Cordoba Centro

Re: Medina Azahara by taxi

by puerto_lover

Medina Azahara site is about 15 to 20 minutes drive from the centre of Cordoba. Maybe around 9 kms. I always reckon on a fare of around One Euro per Km. So that's about Euros 18 plus waiting time, say another 20. But you may negotiate with the driver. Maybe he can do it for less. But never taxied to Medina Azahara.

There is a bus organised by the tourist people that leaves at 11.00am and should get you back by say about 1.30 latest. Its a good way to go and fare is not bad. You can book your seat using the Tourism office web site http://english.turismodecordoba.org there are two stops. One near the river and the Mezquita / Roman Bridge. The other is on the Paseo de la Victoria near the Roman Mausoleum. So if you are visiting the Mezquita early you can take the bus at 11.00am or visit the Mezquita on return.
When I visited the Mezquita last month, I entered at the time the main gate opens which is 08.30 and was able to wander around (with a number of other tourists and locals) for a good 45 minutes before being asked to leave. Not quite sure why this was done but thinking about it subsequently I believe that the entry at 08.30 is when the staff mainly appear and that the entire Mezquita area is not just the Cathedral obviously. So it is the intention of the church to allow visit to the building but is really intended for access to the Cathedral and not to gawp at all the wonderful richness of the pre cathedral parts surrounding the central cathedral area. The official payment opening time of the mezquita / cathedral is 10.00 am until 6pm during the months of Nov to Feb, and from 08.30 to 10.30 and then 14.00 to 18.00 on Sundays and some other holidays. Staff at the ticket kiosks do not get going until nearer opening time and the early morning visit was free ! The notice on the ticket kiosk specifically states:
From Monday to Saturday 08.30 to 10.00 entry to the cathedral is free, but only for independent visitors and in strict silence. during this period Group Visits are not permitted.

the cathedral is having restoration work done and so currently there is a separate area for services directly behind the main part of the cathedral.