Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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75 within 3 miles
Attractions
182 within 6 miles
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- heather oWilliamsburg, Virginia27 contributionslarge ruin-site with great tour guideWe took a tour with Andalusia 360. The guide was superb. His name is Joaquin. He was helpful, kind, professional, and full of knowledge of the history of the site. I highly recommend doing this site with a guide. There is a lot to see and not much of it is labeled. Wonderful ruins, some restored, and some left to the imagination.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten January 2, 2024
- WanderingSpritiChicago, Illinois267 contributionsHistorical site for architecture, location ! UNESCO heritage - worth the visit!UNESCO Heritage site ! It is on a hill and it is astounding! This is still being escavated. So what you see today will change tomorrow. The planning that went into creating this site and the build out is amazing! The location and view from it are simply astounding! There are only two buses in the morning that go there and your hotel can get you ticket for those buses or visitor center can! We thought it will be a bus from regular bus stop but no - it has a special stop behind the regular bus stop. That was confusing. This bus takes you to visitor center and from there you take another bus to go to actual site. These are timed buses and you want to be there before 5 min of actual time. But it is worth the trek!Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 30, 2024
- dianepbNorthwich, United Kingdom523 contributionsArchitectural site of historic importanceA wonderful architectural site mainly remains dating back hundreds of years. Superb Muslim influenced buildings. They have only uncovered a small area of the actual site but it is still huge. Quite hot in June take a hat and watery. A mini bus takes you to the site. Worth a visitVisited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 2, 2024
- LaineypetPreston, United Kingdom287 contributionsInterestingWe went on a Sunday .at the weekend, until Dec 24, you get a free tour, unfortunately only in Spanish, of the inner hall which is well worth it. I don't think you get this if you're on a private guided tour arranged outwith the Medina. Anyway we took a taxi from our hotel - e20 each way fixed fare and arrived around 930 to avoid the heat, we were there around 2/2.30 hrs and hadn't done the museum video or shop but did have a drink in the cafe. Entry is free, including the hall tour, but you pay e3 for the return shuttle bus. Toilets are in the entrance hall and there's toilets at the site entrance. There are some info boards in Spanish and English as you go around. An audio guide would be useful but I suppose that would mean you'd pay to enter? Anyway I was abit reluctant but glad I went as it was interesting - even if I don't speak Spanish.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Cymro
Coimbra, Portugal3,312 contributions
Jul 2020
Medina Azahara was a new city, on which construction started in 936 or 940 AD, and which basically ceased to exist in 1010, when it was sacked by Berber rebels. As the city was buried over time, what is visible now is largely reconstructed. There is very little information at the site, so a guided tour, which I did not take, may lead to a more fulfilling visit. It is not possible to drive to the Medina Azahara, but there is a large car park at the visitors centre, a short distance away, and buses from there to the site every 15 minutes. I booked my ticket in advance at the Cordoba Tourist Office and bought a bus ticket at the same time. Buses leave from the bus stop opposite Mercado Victoria.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregorio D
Alovera, Spain985 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Well, I'm not going to reveal this site to anyone, just tell how the visit was and some practical things. The first thing is that you can come on an organized tour from Córdoba capital for €25 per head. Another option is to come by private car (our option) and get to the Museum and interpretation center. It is important to know that "you can no longer drive up to the site" (before you could). In the museum you get the entrance which is free and it is advisable to watch the audiovisual that they show every half hour. Then take the shuttle bus which costs €3 (or walk up if you have the energy). The site itself is spectacular. You can no longer visit the so-called "rich house" with arches similar to those of the cathedral mosque. If you want free audio guides of the place, they can be downloaded at feelcórdoba.com.
There are also free tours on the usual pages.
There are also free tours on the usual pages.
Written February 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK6,889 contributions
Sep 2021
Not in Cordoba but 10km outside. An easy drive to a large car park at the museum and ticket office to catch the bus for the 2km to the site itself. Intended as creating a statement of the newly created Independent Caliphate of the West, strong and powerful, one of the greatest medieval kingdoms in Europe it lasted less than a century ravaged by wars.
The initial overview suggests not a lot to see and not a large site. However, this is misleading. Once you are walking amongst the ancient city you realise it was quite a large town and enough of the original buildings remain to evoke the impression of a Moorish palace and administration centre.
The initial overview suggests not a lot to see and not a large site. However, this is misleading. Once you are walking amongst the ancient city you realise it was quite a large town and enough of the original buildings remain to evoke the impression of a Moorish palace and administration centre.
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
245olegv
Madrid, Spain3,812 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
The museum is nice recreation of the settlement created in the Xth century. Although only 12% of the city is recovered during archeological excavation, the museum helps to create the vision and feeling of the epoch. With archeological artifacts and 3D recreation the whole exhibition is nice possibility to understand the sudden glory and the sudden “sunset” of this historical place.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,812 contributions
Apr 2022
An interesting medieval Arab city. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time and we only reached the visitor center. There is a free museum dedicated to the remains of the city. The museum is interesting and you can see how some of the artifacts are stored. From the visitor center there is a bus that goes to the very remains of the city.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laineypet
Preston, UK287 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
We went on a Sunday .at the weekend, until Dec 24, you get a free tour, unfortunately only in Spanish, of the inner hall which is well worth it. I don't think you get this if you're on a private guided tour arranged outwith the Medina. Anyway we took a taxi from our hotel - e20 each way fixed fare and arrived around 930 to avoid the heat, we were there around 2/2.30 hrs and hadn't done the museum video or shop but did have a drink in the cafe. Entry is free, including the hall tour, but you pay e3 for the return shuttle bus. Toilets are in the entrance hall and there's toilets at the site entrance. There are some info boards in Spanish and English as you go around. An audio guide would be useful but I suppose that would mean you'd pay to enter? Anyway I was abit reluctant but glad I went as it was interesting - even if I don't speak Spanish.
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GovindinCali
California71 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Just outside cordoba, old moslem city ruin. Beautiful location up in the hills with associated museum. You have to buy tickets of 3 euro for bus ride from the museum to the actual site. Well set out with excellent notations, 1-2 hours time to cover. We came by taxi. No Uber rides available so the helpful museum attendant called a taxi for us. Overall awesome experience!
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dezvona
Madrid, Spain305 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The place is impressive. As soon as you arrive, you find the museum where they explain the origin of the city and a little history. From there, they give you the entrance to the city to which you have to go by bus €3 round trip per person.
Worth? I think so, although what you see are archaeological remains and you have to use your imagination, the truth is that there are beautiful arches and everything is explained with signs. With a guide it would surely be more incredible.
You walk quite a bit and there are quite steep steps to get out. I recommend avoiding central heat hours. There are no water machines or bars throughout the premises, nor in the museum. Bring water, you'll appreciate it, and a cap too!
Worth? I think so, although what you see are archaeological remains and you have to use your imagination, the truth is that there are beautiful arches and everything is explained with signs. With a guide it would surely be more incredible.
You walk quite a bit and there are quite steep steps to get out. I recommend avoiding central heat hours. There are no water machines or bars throughout the premises, nor in the museum. Bring water, you'll appreciate it, and a cap too!
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobandMaggie60
Willerby, UK193 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Having visited this museum before we were disappointed to find the main building and gardens were closed for maintenance until October. The film in the museum area is good and the museum itself has many interesting items. It’s so disappointing to find that maintenance happens through the peak season when so many tourists travel a long way to visit a site. The member of staff at the initial ticket area was particularly unfriendly and brusque certainly not good with PR.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J C
Dilbeek, Belgium213 contributions
Jun 2021
According to their websie, the place is open until 15:00. We were there at exactly 14:02, and it was too late to visit the site (!), as the last bus to it left at 14:00. Needless to say, it is not noted on their website.
We also note that unitl mid-June the opening hours were until 19:00, and were actully REDUCED during high tourist season. Seriously, who does that?
At least it is nice to see that Spain is so well off now that it does not need tourists.
We also note that unitl mid-June the opening hours were until 19:00, and were actully REDUCED during high tourist season. Seriously, who does that?
At least it is nice to see that Spain is so well off now that it does not need tourists.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Any advice on English tours to get? The ones I find are all in spanish, unfortunately.
Written June 17, 2023
¿Es adecuada la visita con niño de 2 años con carro de paseo?
Written November 7, 2019
No es un lugar complicado a la hora de pasear por él pero sí que es verdad que un niño de 2 años puede ser que se canse un poco...
Pero aún así te recomiendo que lo visites sin falta
Un saludo
Written November 10, 2019
How do we get from Córdoba to Medina Azahara if not traveling by personal vehicle? Is there some bus available? And if so, can we buy bus tickets same day, or must they be purchased in advance? Please include any necessary specifics. Thank you.
Written October 16, 2019
We drove there but there are buses from Cordoba to Medina Azahara. Visit the big, modern building Tourist Office (Centro de Recepción de Visitantes-Turismo) close by the Mezquita (building faces the river) to ask - they are very helpful with maps and questions of specifics - staff speak English. When you get to the archaeological site, buy tickets (if you haven't already done that) - there is a museum-bus you must take as part of your visit that takes you to the actual site (Medina Azahara), not to be confused with bus from Cordoba. Free, very good film-show to start off at the visitor centre. Great day out of Cordoba, very atmospheric.
Written November 7, 2019
C’è qualcuno che sa darmi un consiglio come fare a raggiungere Medina azara senza auto da Córdoba . Poi il biglietto dove si compra? Si trovano tour guidati sul posto o meglio audioguide? Grazie a tutti per il vostro aiuto
Written July 2, 2019
Purtroppo ho ricevuto la tua risposta quando ero già andata al sito di Medina azara. Grazie lo stesso
Written July 24, 2019
hola! cuánto tiempo se tarda a ver aproximadamente? hay parking? gratuito o de pago? gracias!
Written April 17, 2019
Hola,el parking es gratuito solo pagarías el bus lanzadera para subir a Medina Azahara (2,5€).
En lo referente al tiempo de visita,
entre el museo,el vídeo y la visita fue sobre 2 horas o 2 y media.
Espero haber aclarado tus dudas,un saludo.
Written April 18, 2019
¿Se puede contratar, allí al llegar, un guía? ¿ O hay que hacerlo previamente?
Written April 9, 2019
ppuedes contratar allí mismo junto a la parada del bus a una guía oficial. Nosotros lo hicimos y fue genial.
Written April 9, 2019
Hola no se puede ya que tiene que acceder primero con un autobús urbano hasta las ruinas y no lo podría subir a no ser que fuese perro guia
Written December 20, 2018
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