Cordoba travel guide
Cordoba Tourism | Cordoba Guide
You're Going to Love Cordoba
Cordoba is Argentina's second largest city, with a population of around 1.4 million. It is in the heart of the renowned Pampas and makes a great base for exploration. Surrounded by beautiful plains and mountains, it is also famed for its colonial city center.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Cordoba
1. The Nightlife
Cordoba has 200,000 students, which contributes to a young and lively atmosphere with plenty of bars and clubs.
2. The Architecture
Cordoba has a historic city center with many remaining colonial buildings, the oldest of which are in the Plaza San Martín area.
3. Culture
The city hosts a wide variety of museums, from the religious exhibits of the Museo Eclesiástico Déan Funes to the local crafts of the Museo Iberoamericano de Artesanías. There are also plenty of art galleries, such as the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Chateau Carreras.
4. The Parks
Parque Sarmiento is a favorite with locals and has an artificial lake, flower garden, and zoo. The Isla de los Patos on the Río Suquía is also a popular retreat for families.
5. Theater
Cordoba is famous for its theater - there are more than 50 in the city. The Teatro del Libertador San Martín is perhaps the grandest, and features regular operas and classical music.
What to do in Cordoba
1. Green Heart Of The City
Get ready to soak up the Argentina sun surrounded by lush greenery. The Sarmiento Park is the crown jewel in the heart of the city, its largest urban park and a haven for visitors and residents alike. It features gorgeous lakes, sweet, romantic bridges, grassy knolls and beautiful, low-hanging trees. There is biking, rollerblading, jogging and swimming. Off the piers at any given time are several ducks and their families paddling about, being watched and fed by park-goers as they relax on the banks. Countless benches and sculptures are scattered throughout the park. If you're feeling hungry, head to any of the lomiterías and beer yards where open-air meals and drinks with friends in a courtyard setting are the order of the day.
2. Walking Through Europe In Argentina
Head through this esteemed and UNESCO World Heritage designated site and you'll encounter a small pool flanked by massive cathedrals and dirt pathways, gated entrances and plush lawns. It's enough to make anyone think they're in the remote hills of a European country. Instead, the Jesuit block in Cordoba has a very firm grip on Argentinian history and culture. The block includes a university, five estancias or "farming estates", and the church and residence of the Society of Jesus as well as the college, where religious and secular scholars hold conferences. These stunning 17th and 18th century buildings will shed a light on the Jesuits' role in Cordoba as well as their contributions.
3. A Mansion Plays Home To Art
An art museum in a historic, opulent and stone-faced mansion seems oddly indulgent and decadent until you see the Ferreyra Palace. Its marvelous grounds and gorgeous, intricate stone details, several windows and glass entrance upgrades is second only to its posh interiors. Upon your entrance, art greets you at every corner and the two sets of stairs that lead upwards invite you to take in even more. You'll quickly realize, moving through its 12 exhibit halls, cleverly designed sculpture garden space, dedicated library and its auditorium built for 120 that, indeed, Ferraya Palace is a space well worthy of such fine art.
4. Iconic And Distinctly Latin American
Like its cousin in Lima and Buenos Aires, the Plaza San Martín in Cordoba is at the heart of the city's activities. It is a designated space, an unofficial "town square", with beautiful 16th century statues, tall trees and multiple shows and exhibitions throughout the year. Don't miss this beating heart.
5. Human Rights Above All
A testament to human rights violations under the Argentina military dictatorship, this space dedicated to the missing victims is purposely built in its detention center. At one time, politically active citizens were captured and detained, while their children were "reassigned". Several are still "missing" but their memory is kept alive.
1. Green Heart Of The City
Get ready to soak up the Argentina sun surrounded by lush greenery. The Sarmiento Park is the crown jewel in the heart of the city, its largest urban park and a haven for visitors and residents alike. It features gorgeous lakes, sweet, romantic bridges, grassy knolls and beautiful, low-hanging trees. There is biking, rollerblading, jogging and swimming. Off the piers at any given time are several ducks and their families paddling about, being watched and fed by park-goers as they relax on the banks. Countless benches and sculptures are scattered throughout the park. If you're feeling hungry, head to any of the lomiterías and beer yards where open-air meals and drinks with friends in a courtyard setting are the order of the day.
2. Walking Through Europe In Argentina
Head through this esteemed and UNESCO World Heritage designated site and you'll encounter a small pool flanked by massive cathedrals and dirt pathways, gated entrances and plush lawns. It's enough to make anyone think they're in the remote hills of a European country. Instead, the Jesuit block in Cordoba has a very firm grip on Argentinian history and culture. The block includes a university, five estancias or "farming estates", and the church and residence of the Society of Jesus as well as the college, where religious and secular scholars hold conferences. These stunning 17th and 18th century buildings will shed a light on the Jesuits' role in Cordoba as well as their contributions.
3. A Mansion Plays Home To Art
An art museum in a historic, opulent and stone-faced mansion seems oddly indulgent and decadent until you see the Ferreyra Palace. Its marvelous grounds and gorgeous, intricate stone details, several windows and glass entrance upgrades is second only to its posh interiors. Upon your entrance, art greets you at every corner and the two sets of stairs that lead upwards invite you to take in even more. You'll quickly realize, moving through its 12 exhibit halls, cleverly designed sculpture garden space, dedicated library and its auditorium built for 120 that, indeed, Ferraya Palace is a space well worthy of such fine art.
4. Iconic And Distinctly Latin American
Like its cousin in Lima and Buenos Aires, the Plaza San Martín in Cordoba is at the heart of the city's activities. It is a designated space, an unofficial "town square", with beautiful 16th century statues, tall trees and multiple shows and exhibitions throughout the year. Don't miss this beating heart.
5. Human Rights Above All
A testament to human rights violations under the Argentina military dictatorship, this space dedicated to the missing victims is purposely built in its detention center. At one time, politically active citizens were captured and detained, while their children were "reassigned". Several are still "missing" but their memory is kept alive.
Where to Eat in Cordoba
Casa de Salta on Caseros is a good choice for northern Argentinian food and Rancho Grande on Avenida Rafael Núñez is an excellent 'Parrilla' meat restaurant. Expect to pay around for dinner ARS$150 in a budget restaurant and ARS$300 in a more upscale eatery.
When to visit Cordoba
Cordoba is pleasant all year round, with warm and sunny days even in winter. The city is more humid in the rainy season, which runs from November to March.
How to Get to Cordoba
Plane
Cordoba is served by Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport, which has good domestic connections and international flights from cities across South America, Central America, and Spain. A taxi to the downtown area will cost around ARS$95 and the bus will cost ARS$18.
Train
Cordoba is connected to Buenos Aires by rail. A single fare is from A$50.
Car
The city has good road connections from other Argentinian centers. There is a motorway link to Rosario, which then joins the Santa Fe highway to Buenos Aires. There are also good links from Carlos Paz.
Bus
Buses are far more frequent and faster than the train service but they are more expensive. A single fare from Buenos Aires will cost around ARS$750.
Airports near Cordoba
Airlines serving Cordoba
Where to stay in Cordoba
Nueva Cordoba - this is a young and vibrant area next to downtown. It is known for its nightclubs, bars, and restaurants and is close to the National University of Cordoba.
Popular Neighborhoods in Cordoba
Güemes - this is a Bohemian neighborhood alongside the canal. It is known for its weekend craft fair and wide variety of restaurants.
Cerro de las Rosas - this is another favorite with foodies, with great restaurants along Avenida Rafael Núñez and Luis de Tejeda.
Where to stay in popular areas of Cordoba
Most booked hotels in Cordoba
How to Get Around Cordoba
Public Transportation
Buses are the sole method of public transportation in the city. You will need to buy a bus card and the average trip costs ARS$8.25.
Taxi
Taxis are very common in the city and cost ARS$25 to hail and then ARS$40 per mile.
Car
Driving in Cordoba can be frustrating due to traffic volumes, especially in the downtown area. Car rental is from around ARS$300 per day.
The Cost of Living in Cordoba
Shopping Streets
Nueva Cordoba is the main shopping area, with lots of department stores and malls. Paseo de las Artes is a good place for local crafts and foods.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Cordoba will cost ARS$20 and a loaf of bread is ARS$30.