Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos ticket prices: gate, official, and guided options
Official Council gate prices
These are the prices you pay at the Alcázar ticket counter (Plaza Campo Santo de los Mártires s/n, 14004 Córdoba):
| Adult entry (gardens) | €5 |
| Students (with card) | €2.50 |
| Over 65 years old | Free |
| Children 0–13 years old | Free |
| Córdoba residents (with proof) | Free |
| Everyone (no groups) | Free on 15 & 18 May |
| Córdoba monuments bono (gardens + baths) | €7.16 online / €7.50 desk |
| Córdoba full bono (5 monuments) | €13.91 online / €15 desk |
What guided tours add (€16.50–€20)
All guided tours include the €5 entry in their price. Here’s what an extra €11–15 buys you:
- Live guide: A person who adapts the route depending on which interior sections are open that day (restoration is ongoing until autumn 2026).
- Skip-the-line: You don’t queue at the counter on arrival.
- Guaranteed timing: You book a slot in advance, so no guessing when you’ll be done.
- 24-hour free cancellation: Change your mind before the day before, no penalty.
Gate vs online: when to use each
€5 gate entry (gardens, self-guided)
Buy at the counter if you’re already in Córdoba and want to see the gardens, walls and exterior towers. The council won’t sell you interior access as a solo gate visitor during restoration. Hours: closed Mondays; summer (16 June–15 Sept) Tue–Sun 8:15–13:00 (sales end 12:40); winter (16 Sept–15 June) Tue–Fri 8:15–20:00, Sat 9:30–18:00, Sun 8:15–14:45.
€16.50–€20 online guided tour with entry
Book online through GetYourGuide if you want interior rooms and a live guide. You get entry, skip-the-line, a guide who knows what’s open that week, and free cancellation. The operator is familiar with the restoration timeline and routes around closed sections. See guided-tour options.
€49 three-monument combo (Alcázar + Mezquita + Jewish Quarter)
This €49 combo covers all three sites with one guide in ~3 hours. Most popular for first-time visitors. Includes entry to all three monuments plus skip-the-line. See the full itinerary and logistics on the combo page.
€7.16–€7.50 bono (Alcázar gardens + Caliphal Baths)
The Córdoba council sells a two-site bono: the Alcázar (gardens, outdoor access) plus the Caliphal Baths across the plaza. Buy online or at the kiosk. Interior rooms at the Alcázar are not included; use a guided tour if you want those.
Free-entry days: a crowd warning
The Alcázar is free on 15 May (San Isidro) and 18 May (International Museum Day). Also free: children 0–13, over-65s, Córdoba residents, and students with a card. On free days, the site fills quickly in summer mornings and reaches capacity. If a free slot appeals, arrive early — or book a €16.50–€20 guided tour instead and skip the line.
See also: who gets free entry year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Is €5 really all I pay at the gate?
Yes. Adults pay €5 for the gates and gardens. But the palace interior (Salón de los Mosaicos, baths, towers) is under restoration and is only accessible via a guided tour right now — not for solo gate visitors. For interior access, book a €16.50–€20 guided tour.
What does the €5 entry include?
The gardens, terraced ponds, walls, exterior of the towers, and the courtyards. You move at your own pace, 60–90 minutes typical. Closed Mondays all year.
Are there discounts for students or seniors?
Yes. Students (with card) pay €2.50. Over-65s, children 0–13, and Córdoba residents pay nothing. On 15 & 18 May, everyone enters free (but expect crowds).
Can I buy a monument pass?
Yes. The Córdoba bono (€7.16 online, €7.50 at the desk) covers the Alcázar gardens plus the Caliphal Baths. A larger bono (€13.91 online, €15 at the desk) includes five Córdoba monuments. Interior Alcázar rooms require a guided tour.
What if I want to see the interior rooms?
Book a guided tour (€16.50–€20 with entry). The palace interior is under restoration; guided tours adapt their route to what’s open. No solo interior access at the gate is available during works.
Do tours include the entry fee?
Yes. All guided tours (€16.50–€20) include entry. You don’t pay separately at the gate.
Can I book on the day or do I need to pre-book?
Summer hours are tight (sales stop 12:40 at 13:00 closing), so pre-booking is safer. Most tours offer free 24-hour cancellation, so book ahead and keep your options open. Gate entry is sometimes available day-of, but slots may fill.