Conjunto Arqueológico de Madinat al-Zahra
Palatine city of the Umayyad caliphs on the outskirts of Córdoba, a World Heritage Site, with a site museum and a shuttle bus to the archaeological area.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Madinat al-Zahra is an Islamic city of 112 hectares built by Abd al-Rahman III, the first caliph of al-Andalus, around the year 936 or 940. It was his personal residence and the seat of government: the most important dignitaries lived in the palatine zone, and the state’s administrative bodies, moved from Córdoba, were concentrated there. During the reigns of Abd al-Rahman III and al-Hakam II it was the capital of al-Andalus, and ambassadors from Mediterranean countries and from present-day central Europe passed through its halls.
Between 1010 and 1013, during the civil war that brought an end to the Umayyad caliphate, the city was abandoned and sacked, and its remains were used as a quarry. The first excavations took place in 1911 and continued through the 20th century, mainly under the direction of architect Félix Hernández, who uncovered the central part of the alcázar and restored the Hall of Abd al-Rahman III. In 1985 the site came under the Junta de Andalucía, which created the Archaeological Complex to manage it. The city was declared a World Heritage Site in 2018.
The visit begins at the site museum, opened in October 2009 and designed by the Nieto Sobejano studio. It is a partly buried building, so as not to alter the landscape or future excavations. There you buy tickets for the museum and the site, watch an audiovisual presentation and walk through the permanent exhibition. Afterwards a shuttle bus takes you up to the archaeological area.
Highlights
- Nieto Sobejano site museum with a permanent exhibition in four blocks
- Audiovisual “Madinat al-Zahra: the Shining City” (about 15 minutes)
- Visible storerooms of architectural materials and ataurique (carved plaster ornament)
- North Gate, Upper Basilica Building and Great Portico of the alcázar
- Hall of Abd al-Rahman III (“Salón Rico”) and the house of Ya‘far
- Evening tour of the archaeological area in summer
Permanent exhibition
- Exposición permanente del Museo de Madinat al-Zahra – Four blocks on the founding of the city, its construction, its inhabitants, and its destruction and recovery, with interactive resources, audiovisuals and the most significant pieces from the collection.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Junta de Andalucía – Consejería de Cultura, Patrimonio Histórico y Deporte
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €1.50 |
|---|---|
| Groups (10+ people) | –Advance booking is compulsory for groups of 10 or more people. |
| Museum–site shuttle bus (return) | €3Reduced rate of €1.50 for children aged 5 to 12 and for over-65s; free up to age 4. |
Free admission for accredited citizens of the European Union; €1.50 for visitors from other countries. The shuttle bus up to the site is paid separately (€3). For visits of fewer than 10 people no booking is needed: simply collect the ticket at the museum reception.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum has accessible toilets. The website does not give details of accessibility along the route through the archaeological site.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2.5 hrs |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The 2026 programme includes the “Medina Azahara en tus manos” workshops for families and educational programmes for schools.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tourist bus run by the Córdoba Municipal Tourism Institute, twice a day from Tuesday to Sunday (on Saturdays, depending on the season, three times), departing from Paseo de la Victoria (roundabout by the Hospital Cruz Roja and opposite the Roman Mausoleum).
By car
Parking available
Museum car park, where private vehicles and coaches are parked.
The site is 8 km from Córdoba, on the A-431 road, km 5.5.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop with ceramic reproductions, jewellery and stationery. The café-restaurant is listed as temporarily closed. The museum has a specialist library, an auditorium and an educational room.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The full visit takes between two and a half and three hours. The visit begins at the museum, where tickets are bought. The site is reached only by the shuttle bus, which runs every 15–20 minutes; the last bus leaves 60 minutes before closing. Keep your ticket. For large groups it is advisable to book the audiovisual. |
