Cordoba Train Station

There are no lockers at the train station. There are lockers across the road in the bus station and very nearby in the opposite direction here - http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/consignas_ferroviarias.html

Do not follow you with 'In addition, how early should we leave Seville to go to to Cordoba to be able to visit the cathedral?' but if you mean the Mezquita it is maybe 30 minutes walk, a taxi ride of minutes or a bus ride and a short walk away from the station. If the Mezquita is all you want from Cordoba allow two hours(ish) for the actual visit.

Lockers are at the bus station across the street (see the intro to Cordoba chapter, if using Rick's Spain book). He suggests a minimum visit time of 2 hours for the Mezquita/Cathedral and 1 hour for more of the old town, plus taxi each way, but more time would be more comfortable.

This is the link to the Mezquita: http://www.mezquitadecordoba.org/en/. There is a Cathedral built inside it (http://www.catedraldecordoba.es/index.asp). Is that the cathedral you mean?

There is also a not to be missed cathedral in Seville: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seville_Cathedral.

A few years back, we stayed in Seville and took the train and then the bus to Cordoba for a day trip. The whole excursion was easy fast, efficient and amazing. I have to say that the Mezquita is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever visited.

Hi All,

Thanks for the very good feedback.

After I read all of your info, I have two more questions as below:

1. I have 3 nights in Seville, then onto to Madrid for another 4 nights. Thinking to take AVE train from Sevile to Madrid.

Should I take a day trip from Seville to Cordoba and back to Seville (Seville -> Cordoba -> Seville), or should I use one travel day (from Seville to Madrid) to stop in Cordoba, get into Madrid later on the afternoon: Seville --> Cordoba --> Madrid?

1. What time should I be in Cordoba for Mezquita to avoid the line. Somewhere in this forum, I have read the recommendation that I should be in before the mass, otherwise I cannot get in?

Thank all of you very much. Your inputs are very helpful.

I like the idea of stopping in Cordoba on your way to Madrid. Cuts down on backtracking. Spain is lovely, but endless olive groves and rolling hills mixed with the occasional statue of Jesus gets pretty predictable.

You can fix the problem of avoiding Mass by going to the Mezquita in the afternoon, either before or after lunch. There will be either no line or a short line to buy tickets. The place is enormous and can fit hundreds of people comfortably.

There are plenty of other small sites in Cordoba to see, such as the old synagogue in the Jewish Quarter and the Museum of Al-Andalus Life. Not far from the Jewish Quarter is a small museum filled with torture devices from the Inquisition, which was interesting and extremely disturbing.

Cordoba is also home to one of Spain's few microbrews, Califa. The guys behind the counter are sweet and make a decent brew. Tapas are free with each beer. It's perhaps a 10 minute walk from the Mezquita.

'What time should I be in Cordoba for Mezquita to avoid the line. Somewhere in this forum, I have read the recommendation that I should be in before the mass, otherwise I cannot get in?'

There is no sense in what you may have found. Monday to Saturday paid entrance is between 1000 and 1900 hours.

I also like the idea of doing it as a stop on the way between Seville and Madrid - it is literally on the route. I have done it as a stop on the way between Seville and Granada (train to Cordoba, then see Mesquita, then bus to Granada). What I'd do is:

take a early train from Seville (like 8:30-8:45, puts you in Cordoba before 10), arrive in Cordoba, stash luggage in the bus station lockers. This is literally right across the street from the train station. Then walk, cab, or bus to the Mesquita. I walked, it's about 20-30 minutes, fine walk. A cab would be faster, I'm not sure about bus routes. The earlier you get to the Mesquita, the shorter the line. Later afternoon may be good for lines, too, but if you go in the AM you have more flexibility about how long to stay given that you need to catch a Madrid train later.

It opens at 10 every day except Sunday. Are you going on a Sunday? If it's any other day, getting there around 10 should be fine. On Sunday, and probably on some religious holidays, it is not open in the middle of the day, so if Sunday look into this! This may be what you've heard about.

So, let's say it is not Sunday and you get there around 10. Spend a few hours inside, leave, have lunch. Then it depends on when your Madrid train leaves. A train at 3 or so leaves you time for the Mesquita, lunch, and maybe a quick wander, and gets you to Madrid earlier. An evening train gives you more time in Cordoba. Your choice, either works if your main goal is the Mesquita and Cathedral (same place, the cathedral is inside the mesquita).

The cathedral is in the middle of the Mezquita. During religious services, access to the inside of the cathedral is limited to worshippers. Much of the cathedral interior can be seen from the outside. The rest of the Mezquita site (and the most beautiful and interesting parts) is accessible at all times. You should allow at least 2 hours to visit the site. During that time you'll surely have the opportunity to visit the inside of the cathedral too. The best time to visit is to be there when they open.
I suggest you consider taking a late afternoon train to Cordoba and spending the night. Cordoba was my favorite Andalusian town in the evenings, with lots to see and do, including flamenco and a variety of restaurants. Taxis to and from the train station to a hotel in the historic center, walking distance from the Mezquita, will probably cost you just a tad more than storing your luggage for a day. If you don't want to spend the night, it will be more efficient to stop for the day on your way from Seville to Madrid than to visit as a day trip.