Free Tour Medina Azahara

Do you want to discover every detail of one of the most important medieval cities in history? During our tour, you'll understand why its founder, the Umayyad caliph of Cordoba, Abd al-Rahman III , gave it the name "The Shining City."

The archaeological site was built in 936 as a royal residence and seat of government in Al-Andalus . It is currently considered a World Heritage Site and one of the most significant and representative monuments in the history of medieval Europe.

On this guided tour of Medina Azahara, we'll walk through the streets that once housed the ancient Andalusian civil and military administration.

We'll also travel back in time to lose ourselves among its ruins, corridors, guardian and servants' halls, mosques, towers and royal halls, the pool and the great portico, to imagine what life was like in that majestic palace. You'll also have the opportunity to delve even deeper into its history by visiting the Medina Azahara Interpretation Center, named the Best Museum in Europe in 2012.

Important information:

• Starting October 23rd, you must bring your own headphones (with a 3.5mm cable) to use the mandatory radio guides at the site. Otherwise, we will provide you with headphones for a cost of €0.50 each.

• Public transport
  • If you book this activity for the 10:15 or 10:45 passes, you can take the bus that departs from Córdoba at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 1:30 p.m.
    
  • If you choose the 11:15 or 11:45 bus options, we recommend taking the bus to Medina Azahara, departing at 10:45 and returning at 2:15.
    
    
  • Additionally, customers who book the 11:45 a.m. pass will end their tour a few minutes early to ensure they can catch the return bus at 2:15 p.m.
    
    
  • If you decide to visit the archaeological site at night (summer only), you can travel from Córdoba on a bus that departs at 9:15 p.m. and returns at 11:30 p.m. Please wait for our guides at the entrance to the site; they will board the shuttle bus with the rest of the tour group from the Visitor Reception Center.
    
    

• Medina Azahara at night
  • The second meeting point for the Medina Azahara nightlife is at the entrance to the archaeological site . If you arrive early and don't see our guides, please wait until they arrive with the rest of the group to begin the tour.
    
    
  • The total duration of the night tour is shorter, as this option does not include a visit to the Visitor Center.

• Recommendations if you travel in summer
  • Please note that Córdoba is a very hot city during the summer months, and the archaeological site is exposed to high temperatures. We recommend wearing light clothing and sun protection accessories, such as hats or caps, and bringing water to stay hydrated and enjoy your visit to the fullest.

👀 ADDITIONAL COSTS 👀
- This tour requires an additional shuttle bus fee from the Visitor Center to the archaeological site.
Adults: €3.00 / Children 5-12 years: €1.50.


- This tour requires an additional entrance fee for non-EU citizens (€1.5/person).


👀 HOW TO GET TO MEDINA AZAHARA 👀

To get to our meeting point, located outside the Medina Azahara Visitor Center, between the main entrance and the shuttle stop, you can take several options:

1. By private car. You can access the Visitor Center parking lot, where our meeting point is located. Remember that you cannot access the site by private car. You must take the shuttle.

2. By bus. There is a dedicated bus departing from Córdoba for the Medina Azahara Visitor Center. If you're traveling by public transportation, we recommend planning your transportation options to the Medina Azahara site carefully. Paseando por Europa is not responsible for any incidents related to transportation.

You can find all the information here: https://www.turismodecordoba.org/bus-diario-a-medina-azahara-cordoba

3. By taxi. You can find pricing information at the following link: https://www.pidetaxicordoba.es/tarifas/#visita_ma

Important: Please try to arrive early for the activity, as late arrivals will not be able to join the tour due to ticket management issues at the site itself.


👀 Reservations for more than 6 people 👀

• Group reservations of more than 6 people must pay €8 per adult.
• The amount must be paid in cash to our guides at the meeting point before the activity begins to be admitted.
• If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.