Cordoba from Madrid: A Complete Guide
Let’s go through everything you need to know about getting to Cordoba from Madrid, Spain, and what to expect if you make the trip.
Tourists are drawn to Cordoba for its history, culture, and architecture. You’ll find influences from Roman, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian civilizations throughout its history.
Key Info on Visiting Cordoba from Madrid
- It’s 250 miles between Madrid and Cordoba.
- The drive is 4+ hours.
- The high-speed train is less than 2 hours.
Where to Stay in Cordoba
Cordoba is full of hotels and rental options if you’d like to spend the night.
You can plug your dates into this interactive map to see rates and availability for your trip. It’ll find the best prices on Booking, Hotels.com, and also VRBO. It’s easiest to use on a desktop:
Drive from Madrid to Cordoba
The drive between the cities is about 250 miles. It’ll take between four and five hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Renting a car and driving in Spain is very easy. I usually use Discover Cars to rent from. They provide rates for all of the big-name international rental brands, in addition to the locally-owned rental companies.
➡️ CLICK to search rental cars in Spain
💡 PRO TIP: If you have time on your road trip, stop for a night in Toledo along the way!
The Train from Madrid to Cordoba
I recommend taking the train to Cordoba from Madrid. The trains in Spain are high-speed and efficient. The schedules are easy to figure out and the seats are very comfortable onboard.
I’ve started booking train tickets in Europe on Trainline.
➡️ CLICK to Book Trains in Spain
The search function is easy to use, and it lays out all of your time and fare options. Once you purchase your seats, you’ll get a QR code texted and emailed to you, which you just show at the station when you board.
Trainline eliminates the hassle of waiting in line during busy times to use the ticket kiosks at the stations.
💡 PRO TIP: Buy your train tickets a day early (or more) since the seats can fill up.
You’ll depart from Madrid’s Atocha station, which is full of shops, restaurants, and even a tropical forest to walk through while you wait for your departure!
The High-Speed Train
The AVE train, operated by Renfe, will take you from Madrid to Cordoba in about 2 hours!
It’ll reach speeds of around 270 kilometers per hour, or about 170 miles per hour.
Cost of Train Tickets from Madrid to Cordoba
Ticket fares vary, based on time and date. They’ll range from about 30 to 70 Euros each way.
💡 PRO TIP: If you’re looking to nap along the way, choose seats in the “silent carriage” on the train.
What to Expect on the Train
The trains are very nice, and come with these features onboard:
- Air-conditioning
- Bar car
- Electrical outlet (bring your adapter)
- Free wifi
- Luggage storage
- Reading light
- Silent Carriage
Sites to See in Cordoba
Just walking around the streets of Cordoba, you’ll come across interesting sites to see.
I’d recommend these two tours:
➡️ CLICK: Private Tour of Cordoba
➡️ CLICK: Group Tour of Cordoba
Here are a few of the city’s best-known attractions:
La Mezquita-Catedral (The Great Mosque-Cathedral)
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Córdoba’s most iconic landmark. You’ll be in awe as soon as you walk through the doors and see the famous red and white striped arches.
Originally constructed as a mosque during the Islamic period, it later became a cathedral after the Reconquista.
It’s a stunning blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture.
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Alcazar is a fortress-palace that served as the residence of Christian monarchs in Cordoba after the Reconquista.
Its gardens, courtyards, and architectural elements are impressive, and visitors can explore the fortress walls, towers, and the beautiful gardens and fountains.
Jardines del Alcazar
The gardens outside the palace feature both historical and modern garden designs. While some areas of the gardens have been restored to reflect their original appearance during the medieval period, other sections have been redesigned over time.
The geometric patterns feature water channels, fountains, and pools, and evoke the gardens’ Islamic origins.
The Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter, called Juderia, is known for its narrow streets and white-washed buildings. It’s home to the Synagogue of Cordoba.
The Roman Bridge
Spanning the Guadalquivir River, the Roman Bridge is an iconic symbol of Cordoba’s history.
Dating back to Roman times, it offers picturesque views of the city, especially when illuminated at night.
“Game of Thrones” fans may recognize it, though the show used CGI to completely change the city of Cordoba into something more other-worldly on TV.
Patios of Cordoba
Walking around, if doors are open you may catch glimpses into people’s interior courtyards. Cordoba is famous for them, and if you’re lucky enough to visit during the annual Patios Festival (Fiesta de los Patios) in May, many of them are open to the public.
Madrid to Cordoba Day Trip Itinerary
If your time is limited in Spain, it’s possible to do a day trip to Cordoba from Madrid.
Here’s how I’d plan that one-day itinerary:
Depart Madrid: 8:00am
Arrive in Cordoba: 10:00am
Visit La Mezquita (Mosque-Cathedral)
- You’ll need an hour to walk through the huge site.
Walk to the Jewish Quarter (Juderia)
- Explore the narrow streets, and tour the 14th Century synagogue.
Alcazar de los Reyes
- Explore the gardens and courtyards at the palace/fortress.
The Roman Bridge
- Cross the bridge over the Guadalquivir River. You’ll get your best views of the city from the other side.
Calahorra Tower
- At the end of the bridge, the medieval tower is now a museum.
Along the Way
- You’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants to stop in.
- Restaurants serve traditional Andalucian foods, like gazpacho and tapas.
- Glasses of wine will only be about 3 Euros.
- Olive oil makes for a good souvenir from Cordoba, since the region is the top producer in Spain.
Return to Madrid
- Check the train schedule. The final departure is usually in the 8:00pm or 9:00pm hour, to get you back to Madrid by 10:00pm or 11:00pm.
The Best Time to Visit Cordoba
The weather in Spain is relatively mild, even in the winter, so any month is good to visit.
November, December, and January are the rainiest months.
Here’s a breakdown of the average temperatures by month:
- January:
- High: 59°F (15°C)
- Low: 39°F (4°C)
- February:
- High: 63°F (17°C)
- Low: 42°F (6°C)
- March:
- High: 68°F (20°C)
- Low: 45°F (7°C)
- April:
- High: 75°F (24°C)
- Low: 50°F (10°C)
- May:
- High: 82°F (28°C)
- Low: 57°F (14°C)
- June:
- High: 91°F (33°C)
- Low: 64°F (18°C)
- July:
- High: 96°F (36°C)
- Low: 68°F (20°C)
- August:
- High: 95°F (35°C)
- Low: 68°F (20°C)
- September:
- High: 88°F (31°C)
- Low: 63°F (17°C)
- October:
- High: 77°F (25°C)
- Low: 54°F (12°C)
- November:
- High: 66°F (19°C)
- Low: 46°F (8°C)
- December:
- High: 60°F (16°C)
- Low: 41°F (5°C))
FAQs About Visiting Cordoba from Madrid
Let’s finish up with a few frequently-asked-questions about Cordoba. Many of these were already answered above.
How far is Cordoba from Madrid?
By car, it’s about 250 miles between the cities. The drive is at least 4 hours.
Is Cordoba a day trip from Madrid?
Yes, you can take a day trip, thanks to the high-speed trains. A day trip would involve about 4 hours on the train, leaving you plenty of time to explore the city.
How long does the high-speed train from Madrid to Cordoba take?
The trip will take about two hours between the cities on the AVE train.
Wrap: Is it Worth a Trip to Cordoba from Madrid?
If you’re in Madrid and looking to explore other cities in this part of Spain, I’d definitely add Cordoba to the list.
The trains are efficient and comfortable, so it’s very enjoyable to travel between the cities.
Leaving busy Madrid, you’ll really feel like you’ve stepped back in time once you the historic part of Cordoba.
