Things to Do in Córdoba
From the Mezquita to flower-filled patios, from flamenco shows to Moorish hammams: all the experiences that bring Córdoba to life.
Quick navigation
Monuments and UNESCO sites
The must-see sights
Mezquita-Cathedrale
The forest of 856 columns, the glittering mihrab and the Renaissance cathedral. Córdoba's defining monument. Skip-the-line guided tours available.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
Medieval fortress with magnificent gardens. The site where Christopher Columbus met Queen Isabella I.
Medina Azahara
10th-century palatial city — the Versailles of the Caliphate of Córdoba, 8 km from the city. Guided excursions available.
Palacio de Viana
The "patio museum": 12 flower-filled patios inside a Renaissance palace. Not to be missed in spring.
Synagogue
One of only three surviving medieval synagogues in Spain. 14th-century Mudéjar plasterwork.
Roman Bridge
16 arches spanning the Guadalquivir. Panoramic views of the Mezquita at sunset.
Authentic experiences
Experience Córdoba like a local
Visit the flower-filled patios
UNESCODiscover Córdoba's iconic inner courtyards, inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Most spectacular in April-May during the Patios Festival.
Getting lost in the Judería
Wander through the labyrinth of whitewashed lanes in the old Jewish quarter. Spontaneous strolling, half-open patios and local crafts.
Arab baths (Hammam)
Relax in a traditional Andalusian hammam. Hot, warm and cold pools in vaulted chambers with a Moorish atmosphere. Booking recommended. Perfect for a romantic getaway.
Market and local life
Saturday morning market on the Plaza de la Corredera. Fresh produce, crafts and a lively local atmosphere.
Free Walking Tour
FreeA 2-hour guided tour of the historic centre with a local guide. Pay what you wish at the end. Covers the Mezquita, Judería, Roman Bridge and Alcázar.
Shopping and crafts
Discover cuero repujado (embossed leather), silver filigrana jewellery and caliphal ceramics in the workshops of the Zoco Municipal. Take home authentic souvenirs crafted by Córdoban artisans.
Flamenco performances are among the most unmissable experiences in Córdoba
Culture and festivals
Shows and events
Flamenco shows
Tablaos and peñas flamencas where you can discover the art of cante jondo in the hometown of Paco Peña.
Flamenco guide →Equestrian show
Andalusian dressage and flamenco at the Royal Stables. Pure Spanish horses perform in a spectacular historic setting.
Book now →Museums
Archaeology, fine arts, Julio Romero de Torres and Al-Andalus collections — all within walking distance.
All museums →Annual festivals
Festival de los Patios (May), Feria (May), Semana Santa, Noche Blanca del Flamenco (June).
Full calendar →Festival de los Patios
First two weeks of May
50 private patios thrown open to the public for 12 days. Competitions, concerts and tastings of Montilla-Moriles wines.
Full programme →Feria de Córdoba
Late May (9 days)
Casetas, sevillana dancing, bullfights and a festive atmosphere. The city's biggest popular celebration of the year.
Full programme →Córdoba gastronomy
Flavours and specialities
Specialities to try
Thick cold tomato soup blended with garlic and bread, topped with hard-boiled egg and serrano ham.
Slow-braised oxtail, a classic of Córdoba's bullfighting heritage and the city's most iconic slow-cooked dish.
Pork loin roll stuffed with serrano ham, breaded and deep-fried — Córdoba's beloved street snack.
Crispy fried aubergines drizzled with cane honey — a sweet-savoury Andalusian classic.
Culinary experiences
Taste local wines at source: sweet Pedro Ximénez and bone-dry amontillados from the surrounding hills.
Bar-hop through the Judería or around the Plaza de la Corredera for tapas at a fraction of restaurant prices.
Creative Al-Andalus cuisine at Noor restaurant, holder of two Michelin stars.
Book a table at Noor
A walk across the Roman Bridge offers spectacular views of the Mezquita at dusk
Nature and relaxation
Green spaces and outdoor activities
Alcázar gardens
Terraced pools, fountains and lush greenery. A perfect escape from the summer heat after touring the fortress.
Visit →AquaSierra water park
The province's only water park, at Villafranca. 47,000 m² of slides and pools, open in summer — great for families.
Sotos de la Albolafia
Natural park along the Guadalquivir river — walking, cycling and birdwatching in the shadow of the Roman Bridge.
Free entryGuided cycling tour
A 2-hour guided bike ride taking in the Mezquita, Alcázar, Roman Bridge and Fernandine churches — easy and enjoyable for all levels.
Squares and gardens
Plaza del Potro
A square mentioned in Cervantes' Don Quixote. Home to the Julio Romero de Torres Museum and the Fine Arts Museum, with a Renaissance fountain at its centre.
Plaza de las Tendillas
The modern heart of Córdoba — shops, café terraces and an equestrian statue of El Gran Capitán. The natural starting point for a shopping stroll.
Botanic Garden
A collection of 3,000 plant species, including an ethnobotany museum and rose garden — a peaceful, educational break for families.
Parque de la Asomadilla
Córdoba's largest urban park (27 hectares). Playgrounds, cycling paths and sports areas — ideal for a family picnic.
Summer tips
In July and August Córdoba regularly exceeds 40°C. Plan visits for early morning or early evening, take advantage of night-time monument openings, and use hammam sessions as a cool midday retreat.
Full summer guide →Córdoba by night
Evening outings and nightlife
Night visit to the Mezquita
In summer (July-August), the Mezquita opens after dark for a sound-and-light show. The forest of columns lit at night is genuinely magical.
Bars and terraces
Lively atmosphere around the Plaza de la Corredera and the Ribera neighbourhood. Terraces stay open until midnight or 1am on warm evenings.
Roman Bridge at sunset
Córdoba's most photographed spot. Spectacular views of the illuminated Mezquita — a free, unforgettable evening stroll.
Learn more →Flamenco shows
Tablaos with nightly performances (8:30-10:30pm) in the historic buildings of the Judería. For authentic atmosphere, seek out the peñas flamencas.
Romantic Córdoba
Cobbled lanes of the Judería at dusk, candlelit dinner in an Andalusian patio, sunset over the Roman Bridge — Córdoba is a city made for romance. Hammam, flamenco, fine dining and evening promenades all await.
Discover our complete romantic guideReady to plan your trip?
Browse our day-by-day itineraries to make sure you don't miss the highlights of Córdoba.
Official sources
This guide draws on official and recognised sources to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
- UNESCO World Heritage - Historic Centre of Córdoba
UNESCO inscription for the historic centre, including the Mezquita-Catedral, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and Roman Bridge
- Córdoba Tourism Office
Official website of Córdoba's municipal tourism office — opening times, maps and visitor information
- Spain.info - Official Córdoba guide
Official Spanish tourism guide to Córdoba with curated attractions and travel tips
- UNESCO - Festival of the Patios of Córdoba
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing for Córdoba's patio tradition and annual festival