What to do in Córdoba? An unforgettable experience
Hello everyone! I am a passionate traveler who has had the good fortune to travel many corners of the world. However, there is one place that always occupies a special place in my heart: Córdoba. Have you ever felt that magic that surrounds you in certain cities? That’s exactly what I felt in Cordoba!
The spell of the Mosque-Cathedral
Imagine walking through narrow streets, with whitewashed houses and patios full of colorful flowers. Suddenly, you find yourself in front of a majestic architectural jewel: the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Upon entering, you feel like you are traveling between two worlds, Muslim and Christian, a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the city. Have you ever felt that sensation of being transported back in time? Here you will experience it!
A walk through the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Fortress of the Christian Monarchs)
After getting lost in the labyrinths of the Mosque, I always head to the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. It is like a trip to the era of the Catholic Monarchs, with its Andalusian gardens and walls that tell stories of conquests and romances. Can you imagine walking where people like Christopher Columbus walked?
The taste of Cordoba: between salmorejo and flamenquines
And what would a trip be without savoring the local gastronomy? Every time I think of Córdoba, the refreshing taste of salmorejo comes to mind, a cold tomato and bread soup, perfect for hot days. And if you are a meat lover, you can’t miss the flamenquín, a delicious breaded steak. Water in the mouth, right?
Losing myself among the Cordovan courtyards
Springtime in Cordoba is simply magical. It is the season of the patios, where neighbors open their homes to show off their flowered patios. It is an explosion of colors and aromas, which makes you think, is this the real Garden of Eden?
Cordoba, the second largest city in Argentina, has a different personality from the metropolis of Buenos Aires. Throughout the country, Cordobeses are known as fun-loving people, fond of cuarteto music, rally car racing and drinking Fernet with Coca-Cola. While most people visiting the country no doubt explore the capital, Córdoba is worthwhile for its mix of new and old, with 17th century Jesuit ruins alongside modern art galleries, and a huge student population that makes the city fun and hip.
It is home to the oldest surviving university in the country, and its rugged outskirts offer a multitude of adventure activities, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Cordoba is much more relaxed than Buenos Aires, so feel free to entertain yourself with a long lunch, relax in the plaza with a coffee or an ice cream and meet some of the laid-back locals.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Cordoba:
1. San Martin Square
The city’s central square is a good place to start your stay in Córdoba.
In the center is the statue of the famous General José de San Martín, liberator of Argentina (and Chile and Peru).
For lovers of architecture and cathedrals, there is the Cordoba Cathedral Church, built in the sixteenth century, and a seventeenth-century colonial town hall that housed the municipal police and now offers tourist information.
Almost every day there are performances by bands or street artists and street vendors.
You can have a coffee, people-watch or feed the pigeons in this attractive central square.
Museum of Memory
If you have not yet familiarized yourself with the devastating history of Argentina’s “Dirty War” of the 1970s and 1980s, this museum will provide an enlightening insight.
Visitors can view some photos of the many thousands of people who disappeared at the hands of the government during this time of political turmoil.
You can also learn about the military dictatorship of the Dirty War and the kidnappings and tortures that took place in secret.
The austere space that houses the museum was used as a secret place of torture and detention by the feared Department of Intelligence (D2). The families of the “disappeared” have donated the information and photos that appear all over the walls here.
3. Sarmiento Park
It is the largest public park in the area.
If you feel like spending some quiet time, relax by the picturesque lake or in the rose garden inside.
The park is centrally located, with families playing and joggers passing through its many trails.
If you wait long enough, an ice cream or donut vendor may stop by.
Take out a rowboat, use the fitness equipment, feed the ducks or just lie on the grass.
The park even houses a zoo. Occasionally there are live performances in the indoor amphitheater, which is open late in the summer.
4. Evita Fine Arts Museum
Located in the grand Beaux-Arts mansion, this museum contains more than 500 works of art and a sculpture garden.
You will be able to visit rooms full of paintings by important Argentine artists, as well as Picasso and Goya.
The museum was once the opulent private residence of the aristocratic physician and businessman Martín Ferreyra.
The art collection alone is worth the visit, but the magnificent house (well, palace) contains an impressive staircase and a charming cafe with a balcony.
5. Paseo de Las Artes
A great place to shop or just browse, this weekend street market contains original crafts, souvenirs and vintage clothing and accessories, all spread over several blocks in the Güemes neighborhood.
Check out the food for sale and the street performers trying to make a buck as you stroll through the vendor stalls.
There may be quite a bit of repetition in what you see, so be sure to check for the best prices.
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, the market is surrounded by plenty of great restaurants, cafes, bars and art galleries.
6. Los Capuchinos Church
A beautiful church in the neighborhood of Nueva Cordoba, whose interior may seem a bit drab in comparison to its impressive multicolored neo-Gothic exterior.
Designed by Italian architect Augusto Ferrari and built in the 1920s and 1930s, be sure to go inside to take a look at the ceiling and contemplate the painted night sky.
Inside are murals and religious artwork, and locals still come in and out to pray or go to confession throughout the day.
7. Dance to the rhythm of the Quartet
Possibly the city’s most popular export, the lively cuarteto music is a Cordovan invention that is now popular throughout Argentina. But especially in Córdoba.
It was made famous by singer Rodrigo Bueno, who was able to take the music out of the city and into the capital, and the style consists of a catchy mix of piano, accordion, bass and violin.
The King’s Hall is a good place to catch a quartet show, with popular groups often playing live on Sunday nights.
Keep in mind that quartet shows sometimes attract a low-key crowd, but you’ll certainly be in the mood to dance.
8. El Paseo Buen Pastor Cultural Center
This former women’s prison, monastery and chapel, renovated as a performance space and cultural center, is a fun meeting point in the center of the city, ideal for strolling.
You can attend shows, listen to live music and contemplate the works of art exhibited inside.
Have a coffee, a snack or a drink at one of the many restaurants and outdoor tables in the Nueva Cordoba neighborhood.
At night, the fountains are illuminated during one of their “dancing water” shows.
9. Venture into the town of La Cumbre
Tourists and locals alike enjoy a getaway to the nearby town of La Cumbre.
It is a small town located in the Sierras de Córdoba, less than two hours by car from the city.
Famous for its winds and take-off cliffs, La Cumbre became known when it hosted the Paragliding World Cup in 1994.
Try this exciting sport for yourself at Cuchi Corral or with Hernán Pitocco, a world-renowned instructor based there.
If that’s not your thing, take a horseback ride through the beautiful mountain scenery with Carmelo Cabalgatas or one of the local ranches.
10. Teatro del Libertador General San Martín
Completed in 1891, it is the most historic theater in the city and is worth a visit just to contemplate the absolute opulence of its interior.
With everything from rock to classical to ballet, you’re sure to find a show you like.
At night, it is impressive to see the exterior facade illuminated.
The acoustics are said to be phenomenal, so check the schedule to see what’s on while you’re in town.
11. The Jesuit block
Possibly the reason why many tourists visit the city, the Manzana Jesuítica de Córdoba is one of the best preserved European settlements of its kind.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is home to the University of Córdoba, the oldest in Argentina and the fourth oldest in the Americas.
It also includes a church (the Church of the Society of Jesus), a secondary school and several residential buildings, all built by the Jesuits in the 17th century for the sake of religion and education.
The one-hour guided tours offered at the Museo Histórico de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba will make your stay here much more enlightening.
Learn all about the history of the area and take a look at the Great Library of the Jesuits, with its collection of books from the 17th century.
12. Drink a Fernet with Coca-Cola
Argentines drink three-quarters of the world’s fernet, a bitter, brown, herbal liqueur brought to the country by Italian immigrants in the 19th century.
Although Italians usually drink it as a digestive, Argentines prefer to mix it with Coca-Cola.
Fernet Branca is the preferred brand (and practically the only one you see out there), and Cordobeses drink about a third of all the fernet in Argentina.
This aromatic concoction is, to say the least, an acquired taste, but when in Rome, right? Order a Fernet and Coke and sit outside at a trendy bar like Dada Mini to say you’ve at least tried it.
13. Visit near Villa Carlos Paz
Just minutes away from Córdoba, Villa Carlos Paz is a lovely little tourist town and the gateway to the beautiful Punilla Valley.
Located on the shores of Lake San Roque, visitors can easily go swimming, kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing.
There’s also plenty of fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking to be had within a few miles of this scenic town.
It’s close enough for a day trip, but there are a growing number of hotels in the vicinity if you want to stay for a night or two.
Be sure to take the chairlift up to El Cerro de la Cruz for views of the lake and the town below if the weather’s good.
14. Try the empanadas and locro.
During your stay in Córdoba, be sure to try the regional Argentinean cuisine.
You may be familiar with empanadas from the rest of the country, but empanadas from Cordoba are a little different: they tend to be sweeter and juicier.
(They even have empanadas for dessert!) You should also try locro, a hearty stew of meat and filling ingredients such as potato, corn and pumpkin.
Cepa Salteña, La Vieja Esquina and La Candela are great places to try these two local dishes.
15. Spend some time in Güemes
This bohemian neighborhood is perhaps the coolest and trendiest place in Cordoba.
With a plethora of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants, you’ll be more than busy for an afternoon.
Check out the charming variety of boutiques and food outlets in Muy Güemes, a modern and well-designed shopping area or gallery filled with local businesses.
Afterwards, have brunch, stroll through the nearby fair or go for a drink.
We suggest Rooftop, Don’t Worry or Okupas Resto Bar for cocktails or Quilmes.
Conclusion: Cordoba, a journey for the soul
For me, Cordoba is not just a tourist destination, it is a journey for the soul. It is a city that surrounds you with its history, its culture and its people. Every corner tells you a story, every taste transports you to another world. So, if you are looking for a destination that offers more than just tourist attractions, Cordoba is the place for you. Do you dare to discover it?
