautiful place.
Thanks Joyce.
I have never been to Spain… (humm reminds me of a song!) but my youngest son was sent there for work and my youngest BIL was in the air force for 20 years & spent quite a few of them there. It is also where he met his wife.
I think the ‘old world’ has the prettiest architecture.
Agreed. I love the medieval architecture.
I think not, I visited Spain as a young child, but would have remembered those colorful arches had I see them.
There are so many cool cities in Spain, maybe you just didn’t go to Cordoba.
Spain is on my travel bucket list.. it’s so beautiful!
Move it to the top of your list, Spain is fabulous.
I’ve always wanted to go to Spain. Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks Tiffany.
Just beautiful. I have been to Europe, but our tour did not go to Spain. I have ancestral ties to Spain, and would one day love to visit.
Too bad, it is a fascinating country. We spent 10 weeks in Spain.
Wow! This cathedral is so beautiful! Great shots Rhonda. Thanks for sharing and hosting.
It is really impressive.
Stunning photos! x
Thanks Charlotte.
Great pictures! Very impressed. Spain sounds like a great destination.
I hope you get to Spain, it’s fabulous.
I’ve been there! It’s gorgeous.
It sure is.
These are wonderful photos!
Thanks Christina.
Hi Rhonda .. I haven’t been to that part of Spain and so want to go .. and do a tour round at some stage. Those pictures are just amazing – the third one is just incredible and so fascinating to see .. now I want to go even more ..
Cheers Hilary
It’s right down the centre of the country. We went from Madrid to Segovia, then Toledo to Cordoba before heading to Granada.
I have only been to three countries Japan, Philippines and China, we actually went to Hong Kong, but took a train ride through China. Love the pictures
Asia and Europe are quite different.
Breathtaking!! I just love Europe!
Thanks Tammi.
I’ve never been to Spain.
My favorite photograph is the golden door shot. Beautiful.
Thanks. There were so many different architectural features, it was hard to pick the photos to share here.
I agree with you what a stunning place I bet it had a great atmosphere, last time I was in Spain was in 1986 (Which is hard to believe seeings I am only 21) and still remember it well 🙂
Have a lietastic week 😉
I would imagine La Mesquita is exactly the same in 1986.
Oh wow, that is breath taking. I have never been to Spain, or anywhere in Europe for any matter.
Breathtaking is the perfect word. It leaves you speechless.