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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 

La Mezquita in Cordoba Spain

La Mezquita in Cordoba Spain

La Mezquita (Mosque - Cathedral of Córdoba) in Cordoba Spain

La Mezquita (Mosque - Cathedral of Córdoba) in Cordoba Spain

La Mezquita (Mosque - Cathedral of Córdoba) in Cordoba Spain

A doorway inside La Mezquita (Mosque - Cathedral of Córdoba) in Cordoba Spain

Exterior of La Mezquita in Cordoba Spain
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.

Juderia, medieval Jewish ghetto in Cordoba Spain

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 Game of  Thrones: Season 5.

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.

Roman bridge in Cordoba Spain
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.
Roman bridge in Cordoba Spain
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.
City gate in Cordoba Spain
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

La Mezquita at night. One of the best things to do in Cordoba Spain

La Mezquita at night in Cordoba Spain

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 Veltra

If you prefer to do it yourself, you might want a tour 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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Visiting the Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain. For more information visit the blog

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Comments

  2. 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.

    Reply

  3. 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. 🙂

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  8. 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!

    Reply

  16. 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.

    Reply

  21. 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

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  27. 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.

    Reply

  30. 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. 🙂

    Reply

  35. 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.

    Reply

  37. 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.

    Reply

  41. 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. 🙁

    Reply

  49. 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.

    Reply

  59. 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

    Reply

  63. 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 😉

    Reply

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