Cordoba · Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara
The excavated palace-city of the caliphs, 8 km west of Córdoba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. The visit starts at a museum, then a shuttle bus takes you up to the ruins.
- 5 h
- €1.50
- Booking advised
- Medina Azahara
Data checked on November 2, 2026
Caliph Abd al-Rahman III began the palace-city around 936 (some sources say 940) as the seat of his court, and it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2018. You buy the ticket at the museum, which has original finds and interactive displays, then ride the shuttle to the excavated site. The Salón Rico, the reception hall, is the best-known building. The official estimate for the whole visit is between 2.5 and 3 hours, and with the trip from the city a half-day is a fair plan.
What to look for
- The museum with original finds
- The audiovisual shown in the museum auditorium
- The Salón Rico, the reception hall
- The residential sector with the house of Ya'far
Opening hours
| Monday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am–6:00 pm | last entry 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am–3:00 pm | last entry 2:00 pm |
From 21 September to 20 March: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 18:00, Sunday and holidays 9:00 to 15:00. Closed Mondays, except Mondays before a holiday (2 November and 7 December 2026 are open), and on 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December. From 21 March to 20 June it stays open until 18:00 Tuesday to Thursday and until 21:00 on Friday and Saturday. From 21 June to 20 September it opens Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 24:00 (the evening visit covers the archaeological zone only). The last shuttle to the site leaves 60 minutes before closing.
Source: Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra (Junta de Andalucía), checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket €1.50. Entry is free for accredited EU citizens and 1.50 euros for other visitors. The shuttle between museum and site costs 3 euros return (1.50 for children 5 to 12 and over 65s).
Parties of fewer than 10 do not need to reserve: collect your ticket at the museum reception, which is also where the visit starts. Groups of 10 or more must reserve. Without a car, take the municipal tourist bus (twice a day, Tuesday to Sunday, from Paseo de la Victoria) or book a guided tour that includes transport.
Getting there
The site is 8 km from the city on the A-431. The municipal tourist bus leaves Paseo de la Victoria twice a day, Tuesday to Sunday; otherwise go by taxi, car or a guided tour with transport.
Tip
Visit the museum first, because it explains what you will see on the site. Keep your ticket, as you need it for the shuttle, and in summer take the first morning slot or the evening hours.