A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Cordoba for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Granada or Cordoba?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Granada or Cordoba? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a historic, beautiful, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a beautiful, colorful, and flower-filled town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Cordoba: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Cordoba?

You'll generally find more things to do in Cordoba than Granada. Cordoba is bigger than Granada, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cordoba is better known for its food, while Granada is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Cordoba is more touristy than Granada and is popular for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. Also, Cordoba is famous for La Mezquita. Granada is well known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

How is Granada different from Cordoba?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cordoba and Granada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Granada or Cordoba?

Spend time exploring the terrific sights and museums in either Granada or Cordoba.

Travelers visit Granada from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Cordoba are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Cordoba? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cordoba is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cordoba. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Nightlife?

Both Granada and Cordoba have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

The people in Cordoba know how to have a good time. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the terrific old towns in both Granada and Cordoba.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

With a famous historical old-town, Cordoba offers plenty to see. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Hiking?

Granada is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Cordoba is not a hiking destination.

Granada is a popular spot for hiking. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Cordoba is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Cordoba?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Granada and Cordoba.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Cordoba offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Cordoba.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cordoba. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Cordoba make for a excellent place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Couples visit Cordoba frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Cordoba are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Cordoba is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Students?

Cordoba is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Cordoba. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Granada is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Is Granada or Cordoba Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Granada and Cordoba.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

You'll find some public transit in Cordoba, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

Is Granada or Cordoba a more walkable city?

Granada and Cordoba are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Cordoba is a very walkable city. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Cordoba Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cordoba or Granada?

How long in Granada or Cordoba?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Cordoba. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Cordoba. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cordoba.

Families should spend more time in Cordoba than Granada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cordoba, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cordoba than Granada if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cordoba.

One day in Granada or Cordoba?

In Granada, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Cordoba, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Cordoba?

In Granada, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Granada has to offer.

In Cordoba, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cordoba has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Cordoba?

Granada is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Cordoba is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Cordoba?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Granada. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cordoba. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cordoba. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Cordoba, we can see that Cordoba is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Cordoba?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Cordoba, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Granada or Cordoba?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Granada or Cordoba in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Cordoba. Many visitors come to Granada in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cordoba for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 358 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Cordoba. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Cordoba in the Autumn?

Both Cordoba and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cordoba because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Granada is around the same temperature as Cordoba in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Cordoba fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Cordoba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Cordoba in the Winter?

Both Cordoba and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Granada because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cordoba this time of year.

In the winter, Granada is a little warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Cordoba averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cordoba. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 162 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Cordoba. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Cordoba in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Cordoba. The natural beauty are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cordoba for the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Cordoba. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cordoba this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Cordoba during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Cordoba. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cordoba and Granada