Medina Azahara - Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra

Easy to get to the archeological sure from Cordoba. I really enjoyed learning about the history of the place and the impact it had on the whole Andalucía at the time.

People from European Union don’t need to have tickets and for rest of the nationalities it’s 1.5 euro. Then you need to head outside where there is a bus which will take you top hill.

3 Euro for bus both way and it’s a bus every 15 min.

Sone of the Part which they present in the photos are closed and no access.

I guess they are still trying to excavate more sections

It’s magnificent how they have built architectures 1000s years before

Beautiful old palace-city from the Umayyad dynasty built in the 10th century, which served as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba at some point. Nowadays ruins and UNESCO world heritage site.
Definitely worth a visit, although you need to pay attention to a few things concerning the timing. To get there you can go by car (8 km outside of Córdoba) or take a special yellow bus (departing from the city center at 10:00 with a fix return at 13:30; or leaving Córdoba at 10:45 and returning at 14:15). You should book the bus in advance either online (didn't work for us) or at the tourist office (costs 10€). The bus leaves you at the parking in front of the museum (free entrance). The museum is really good as it explains the different califates and timelines of the Spanish peninsula under Arab influence. From the museum you need to take a shuttle bus to the archaeological site, which is located around 2 km uphill. The shuttle bus comes every 15-20 minutes and the price is included in the general bus ticket, if you came by car it's 3€. Be careful that even in off-season (January) you might need to wait for 3 rounds of shuttle busses to be able to get to the site because of the queue.
Even more importantly you need to pay attention to get back to the museum parking in time, so that you won't miss your return to Córdoba with the yellow bus, as there is no other option to return to the city. Although the yellow bus luckily waited for us quite a while.

Beautiful ruins of an ancient Arabic city from the Xth century. These remains survived pillaging and a civil war, and are extremely well conserved.
People from the European Union may enter the museum free of charge. The bus from the museum to the ruins is 3€ for adults and 1.5€ for children. This price includes the trip back.
A must-see tourist attraction when passing by Córdoba!

Beatiful ruins with lots of history. Definitely a must see and set out a few hours to get the full experience.

To be honest, I went there thinking I will spend 20 or 30 mins. But I was wrong!!

I highly recommend going to the museum first, watching the short film on the history of Madina Azahara - this gives you the context and makes the actual experience of the ruins so much better

I highly recommend Madina Alzahra in Cordoba to anyone interested in exploring the rich history and culture of Spain. This archaeological site offers a captivating glimpse into the medieval Islamic era, showcasing the architectural brilliance of the Umayyad Caliphate. The meticulously restored ruins, informative exhibits, and guided tours provide a comprehensive understanding of this once magnificent city. Visiting Madina Alzahra is a truly enlightening and immersive experience, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike.

Medina Azahara in Cordoba is an extraordinary historical site, a true testament to the grandeur of early Islamic architecture and cultural wealth in Spain. Nestled in the rolling hills just outside Cordoba, this vast archaeological complex captivates visitors with its stunning ruins, which once comprised a palatial city built in the 10th century by Abd-ar-Rahman III, the Umayyad Caliph of Cordoba.

As you step into Medina Azahara, you are instantly transported back in time. The site is a marvel of artistry and engineering, showcasing the sophisticated urban planning and exquisite decorative arts of the Andalusian Umayyad period. The remnants of the palaces, with their intricate arches and ornate carvings, speak volumes of the opulence and power of the Caliphate.

The visitor center offers an insightful and well-organized introduction to the site's history, complete with interactive exhibits and a detailed model of how the city would have looked in its heyday. This sets the stage for an immersive exploration of the ruins.

Wandering through the archaeological site, you can't help but be awed by the grandiosity of the main hall, the House of Yafar, and the remnants of richly decorated reception rooms. These structures, though partially restored, still exude an air of ancient splendor and mystery.

For history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, Medina Azahara is a treasure trove of learning. The site not only reflects the artistic and cultural zenith of the Umayyad dynasty but also offers a glimpse into the political and social aspects of life during that era.

Medina Azahara is more than just a historical site; it's a captivating journey into a bygone era that played a crucial role in shaping Andalusian, and indeed, European history. Whether you're a lover of history, architecture, or just someone in search of a unique travel experience, Medina Azahara in Cordoba is a destination that should not be missed.

1 Reach at the first stop park your vehicle
2 Purchase entry ticket
3 Come to the shuttle bus and purchase a return ticket for the bus
4 Bus will take you to Madinah Zahra
5 Stay there and enjoy the trip
6 Must eat the madrino fruit which is very tasty in the garden of Madinah
7 After completing the trip take the bus from the same point where it dropped you

Madinah is rich in history

A beautiful place and worth a visit, plenty of photos places. There is a toilet and site and no cafe etc if you want to sit. The site was built by Abd ar-Rahman III who had declared himself "caliph" in 929 and a symbol of his power, imitating other eastern countries of Caliphates.

Archaeological complex of caliphate city showcasing ruins on three levels.
The complex cannot be entered directly even though the corresponding Madinat al-Zahra Museum is, unfortunately, permanently closed. However, the archaeological site remains open. It has many fascinating rooms and details to enthrall you. The site also provides great views of the surrounding countryside and Cordoba. The signage around the complex can be improved, but there's enough there to give a very abridged history. Plan on spending about 2 hours at the site.
To get to the site you must first arrive at the museum location and once there park, and then pay for and board a shuttle bus that runs every 15-20 minutes while the complex is open. Your vehicle must remain parked in the museum parking lot. The shuttle bus fare is round-trip and you will board the same bus to return to the museum parking lot and your vehicle.

Worth it! It’s just fine to walk from the visitor center all the way to the actual site. The bus doesn’t take the card and the walk is really scenic!

We visited it at night, it is open till midnight, and it s free (11€ during the day), you only pay the bus from the parking to it, it costs 3 € (2 ways). It looked so nice with the lightning, so romantic, I think it is a great place for a marriage proposal 😉. Very rich in history, nice to spend couple hours at night.

This place is less touristic but equally amazing. When you arrive at the site you have to leave the car at the museum based at the bottom of the valley. There you can collect the tickets for both the bus (that will bring you up to the Medina) and the Medina. The tickets for the Medina are free for all the European citizens. The Medina itself is really nice even though some parts we under restauración.

A bit far away from the city center. You could buy the special bus ticket in the information center first. 10 euro for the return trip including shuttle bus up to the mountain. After bus arrival, get the ticket first, 1.5 for non EU visitors, watch the movie, then go up to the mountain via shuttle. Plenty of time. Totally more than 3 hours for you to spend before the return bus. You can even have a picnic under the olive trees beside the parking ground.

Advice for visiting the place: this place is in remote area and you can taxi there or I think a bus comes in and out of here that connects to the main city. It’s pretty cheap (1.5 euros for the museum and then 3 euros for the bus to the site).

This place is definitely worth a visit and museum does a great job of fueling the imagination before you attend the site. It’s unfortunate that it’s not as preserved as the other archeological sites, but I loved it.

The most affordable tourist site i’ve seen! €1.50 ticket to museum and €3 for the shuttle bus up to the site. So worth the money. This site was huge with stunning views.

Must visit!!! Absolutely gorgeous. Please have a guide to understand the history behind this amazing place.

Much more than the photos give away and free ticket if EU citizen (you only pay 3,50 for the bus ride up there)

There are toilets. The place is big and there are several palaces that were close when I was there. The weather was really hot (in fall) so note that if you wanna visit this place in the summer or so. Bring your umbrella and wear summer clothes for that matter.

Great archeological site, one gets to enjoy not only the architecture and the views but also the history behind it in the Museum before seeing the actual site. Just beautiful