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Medina Azahara Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Walk ancient palace ruins with a bilingual expert guide—upgrade for comfy round-trip transfers

Everything you get: Uncover the forgotten city of Medina Azahara on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry. Choose English or Spanish guides and explore palace ruins, mosques, and gardens. Your tickets also get you entry to the Medina Azahara Museum.
Why choose this: Visit one of Spain’s most extraordinary archaeological sites with a local expert—no entry lines, no transport stress, just history, ruins, and stories.
Upgrades: Add round-trip transfers from Cordoba for a smooth ride to the site—perfect if you’d rather skip taxi hassles or public transport.

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Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

2 hr. 30 min. - 3 hr. 30 min.

Transfers included

Walk ancient palace ruins with a bilingual expert guide—upgrade for comfy round-trip transfers

Everything you get: Uncover the forgotten city of Medina Azahara on a guided tour with skip-the-line entry. Choose English or Spanish guides and explore palace ruins, mosques, and gardens. Your tickets also get you entry to the Medina Azahara Museum.
Why choose this: Visit one of Spain’s most extraordinary archaeological sites with a local expert—no entry lines, no transport stress, just history, ruins, and stories.
Upgrades: Add round-trip transfers from Cordoba for a smooth ride to the site—perfect if you’d rather skip taxi hassles or public transport.

Inclusions

Skip-the-line entry to Medina Azahara
Guided tour in English or Spanish
Entry to Medina Azahara Museum
Onsite shuttle bus transport
Roundtrip transfers from Córdoba (as per option selected)

Exclusions

Entry to Medina Azahara Bell Tower

Meals and personal expenses
Access for wheelchair users

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or passport to get your tickets validated.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes, as the tour involves a fair amount of walking.
Don’t forget to carry a bottle of water and sun protection, as shaded areas are limited throughout the experience.

What’s not allowed

Tripods, selfie sticks, and professional photography and videography equipment is prohibited.
Your pets cannot accompany you on this tour.
Touching or climbing the ruins is strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

Unfortunately, this experience is not wheelchair accessible or suitable for those with limited mobility due to uneven paths and steps along the route.

Additional information

Your ticket includes entry to the museum and access to the on-site shuttle service.
The full tour typically lasts between 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your pace and group size.
You must arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before schedule.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Visiting Medina Azahara in Córdoba | Book Medina Azahara Tickets

Built in 929 AD, by Abd-al Rahman III, Medina Azahara is an ancient city at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains in Córdoba. The city was supposedly built to promote the image of the independently created Western Caliph in Medieval Europe. Like many ancient and medieval cities, beside mountains, Medina Azahara was built on terraces, surrounded by a city wall. The highest and middle terraces were reserved for the royal palaces and the lowest level was reserved for the living quarters. The rich marbles, intricate decorations and Byzantine contributions make Medina Azahara a must-visit when in Spain.
Read on to know more about the palace city of Córdoba, from its timings, highlights, tickets and more.

Your Córdoba Medina Azahara Tickets Explained

Medina Azahara Skip-the-Line Tickets

Get lost in the ancient world of Medina Azahara, the palace city in Córdoba, which was built around a thousand years ago.
With your Skip-The-Line tickets to Medina Azahara, you can easily whizz past the annoying long lines, skipping the wait and jumping straight into the tour.
Learn fascinating facts about the 10th-century Córdoba, its lifestyle and the governance style of the site through your expert Spanish guide.
Roam around the attraction exploring the remains of the palatine city built by the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba in 929 AD.
During this 2.5-hour guided tour, you can discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and look around for the reception hall “Salon Rico” displaying inscriptions and the massive “House of Ya’far” with an intricately adorned floor.

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What is the Best Way To Book Medina Azahara Córdoba Tickets? Book Online

As Medina Azahara is one of the most popular attractions in Córdoba for tourists, it can become a massive task to get your hands on the tickets without prior arrangements. Book your tickets online and enjoy an experience without bother while on your trip.

Convenience: Leave behind the long queues with the fast-track tickets that make you jazz past the long lines.
Advance Reservations: With the online booking process, you can secure your trip easily by purchasing your tour slots in advance.
Great Discounts: Get lost in the ancient world of Medina Azahara at interestingly low prices, as online booking gives you great discounts.

Medina Azahara Córdoba Highlights

The Royal Castle

The Royal Castle is built on the highest and middle of the 3 terraces of Medina Azahara Córdoba. Many sources say that the royal castle was intended for propaganda purposes of Abr Rahman III. The palace was meant to showcase the power of the Umayyad caliphate in Medieval Western Europe.

The Aljama Mosque

The Aljama Mosque of Medina Azahara Córdoba is situated on the lowest terrace, outside the city walls. It was the city’s main congregational mosque. The mosque had a private passage for the Caliph to enter directly to the Maqsura. The floor plan of the mosque is rectangular with a courtyard, prayer hall and minaret.

High Garden

Like most gardens in the Muslim world, the High garden too is divided into 4 parts. Each part has ponds. In the center of the garden is the central pavilion. The 4 pools were for religious, decorative and functional purposes. The High garden is located on the same level as the Rich Hall.

Plan Your Visit To Medina Azahara in Córdoba

From January 1st to March 31st:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From April 1st to June 30th:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 9 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From July 1st to September 30th:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
From October 1st to December 31st:
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday and holidays: 9 AM to 3 PM
Closed on:
All Mondays
January 1st & 6th; May 1st; December 24th, 25th and 31st.
Best time to visit:
Early mornings when the crowds are low and during the months from October to December.

Address: Ctra. Palma del Río, km 5.5, 14005 Córdoba, Spain.

Find on Maps.

By Bus: Daily Bus to Medina Azahara., starting from stops Paseo de la Victoria (Red Cross Hospital Roundabout) and Paseo de la Victoria (opposite Mercado Victoria).
Nearest Stop: Resid. San José DC, Resid. San José.
By Train: C1.
Nearest Station: El Higueron, Villarrubia de Córdoba.
By Car: Distance from Córdoba Airport: 8 km.
Nearest Parking: Decathlon Parking, Camper park Medina Azahara.

While there is no prescribed dress code, remember that Medina Azahara is religiously important.
You cannot bring your vehicles directly to the ancient city. You’ll have to take the shuttle bus from the reception center at the Museum of Madinat al-Zahra.
Respect the heritage of the monuments. Do not deface any part or cause harm to the architecture.
Respect the experience of others in the tour.

Mosque- Cathedral of Córdoba: It is known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumptions and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Córdoba. It was formerly an Isl AMic Mosque.
Alcazar Of Christian Monarchs: It is located near the Mosque-Cathedral Of Córdoba, in the historic center of Córdoba, next to the Guadalquivir river.
Roman Bridge of Córdoba: It was first built in the 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river. It has been reconstructed multiple times since then.
Castillo Almodovar del Rio: This castle in the province of Córdoba has Moorish origins. During the middle ages it underwent multiple renovations and reconstructions.

All Your Questions About Medina Azahara Tickets Answered

Q. Where can I buy Medina Azahara tickets?

A. You can buy Medina Azahara tickets online.

Q. Can I buy Medina Azahara tickets online?

A. Yes, you can buy Medina Azahara tickets online.

Q. What is the cost of Medina Azahara tickets?

A. Medina Azahara tickets cost €18.

Q. Can I get a discount on Medina Azahara tickets?

A. Infants get free entry. Children aged 8 to 12 get a discounted price for their tickets.

Q. What is Medina Azahara?

A. Medina Azahara is an ancient city founded in the 10th century by Abd-al Rahman III. It was used as a propaganda tool to showcase the caliph’s power in Medieval western Europe.

Q. How can I get access to Medina Azahara?

A. You can buy Medina Azahara tickets online. The site is accessible by bus and car.

Q. Where is Medina Azahara located?

A. The Medina Azahara is located in Córdoba province of Southern Spain. Find on map.

Q. What are some of the highlights of Medina Azahara?

A. The Medina Azahara Córdoba is a walled city with 3 terraces. It has a royal palace in the upper 2 terraces and living quarters on the lowest terrace. The main mosque of the city is located in the lowest terrace outside the city walls.

Q. How to reach Medina Azahara?

A. You can reach Medina Azahara by road. There are regular bus services from the city center of Córdoba.

Q. What are the timings of Medina Azahara?

A. The timings of Medina Azahara is usually from 10 AM to 5 PM. But it can vary between months. The site is closed on Mondays.

Q. What facilities are available in Medina Azahara?

A. The site has a locker facility in the entrance. It also has a shop, from which you can buy books and illustrations.

Q. Is Medina Azahara wheelchair accessible?

A. Medina Azahara has multiple terraces and has uneven surfaces, making some parts inaccessible by wheelchair.

Q. Is photography allowed in Medina Azahara?

A. Yes, photography is allowed in Medina Azahara.

Q. Is it worth visiting Medina Azahara?

A. Yes, Medina Azahara is a must-visit for every history, art and culture enthusiast. The well-designed Royal palaces, the halls, the high garden and the mosque makes the site a must-visit.