Seville to Cordoba Day Trip: Cordoba Itinerary

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Planning a Seville to Córdoba day trip? Let’s dive into everything you need to know. 

Located less than an hour by train from Seville, Córdoba is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and a must-visit day trip from Seville.

Before we get into the article, here are some popular tours in Cordoba if you are in a rush:

Where is Cordoba?

Córdoba is located in the Andalusian region of southern Spain, just a few hours from popular cities like Malaga, Grenada, and Seville.

Getting from Seville to Cordoba

It is super easy to get from Seville to Cordoba, which is what makes it such a fantastic day trip. Although, of course, if you have more time to spare to spend in the city, you can easily spend a few nights.

The fastest way to get from Seville to Cordoba is by train, but having a car will give you the most freedom. On the other hand, taking a bus is the most budget-friendly option for getting from Seville to Cordoba, while joining a guided tour takes the least amount of planning.

Average travel times from Seville to Cordoba:

• By car: 1 hour 30 mins 
• By train: 45 minutes – 1 hour 
• By bus: 2 hours

By train

Traveling by train is the fastest way to trash Córdoba from Seville, with most train journeys taking less than 1 hour. If you plan to travel by train I recommend booking your train tickets as early as possible, especially if you’re planning to visit on a weekend. 

From the train station in Cordoba it is about a 20 minute walk to the city center, or a short taxi ride. 

If you’re planning a last minute trip, train tickets can be quite high. In this case, it might be a more affordable option to book your own car. 

By car

Renting a car is a great way to visit Cordoba on a day trip from Seville. Having a car will give you the most flexibility and freedom to explore as you like. 

The drive from Seville to Cordoba is an easy one to navigate along A4 highway.  

Renting your own car also gives you the option to see and explore other, smaller cities along the way from Seville to Córdoba.  

We found parking to be relatively easy within the city. You’ll find both street parking and parking lots. We stayed in a lot for about 4 hours for around 6€.

By bus 

If you’re traveling from Seville to Cordoba on a budget, then the bus is a great alternative option. The journey time is a bit longer at around 2 hours, but the tickets are often a fraction of the price of train tickets.

By guided tour 

If you’re looking to spend less time planning and more time enjoying, consider taking a guided tour from Seville to Cordoba. A guided day trip from Seville to Cordoba averages around $100 per person and includes both transportation and a full day of sightseeing in Cordoba.

There is also an airport in Cordoba, but I wouldn’t recommend flying between Seville and Cordoba. It is more time efficient and better for the environment to use other forms of transportation between the two cities.

Things to do in Córdoba 

Visit the Mezquita-Cathedral of Cordoba

If there is only one thing that you do in Cordoba, make it a visit to the magnificent Mezquita-Cathedral. The Mezquita-Cathedral is not only a functioning Catholic cathedral, but also a significant historical landmark where you can see the fusion of styles of Islamic, Christian, and Renaissance.

While originally built as a a mosque in the 8th century, and expanding over the years, it was converted into a cathedral in the 13th century.

The Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cost: General tickets cost 13€, with reduced tickets for 10€

Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos

This fortress-palace is a great place to visit on a day trip to Cordoba. It is a medieval alcazar located directly in the historic center, not far from the Mezquita-Cathedral. The site was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1994.

Today, the gardens, covering over 50,000 square meters, are one of the most impressive parts of any visit to the Alcazar. You’ll find plants from all of the world, as well as concentration of lemon and orange trees. 

La Juderia (Jewish Quarter) of Cordoba 

La Juderia, or Jewish Quarter, was home to Cordoba’s Jewish population between the 10th and 15th centuries. The Jewish Quarter was separated from the rest of the city by a wall. Today it is one of the most visited tourist areas in the city. 

Notable places of interest in this neighborhood include the Cordoba Synagogue, Zoco Municipal Market and the Bull fighting museum (the Museo Taurino).

This neighborhood is part of Cordoba’s historic center, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. 

Walk across the Roman Bridge

One of the most popular things to do on a day trip to Cordoba is to take a stroll across the Roman Bridge. The Roman Bridge of Cordoba spans across the Guadalquivir River. The bridge was originally built in the early 1st century BC, and although reconstructed many time, it has played a major role in many of Cordoba’s battles. 

Today the bridge offers a beautiful stroll across the river. 

Look familiar? The bridge was actually featured in the popular TV series, Game of Thrones. 

Where to eat in Cordoba

There are tons of restaurants to check out in Cordoba. For cheaper prices and more affordable prices, move away from the main tourist center.

• Bar Moriles – local bar for lunch 
• El Pastel Cordobes – amazing pasty shop in the old city

While in Cordoba, be sure to try some of the local dishes such as:

• Salmorejo – a cold soup similar to gazpacho
• Flamenquín – fried ham and cheese
• Berenjenas con miel – eggplant with honey
• Churros con chocolate – although not specific to Cordoba, fresh churros in hot chocolate are never a bad idea

Best time to visit Cordoba

Cordoba is hot, that is for sure. Even in the fall you can expect summer-like temperatures.

I’d recommend visiting the spring or fall for a more pleasant experience, and avoid the peak summer months.

Where to stay in Cordoba

If you plan on overnighting in Cordoba, rather than visiting on a day trip from Seville, I’ve compiled a list of some of the top-rated hotels in the city:

• H10 Palacio Colomera
• ApartaSuites Alberca Deluxe
• Las Casas de la Juderia de Cordoba

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