Private transfer from Málaga Airport to Córdoba

Córdoba's first mosque was founded in 786. Emir Abd al-Rahman I built it in 786-788, and the building was later enlarged three more times. Under Abd al-Rahman II eight aisles were added to the south, and under al-Hakam II the maqsura and the qibla wall were built. The mosque could grow no further south because the river is close by, so in 991-994 Almanzor added a prayer hall on the east side. On 29 June 1236 the mass consecrating the cathedral was held in the mosque, and the Mezquita has been Córdoba's cathedral ever since. In 1984 UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List, and in 1994 the listing was extended to the whole historic centre.

Free entry to the Mezquita from 8:30 to 9:30. From Monday to Saturday you can go in without a ticket during this hour, except on days with special church services, but groups are not admitted at this time. At other times a ticket costs €15, and the visiting hours for each day are shown in the calendar on the cathedral's website. If your plane lands in Málaga in the evening, come to the Mezquita the next morning at half past eight. Mass is celebrated in the cathedral, so take off your hat or cap at the entrance.

The 1593 bell tower was built around the minaret. The architect Hernán Ruiz III encased the old minaret in thick walls and added a bell storey on top. The tower was restored from 1991 onwards, and visitors have been able to climb it since 2014. The climb costs €4 and visits start every half hour, so buy a ticket for a time that suits you in advance on the cathedral's website.

Medina Azahara, the city of the first caliph of al-Andalus. Abd al-Rahman III founded this palace city in 936, and between 1010 and 1013 it was destroyed. Excavations began in 1911, and in 2018 UNESCO added Medina Azahara to the World Heritage List. The ruins lie west of Córdoba, at km 5.5 of the road to Palma del Río. From 21 September to 20 March the site is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays until 15:00. EU citizens go in free, and other visitors pay €1.50. If you want to go there with a driver, book a car with a driver by the hour, three hours minimum: the driver will wait while you explore the excavations.

A synagogue from 1315 on Calle Judíos. In the Judería quarter, at Calle Judíos 20, stands a synagogue completed in 1314-1315. No other synagogue has survived in Córdoba. After the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 the building was put to other uses, and it was only rediscovered in 1876 during building work. Entry is free, and the synagogue is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 15:00. On Mondays both the synagogue and Medina Azahara are closed, so keep Monday for the Mezquita.

The Patios festival takes place in early May. Córdoba has held its competition of patios, inner courtyards full of flowers, since 1921. In 2012 UNESCO added the Patios Festival to its list of intangible heritage. Owners open their courtyards to visitors, and during the competition entry to the patios is free. In 2027 the festival runs from 3 to 16 May, so book your accommodation and transfer to Córdoba for these dates early.