We will be arriving from Madrid by train. As of now I have us there for 2 nights. This would give us a day and a half as it is only 2 hours from Madrid. Is this too long? it seems most people do a day trip from Seville or Madrid. We will be going mid September. Will the Patios De Cordoba and the Los Patios del Alcazar Viejo be in bloom and will we be able to see them? Trying to figure out if we should do a day trip or slow down and spend an extra day there. We head to Seville after. Thanks
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
We saw a fair amount of Cordoba just getting off the train from Seville to Madrid and checking our bags in the bus station across the street. Think we spent a total of about 6-7 hours there. I would think one day would be sufficient. Beautiful place.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
I think you have it right. Cordoba is one of the best places in Andalusia to spend the evening. It has a lovely quiet atmosphere, yet lots of cafes are open. There is enough to see to fill up a day and a half. You can also see a show in the evening before dinner at the Royal Horse Stables. There's a small museum (Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus) just across the bridge (Puento Romano) - be sure to go up the tower for the view. The Alcazar itself isn't much but the gardens are lovely. I don't know if you have to pay to access the gardens. The Alcazar in Seville is so very very much better. The TI offers a tour to Medinat Al-Zahara, with or without a guide. I paid the few euro additional for the guided tour and it was well worth it. I'm so glad I went. Be sure to take hats, water, and sunblock!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
The time you have allotted is probably enough. The thing to see in Cordoba is La Mezquita and the Old Town area. La Mezquita is stunning. You can see some of the patios around there, as well. I was in Cordoba in May and took a patios tour, where we got to go into several patios and the owners told us about them. They are really beautiful and it was a very memorable experience. I would expect that they would still be in bloom, but I don't know for sure.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It really depends on your time constraints.
Day stop of 5-6 hrs when en route between Madrid and Sevilla would be a minimum to do justice to the Mezquita.
An overnight stay more preferable, or 2 nights if you wish to linger.
Enjoy.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
If you are the type that likes to linger, 2 nights is perfect. There is plenty of exploring and a few lesser sights to see. Many people just spend a few hours and see only the Mezquita, but miss out on the charms in the evening.
Posted by
OP
312 posts
I do like to stay a minimum of 2 nights in any place. Now my problem, due to our schedule, I will be leaving Madrid and arriving in Cordoba on a Monday. Seems that most everything is closed on Monday. Other then the Mezquita, what else could we see on a Monday? We are not into art museums. Thanks to everyone for your advice and opinion.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Two nights is more than enough. We stayed one night between Seville and Madrid and we're happy. A night there lets you experience the area sans any crowds during the day.
On a short itinerary, a half day would be enough to see the Mezquita and walk around the Jewish Quarter, I think best as a day stop between Seville and Madrid getting off the AVE train for a minimum of four hours and catching a later train to continue on.