Visiting Medina Azahara in Córdoba | Book Medina Azahara Tickets

Built in 929 AD, by Abd-al Rahman III, Medina Azahara is an ancient city at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains in Córdoba. The city was supposedly built to promote the image of the independently created Western Caliph in Medieval Europe. Like many ancient and medieval cities, beside mountains, Medina Azahara was built on terraces, surrounded by a city wall. The highest and middle terraces were reserved for the royal palaces and the lowest level was reserved for the living quarters. The rich marbles, intricate decorations and Byzantine contributions make Medina Azahara a must-visit when in Spain.
Read on to know more about the palace city of Córdoba, from its timings, highlights, tickets and more.

Why Visit Córdoba Medina Azahara?

Medina Azahara is an ancient city, now recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The 10th century city has magnificent buildings and artworks. The High Hall has decorated arches, and the rich hall, divided into 3 naves has red and bluish marble arches.
The Rich hall also has Ataurique decorations or carved plant motifs.
Medina Azahara is a rich example of Hispanic-Muslim legacy.
The Medina Azahara Córdoba is home to 2 important monuments- the Medina Azahara and the iconic Aljama mosque.

Your Córdoba Medina Azahara Tickets Explained

Medina Azahara Skip-the-Line Tickets

Get lost in the ancient world of Medina Azahara, the palace city in Córdoba, which was built around a thousand years ago.
With your Skip-The-Line tickets to Medina Azahara, you can easily whizz past the annoying long lines, skipping the wait and jumping straight into the tour.
Learn fascinating facts about the 10th-century Córdoba, its lifestyle and the governance style of the site through your expert Spanish guide.
Roam around the attraction exploring the remains of the palatine city built by the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba in 929 AD.
During this 2.5-hour guided tour, you can discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and look around for the reception hall “Salon Rico” displaying inscriptions and the massive “House of Ya’far” with an intricately adorned floor.

What is the Best Way To Book Medina Azahara Córdoba Tickets? Book Online

As Medina Azahara is one of the most popular attractions in Córdoba for tourists, it can become a massive task to get your hands on the tickets without prior arrangements. Book your tickets online and enjoy an experience without bother while on your trip.

Convenience: Leave behind the long queues with the fast-track tickets that make you jazz past the long lines.
Advance Reservations: With the online booking process, you can secure your trip easily by purchasing your tour slots in advance.
Great Discounts: Get lost in the ancient world of Medina Azahara at interestingly low prices, as online booking gives you great discounts.

Medina Azahara Córdoba Highlights

The Royal Castle

The Royal Castle is built on the highest and middle of the 3 terraces of Medina Azahara Córdoba. Many sources say that the royal castle was intended for propaganda purposes of Abr Rahman III. The palace was meant to showcase the power of the Umayyad caliphate in Medieval Western Europe.

The Aljama Mosque

The Aljama Mosque of Medina Azahara Córdoba is situated on the lowest terrace, outside the city walls. It was the city’s main congregational mosque. The mosque had a private passage for the Caliph to enter directly to the Maqsura. The floor plan of the mosque is rectangular with a courtyard, prayer hall and minaret.

High Garden

Like most gardens in the Muslim world, the High garden too is divided into 4 parts. Each part has ponds. In the center of the garden is the central pavilion. The 4 pools were for religious, decorative and functional purposes. The High garden is located on the same level as the Rich Hall.

Plan Your Visit To Medina Azahara in Córdoba

From January 1st to March 31st:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From April 1st to June 30th:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From July 1st to September 30th:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From October 1st to December 31st:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
Closed on:
All Mondays
January 1st & 6th; May 1st; December 24th, 25th and 31st.
Best time to visit:
Early mornings when the crowds are low and during the months from October to December.

Address: Ctra. Palma del Río, km 5.5, 14005 Córdoba, Spain.

Find on Maps.

By Bus: Daily Bus to Medina Azahara., starting from stops Paseo de la Victoria (Red Cross Hospital Roundabout) and Paseo de la Victoria (opposite Mercado Victoria).
Nearest Stop: Resid. San José DC, Resid. San José.
By Train: C1.
Nearest Station: El Higueron, Villarrubia de Córdoba.
By Car: Distance from Córdoba Airport: 8 km.
Nearest Parking: Decathlon Parking, Camper park Medina Azahara.

While there is no prescribed dress code, remember that Medina Azahara is religiously important.
You cannot bring your vehicles directly to the ancient city. You’ll have to take the shuttle bus from the reception center at the Museum of Madinat al-Zahra.
Respect the heritage of the monuments. Do not deface any part or cause harm to the architecture.
Respect the experience of others in the tour.

Mosque- Cathedral of Córdoba: It is known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumptions and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Córdoba. It was formerly an Isl AMic Mosque.
Alcazar Of Christian Monarchs: It is located near the Mosque-Cathedral Of Córdoba, in the historic center of Córdoba, next to the Guadalquivir river.
Roman Bridge of Córdoba: It was first built in the 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river. It has been reconstructed multiple times since then.
Castillo Almodovar del Rio: This castle in the province of Córdoba has Moorish origins. During the middle ages it underwent multiple renovations and reconstructions.

Visitor Tips

Medina Azahara has many uneven surfaces. Be prepared with comfortable footwear.
Bring sunglasses, sunscreens and hats to beat the heat of the sun. Note that the site is not shaded.
Try to visit during late afternoons or early mornings to avoid the heat of the sun.
You’ll need at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire site.
Visit the site bookstore to buy illustrations and books for your children.
It is best to have a baby carrier if you’re traveling with a baby. Baby strollers can make some places inaccessible.

Walk ancient palace ruins with a bilingual expert guide—upgrade for comfy round-trip transfers

Everything you get: Uncover the forgotten city of Medina Azahara on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry. Choose English or Spanish guides and explore palace ruins, mosques, and gardens. Your tickets also get you entry to the Medina Azahara Museum.
Why choose this: Visit one of Spain’s most extraordinary archaeological sites with a local expert—no entry lines, no transport stress, just history, ruins, and stories.
Upgrades: Add round-trip transfers from Cordoba for a smooth ride to the site—perfect if you’d rather skip taxi hassles or public transport.

Inclusions #

Skip-the-line entry to Medina Azahara
Guided tour in English or Spanish
Entry to Medina Azahara Museum
Onsite shuttle bus transport
Roundtrip transfers from Córdoba (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

Entry to Medina Azahara Bell Tower
Meals and personal expenses
Access for wheelchair users

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or passport to get your tickets validated.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes, as the tour involves a fair amount of walking.
Don’t forget to carry a bottle of water and sun protection, as shaded areas are limited throughout the experience.

What’s not allowed

Tripods, selfie sticks, and professional photography and videography equipment is prohibited.
Your pets cannot accompany you on this tour.
Touching or climbing the ruins is strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, this experience is not wheelchair accessible or suitable for those with limited mobility due to uneven paths and steps along the route.

Additional information

Your ticket includes entry to the museum and access to the on-site shuttle service.
The full tour typically lasts between 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your pace and group size.
You must arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before schedule.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Tip: Explore the detailed model showcasing the layout and structures of the ancient palace city, providing a comprehensive overview of its grandeur.
The experience is not accessible for wheelchairs/strollers.

Inclusions #

2-hour guided tour of Medina Azahara
Expert Spanish-speaking guide
Bus transfers from Cordoba (as per option selected)
Radio guide system for groups with more than 10 members

Exclusions #

Shuttle from Medina Azahara's main gate to the site

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral

Tip: Inside the cathedral, don’t miss the opportunity to see the “Monument” – the largest tabernacle in the world.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Medina Azahara

Tip: Check out the once-grand reservoir, it provided water to the entire city.
This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.

Inclusions #

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral

Entry to Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral
Route of the Fernandina Churches

Medina Azahara

2-hour Spanish guided tour of Medina Azahara
Bus transfers from Cordoba
Radio guide system for groups with more than 10 members

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Walk ancient palace ruins with a bilingual expert guide—upgrade for comfy round-trip transfers

Everything you get: Uncover the forgotten city of Medina Azahara on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry. Choose English or Spanish guides and explore palace ruins, mosques, and gardens. Your tickets also get you entry to the Medina Azahara Museum.
Why choose this: Visit one of Spain’s most extraordinary archaeological sites with a local expert—no entry lines, no transport stress, just history, ruins, and stories.
Upgrades: Add round-trip transfers from Cordoba for a smooth ride to the site—perfect if you’d rather skip taxi hassles or public transport.

Inclusions #

Skip-the-line entry to Medina Azahara
Guided tour in English or Spanish
Entry to Medina Azahara Museum
Onsite shuttle bus transport
Roundtrip transfers from Córdoba (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

Entry to Medina Azahara Bell Tower
Meals and personal expenses
Access for wheelchair users

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or passport to get your tickets validated.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes, as the tour involves a fair amount of walking.
Don’t forget to carry a bottle of water and sun protection, as shaded areas are limited throughout the experience.

What’s not allowed

Tripods, selfie sticks, and professional photography and videography equipment is prohibited.
Your pets cannot accompany you on this tour.
Touching or climbing the ruins is strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, this experience is not wheelchair accessible or suitable for those with limited mobility due to uneven paths and steps along the route.

Additional information

Your ticket includes entry to the museum and access to the on-site shuttle service.
The full tour typically lasts between 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your pace and group size.
You must arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before schedule.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Tip: Explore the detailed model showcasing the layout and structures of the ancient palace city, providing a comprehensive overview of its grandeur.
The experience is not accessible for wheelchairs/strollers.

Inclusions #

2-hour guided tour of Medina Azahara
Expert Spanish-speaking guide
Bus transfers from Cordoba (as per option selected)
Radio guide system for groups with more than 10 members

Exclusions #

Shuttle from Medina Azahara's main gate to the site

These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral

Tip: Inside the cathedral, don’t miss the opportunity to see the “Monument” – the largest tabernacle in the world.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Medina Azahara

Tip: Check out the once-grand reservoir, it provided water to the entire city.
This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.

Inclusions #

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral

Entry to Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral
Route of the Fernandina Churches

Medina Azahara

2-hour Spanish guided tour of Medina Azahara
Bus transfers from Cordoba
Radio guide system for groups with more than 10 members

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Guided Tours

Medina Azahara Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Walk ancient palace ruins with a bilingual expert guide—upgrade for comfy round-trip transfers

Everything you get: Uncover the forgotten city of Medina Azahara on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry. Choose English or Spanish guides and explore palace ruins, mosques, and gardens. Your tickets also get you entry to the Medina Azahara Museum.
Why choose this: Visit one of Spain’s most extraordinary archaeological sites with a local expert—no entry lines, no transport stress, just history, ruins, and stories.
Upgrades: Add round-trip transfers from Cordoba for a smooth ride to the site—perfect if you’d rather skip taxi hassles or public transport.

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Check availability

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hr. 30 min. - 3 hr. 30 min.

Transfers available

Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral Tickets + Medina Azahara Guided Night Tour

Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral

Tip: Inside the cathedral, don’t miss the opportunity to see the “Monument” – the largest tabernacle in the world.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Medina Azahara

Tip: Check out the once-grand reservoir, it provided water to the entire city.
This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.

‌

Check availability

Guided tour

Transfers available

Book Cordoba Medina Azahara Tickets & Tours

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Visiting Medina Azahara in Córdoba | Book Medina Azahara Tickets

Why Visit Córdoba Medina Azahara?