The Best Tours in Córdoba, Spain

Luxury Andalusian tour operator Toma and Coe offers two packages for Córdoba. ‘Córdoba By Day’ includes a 2km walking tour through the old town’s romantic flower-filled streets, dinner at one of the company’s favourite restaurants and a tour of the great Mosque-Cathedral. The ‘Soul of Córdoba’ option centres around a spectacular after-dinner light show at the Mosque-Cathedral and also includes a tour of the Jewish quarter with drinks at a stylish rooftop bar. Both include transport from and back to your starting point, providing you’re staying within a two-hour reach of Córdoba.

As the name implies, there is no fixed fee for this company’s walking tours: when they’re over, you decide how much you want to pay depending on your satisfaction levels. The guides speak Spanish and English and offer deeply informed tours of all the city’s architectural landmarks – the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and the magnificent Medina Azahara ruins – as well as a tour focused on the history of Juderia, the former Jewish quarter. Pre-booking for all tours is compulsory.

The knowledgeable guides at Córdoba A Pie (‘Córdoba On Foot’ in English) can help you explore aspects of Córdoba often overlooked by visitors, including the Axerquia neighbourhood and lesser-known historical monuments such as the Roman Temple (both on the ‘Secrets of Córdoba’ tour). Another original offering is the ‘Tapas and Terraces’ tour, where you sample dishes hailing from Córdoba’s Roman, Moorish and Christian epochs, each in a carefully chosen setting. Some of the tours have a fixed fee, whereas others leave payment to your discretion.

Amongst Oway’s packages is a three-and-a-half-hour walking tour focused on the three religions and cultures that have shaped the city (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), by way of a visit to the synagogue and Jewish quarter, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, and the Mosque-Cathedral. Oway’s friendly, English-speaking team also offers a night of flamenco (drinks included) and guided Segway explorations of Córdoba’s historic neighbourhoods. Booking in advance through the website is essential for all tours.

The multilingual team at Pancho Tours offers guided tours of all of Córdoba’s key attractions and neighbourhoods in Spanish, English, French and Italian (although be sure to check which tours are available in which languages before booking). The company also runs two private tours, one of the Mosque-Cathedral and one of the old town and the Mosque, which are well worth their price tags if you want a guide’s undivided attention. Pancho’s Córdoba offering also includes detailed explorations of the Alcazar and the former Jewish quarter of Juderia. Advance booking is required.

Guía Turístico Córdoba is run by local history expert Luis Larrea, who promises to immerse his clients in Córdoba’s history and culture, not just show them its most famous buildings. To understand the difference, and to really make the most of his encyclopaedic knowledge of the city, book yourself onto the tours that take you around Córdoba’s famous patios and its hidden, romantic squares. Booking is done by corresponding with Larrea over email, which enables him to tailor a tour to your interests and requirements. All tours are available in English and Spanish.