Medina Azahara - Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra in Cordoba

It is absolutely amazing to me that this place isnt better known, its fascinating! Start at the museum, and make sure you watch the film, as it explains what youll see when you get to the ruins.Only a very small percentage of the site has been excavated, I hope they can get funding to continue the work because it is a really special place, which helps provide context to the historical importance of Córdoba.Entry cost is minimal - it would probably be ten times that in the UK! Highly recommend it.

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 fallso note that if you wanna visit this place in the summer or so. Bring your umbrella and wear summer clothes for that matter.

Fascinating but it’s worth seeing the film in the museum first. Try to avoid turning up when tour buses are there as there is only one shuttle to the site from the parking/ museum

This is amost intriguing archaeological site just outside Cordoba. Medina Azahara dates back to 936 during Spains Islamic period. The excavation to date portrays the glory, scale and grandeur of the period beautifully. I really recommend this site, it is absolutely stunning. Go prepared with water, linen/cotton clothing and sturdy footwear, it is hard going in some parts and together with the heat could exhaust you.

Very good and historical place for visit

This was very interesting. The city only existed 100 years but now it is for the public to enjoy it. The museum is very nicely done specially the film. It gives a good impression of the life of the kafir.

It is an interesting place where only 10% have already been excavated only. Huge potential and I hope to come back when more than 80% will be excavated.

A huge complex with lots of historic artefacts despite having a very short lifespan. Was a really interesting contrast to the Mezquita/Catedral in Cordoba only a few miles away. Quite unsympathetic restoration in many parts but gives you a good idea of how it may have looked (over 1000 years ago)!

A must see. Absolutely beautiful.

All sources on the web say that the museum is open until 3 pm. Well, we arrived at 2:30 only to be turned around by an exceptionally rude lady who said we were late and the museum closes at 2:30 and we were too late. Very disappointed

Its not an absolute must-see, but its interesting!The museum is quite well done.

Awesome experience! I highly recommend it. However, pick a different time of the year. I went in June and it was extremely hot 😓🌞

OK, I felt this site running some very sketchy practices. First of all, you dont get to see their most iconic spot (interlaced red bricks archways and that photo is still on the web site). We were told the palace where these archways are is off the limit and had been under renovations for more than 10 years.The site is quite far away from Cordobas old town where other major sights are.

It was a fortified palace-city that served to the Umayyad dynstay for 2 generations, who were ruling the kingdom of cordoba from here. Compared to Alhambra in Granada or Mosque-Cathedral in, it is a less impressive cite and worth to visit only if you have extra time.There is an important point, which is not mentioned in the website. After reaching to the ticket office, you would need to fetch museum ticket and wait for the bus which comes every half an hour. And the last one leaves 1 hour before last admission time. Last shuttle bus from the site back to the ticket office leaves 30 minutes before the reported admission time. Despite the fact that there are parking lots next to the ancient city, you are not allowed go there on foot! Definetly it can be organized / communicated better. Once you reach the ruins, there is a fixed path to follow, which takes less than half an hour if you rush.Somehow it feels like they used way too much concrete during restoration, and parts of the ancienct city isnt allowed to be visites. Information is limited, there can be more infor signs.Bus takes around 5 minutes, and you would need to pay tickets seperately (2.5 euro / person). People living in EU doesnt pay for the entry.

One of the wonders of the world in terms of its historical significance. Much of modern Spain owes a great debt to the creator of this moorish Palace.We did the walk first around the ruins which is easy as you follow the well signed green arrows. The security guard Pepe and entrance guard Antonio were really helpful in answering questions about its history.Then you visit the Interpretation Centre to learn more about its construction, history and subsequent pillage and ruin. Theres a bus link between the two which runs frequently. Good ti escape the hustle and bustle of Córdoba if not the heat!

Less than a third of the excavated site is open . In particular, the Salon Rico ( public reception hall of ar Rahman the 3rd , Dar al Mulk ( private residence of the caliph and gardens are not accessible . Museum is interesting and has nice film and collection of artifacts. Just don’t plan to spend much time at the archeological site , given the limited access.

Beautiful place and very unique style and history. Its well maintained. A bit more expensive than I remember it being before... I think 11€ for an adult ticket.

Yes, the archeological site isa pile of stones with some reconstructions, but the museum does an excellent job in explaining both in English and Spanish the history of this remarkable Moorish construction of a califate city in the 940s. The Muslim history of Spain is truly fascinating.

Great site! The Entry is free but you have to get a ticket at the entrance of the museum. The bus is 1.5€ per person, you buy the ticket in the bus, and takes you up an down to the Medina every half hour.

Dont bother coming here unless you have nothing else left to do. You have to park your car, then register, then queue to get a bus. Once at the site, you have to follow a strict route which is congested by large tour groups. There is nothing much to see here, just walls and rubble, plus the odd reconstructed arch. If you have already visited the mosque in Cordoba, you will be disappointed by this visit. Allow 1 hr. Toilets and cafe in visitor centre before getting in bus.You would be much better off going to Castillo Almodovar del Rio, 20 minutes west of here, which is a great place to visit.

It is an incredible place to see the ruins of a civilisation.The archaeological site is an excellent panorama in the city of Cordoba.

Loved the history. The site itself was fascinating, we had a guide, but the short film they showed at the end of the tour really put it all in context.

A interesting archaeological site that is well documented but perhaps not very sympathetically restored with more concrete used than might have been necessary.Still, a good example of how well restored are sites like the Alhambra.It was very quite when I visited in January and I found it interesting and relaxing. I suspect however that Alhambra got an the funding :)

Second time here! Read about this place before coming, itll help your imagination play.

Really nice archeological site. Full of history. Is a must if you are visiting Córdoba. The site is very near the city center (6kms aprox), you can use the bus service from city center to the site, there is a small museum, multimedia room and a giftshop.

Ruins are fantastic but areas were blocked off for no reason given. It looks like some of these areas were accessible recently. There was also a ridiculous amount of “don’t touch” signs. Were these by archaeological features. Nope, on the railings and information signs. It was a bit obsessive.

Absolutely worth the visit. Commuting on the way is easy, returning to city can be confusing- long walk from the highway up to the visitor centre.

Visited this about 20 years ago and it was amazing. This time I had read that they had uncovered more of the site. A new museum has been constructed further downhill from the site. EU Citizens can have free entry to the museum but visitors from outside the EU pay €1.50. The surprise, was that the shuttle bus was €2.50 return. The museum advised that there was no parking available at the entrance to the site and the only option was to take the shuttle bus. Other posts have suggested that you can drive to the site and park (about 30 spacesbut there is a barrier at the entrance. I was disappointed that there was no board by the shuttle bus stop which advised of these charges. I also echo the thoughts of a previous post regarding over zealous staff regarding rucksacks. Most of the exhibits are behind glass or have markers on the floor asking you to keep your distance.

This has been my first time here and its been a really nice experience.I highly recommend to perform a guided tour (unless you are a skilled historian :)

Museum and animated film - greatThe site - could have more informationNBIf you drive by car - stop first at the main parking site (left at the roundaboutfor the museum.Then you can get back in the car and drive up the hill to the site - there are a few parking spaces. Saves waiting around for the bus (2.5E per person return)

Worth the visit. Be sure to read a little bit about the backstory of the city and the caliphate of Córdoba, as (for my likingthe amount of information panels could have been higher. We went there by car (free parking), but twice a day a bus from Córdoba goes there as well. We recommend taking the shuttle (2.50eu pp for a returnto the actual site from the visitors centre, as the walk is a tad long and along a busy road. Shuttles leave every 20 minutes.

Worth visiting if you are in Cordoba. Shuttle busses from Cordoba will take you to the museum. You can watch their documentary and also the museum describing the history. Special shuttle busses then take you to the sight.

Caliphal city, its history surprisingly shocking. I would like spent more time.

Worth visiting however it is mostly reconstruction with barely anything original. The staff is quite rude and they are obsessed with backpacks carried on the front of your body even though theres hardly any artefacts on display or behind glasses. Cafe closed and theres nothing to do whilst waiting for your bus.

Amazing ancient historical place!! Unbelievable, it was one of the grandest city build on Andalucian soil.

It’s easy to get to by bus and the place is very interesting. It’s an important historical landmark in Andalusia. If you go during the summer bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Start with the introduction video about the Medina, it will help you to visualize the ruins and how they would have looked and been used.

Super interesting the remains of what must have been a city to behold. A guide is a must of you want to build the proper picture of what, how, who and when

Very beautiful but sad ruins of the city of Al-Zahra. You can tell it was a gorgeous town in the ancient times. Thanks to the great archeological efforts of restoring it.The museum was also informative.

Such an overwhelming place, thinking about the history and the events that occurred in this place is mind blowing with the remain of the rooms, corridors and the main halls. We had a chat with security guards (a lovely lady called Theresashe got emotional telling us about the history and how proud she was. She was really helpful and passionate that we all were impressed with her warm chat. The website says that visits ends at 13:00 but actually you can catch the assigned coach at 19:00 to go to the place and then every 10 min (I have posted a photo of their opening hours).The only downside in our visit was that we were not able to visit 90% of the site, they said that the rest should be open next year. There is a a video about the site inside next to the car park were you catch the coach. It is a very informative video which you can also watch on YouTube including checking the remains and stuff recovered from Alzahraa and surrounding.

parking is at different location and where google is showing the location of monument you cant go there by car. you have to take a bus ride. and google maps is showing incorrect times. i visited this place at 8 o clock which was perfect considering the sun was about to set and heat was tolerable.

Outstanding ruins from 1000 years ago. Many of the mauresque structures are still standing.It is only few miles from Cordoba; it tooks us less than 15 minutes driving from the center of the city.The cost to access the ruins is very cheap; I think it is about $2 which includes the museum; it is cheaper than the cost of the bus to get you there (the cost of the bus ticket includes both ways).

Well worth a visit. Dont drive up to the gate as access is via a shuttle bus from the museum which is 2k downhill from the historic site. The video at the start is well worth time spent watching as it gives a picture of what it looked like in its heyday. Cost is €1.5 plus €2.5 for the bus

Beautiful and pieceful place. Could have stayed there forever!First you can enter the very well structured museum and get all the necessary information (there is a big parking spaceAfter that you get to the actual Madīnat az-zahrāʾ with a bus (you have to pay 2,50 EUR, you cant go there with your own car)You can stay there as long as you like since the bus comes regularly to bring new groups of people and pick up others to go back.Definitely worth a visit if you are interested in the Arabic history of Spain.

The ruins may evoke your thoughts of a Romanticised past of Spain, which was the heyday of the Cordoba Caliphate (mid 10th century - 1010). The 5-arched portico (4 arches of which are still relatively well-preserved), the solemn Upper Basilica, the magnificent House of Yafar (a Prime Minister of the Caliphate of Cordoba), the serene Higher Gardens with a typical Islamic rectangular pond that reflects the Hall of Ambassadors (this area was closed when I visited in June 2018), along with the living quarters of the royal household and the humble residences of ordinary civilians, all formed part of this long-forgotten imperial capital. Entering from the northwest corner of the city, you may fight your way through the well-armed palace guards and royal soldiers in the year 1010, passing a small palace (closed and under archaeological examinationand a zigzag route through the northern gate of the city. Standing at the gate, you will enjoy a panoramic view as one of the many conquerors in around 1010 did, just before the citys decline.

Aaah lovely place, their ticket system need to be updated and accept credit card. At that day I carried few euro bills with me. I had to pay 9euro per person by bus stop. When I reach alzahra center we had to pay 1.5 euro per person. Then a bus ticket to alzahra city for 2.5 euro per person. This is all in cash and I am glad we manage to pay it all with all cash we had at that time. Otherwise our experience would be really bad. People we are in 2019 at least bring a machine or make an atm machine nearby

Great place to visit. We can see interesting film about madina azahara and some display about history of Al Andalus.

Very cool place to visit! Highly recommend watching the film at the museum before visiting. It was very informative and really brought the place to life.

Definitly watch the video at the museum in order to understand what youre seeing. A tip: you have to buy your tickets at the museum, then wait in the parking lot for the bus (you have to pay a small amount that tooto take you to the site, then show your ticket up at the site. Loved walking though the buildings and imagining the people who walked the same path before :)

Built in 936 AD, these ancient ruins are a must-see for anyone visiting the Andalusia region of Spain. Suggestion: watch the video in the museum section before going up the hill to the actual site, its well worth it and provides a great overview of the ruins and what was, and what became of, this historical landmark.

Just outside Cordoba. Plenty of parking and a bus to the entrance. Fascinating Islamic ruin from the 10th century. Also known as The Shining City and you can see why.