Things to do in Córdoba with children

Córdoba is a great place for children for one practical reason: The whole historic centre is within walking distance and there are plenty of places to stop every so often.

And there’s a plan that hardly anyone talks about, which is the best in the city for families.

🐻 The plan for the morning: the zoo and the botanical gardens, opposite each other

The zoo and the Botanical Gardens are opposite each other, on Linneo Avenue, with a bus stop right outside. Both can be done in a morning for less than nine euros per adult.

The Zoo, now the Conservation Centre

4.0 out of nearly 4,500 reviews, and everyone says the same thing: It’s small, but the value for money is hard to beat.

• Admission: €5.50 per adult. A family of four can get in for less than €20.
• It’ll be ready in an hour or two, although some people stay for three.
• Tel. +34 957 20 08 07. Opening hours vary: please check them in advance.

What animals actually exist: bears, gibbons, leopards and meerkats, amongst others. The exhibition spaces are spacious and the conservation work is clearly evident.

It’s worth mentioning this because many guidebooks promise elephants and tigers: there aren’t any. It’s a small municipal zoo, and its appeal lies elsewhere.

The trick: go at 9.30 am

Two reasons, as given by the visitors themselves:

• First thing in the morning, the animals are outside and eating, before the heat sets in. Later on, they hide away.
• Half an hour later, the school groups arrive. During the week, whoever arrives first has the zoo almost to themselves.

And opposite, the Botanical Gardens

Three euros, and a 4.3 rating based on over 1,700 reviews. But there are two important points to note:

• It’s closed on Mondays.
• Open in the mornings only, until 2.30 pm. If you go in the afternoon, it’s closed.
• There is no café, just a coffee machine. Bring some water and a few snacks.

The reviews are mixed: some people think it’s a bit run-down. As an add-on to the zoo for €3, it’s fine; as a stand-alone visit, it depends on how much you like botany.

The Alcázar and its gardens

It’s the sightseeing tour that children find easiest to cope with, and the reason is the gardens: terraced gardens with ponds and fountains, where they can move about without anyone asking them to be quiet.

And there are two specific incentives: it is possible to climb the towers —which children love— and inside there’s Roman mosaics large.

How to approach it: First the rooms – of which there are only a few – then the gardens, and finally the open-air area.

The Mosque-Cathedral, in a nutshell

With children, a half-hour spent wisely is worth more than a whole visit. And in its favour: The route is completely flat, with no stairs, so you can get in with a pram.

What catches their eye:

• The Forest of Columns, with the 856 columns repeating itself in all directions. It works like a visual game.
• The arches of red and white voussoirs, which set a pace that is easy to follow.
• The Orange Tree Courtyard, so they can go in and out and have a run about.

Go first thing, which is when it’s at its quietest. And if you want the full story, its decorative features.

The Jewish Quarter: a treasure hunt

The trick here is not to frame it as a visit, but as a game. They’re narrow, pedestrianised streets, so you can wander about looking at things:

• La Calleja del Pañuelo, the narrowest street in the city. The children love seeing if they can fit through it.
• La Calleja de las Flores, with the minaret of the mosque visible in the background.
• The courtyards which can be seen from the street, with their flowerpots.
• The Municipal Souk, with craftspeople demonstrating their skills live.

The full itinerary, at the Jewish quarter of Cordoba.

The banks of the Guadalquivir: free and open at all times

The best way to round off the day – and it doesn’t cost a thing.

The Roman Bridge is pedestrianised and flat, with the windmills and the Calahorra Tower in view. You can cross it easily whilst pushing the pushchair, and there’s plenty of space on the bank.

It’s at sunset that it’s at its best: the heat subsides and the Mosque is lit up from the other side.

More free plans, at What to see for free in Córdoba.

⚠️ Medina Azahara with children: think twice

It’s a brilliant visit, but quite a challenge for the little ones, and it’s worth knowing this beforehand:

• It is 8 kilometres away and we must add the compulsory shuttle bus from the museum.
• The site is on a hillside, with open paths and little shade.
• It’s closed on Mondays.
• It takes a whole morning including the journey.

If you’re going, go early, with water, a cap and comfortable footwear. And start with the museum, which puts what you see next into context: it really helps children understand what they are looking at.

If you have very young children, it might be worth leaving this for another trip. It is described in detail in Córdoba in three days.

🕐 How to organise your day

1. Early tomorrow morning: The zoo at 9.30 and the botanical gardens opposite. It costs less than €9 per adult.
2. Midday: eating out in the city centre. Salmorejo, flamenquín and oxtail They’re a local speciality, and children usually like salmorejo.
3. Afternoon: The Alcázar, starting with the rooms and ending with the gardens.
4. Sunset: Roman Bridge and riverbank.

And the Mosque, first thing the next morning, in short form.

Four tips to save you a lot of hassle

• Avoid the middle of the day in summer. In Córdoba, the midday heat is intense.
• Water, a cap and sun cream, even in spring.
• A mix of monuments and the great outdoors in each block, not two cultural visits in a row.
• Please note the following closing days: The Botanical Gardens and Medina Azahara are closed on Mondays.

Travelling from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. Includes transport, admission to the Mosque and a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter:

A notice for families: It is a day trip focusing on the historic centre, so the zoo is not included in the tour. If that’s your priority, it’s best to go on your own.

More about the city: What to see in Córdoba, the courtyards y where to eat.

Frequently asked questions

What animals are there at Córdoba Zoo?

Bears, gibbons, leopards and meerkats, amongst others. It is a small municipal zoo – now a Conservation Centre – with spacious enclosures and good conservation work. It is worth noting that it does not have any elephants or tigers, although some guidebooks do mention them.

How much does it cost to visit Córdoba Zoo?

Adult admission is around 5.50 euros, so a family of four can get in for less than 20. Right opposite is the Botanical Gardens, with admission at around 3 euros, so both visits work out at less than nine euros per adult in a single morning.

What’s the best time to visit Córdoba Zoo?

At opening time, around 9.30 am. The animals are then out in the open and feeding, before the heat drives them to seek shelter, and school groups arrive about half an hour later, so anyone who arrives at opening time can enjoy the grounds in a much more peaceful atmosphere.

Are pushchairs allowed inside the Mosque of Córdoba?

Yes. The prayer hall is completely flat and has no steps, so it is easy to get around with a pushchair. If you are visiting with children, it is best to plan a short visit focusing on the forest of columns and the Patio de los Naranjos, preferably first thing in the morning.

Is it worth taking children to Medina Azahara?

It depends on their age. It’s eight kilometres away; you have to take the shuttle bus from the museum, the site is spread out across a hillside with little shade, and it takes a whole morning to explore. It can be quite demanding with young children; if you do go, it’s best to set off early and start at the museum, which provides the context for what you’ll see later on site.

What free things are there to do in Córdoba with children?

The Roman Bridge and the banks of the Guadalquivir, both of which are pedestrianised and flat, making them suitable for pushchairs; a stroll through the Jewish Quarter in search of courtyards and narrow streets; and the Municipal Market, where you can watch artisans at work. These are the best ways to alternate visits to the city’s monuments with some time spent outdoors.