by adminChoosing the best Alcazar Cordoba guided tour is mainly a question of timing: the three tours we compare last around an hour, but they depart at different times and not all of them run on the same days. In this guide we go through the details each website publishes as of 18 October 2026: duration, departure times, meeting point, languages, price and tickets, so you can pick the one that fits your day in Cordoba.
What makes a good guided tour of the Alcazar of Cordoba
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is a fortress-palace built by Alfonso XI in the 14th century, with towers, Mudejar baths, Roman mosaics and gardens with long pools that are among the most photographed spots in the city. The Catholic Monarchs lived here for eight years while preparing the conquest of Granada. A good tour should explain all these layers, include the entrance ticket (so you skip the box-office queue) and leave you time for the gardens. Bear in mind that the monument is closed on Mondays.
Before booking, we recommend reading our guide on how to visit the Alcazar: opening hours, tickets and tips.
1. Tour Alcázar de Córdoba: the option with the most departures
The Tour Alcázar de Córdoba visit lasts about 1 hour, includes tickets and is led by authorised guides and interpreters, with headsets when the group has more than 10 people.
Times and departure point
It departs Tuesday to Saturday at 10:15, on Sundays at 10:30 and 12:00, and also at 18:30 all year except in the summer months. The departure point is the Sotos de la Albolafia sign, opposite the main gate of the Alcázar, on Avenida del Alcázar. It is offered in Spanish, English and French. In the booking calendar, the adult rate is €20.99 and a child aged 8 to 13 pays €10.50, booking fees included.
Who it suits best
Travellers visiting Cordoba on a Sunday or who prefer the afternoon: it is the only one of the three with two Sunday departures and an evening tour for most of the year. The website also lets you extend the visit with the Jewish Quarter, the Synagogue and the Mosque-Cathedral.
2. Arte en Córdoba: clear prices and a weekday afternoon tour
The Arte en Córdoba Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs tour offers a one-hour journey back to the Reconquest, when the Catholic Monarchs were settled in their Cordoba palace.
Prices, times and meeting point
Adults pay €20 with the ticket included; children aged 8 to 13 pay €10, and under-8s go free. Tours run at 10:15 Tuesday to Saturday and at 18:00 Tuesday to Friday, in Spanish, English and French. The meeting point is the Sotos de la Albolafia sign, opposite the main entrance on Avenida del Alcázar. The website warns that the tour is not wheelchair accessible and recommends arriving 10-15 minutes early.
Who it suits best
Visitors who want to see the exact price before booking and are travelling on a weekday. If you are interested in combining monuments, the same website offers a joint tour of the Mosque, the Jewish Quarter and the Alcázar.
3. Free Tour Córdoba: the midday departure
Although the brand is known for its free tours, its Alcazar of Cordoba guided tour has a fixed price because it includes tickets.
Time, departure and tickets
It departs Tuesday to Sunday at 13:00. The tour page gives the departure point as the main gate of the Alcázar, under the flags. Tickets are included and handled free of charge: once the group is together, you go in through the guides’ entrance without waiting in the box-office queue, which is a relief at weekends and in the middle of the morning. The booking calendar lists it at €20.99 per adult.
Who it suits best
Those who spend the morning at the Mosque and want to see the Alcázar straight afterwards, before lunch.
Comparison table of Alcazar Cordoba guided tours
| Option | Duration | Times | Departure | Languages | Adult price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Alcázar de Córdoba | 1 h | 10:15 (Tue-Sat), 10:30 and 12:00 (Sun), 18:30 (except summer) | Sotos de la Albolafia | ES, EN, FR | €20.99* |
| Arte en Córdoba | 1 h | 10:15 (Tue-Sat), 18:00 (Tue-Fri) | Sotos de la Albolafia | ES, EN, FR | €20 |
| Free Tour Córdoba | 1 h* | 13:00 (Tue-Sun) | Main gate, under the flags | Not stated | €20.99* |
*Booking-calendar data (price including fees), checked on 18/10/2026. All three include entry to the monument.
Tips for choosing your Alcazar guided tour
Season and time of day
In summer, the early tours are the coolest and the gardens look their best in the morning light; Tour Alcázar de Córdoba’s 18:30 departure is not offered in those months. In autumn and winter, the afternoon tour is a good way to end the day. If you want to spend more time in the gardens, read our guide to the gardens of the Alcazar of Cordoba.
Language, tickets and what’s new
Tour Alcázar de Córdoba and Arte en Córdoba work in Spanish, English and French; Free Tour Córdoba does not list languages on its page, so it is worth confirming when you book. All three include the ticket, so you do not need to buy it separately. Before you go, check the news and changes to the Alcazar visit in 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Alcazar Cordoba guided tours
How long does a guided tour of the Alcazar of Cordoba take?
The three tours we compare last about an hour, enough to cover the towers, the baths, the hall of mosaics and the gardens with explanations. Arrive at the meeting point with some time to spare: the group goes in together with the guide, who has the tickets, and the tour starts at the scheduled time.
Is the Alcazar entrance ticket included in the guided tour?
Yes. Tour Alcázar de Córdoba, Arte en Córdoba and Free Tour Córdoba include entry to the monument in the price and handle it free of charge. That way you avoid the box-office queue, which can be long at weekends and mid-morning, and go straight in with the group and your guide.
Are there guided tours of the Alcazar on Mondays?
No. The monument is closed on Mondays, so none of the three options runs that day. From Tuesday to Saturday there are morning tours with Tour Alcázar de Córdoba and Arte en Córdoba, and from Tuesday to Sunday at 13:00 with Free Tour Córdoba. On Sundays, Tour Alcázar de Córdoba departs at 10:30 and 12:00.
Where does the Alcazar guided tour start?
Tour Alcázar de Córdoba and Arte en Córdoba meet their groups at the Sotos de la Albolafia sign, opposite the main gate of the Alcázar on Avenida del Alcázar. Free Tour Córdoba gives the main gate, under the flags. Arte en Córdoba recommends arriving 10-15 minutes early so you do not lose your ticket.
If you want the tour with the most departures, including Sundays and afternoons, and your tickets sorted, book your place on the Tour Alcázar de Córdoba.
