How to visit and what to see in Medina Azahara (Córdoba): schedules, tickets

Maybe you don't know that in your tourist trip to Córdoba, in addition to the totally essential visit of the Mosque, you also have the opportunity to visit the archaeological remains of another of the masterpieces of the muslim art en Andalusia.

Is Medina Azahara, which in its time was the maximum expression of the rise and power of Caliphate of Córdoba.

Indeed, Medina Azahara was palace complex that the first Caliph of Córdoba, Abdullah III, he ordered it to be built on the outskirts of the city, which became his place of residence, as well as the political center of the caliphate.

Curiosities History of Medina Azahara

Built in the year 936, Medina Azahara became the capital of Al-Andalus, and this small city of 112 hectares housed the main dignitaries of the caliphate.

Of course, its rise did not last long, because after the war that led to the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba, from the year 1013 this palace complex was abandoned.

In fact, many centuries had to pass before the archaeological remains.

This happened in 1911, and from then on the recovery and restoration of this building began. archaeological complex.

Where is Medina Azahara in Córdoba

For go from Córdoba you have the option to sign up for one guided tour of Medina Azahara, excursion with guide in spanish which takes you by bus from the city center to the aforementioned archaeological remains.

With a three-hour duration of the complete visit, if you have your own vehicle you also have the option of joining the visit already at the Medina.

If you prefer to visit on your own and have a car, from Córdoba You have to take the A-432 road that goes to Palma del Río, which you take from the Western Round.

About 4 kilometers on the right you will find the detour towards Medina Azahara.

If you don't have a car, there is a pick-up service every day. public transport by bus which starts from the victory walk, with initial stop at Red Cross Hospital Roundabout and in front of Victory Market, and it takes 20 minutes to reach the archaeological site.

Here you can consult the daily bus schedules from Córdoba to Medina Azahara, as well as making the online booking of the ticket.

The ticket prices of this bus It is 9 euros for adults, and 5 euros for children from 5 to 12 years old. Children under 5 years old have a free ticket.

These prices include the ticket Medina Azahara bus that links the museum with the archaeological remains.

How to visit Medina Azahara near Córdoba

Until October 2009, before the opening of the Medina Azahara Museum and also to visit archaeological remains You had to go up to the top of the hill to park the car.

From there you accessed the archaeological site and walked down to explore the remains of this ancient caliphal city.

But after the opening of said museum, which is located next to the old access road to the hill, you will have to leave the car in the parking enabled for this purpose, not being able to go up with it to the entrance of the premises.

It is advisable that, first of all, you visit the museum to get a first approximation. Medina .

Shuttle bus between museum and Medina Azahara site

Once you have visited the museum, you can take one of the shuttle buses that every 15/20 minutes they go up to the entrance of the archaeological sitea ticket price 2,50 euros for adults and 2,10 euros for children from 5 to 12 years old and seniors +65, round trip.

After visiting it, you must take one of the buses again to go down to the parking lot.

El approximate time of visit, including the museum tour, is between 2,5 and 3 hours.

What to see when visiting Medina Azahara in Córdoba

Medina Azahara It was arranged in several terraces on the slope of the hill, forming a rectangular enclosure, with wide views of the plain leading to the city ​​of cordoba.

Medina Azahara Viewpoint

From the gazebo that is at the entrance you have excellent views of what was the palace complex, where you can see the layout of the houses and some of the city gates.

You can also see to the east, next to some gardens, and somewhat separated from the rectangular enclosure, the remains of what was Aljama Mosque, the main one in the city.

Gate of the House of Jafar 

In your walk through the archaeological remains will catch your attention Gate of the House of Jafar, which maintains part of its careful decoration.

Yafar He was a prime minister of the Caliphate Cordoba de Abdullah III when this palace complex began to be built, in the year 936.

Of the remains of this house, of which you can still see the plan of three longitudinal naves, the highlight is its large door with three horseshoe arches, where you can appreciate the great decoration of the caliphal art.

In the ornamentation of the Gate of the House of Jafar You can see the vegetal and geometric theme.

Rico room 

Another very prominent corner is the one called Rico room, which is quite restored, and where you can get an idea of ​​the splendor that the Medina had in his time.

In his day, Rico room It was the central axis of the palace enclosure.

Likewise, during your walk you will surely pass under the arches of the Great Portico, which was the main entrance to the Medina Azahara palace grounds.

Schedule to visit Medina Azahara in Córdoba

The Medina Azahara visiting hours are, in summer (from mid-June to mid-September), from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 15,00:XNUMX p.m., with the option of doing night visits of 20 to 24 hours.

In autumn and winter (mid-September to March 31), the hours are, Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays, until 15,00 p.m.

And in spring (from April 1 to mid-June), the hours are, Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m., and Sundays and holidays, from 9 a.m. to 15,00 p.m.

On Mondays the archaeological site is closed to visitors.

La entrance to Medina Azahara is free For Spaniards and other citizens of the European Union, and for other visitors, the entrance price is 1,5 euros.

Tour with guided visit of Medina Azahara

As we have already mentioned, if you prefer to visit by signing up for a organized excursion, here you have the information of the Tour to Medina Azahara.

Leaving Córdoba by bus towards the archaeological remains, you will do the visit with a guide in Spanish that will explain to you history of the ancient caliphal palace complex and all its corners.

The visit, including transfers, lasts about three hours, and you also have the option of going in your own car and signing up only for the guided tour.

Finally for your accommodation, here you have access to booking.com for search hotel in Córdoba.

Map: how to get to Medina Azahara in Córdoba

Medina Azahara You find it on the Palma del Río road, just 10 kilometers away. west of the city of Córdoba.