Córdoba is a medium-sized city – a city whose streets are

a delight to stroll through and whose climate is benign

throughout the year, full of charming spots and unique
historic treasures, where the people are cheerful and
friendly, and give a warm welcome to visitors, to whom they
proudly show their impressive cultural heritage, their unique
accolade of four World Heritage Sites, their passion for
flowers, their admiration for that noble beast, the Andalusian
Purebred Horse, and their delicious, healthy cuisine based on
Denomination of Origin products and prepared by top chefs.
Córdoba is this and so much more ...

Whether you visit with your family, as a couple, for work or for
business, young, old or middle-aged alike, wherever you come
from, we will welcome you with open arms…
GEOGRAPHICAL
SITUATION
· Córdoba is located in the south of Spain

· The Gateway to Andalusia

· The third largest and third most populous city in

Andalusia

· Surface Area (municipal district): ​​1,253 km2

· 325,700 inhabitants
 A Coruña

Santiago
León
Vigo Huesca
Palencia Figueres
Venta de Baños Tardienta
Ourense
Lleida Girona
Valladolid Calatayud
Zamora

CONNECTIONS BY
Guadalajara Barcelona
Yebes Zaragoza
Segovia

Madrid

AIR & BY LAND

Cuenca
Toledo Requena-Utiel

Valencia

Ciudad Real
Puertollano
Albacete
Several international airports are only 2 hours Villena Alicante
Córdoba
away: the busiest being
Madrid, Malaga and Seville. Sevilla Puente Genil

Granada
Córdoba has an airport run by AENA, currently Antequera

hosting commercial, medical and military flights Málaga

and some charter flights for passengers.
Connected via the AVE (Spanish High Speed
Train) and the conventional Railway Network. Recorridos de Alta Velocidad
State Network of Highways (A-4 ‘Southern Tours of high speed
Highway’ and A-45 ‘Málaga Highway’ and N-432
Córdoba
National Road)
Granada
Málaga
Sevilla
-
Madrid
Barcelona
 The City of Córdoba
World Heritage Sites
The Courtyards (“Patios”) of Córdoba
The Spanish Purebred Horse
Local Cuisine

TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS
Major cultural events
Crafts and jewellery
Festivals and traditions
Flamenco
Natural Areas
 The eighth-century Mosque is Córdoba’s
jewel in the crown, the most significant
Moslem site in the whole of Western
Europe and one of the most remarkable
buildings in the world.

It has been a World Heritage Site since

1984, and what makes it unique is that it
contains a magnificent Christian Cathedral
within.

Visits can be made not only during the day

but also at night, thanks to the night-time
tours “The Soul of Córdoba”, which take

THE
place from Monday to Saturday (according
to timetables and availability).

We recommend visiting it in both ways

(day and night) to enjoy the full range of

MOSQUE
sensations.

OF 4 WORLD
HERITAGE AWARDS

CÓRDOBA WORLD
HERITAGE SITE
SINCE 1984

Javier Álamo >

 The Old Quarter, one of the largest historic
centres in Europe, was declared a World Heritage
Site in 1994.

At its heart lies the Jewish Quarter, an area

inhabited by Jews in the Middle Ages, dotted
with sites and museums that are a must on any
visit:

The only surviving Synagogue in Andalusia (14th

century), one of only 3 still standing in Spain,

The Mudejar Chapel of San Bartolomé (14th /15th

centuries),

THE
The Baths of the Caliphate Fortress,

WORLD The Roman Bridge,

HERITAGE SITE

HISTORIC
SINCE 1994 The Arab Souk….

QUARTER
4 WORLD
HERITAGE AWARDS

Isabel Serrano >

 The Festival of the Courtyards of Córdoba,
popularly known as “The Patios Festival”, was
declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2012,
and bears witness to a forgotten way of life and
cultural expression: it is the pride of Cordoba and a
unforgettable showcase of floral beauty.

The Patios Festival takes place during the first two

weeks in May, in seven neighbourhoods spread

THE
around the city, although guided tours of the
courtyards can be made throughout the year.

INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
OF HUMANITY

PATIOS
SINCE 2012

FESTIVAL
4 WORLD
HERITAGE AWARDS
If you visit the festival, the main thing is to show respect:
remember that you are visiting a private house, and the
owners have kindly opened their doors to the public to
allow you to share in this delightful display of flowering
plants.

Cedida por Ayuntamiento de Córdoba >

 4 WORLD

CALIPHATE
HERITAGE AWARDS

CITY OF
MEDINA
AZAHARA
WORLD
HERITAGE SITE
SINCE 2018

Medina Azahara (10th century) is the archaeological site of what was once
a palace-city built by Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III as a symbol of the power
of the Caliphate of Córdoba and which, according to legend, he dedicated
to his favourite concubine.
A World Heritage Site since July 2018.

Close by the archaeological site stands the Madinat Al-Zahra museum,

which is well worth a visit, especially to see the excellent video recreating
the history of the palace-city.

This exceptional site lies about 9 kms from the city of Córdoba and the
best way to get there is either by car or by the Tourist Bus or the Bus to
Medina Azahara.
 Córdoba has an historical heritage unique in the
world, with sites such as the splendid 13th century
Fortress of the Christian Monarchs, built over
previous Roman and Arab structures, which bears
testimony to centuries of great historical exploits and
now serves as a venue for a wide range of shows and
events.

A MONUMENTAL
HERITAGE
UNIQUE
IN THE WORLD
VISITS TO THE MOST POPULAR
SITES IN 2019
1. Mezquita- Catedral 2.079.160
2. Sinagoga 619.110
3. Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos 615.737
4. Medina Azahara 285.672
5. Palacio de Viana 193.802
6. Torre de la Calahorra 96.548
7. Baños Califales 79.733
8. Real jardín Botánico 30.603
9. Capilla de San Bartolomé 40.522

Defábrica >
 Córdoba boasts one of the finest archaeological
museums in Spain, with valuable artefacts from
different historical periods and architectural
styles, all housed in a building constructed on
top of the archaeological remains of the city’s
Roman Theatre. The Julio Romero de Torres
Museum is another gem, which displays the
artist’s work and captures the essential beauty
of Cordoba like no other.

There are many more museums, too...

We challenge you to get to know them all!

MUSEUMS
WITH PRICELESS
TREASURES
VISITS TO THE MOST POPULAR
MUSEUMS IN 2019

1. Museo Arqueológico 291.832

2. Museo de Bellas Artes 70.055
3. Julio Romero de Torres 53.495
4. Museo Taurino 21.100

Cedida por el Museo Arqueológico de Córdoba >

 Córdoba has an age-old culinary tradition, influenced by the
Mediterranean diet and by the different civilizations which have lived
here, giving rise to a cuisine featuring dishes unique to Cordoba such
as salmorejo (cold tomato dip), oxtail, aubergines with honey, or
flamenquin (rolled pork fritter).

Cordoba’s cuisine is typified by the use of high quality local products,

produced under 7 Denominations of Origin: 4 for Olive Oil (Baena,
Lucena, Priego de Córdoba and Montoro-Adamuz), 1 for wine (Montilla-
Moriles), 1 for vinegar (Montilla-Moriles) and 1 for Iberian Ham (Valley of
the Pedroches).

DELICIOUS CUISINE
BASED ON
DENOMINATION OF
ORIGIN PRODUCTS
These D.O. products would be useless without the expertise of Cordoba’s
top chefs (the city has 3 chefs with Michelin stars, and a whole host
of expert chefs specialising in traditional, innovative and international
cuisine), the local training centres for chefs, the gourmet markets and
all the many excellent catering establishments.

For all these reasons, in 2014 Córdoba was awarded the title of Ibero-
American Capital of Gastronomic Culture.
 Is the Purebred Horse Spanish or Andalusian? ... The answer is both,
although here in Córdoba we like to say this breed is native to our city,
for one important historical reason. Back in the 16th century, King Felipe
II gave the orders for his Royal Horse Guards to create a new horse
breed and purpose-built the “Royal Stables” in Córdoba to house them.

Many events are held in Córdoba to honour this noble animal:

throughout the year, a top quality, original Equestrian Show is held in

the very building where this breed of horse was born,

also in autumn, the Autumn of the Horse program offers visitors a

wide variety of recreational activities: championships, events, shows,
exhibitions, workshops, conferences and much more, all centred
around the horse.

THE CITY OF
THE SPANISH
PUREBRED
HORSE
Cedida por la Asociación Córdoba Ecuestre >
 The courtyards (“patios”) can be enjoyed all the
year round, through a number of new activities
which have been launched recently by private
companies:

CITY OF
FLOWERS
new routes and guided visits to the “patios”,

in the different neighbourhoods of Córdoba,

new festivals such as “Flora”

whose 1st edition was held in 2017, where

internationally-renowned floral artists
transform the courtyards of well-known
buildings around the city with their breath-
taking floral designs.

There is no end to the festivals connected

to flowers: the arrival of spring is marked
by “Orange Blossom Time”, the battle of the
flowers, the May festivals and many more...

Cedida por Festival Flora >

WITH A CULTURAL
AGENDA PACKED
WITH WORLD
FAMOUS EVENTS
Córdoba offers a huge range of cultural events throughout the year, the pick of which
would be:

The International Guitar Festival, whose 1st edition was held back in 1980, a cultural
event with musical and artistic expressions focused around the guitar which has
consolidated its position as one of the leading festivals around the world,

the White Night of Flamenco where the top artists from the world of Flamenco
perform on stages set up in squares, streets and local taverns,

Cosmopoetica, the International Poetry Festival,

Eutopia, a Festival of young people’s creativity,

Kalendas, Córdoba in Purple, Nights of Ramadan, the festival of Sephardic Culture:

all these programs allow us to learn about the different cultures which once inhabited
Córdoba
Riomundi, a festival of World Music on the banks of the River Guadalquivir ...

Mauricio Mergold >

 Córdoba is famous for its silver and gold jewellery and their manufacture
represents one of the city’s economic mainstays.

The best known style is the Córdoba filigree, which consists of gold or
silver threads soldered to a metal structure to form shapes and create
jewellery in exclusive, classic and avant-garde designs.

Córdoba has now achieved worldwide fame for its gold and silverwork,
and has grown into one of the largest production centres for jewellery in
Spain.

EUROPEAN
CENTRE
OF REFERENCE
FOR JEWELLERY
The Córdoba Jewellery Park was created in 2008 to house jewellery-
producing companies and now forms the largest concentration of companies
in the sector in Spain and Europe, bringing together manufacturing
companies of jewellers’, goldsmiths, costume jewellers’ and watchmakers.

Rafael Mellado >

 Córdoba is the perfect place to find unique, original
craftwork designed by the best master artisans.

CRAFTWORK
‘MADE IN
CÓRDOBA’
This is one reason why the Old Quarter of Córdoba was
declared an Designated Craft Area in 2014. Currently, the
Cordoba Association of Artisans includes 18 workshops of
different trades, featuring:

Leather goods, especially those known as ‘Cordobanes’ and

‘Guadamecies’, which are painted, embossed leatherwork
items in traditional and contemporary designs. The technique
dates from the period of the Umayyad Caliphate in Córdoba,
and is still very much alive to this day,

Guitar makers and their flamenco guitars,

Pottery from the north of the province…

FESTIVALS AND
TRADITIONS
Cordoba hosts many festivities and traditions, but all the best-
known festivals are held in the spring:

Holy Week, which in Córdoba is marked by its solemnity,

the opening of the Orange Blossom,
whose characteristic scent permeates the city and always appeals
to visitors,

the Battle of the Flowers,

which welcomes the spring with a parade of floats
from which thousands of flowers are thrown to the public,
the May Crosses,

a Christian tradition which has become an extremely popular local

festival,

the Montilla-Moriles Wine-tasting Festival, the Courtyards

(“Patios”) Festival, the Town Fair dedicated to Our Lady of La
Salud…

What they all have in common is the outburst of popular ‘joie de

vivre’, respectful celebration and the desire to share our happiness
with all our visitors.

Rafael Mellado >

THE SOUL
AND MYSTERY OF
FLAMENCO
Flamenco is a deeply-ingrained part of the
culture in many areas of Córdoba:

The Fosforito Flamenco Centre in the

Potro Inn
Flamenco events, activities and festivals,
Flamenco stages and clubs,
dance schools,
guitar-makers,
Flamenco fashion,
taverns,
Flamenco experiences
Artists…

Mauricio Mergold >

 In Córdoba, the natural world is bursting with life wherever
you go:

in the historic centre, just by the Roman Bridge lies an area

known as Los Sotos de la Albolafia, protected as a Natural
Area in 2001 due to its rich variety of birdlife.

THE NATURAL
WORLD
JUST ONE STEP
AWAY Other natural areas are especially suited to visiting with
children, such as the Royal Botanical Garden, the Zoo or
the Children’s City,

There are gardens inside tourist sites like the Orange-Tree

Courtyard in the Mosque or the gardens in the Fortress
of the Christian Monarchs, over 20 parks spread around
the city and the mountain area known as the ‘Sierra de
Córdoba’, which contains the Villares Nature Park (8km
from Córdoba), with its magnificent panoramic views, the
Córdoba Country Club, with its splendid 18-hole golf course
in the heart of the Sierra Morena mountains.

As well as hiking routes in the mountains, particularly the

walks to the Bejarano Stream, the Baths of Popea, the
Hermitages, Cerro Muriano or the Pozo de la Nieve hill, all
of which make ideal venues for hiking and whose paths are
perfect for cross-country cycling too.

Real Club de Campo de Córdoba >

 Visitors Reception Centre (Vrc),
Tourist Information Service
Hotels
Restaurants
Tavers

TOURIST
INFRAESTRUCTURE
Gourmet Markets
Tourist Bus
Boutique
Shopping
 Córdoba has several tourist information points in
the city, the main one being the Visitors Reception
Centre (VRC), situated in the heart of the Jewish
quarter right next to the Mosque, the main tourist
site in Córdoba.

TOURIST
INFORMATION
SERVICE
At the VRC, visitors to Córdoba can find information
about the city, the province and the rest of
Andalusia, book visits to the sites, take a break from
sightseeing, enjoy the restaurant with the most
popular local ‘tapas’ and shop for a wide range of
souvenirs and local products.

The team of tourist information officers will be

delighted to attend you and help you to solve any
problem or query which may arise.

Pepe Muñoz >

 Córdoba has a wonderful team of official tourist guides
and experts in our cultural heritage who will make
your visit that extra bit special. They know the history
of Córdoba like the back of their hands and can show
you all the city’s hidden corners, as well as telling you
fascinating facts and legends from the past.

All these guides are at your disposal for a personalized

guided tour. Group visits are also organized, with

TOURIST
guaranteed departure times – book your place in
advance and join the fun!

GUIDES
Being shown around Cordoba by one of these guides is
definitely a worthwhile experience – it will make the
visit so much more rewarding!

José Martínez Asencio, Chencho >

 HOTELES 5* (2) Hab
Hotel Eurostar Palace 155
Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailío 49
TOTAL HOTELES 5* 204
HOTELES 4* (18) Hab
Hotel Abetos del maestre escuela 43
Hotel AC Córdoba 98
Hotel Ayre Córdoba 157
Córdoba has many top-quality hotels, offering
Hotel Balcón de Córdoba 10
accommodation of all categories, from large
national hotel chains, luxury hotels or corporate Hotel Córdoba Center 207
hotels with full facilities for business meetings, to Hotel Eurostar Conquistador 128
smaller boutique hotels built in old town houses or
former palaces. Hotel Eurostars Patios de Córdoba 65
Hotel Eurostar Azahar 45
Córdoba currently has a total of 7,766 hotel beds on
offer (2018 figures) Hotel Exe Ciudad de Córdoba 89
Hotel Exe Las Adelfas 101

THE
Hotel Hesperia Córdoba 152
Hotel H10 Palacio Colomera 45
Hotel Las Casas de la Judería 65

ACCOMMODATION Hotel Macía Alfaros

Hotel Madinat
143
11

OF YOUR
Hotel NH Amistad Córdoba 108
Parador La Arruzafa 94

DREAMS
Hotel Soho Boutique Capuchinos 27

TOTAL HOTELES 4* 1.588

Isabel Serrano >

 One thing you can be sure about when you visit Córdoba is
that you will be treated to excellent food, with a wide variety of
dishes available which are always good value for money. There
are two Michelin star restaurants (El Choco 1* and Noor 2*).

Gourmet markets (Victoria Market, Patios de la Marquesa

and Ágora), with a wide variety of stalls showcasing different
cuisines.

DELICIOUS
Chefs’ training centres such as La Casa Manolete, recently
opened in 2019 which also features two new restaurants (La
Casa Manolete Bistro and A Flor de Piel).

CATERING There are also a huge range of excellent restaurants and

taverns throughout the city ...

ESTABLISHMENTS

Isabel Serrano >

 When it comes to shopping, you’ll find
Córdoba is a perfect place to purchase
local Denomination of Origin products,
artistic craft work such as Cordobanes
or Guadamecies, fans, shawls, small
souvenirs, designer clothes, jewellery
and a wide range of other items you can
see for yourself as you stroll around the
city, in small boutique stores or modern

SHOPPING
shopping malls. Not surprisingly, Córdoba
has a special night dedicated to shopping
in the month of June (Shopping Night).

IN CORDOBA

Isabel Serrano >

 Córdoba has all the ingredients to make the
perfect venue for national and international
congresses, conventions and business meetings:
its rich historical heritage, its privileged
geographical location, an excellent
communications network, a modern, efficient
Congress Palace located next to the Mosque,
a future centre for exhibitions, fairs and
conventions, well-equipped meeting halls in
attractive venues, attended by professional staff….

VENUES AND HALL

FOR PROFESSIONAL
MEETINGS

Isabel Serrano >

 Although Córdoba has one of the largest Historic
Quarters in Europe, it’s easy to get around on foot,
and that way you can really appreciate the details
that otherwise go unnoticed.

Even so, if you want to reconnoitre the city beyond

the old quarter and learn more about the city’s
fascinating history, we suggest you either hop on
the Tourist Bus (City Sightseeing) to take a round
trip of Córdoba, with stops in all the city’s main
neighbourhoods, or take the minibus to explore the
narrow, winding streets and even venture up to the
Hermitages in the ‘Sierra de Córdoba’ hills behind
the city.

TRANSPORT
FOR TOURIST
Another must is a trip to Medina Azahara (9 km
from the city), and the best way to get there is
by the Bus to Medina Azahara, a service which
includes the trip both to the museum and to what is
arguably the most important Islamic archaeological
site in the Western world.

Isabel Serrano >

 QUALITY TOURISM
In Córdoba, we are well aware of the importance of being a quality destination,
and this is why the local tourist board IMTUR, in its role as a local branch of the
ICTE (Institute for Spanish Tourist Quality), acts:

· as a link between the ICTE and commercial companies to ensure their

compliance with the Spanish Tourism Quality System

· to carry out administrative tasks on behalf of the ICTE in the local area

· as an interlocutor between the local tourist sector and the government on

quality-related issues

· promoting and spreading the culture of quality among local tourist

companies.

A number of local companies have been awarded the ‘Q for Tourist Quality’ prize:

· Esmeeting Events and Congresses

· Parador de Córdoba

· Restaurant Garum 2.1

· Salinas Tavern

· Every day we are working to help more companies win quality certification
awards.
Quality can be defined as achieving full customer satisfaction in the most
profitable way for the company.

Awareness about quality is a relatively modern concept, and its meaning has
changed over the years. Back in the 1940s, it referred only to the product,
while in the 1960s, this idea was extended to include service too. The 1980s
saw the emergence of the concept of Total Quality and in the nineties, that of
Excellence in Tourism. Currently, the latest quality systems include elements
such as the concept of the ‘destination’, and self-evaluation survey tools.

This is the case of the Integral System of Spanish Tourist Quality in

Destination, which the Cordoba Municipal Institute of Tourism (IMTUR) has
been putting into practice in the city since 2003.
In Córdoba, a total of 42 companies have won SICTED awards in 2019.
 Avda. de
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We wait for you in Córdoba!
We will take care of you!

www.turismodecordoba.org
[email protected]