Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is a fortified royal palace begun in 1328 by Alfonso XI beside the Guadalquivir in Córdoba, with towers, Roman mosaics and some 55,000 m² of gardens.
About Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
Alfonso XI of Castile ordered the present fortress-palace in 1328 on a site used by Roman, Visigothic and Umayyad rulers. The Catholic Monarchs stayed here for long periods while planning the conquest of Granada; it then housed the Inquisition, was a prison from 1822 to 1931 and passed to the city in 1955. It lies within Córdoba's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The almost square enclosure keeps three towers: the Torre del Homenaje, the Gothic-vaulted Torre de los Leones and the round Torre de la Inquisición, linked by battlement walkways with views over the city. Inside are the Hall of Mosaics, with Roman mosaics of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and a 3rd-century sarcophagus, and the royal baths. The gardens step down in terraces of pools and fountains.
General admission is about €7 at the ticket office (around €6.70 online), with reduced tickets at about half price and free entry for under-17s. There are no timed slots and it closes on Mondays. Garden paths are mostly gentle, but the towers and walls are reached by narrow stairs, unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Spring, when the gardens are in flower, is the best time. From mid-June to mid-September it opens mornings only, so arrive at 08:15 as there is little shade on the walls. A joint ticket with the Caliphal Baths costs about €7.50.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in pictures
What you’ll find
- ExhibitionExhibition visitTicket
- GardensGarden visit (€4–€7, 08:15–20:00)Ticket
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€4–€7, 08:15–20:00)Ticket
- Ramparts walkWall walkTicket
- Tower climbTower climbTicket
Nearby places to visit
The Alcázar stands at the western edge of the historic centre beside the Guadalquivir. The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (300 m) is a short walk east, and the Roman Bridge of Córdoba (260 m) starts at the Puerta del Puente close by. In the Jewish quarter, the Córdoba Synagogue (340 m), the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba (280 m) and the Al-Iksir Alchemy Museum (370 m) are all within a few minutes of each other. The San Basilio neighbourhood behind the Alcázar is known for its flower-filled courtyards, at their best during the May patio festival.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos at a glance
Town
Córdoba
Address
Calle Caballerizas Reales s/n 14004
Opening hours
16 Sep–15 Jun: Tue–Fri 08:15–20:00, Sat 09:30–18:00, Sun and holidays 08:15–14:45; 16 Jun–15 Sep: Tue–Sun 08:15–14:45 (the official ticket site gives slightly earlier closing times); closed Mondays, 1 and 6 Jan and 25 Dec
Prices
Adults about €7 at the box office (€6.71 online); reduced about €3.50; free for under-17s and Córdoba residents
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
More places nearby
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