Córdoba’s old town is compact, but it is larger than many visitors expect, and its lanes are too narrow for most traffic, so the sights in the north of the centre, such as the Palacio de Viana and the Fernandine churches, can feel a long way from the Mezquita on a hot or tiring day. The City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off pass solves that with two routes. The panoramic tour, on red double-decker buses, makes a wide loop of seventeen stops around the city, with river views, the San Basilio quarter, the Puerta de Almodóvar, the Mercado de la Victoria, the railway and bus stations, the Malmuerta tower, the San Lorenzo and San Andrés quarters, the Roman temple and the Roman bridge. The mini tour, on smaller buses, takes ten stops closer to the old town, including the Alcázar and the Caliphal Baths, the Mezquita, San Pedro, the Palacio de Viana, the Plaza de las Tendillas and the river viewpoint. An audio guide in English and many other languages tells the story as you ride, and the pass includes two free walking tours, one of the Jewish quarter and one of a gourmet market. This page links to the Tiqets product.
How it works: the pass is valid for 24 hours from activation, and you show the mobile voucher when you board. The starting point is Calle Ángel de Saavedra 10, near the Mezquita, and you can board at any stop. The double-deckers run about every hour and the minibuses about every half hour, from 09:30. From 2 November the last departures are at 18:00, and the listing shows operating hours of 09:30 to 13:30 and 14:30 to 18:00, so plan a lunch break around the gap. Two stops on the panoramic route, the Botanical Garden and Zoo and the Ciudad de los Niños, are marked as closed. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
Who it suits: families with young children, travellers with limited mobility, and anyone who wants an overview on their first afternoon before diving into the lanes on foot. It is also a practical way to reach the station area with luggage on your last day, or to visit the northern churches and the Viana palace without the walk. Entry to monuments is not included.
Making the most of it: ride the full panoramic loop first, upstairs if the weather is kind, to get your bearings, then use the minibus to hop between the old-town sights. Join the free Jewish quarter walking tour if you have not booked a guided visit, and time your ride so that you pass the river viewpoint in the late afternoon light.
What to expect
The experience
A 24-hour pass for two hop-on hop-off routes with an audio guide, plus two free walking tours.
Best time
Your first afternoon, for an overview, or a full day when you want to reach the northern quarters without walking.
How long
About an hour for each full loop; the pass lasts 24 hours.
Tips
Mind the midday break and the 18:00 last departures in winter, and use the minibus for the old-town stops.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, first-timers wanting an overview and anyone saving their legs.
- Families
- Easy rides between sights and an audio guide with a story; good for younger children.
- Couples
- Ride the open top in the late afternoon for river views before dinner.
- Pair with
- The Palacio de Viana via the minibus stop, and the Mezquita at the start of the route.
- Time needed
- Half a day of use, valid for 24 hours.
Good questions
How long is the Córdoba hop-on hop-off ticket valid?+
The pass is valid for 24 hours after activation. It covers both the panoramic route and the mini tour.
What time does the bus run in winter?+
From 2 November the last departures are at 18:00, with operating hours listed as 09:30 to 13:30 and 14:30 to 18:00. Minibuses run about every thirty minutes.
Where does the hop-on hop-off bus start?+
The starting point is Calle Ángel de Saavedra 10, near the Mezquita. You can also board at any stop on either route.
Are walking tours included?+
Yes, the pass includes two free walking tours, of the Jewish quarter and a gourmet market. Entry to monuments is not included.
Can I cancel the bus ticket?+
Yes, cancellation and rescheduling are free up to 24 hours before your visit date.
