Day trip from Cordoba

Close to Córdoba is Castillo Almodovar del Rio. One and a half hours away are Jaén, Baeza, and Úbeda. Carmona is 1.25 hours away and closer to Sevilla. For bird watching there’s Reserva Natural de la Laguna de Fuente de Piedra.

It comes down to what you like to see how how far from Córdoba you’re willing to travel. I have no idea how easy it would be to get to the mentioned places using public transportation.

I have looked into the castle--bookmarked for if I get to return one day!--here is the website with transport info:
https://castillodealmodovar.com/en/how-to-get/

Priego de.Cordoba should be good.
Also: Antequera

Both are just over an hour from Cordoba.

Thank you the ideas.

I have 3 days in Cordoba to entertain myself. Also thinking that I may hire a guide for one of the days.

Ubeda and Baeza are Renaissace cities that look very different from places like Cordoba and Seville. Ubeda is known for its ceramics as well as its architecture.

There's a train station outside Baeza, called "Linares-Baeza"; i don't know about bus service from there into town. I just stuck with buses in that area.

Priego de Cordoba is attractive but to me not as distinctive as Ubeda and Baeza.

40 minutes by bus will take you to Ecija which is a pretty place to spend half a day.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2024/03/off-beaten-track-in-andalucia-ecija.html
However there's enough to do in Cordoba for three days, apart from the main attractions there's the route of the iglesias fernandinas which is a great excuse to wander the less touristy, but very pretty areas of Cordoba.
https://www.turismodecordoba.org/fernandina-route
Medina Azahara by bus and perhaps with guided visit is also an easy and nice half day