GUIDED TOUR OF THE MOSQUE OF CÓRDOBA
Join us for the most complete guided tour of the Mosque of Córdoba and get to know the Mosque-Cathedral inside on an organised, direct route with tickets included. In 1 hour and 15 minutes you will see the Orange Tree Courtyard, the chapels, its doors, the Mihrab and the key points that explain how the monument evolved.
With more than 11 years of experience as tour guides, we offer a visit focused on the temple and the details that make the difference along the way, with an authorised official guide. The Mosque-Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, is one of the great symbols of Al-Andalus and a reflection of the cultures that have passed through Córdoba.
FULL ITINERARY OF THE GUIDED TOUR OF THE MOSQUE-CATHEDRAL
- 1
Enter the Mosque-Cathedral with tickets included and explore it inside with an official guide, on a 1 hour and 15 minute visit that starts at the Puerta del Perdón and ends at the Puerta de Santa Catalina, following the full interior in phases to understand how it evolved over time.
- 2
The route is organised by construction phases, so that you understand the building from its origin to its transformation into a cathedral. The itinerary covers the key points of the interior, from the remains linked to the earlier basilica and the founding stage, to the area of the Mihrab and the dome that covers the maqsura, considered one of the most representative expressions of Umayyad caliphal art.
- 3
The visit also includes the Christian reading after 1236, explaining what changes in the temple and how the cathedral was built inside the old mosque. This stretch includes spaces such as the Transept, the High Altar, the Choir Stalls and the main chapels, closing the route with a complete view of the whole.
- 4
The itinerary begins at the Puerta del Perdón, where the guide introduces themselves and explains how the visit will unfold, lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. It starts in the Orange Tree Courtyard, setting the historical context from 711, the independent emirate with Abd al-Rahman I in 756 and the proclamation of the caliphate by Abd al-Rahman III in 929, linking it with caliphal Córdoba and Medina Azahara. The guide also makes clear that the climb up the Bell Tower is separate and that inside it the old minaret is preserved, with a height of 74 metres.
- 5
Inside, the Mosque is explained as a building that grew through extensions to reach about 22,400 m². You enter through the founding stage of Abd al-Rahman I (786–788), where the archaeological remains of the late antique complex, the reference to the earlier basilica and the mosaics visible 2.5 metres down are interpreted. The orientation towards the qibla wall, the original role of the courtyard as a source of light and the architectural keys such as the double arcade, the upper semicircular arch, the horseshoe arch and the two-colour pattern of voussoirs and brick are analysed.
- 6
It continues with the extension of Abd al-Rahman II (833–848), marking the growth southwards and the transition between areas. Next comes the extension of Al-Hakam II (962–966), the most artistic stretch of the complex, where the domes, the axis towards the Mihrab and the work with Byzantine tesserae associated with Nikephoros Phokas are explained, with a richness of colour reaching up to 19 shades and abundant gilding. Here elements such as the Treasury Door and the sabat, the passage that connected the palace area with the sacred wall, are included.
- 7
In parallel, the tour covers the Christianisation after the entry of Ferdinand III in 1236 and the later evolution up to the great intervention of the Cathedral Transept (1523–1603), promoted under Charles V and carried out by the Hernán Ruiz family. In the final stretch you see the High Altarpiece (1618–1646) and the 18th-century Choir Stalls by Pedro Duque Cornejo. The Monstrance made by Enrique de Arfe around 1500 and the stonemasons' marks studied by Manuel Ocaña are also mentioned.
- 8
The last Islamic phase interpreted is the extension of Almanzor (991–994), visible in the growth eastwards and in the change of execution compared with earlier stages. The visit ends inside the monument and finishes by leaving through the Puerta de Santa Catalina.
Ver itinerario completoVer menos
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR VISIT TO THE MOSQUE OF CÓRDOBA
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is a working religious building and its operation depends on the Cathedral Chapter, with capacity control by time slot and occasional adjustments for liturgical celebrations. Booking your guided tour of the Mosque with tickets included in advance lets you secure a place at your chosen time and enter with everything already organised. In addition, when you go in you can ask the guide for the tickets for the Fernandine Churches, which the Mosque itself offers linked to your admission.
Duration
The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, from the start at the Puerta del Perdón to the exit through the Puerta de Santa Catalina. Under the monument's rules, the group enters and leaves with the guide.
Languages and groups
There are regular departures in Spanish, English and French and languages are not mixed in the same group. On prior request, German, Portuguese and Italian can be arranged, subject to availability.
Price
The guided tour with tickets included starts from €25.99 per adult. There are specific rates for children by age and infants go free, and when booking you choose the option that suits your group and time.
Available times
Spanish Tuesday to Saturday 10:00, 11:00, 11:30, 12:45, 13:15, 16:00 and 17:30 and Sundays 9:30, 10:00 and 15:00. English Tuesday to Saturday 10:00, 11:30 and 16:00 and Sundays 9:30 and 16:00. French Tuesday to Saturday 11:00.
Meeting point
The meeting point is the Puerta del Perdón, opposite the Sabor a España shop. We recommend arriving 10 minutes early to find the guide without rushing.
Accessibility
The route is accessible and can be done in a wheelchair. It is possible with pushchairs, and in narrow areas a baby carrier may be more comfortable if you are travelling with small children.
Confirmation and voucher
Confirmation is instant and you receive the voucher by email with the key booking details. On the day of the visit, just show it on your phone.
Families and pets
It is suitable for families. Under-3s go free but must be included in the booking for capacity control. Pets are not allowed under the monument's rules.
What's included in the price
Includes an official guide, tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral and the full 1h 15 min visit. In addition, with your admission you can request the tickets for the Fernandine Churches issued by the Cathedral Chapter, asking the guide before the end.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THE MOSQUE TOUR
On this guided tour of the Mosque of Córdoba, you can cancel with a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, 40% of the amount paid is refunded.
The activity goes ahead unless there is an official closure of the monument due to bad weather or another announced cause. If you need to change the date, you can reschedule your booking up to 24 hours before, subject to availability.
REVIEWS OF THE MOSQUE OF CÓRDOBA TOUR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GUIDED TOUR OF THE MOSQUE OF CÓRDOBA
How much does the guided tour cost and what does each rate include?
There are two options: guided tour with tickets included or guided tour only if you already have your ticket. In both, the activity includes an official guide and a full route inside. Adults (15+): €32. Junior (10 to 14): €20. Children (3 to 9): €8. Infants (under 3): free.
How long does the guided tour inside the Mosque-Cathedral last?
The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and follows an organised route through the interior, from start to exit.
Where exactly is the meeting point to start the tour?
The meeting point is at the Puerta del Perdón, opposite the Sabor a España shop. We recommend arriving 10 minutes early to find the guide without rushing.
What exactly do you see on the guided tour?
The route is understood through the phases and extensions of the building. It starts by setting the context in the Orange Tree Courtyard and, inside, covers the key stretches of the founding mosque and its extensions up to the most emblematic area of the complex, with the Mihrab and the caliphal axis. The later reading after 1236 is also included to understand the Christian transformation and how the cathedral fits inside the temple.
Are the tickets for the Fernandine Churches included or do they have to be paid separately?
Yes. With the Mosque-Cathedral ticket you can request the tickets for the Fernandine Churches. To receive them, ask the guide before the end of the visit and they will arrange them at the ticket office for whoever wants them.
Can you go up the Bell Tower on this guided tour?
No. The climb up the Bell Tower is not part of this tour and is managed as a separate ticket of the monument. If you are interested, you can arrange it before or after the tour, subject to availability. The tower preserves the old minaret inside and its total height is 74 metres.
What is the difference between booking with you and buying the ticket independently on the Cathedral Chapter website?
The main difference is the guided experience. Here you take a 1 hour and 15 minute tour with an official guide and an explained route to understand the Mosque through its phases and extensions, with key stops such as the Orange Tree Courtyard, the reading of the interior by stages and the area of the Mihrab. You can also choose with tickets included or guide only if you already have your ticket.
BOOK YOUR GUIDED TOUR OF THE MOSQUE OF CÓRDOBA
If you already know your time, you can book your guided tour of the Mosque with tickets included and secure a place in the slot that best fits your day in Córdoba. Access is organised as an official group from the Puerta del Perdón, with immediate confirmation once the booking is completed.
When booking you choose the option you need: with tickets included or guided tour only if you have already bought your ticket. In both cases, you receive the voucher by email with all the key details: time, meeting point and conditions.
Remember to arrive 10 minutes early to find the guide calmly and start the 1 hour and 15 minute route inside the Mosque-Cathedral on time.
