Home > Cordoba > Cordoba Walking Tour with Optional Arabian Baths Experience
USD $40.00
Cordoba Walking Tour with Optional Arabian Baths Experience
Cordoba, Spain
This walking tour through the streets of Cordoba allows you to get to know the history and traditions of this intriguing city, with its beguiling mix of Roman, Arabic and Spanish history. See top city attractions like Cordoba Mezquita (cathedral-mosque) and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. If you want to submit to total relaxation after your tour, upgrade to include 2.5 hours at leisure inside Baños Árabes de Cordoba, one of the city’s Arabian baths with thermal plunge pools and a steam room.
Meet your guide in the center of Cordoba, and set off on your walking tour around town. First stop is the magnificent Mezquita, a cathedral converted from an original mosque when the Christians conquered Cordoba in the 13th century. Modifications took place more than two centuries later, so the building’s original Gothic style is combined with Baroque and Renaissance elements. See the Cardinal's Chapel and its treasure – the monstrance of Enrique de Arfe – as well as an ivory crucifix of Alonso Cano plus countless sculptures and paintings.
Continue to Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a site also called the Palace of the Christian Kings, built in the 14th century by Alfonso XI. Walk through the inside of the palace and see remarkable Arabian baths, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus of marble from the 3rd century.
Originally there were four towers at the corners of the Alcazar, three of which can be seen still today: Torre de Los Leones, the oldest, which forms the entrance to the palace, the octagonal Torre del Homenaje and the round Torre del Rio. The fourth tower, Torre de la Vela, was destroyed in the 19th century.
As you wander through the Jewish Quarter, dating to the time of the Romans, look out for important monuments dedicated to the most important sons of Cordoba: Roman philosopher Seneca, Arabian philosopher Averroes and Jewish philosopher Maimonides.
Here you can also see Cordoba’s Bullfighting Museum and one of the few synagogues existing today in Spain, Cordoba Synagogue. Pose for photos in front of the landmark, and then continue to El Zoco, a market where traditional artisans paint and flamenco dancers practice. Your tour then finishes near the Mezquita. Upgrade: Baños Árabes de Cordoba If you want to indulge in some relaxation time after your tour, upgrade to include an entrance ticket to Baños Árabes de Cordoba. Make your own way to the Arabian baths, and then spend up to 2.5 hours inside at leisure, making use of the thermal plunge pools and atmospheric steam room. Complimentary mint tea is available once inside.
We toured the Alcazar, a little bit of the surrounding neighborhood and the fantastic Mezquita. Good, thoughtful commentary. Good value.
Review by: Robert D L, May 2018
We started with a small English speaking group at the Alcazar which afforded us lots of opportunities to interact with our guide, Christina. However, at the Mosque-Cathedral our numbers swelled to over 25. Even with the larger crowd, Christina managed to keep everything in order, and we obtained a wealth of knowledge about not only the building but also about the history of Spain.
Review by: jjwalden2, March 2018
This tour was wonderful, not to be missed. The guide was Raphael and he was very passionate about the history, it was fantastic. Highly recommend it. If you have been to a Hammam, I would not add the Arabian baths if you want an authentic experience. Even though I enjoyed the baths it was nothing like an Hammam.
Review by: Noor Adzlin A, December 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Caroline G, November 2017
On arrival at meeting point we were split into different language groups which I was very impressed with. Our guide Paqui was absolutely FANTASTIC. She was immensely knowledgeable and very funny, which made our 4-hour tour even more enjoyable. I felt she spent the right amount of time at each point of interest. We had a quick coffee and a couple of toilet breaks too. Every part of the tour was a highlight for us but having the Mezquita at the end was fantastic. This is my second Viator tour and I do intend to use them again. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Review by: Steven G, November 2017
Outstanding tour and tour guide! Paci was our guide. She had the knowledge and was able to share it so we all learned and enjoyed the tour. She was able to answer any questions and inject humor at appropriate times. Thank you Viator! Another great tour!
Review by: Galia E, October 2017
Excellent!_br/_ Paqui is a great guide. She knows History well, but must important, she knows how to tell stories and keep you interested all the time.
Review by: jennie.oxley, October 2017
The tour was all in English and the guide was amazing. She had a lot of knowledge and could answer all of our questions!
Review by: Sonia Q, September 2017
I don't remember the guides name but he wasn't into much on the history of cordoba. The tour ended on a rooftop and wasn't that great! Just so you know it's only one rooftop. The rest are just street level
Review by: Hemant K, September 2017
Traveling from the US, there were a few selling points-_br/_ The timing...10:30am worked out perfectly_br/_ Next, the location...the Christian Alcazar...wow_br/_ Seamless meet up with gp and guide at the entrance of the Alcazar _br/_ Great instruction/guide in English. Very patient and funny._br/_ As if the Alcazar wasn't enough, we then toured the Jewish quarters next after a short water and ice-cream break_br/_ Then to top it all, we toured the Mesquita-with seamless entry tickets and radio mics _br/_ Amazing!
Review by: Joanne F, September 2017
Took this tour during a long layover in Madrid. Saw many sites and was able to get off the bus and stretch my legs as well.
Review by: Patty, August 2017
The best
Review by: Nancy, July 2017
Great tour -- highly recommend this to get acquainted with Cordoba. Knowledgeable guide, good earphone system, nice tour length that ends in the Mezquita/Catedral so that you can explore there on your own.
Review by: Norma I C, June 2017
The tour got off to a poor start because we spent too much time at the Alcazar waiting for other people to come in from another city on a bus. In my opinion because of this we were cheated in the time spent at the Mosque which in my opinion was the highlight of the tour. Interesting and guide was excellent just poorly organized.
Review by: synesthesia.sh, June 2017
The tour guide was very personable and knowledgeable!
Review by: Thomas P, June 2017
This was an excellent tour! I was able to get a great overview of the city and I really enjoyed the historical background knowledge as well.
Review by: david e, May 2017
This was an excellent tour provided by a very knowledgeable person who clearly loved her topic which she brought over with enjoyment and professionalism. I would recommend to anyone any day.
Review by: Julian E, May 2017
Started with Alcazar then Jewish Quarter then Mesquite. Time management was poor. 1.5 hours at Alcazar. This can be done at a leisurely pace in half hour. Many intermittent breaks while more and more people added to tour until there were about 30 people at Mesquite. Very superficial and minimal info.
Review by: Mr C W B, May 2017
The Great Mosque and Cathedral of Córdoba is, without doubt, a beautiful and awe inspiring place that is well worth the visit. However, the three and a half hours we spent getting there was far too long. The group of nearly 30 was large enough to require audio devices not available until the Mosque another group with the same company was about 40 people - too large. The tour guide, while knowledgeable, was young and not forceful enough to properly control the group._br/_ While I thoroughly recommend a visit to the Mosque, I cannot recommend this tour.
Review by: Janet R, April 2017
Our tour of Cordoba would have been better if our group of two hadn't been combined with a large group of daytrippers who arrived by bus at the last moment from Seville. First we had to wait for them to use the restrooms inside the Alcazar grounds, which took quite a while at the beginning of our tour. Our guide for the Alcazar was good, although he had a fairly large group to shepherd without earphone technology. He dropped us off at the Mezquita, where several other groups were combined with ours over what seemed like a long and confusing period of time, for the last part of our day. It took quite a while for the various groups to get their earphones, which worked well with such a large group. The guide for the Mezquita was excellent and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, the people who had come from Seville were pressed for time at the end and the guide cut short the tour of the cathedral so that they wouldn't be late for their bus or something. I realize that we were in Cordoba during Holy Week and the tours and sites were packed, so I'd have to say they were probably doing the best they could under the circumstances.
Review by: Michał B, April 2017
A great tour, although be prepared for high intensivity. Paqui is a great and well informed guide who certainly loves the city of Cordoba and its rich history. We were also glad to help her with identifying a Polish painting of St. Mary in the Mezquita..._br/_ We visited in April, but during the summer the high temperatures might be a problem. There are three main parts of the tour - the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Juderia Jewish quarter and the Mezquita. After visiting the Alcázar, we were handed little radio-speakers, which were very useful.
Review by: James R N, April 2017
Two well-informed, friendly guides, both very knowledgable and able to respond to random questions. Sensitive to individual questions and needs. Conveyed the wonder of this remarkable place.
Review by: mrosen, October 2016
Great tour guide. Only covered a very small section of Seville but was interesting. I usually prefer more walking around the city and getting a broader view of what there is to see and do. This tour did not accomplish that but was a well done tour.
Review by: Mark C, October 2016
Very slow and guide talked too much but did not make it interesting
Review by: Tracy B, September 2016
A wonderful tour of historic Córdoba given by two friendly, knowledge and helpful guides keen to maximise your experience. A must for all first time visitors to Córdoba.
Review by: Olga S, September 2016
Good tour, would do it again. Thank you!
Review by: P V J W, September 2016
Excellent
Review by: Judy S, June 2016
We had a wonderful tour guide who really knew her stuff. Made the whole experience worthwhile.
Review by: Jennie F, May 2016
Excellent and informative with Rafa who was an excellent guide with a great sense of humour. The group was small and the pace was leisurely before Rafa handed us over to Paqui one of his colleagues for the tour around the Mesquitta which was just terrific. Highly recommended.
Review by: Jackson M, May 2016
The tour was excellent. Our guide, Angel, was knowledgeable, friendly and fun. When we moved to the Mezquita, Paki took over as our guide. She really knew her stuff and made the history come alive. No question was left unanswered. We highly recommend this tour!
Review by: Norma I C, April 2016
We very much enjoyed this tour and our guide was excellent. The downfall was that we spent too much time in the gardens waiting for other tour members to arrive from Sevilla, received much info about plants and flowers that was used as a filler of time. When we arrived at the Mosque more people joined oudr tour????
Review by: Stephen W, March 2016
Great guide, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cordoba, informative and funny !
Review by: Natan P, December 2015
The start of the tour was a bit disorganized due to some confusion regarding who the tour leader would be for the English speaking group and due to the late arrival of a tour bus coming from Seville. Once the tour bus arrived, it was apparent the group size was much too large for one guide. It was often difficult to stay close enough to the tour guide for the audio device to pick up what she was saying because of the group size. We did our best to stay close and we certainly learned some very interesting facts about Cordoba. Overall, the tour was a very beneficial means to visit the major historical sites in Cordoba and to gain an understanding and an appreciation of the history of Cordoba. We'd recommend it, but would have preferred a smaller groups size maybe 10-15 people maximum.
Review by: timothy b, November 2015
Great tour of the under appreciated Córdoba. And our guide Paqua was simply fantastic.
Review by: Graham, October 2015
Excellent guide, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The personal audio systems worked very well and ensured that we were always in touch with our guide.
Review by: arnold b, September 2015
Excellent tour guide
Review by: Francisco N, September 2015
Beautiful excursion!
Review by: Fish248, September 2015
Wonderful tour of the city including the palace ,its gardens and the Mezquita. Would have preferred more time in the Mezquita but overall a nice balanced tour. The guide was very informed and pleasant.
Review by: Denis K, August 2015
The tour was a fantastic way to see the main sights of Cordoba especially if you are not staying in town for long. Our guide was Carmen and she was very knowledgeable and friendly. Definitely worthwhile as you skip all the lines to the main attractions.
Review by: Susan A, July 2015
Despite searing heat we were treated to the best of Cordoba on this excellent walking tour and our delightful guide Angel was charming, informative and pleasant. The tour commenced at the Real Alcazar, we explored the Palace even the tower hearing such interesting historical info and facts and then through the magnificent gardens with fountains, and exquisite landscaping...just breathtakingly beautiful. Then our walk took us through the Jewish Quarter, so picturesque and historical and we visited the beautiful synagogue. But the best was yet to come......The Mezquita is simply 'off the charts ...it is amazing, we were spellbound by Its size, beauty, architecture, exquisite marble arches and columns, and interesting history with the church inside it, plus how well it has all been preserved. It is an total gem. NOT to be missed! Our guide through the Mezquita was Carmen...she was fantastic, so enthusiastic and very knowlegable. Our 4 hour tour ended at the Mezquita....it is close to the Roman Bridge so very convenient to proceed there straight afterwards. What a fantastic tour...so well organised and comprehensive and so memorable. Thank you Viator!
Review by: Guy D, July 2015
Awesome walking tour highly recommended!!
Review by: Jean, July 2015
Great experience exploring Cordoba - our guides were very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about Cordoba and its history. Loved the whole tour!
Review by: Rossana B, June 2015
This was the perfect tour for us that had only few hours to visit Cordoba. Paqui was a perfect balance between knowledgeable, professional and fun.
Review by: Ellen, June 2015
I did many paid and free walking tours on my trip to Spain, and this was the best paid tour. We were able to see all of the major monuments, and the guide was very knowledgable. The Arabian Baths were excellent, but you have to find them on your own later in the day.
Review by: Yumiko K, June 2015
This tour was amazing!
Review by: David H, June 2015
Four hour walking tour with no coffee break a little long otherwise great experience, excellent,very knowledgeable guide and sunshine!
Review by: Ingrid D, May 2015
very interesting, covering all history
Review by: Irwin T, May 2015
excellent tour, comprehensive. guide well-versered on spainish history. she went the extra step to make sure everyone had a good time.
Review by: Neil B, May 2015
Amazing tour lead by Carmen, who's depth of knowledge of the history of Córdoba and Spanish history was outstanding. Thank you you for sharing on our tour.
Review by: Amira B, April 2015
Our guide was excellent! Full of information and very helpful
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