cordoba argentina tourist attractions

• Skip to main content
• Skip to header right navigation
• Skip to site footer

Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

16 Unique Things to Do in Cordoba Argentina: Cultural Charm

Córdoba caught me by surprise. Frequently off the tourist track, Cordoba is one of Argentina’s oldest cities. It’s a university city with an eclectic mix of mostly Jesuit historic sites and modern enthusiasm. We discovered more than enough things to do in Cordoba Argentina, and had to make some tough choices for our limited time.

The former colonial capital, Córdoba was founded by a Spanish conquistador who named it after Cordoba Spain. Today, the Argentinean city has a youthful atmosphere.

The city is home to six universities, including the National University of Córdoba (the oldest university in Argentina and the fourth oldest in the Americas), and not surprisingly, about 10% of the population are students.

If you’re wondering what to do in Cordoba Argentina, read on.

Check out more of our travels in Argentina …

Things to do in Cordoba Argentina: Plaza San Martin

Plaza San Martin is the main square in the historic district of Cordoba (Centro Historico) and was once the centre of both religious and civic power. Both the main cathedral and the cabildo envelop the plaza, and both are National Historic Monuments.

Cathedral of Córdoba (Our Lady of the Assumption)

The Cathedral of Cordoba is the seat of the region’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese. Many claim it to be the oldest church in Argentina. In reality, it was the first church to begin construction (1582). However, the Society of Jesus church (see below) was actually the first to complete.

We found the interior far more spectacular than the exterior. On a wall to the left stands a tiny statue of Saint Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero above a relic of his finger. The “Gaucho priest” is best known for his work with the poor and sick.

Tours are available that take visitors into the crypt, towers, and other areas not open to the general public. We think it’s a must-see among the things to do in Cordoba Argentina.

San Martin statue

In the centre of the square riding tall and proud upon his horse is a statue of San Martin. He was a general and liberator, the primary leader in the region’s successful campaign for independence from the Spanish Empire.

A cabildo is a town hall. Cordoba’s cabildo has been used as government offices, a jail, a police station, and it was a detention centre during the dirty war . It has been rebuilt and refurbished many times since its initial construction began in 1588. Today, it houses the City Historical Museum and a tourist information site.

Iglesia de Santa Teresa de Jesús, Convent of San José, and the Museum of Religious Art

Just across the street from the plaza stands the church of Santa Teresa. Alongside it is the Convent of San José. We took a tour of both, and although it was in Spanish and at barely a conversational level, I understood little.

The entrance to both is now the Museum of Religious Art. A small two-room museum, the artifacts are impressive. The 17th-century paintings are in need of restoration but are kept as is for fear of further damage.

Things to do in Córdoba Argentina: Jesuit block

Cordoba is the Jesuit capital of Argentina. The Jesuits first arrived in 1585. They protected the indigenous population from the Portuguese slave trade. At the same time, they taught them both religion and the Spanish language. However, in 1767 the Jesuits were expelled from Spanish South America by the King of Spain.

Today, Cordoba’s Jesuit block (Manzana Jesuítica) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It includes the Church of the Society of Jesus, the University of Cordoba, a secondary school, and several residences. A visit here is one of the top things to do in Cordoba.

Based on the completion date, it is the oldest church in the city.

Unique things to see in Cordoba Argentina

La Mundial is the thinnest building in Latin America. Its history is a family feud story. Two brothers owned a plot of land divided equally, with one section closer to the street. In the 1920s, the city widened the street, thus taking a substantial chunk of the front property.

The brother, who owned the property in the back, refused to sell any portion of his land. As a result, the brother owning the front bit of land built up.

Jesuit crypt

Underneath a section of the city is an abandoned crypt and crematorium built by the Jesuits in the early 18th century. The telephone company accidentally discovered it in 1989 while laying cables. After restoration, it now houses a small museum and artwork. Unfortunately, it was closed due to electrical problems when we walked by the locked gate at street level.

Memory Museum

Just beyond the green door was one of the estimated 340 clandestine detention and torture centres utilized by the Department of Intelligence during the dictatorship of 1976-1983, also called the dirty war. It’s a solemn place with photos of thousands who “disappeared” during this time. (Photos donated by family members.)

Things to do in Cordoba Argentina: Nueva Córdoba

Like all Argentinean cities, nightlife begins late and continues into the wee hours of the morning. Dancing, drinking, eating . . . this town has it all, especially in the Nueva Córdoba and Güemes neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, we went to sleep by midnight and, as a result, missed the Cordoba nightlife. However, we didn’t miss all the fun.

Iglesia Capuchinos

An elaborately finished neo-Gothic cathedral stands in stark contrast to the Jesuit cathedrals in the historic quarter. Iglesia Capuchinos was built in the 1920s and 30s. We got inside and took a tour (don’t miss our photos here) that brought us up a narrow spiral flight of stairs into the tower and to the catwalks outside along the rails with the gargoyles. 

Paseo del Buen Pastor

We arrived at Paseo del Buen Pastor seeking a map from the tourist information site located inside this modern cultural and performance centre. In addition, we found restaurants, bars, and a popular outdoor hangout.

Groups gathered here to socialize, share maté (an Argentinean tea-like drink), be entertained by street performers, and often stare at an uninteresting fountain that came to life hourly. Illuminated with coloured lights, dancing water shot up into the sky in a show that lasted about 10 minutes.

Paseo del Buen Pastor was originally constructed in 1901 and has served as a chapel, monastery, and women’s prison. Redesigned in 2005, it is now centrally located amongst Cordoba nightlife. It is one of the places to visit in Cordoba, featuring afternoon and evening entertainment ranging from exhibits (historic, cultural, or art) to concerts.

Things to do in Cordoba Argentina: Güemes

To the west of Nueva Córdoba sits the bohemian neighbourhood of Güemes. The best of Cordoba nightlife continues here. Fun and funky, the neighbourhood is lined with narrow laneways, bars, restaurants, and boutiques featuring an eclectic mix of retro, antique, and modern nicknacks. If you haven’t tried one already, this is the part of town to enjoy a fernet and coke, an alcoholic beverage many jokingly refer to as Argentina’s national drink.

Flea market and restaurants in Güemes

If you are in Cordoba on the weekend, don’t miss the huge outdoor flea market at Paseo de las Artes in Güemes. Taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm to 11 pm, the market features talented street performers, food stalls, artisan creations, and antiques.

We found it to be one of the best things to do in Cordoba Argentina on the weekend. For a moment we even felt like locals, as we ran into a couple we had met earlier in our travels. Of course, as English speakers, we didn’t sound like locals.

For dinner, choose from the food stalls or any of the restaurants that line the streets.

Admire the street art

I seek out street art, and while I found it all over the city, my favourite designs were in Güemes.

Long, narrow laneways feel like hidden treasures. Lining the main road, these often-covered laneways feature trendy coffee shops, boutique dining, and artisan shops.

Take a tour of Córdoba Argentina

We love taking tours of cities by local guides as the guide gives insight and perspective into the city and it’s attractions. Local tour guides also reveal hidden gems such as the best restaurants and times to see various features. This private tour visits several of the places we visited and has options to expand on a number of points of interest. Book this private Cordoba city tour here .

Another option is to pick a local guide that will work with you and make an itinerary that covers your interests while addressing the guide’s local knowledge. We often use Tours By Locals to pick such a local guide. Check out these local guides to find one that suits you .

Where to stay in Córdoba

While we loved where we stayed (AT Suites), we offer a second highly recommended (to us) option so you have more choices. Either are a great base to check out all the wonderful things to do in Cordoba Argentina.

• AT Suites We stayed at AT Suites, an excellent recommendation from an Argentinean friend. It has a higher user rating than either of Cordoba’s 5-star accommodations and is within walking distance from both San Martin Plaza and Nueva Córdoba. In fact, we never used our car while in Cordoba. Our self-contained apartment was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed, including kitchenware. Breakfast was left for us in the refrigerator. The car parking in a public lot below the building was included in our rate. Reserve your stay at AT Suites here
• Caseros 248 Hotel Also highly rated by users, Caseros 248 Hotel is a four-star accommodation offering a more traditional hotel experience with larger-than-average rooms and comfortable bedding. Rather than do it yourself, a restaurant serves breakfast. With concierge service and a 24-hour front desk, a coffee shop, bar, and free wifi, they seem to have it all. We think this might be the best place to stay in Cordoba. Reserve your stay at Caseros 248 Hotel here

Travelling between January 1, 2024 and April 1, 2024? Check out: * Booking.com’s Early 2024 Deals Save 15% or more on selected accommodations. ( T&Cs ) No codes or memberships required

Getting to Córdoba

One can fly into the Cordoba airport, drive, or take a bus from Buenos Aires , Mendoza, Salta, or Rosario.

We opted to drive. It was quick, easy, and trouble-free to rent a car in Buenos Aires using RentalCars.com . They arranged everything. We simply showed up, signed the paperwork, and our car was ready to go.

We drove a loop from Buenos Aires to Sante Fe, the city of our daughter’s prior host family. Then from Sante Fe, we drove to Cordoba, then Rosario , and finally returned the car in Buenos Aires. The drive time from Cordoba to Buenos Aires is about seven hours. While in South America, we rented several cars and never had any issues going through RentalCars. However, we were grossly overcharged on the one vehicle we rented independently. Reserve your car here.

Practical information and tips on visiting Córdoba

• If you are new to Argentina, you will want to start with this general Argentina travel guide .
• All museums in Cordoba are free on Wednesdays. Otherwise, they typically cost only $50 pesos (less than $1.50 USD).
• Many museums and other tourist sites are closed in January, as that is when Argentineans take their holidays. Unfortunately for us, that is when we visited.
• Like much of Argentina, this town takes a siesta. Nearly everywhere we went (including many churches and museums) closed from 1 pm to 4.30 pm.
• While much of the best Cordoba nightlife takes place in the Güemes neighbourhood, stay to the east of Avenue Marcelo T. De Alvear.
• The flea market is in the safer part of Güemes.
• The currency of Argentina is the Argentinean pesos.
• Spanish is the official language of Argentina. We found few people in Cordoba that spoke English.

Save on your trip with these resources

These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

• Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Motorcycles : we have heard good things about BikesBooking .
• Campervans or Motorhomes : we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
• Private guides : we love the private guides at Tours by Locals .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

Click here to follow  more of our South American itinerary  or to see our  South America travel safety tips . 

Which Cordoba Argentina activities will you do?

More from South America you might also like …

Parque das Aves: Latin America’s Largest Bird Park is near Iguazu in Brazil

Traditional Argentinian Food You Need to Try

Iglesia Capuchinos: A Tour Beyond Locked Doors in Cordoba Argentina

Quebrada de las Conchas: 10 Unique Stops – Salta to Cafayate

About rhonda albom.

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

May 11, 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi Rhonda – it looks really interesting and fascinating to see … I’ve just been listening to a chap give a talk about that part of the world. Amazing to be able to get in to the interior … cheers Hilary

Ryan K Biddulph

May 9, 2019 at 10:06 pm

The San Martin state is so impressive Rhonda.

May 8, 2019 at 2:28 am

I’d only heard of the Cordoba in Spain too, so it’s interesting to read about the town in Argentina. It looks as if it would be well worth a visit.

Paul Pietrangelo

May 7, 2019 at 1:09 am

Well done Rhonda. I really enjoy your blog about those places where I will probably never go and visit. Thanks for the memories. See ya my friend.

Cruisin Paul

May 5, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Great post, that thin building is amazing, it doesn’t look like it should stay up! Really enjoyed your photographs, it looks like a beautiful city.

California Globetrotter

May 5, 2019 at 7:06 pm

I don’t think I knew that there was also a Cordoba, Argentina! I’d love to visit Cordoba, Spain and I can see a few similarities based on what I’ve seen in pictures from both.

beatravelling

May 5, 2019 at 6:18 pm

Doing my Southern South America vacation research, so this fit in perfectly 🙂

May 5, 2019 at 4:32 am

I’ve always wanted to visit Argentina. Cordoba is now on my must-see list, thanks to this post!

Phoebe Thomas

May 4, 2019 at 10:58 pm

What a lovely city! I so want to go to Argentina, pinning this for future reference.

Carol Colborn

May 4, 2019 at 5:57 am

You have painted a very interesting picture of Cordoba, Argentina: the contrast between Jesuit architecture and the neo-Gothic Iglesia, laneways, La Mundial, etc.

May 4, 2019 at 2:02 am

I’ve never been to either Cordoba. As always your guide is full of color photos and valuable information. This truly seems like the trip of a lifetime!

Julie Kemp,Pick

May 5, 2019 at 10:33 pm

What a lovely city with much to do! It’s great that you included the siesta hours, so travelers could adjust their sightseeing activities. You also did a wonderful job of capturing the unique thin buildings and vibrant street art.

Paola Palavecino

December 9, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Yo soy de Córdoba Argentina! Gracias por mostrar al mundo mi hermosa ciudad 😊🇦🇷

I’m from Córdoba Argentina. Thanks for show my beautifull city.

Tami Wilcox

May 3, 2019 at 7:03 pm

It’s good when you’re in a place with so many places you want to explore, it’s hard to decide. I’d be leaning towards the churches and street art myself!

cindy ladage

May 3, 2019 at 3:06 am

What a fascinating place with so much history. I would love to see the churches and tour the historic sites. I had not heard the term “dirty war” before. I learned a lot. Thank you.

May 3, 2019 at 12:59 am

Wow. So many great things to do it’s no wonder you had a hard time choosing. Imagine if you had gone at a different time when everything was open. La Mundial and the story are interesting. I’m amazed it’s still standing. I guess they don’t have earthquakes there!

May 2, 2019 at 8:33 am

YES!!! Cordoba, I’d absolutely love to go. Argentina is so on my list and once our baby is old enough, we will so go there. Thank you for this guide to Cordoba, it has everything a lovely city should have.

Catscue Catmom

May 2, 2019 at 6:48 am

I have friends in Cordoba, I really need to go there – what wonderful tips!

Cristina - Memories of the Pacific

May 2, 2019 at 6:40 am

What a wonderful Cordoba guide! I’ve never been to the one in Argentina, only to Cordoba, Spain but I hope I can go some day

Sandra Nachlinger

May 2, 2019 at 6:11 am

Thank you for the extensive list of places to see and things to do in Cordoba. Great descriptions and history. Looks like it would take a month to see everything!

May 2, 2019 at 2:06 am

Wow that is a fabulous post about a marvelous place – love all your photos and I want to go there!

May 1, 2019 at 3:35 pm

Cordoba, Argentina looks beautiful! I love all the pictures you took and the accommodation recommendations. If I ever make it to Argentina, I would love to visit Cordoba first!

Photo Cache

May 1, 2019 at 5:29 am

I am salivating at these photos. I love them. Will keep this in mind.

May 1, 2019 at 4:54 am

Another great pictorial of a fun visit. I love all the old buildings.

Have a fabulous day and week, Rhonda. ♥

May 1, 2019 at 3:39 am

Having a lot of things to do somewhere seems tiring but fun! Exploring areas and places where you’ve never been to is really fun and worth it!

May 1, 2019 at 2:51 am

The architecture is absolutely gorgeous. Not what I would have anticipated at all.

stevebethere

April 30, 2019 at 11:55 pm

What another great tour plenty to do there as well, nice photos Rhonda 🙂

Have a guidetastic week ➡

April 30, 2019 at 9:27 pm

great wow argentina is my next travel destination i am going in June for a business trip but yes i was looking for some destinations or things to do in argentina and your post helps me alot

April 30, 2019 at 4:13 pm

Great tips on Córdoba! I actually haven’t heard much on this place so will really take this into consideration 💕

April 30, 2019 at 2:13 pm

Wow, there is a lot to do in Cordoba.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

Welcome to Córdoba

Tourism in córdoba: what you can do in this province.

What to do in Córdoba? Breathe the pure air of the mountains. Dance until dawn in Córdoba’s festivals , filling yourself up with the distinctive energy of locals. Walk the streets of the capital full of history and culture. Follow trails brimming with green nature and the most varied wildlife. Travel back in time in the small villages of Traslasierra. Córdoba has an incredible cultural trip for you.

Amaze yourself at diversity

Are you looking for a wealth of adventure proposals? Come to the province of Córdoba, and discover all it has in store for you. Hills and lakes. Rives and streams. Dams and wooded areas. Cities and towns. Relax and adventure tourism. Folklore and food. Tradition and culture. Entertainment and nightlife. Did you know that Córdoba is considered to be the province with the most tourist towns in Argentina? Travel around them and enjoy.

Here you will find a land with a history. The tracks of Comechingons, Olongastas, and inhabitants that grew with the Guaraní culture. Places that bear witness to the legacy of the Jesuits that lived in the province. Roads that take you along towns and landscapes right out of a dream. Did you know that you can access Córdoba via multiple means of transportation and it has an international airport receiving direct flights from different countries? Live this mediterranean adventure in the heart of Argentina. 

About Córdoba

Be surprised with the diversity, about the province.

Mountain ranges and lakes. Rivers and streams. Dykes and forests. Cities and villages. Relaxation and adventure tourism. Folklore and gastronomy. Tradition and culture. Fun and nightlife. Routes that take you through fantastic towns and landscapes. The warmth of the unique climate blended with its people. Córdoba offers this and much more.

Imperdíveis

Descubra os encantos do valle de punilla.

Rios, praias, labirintos, festas, balneários, restaurantes requintados e vida noturna. O Valle do Punilla contém as melhores cidades da província, como La Cumbre, La Falda, Los Cocos e Villa Carlos Paz : há sempre algo para fazer e conhecer.

Cosquín a pura música

Todos os anos, esta cidade testemunha as melhores festas e festivais em Córdoba , como o Festival Nacional de Folclore, o mais importante dedicado ao folclore argentino; Cosquín Cuarteto, com a música mais popular da província; e o icônico Cosquín Rock.

Desfrute da Villa Carlos Paz e da sua infinita tranquilidade

Admire o enorme relógio cuco de madeira no centro da cidade, visite Peko’s Multiparque de Peko , o divertido parque temático familiar, ou suba ao topo do Cerro de la Cruz em teleférico.

La Cumbrecita: uma aldeia europeia com coração cordobés

Fundada na década de 1930 por uma colônia alemã, La Cumbrecita é uma vila de pedestres que parece saída de um conto de fadas por sua fantástica arquitetura alpina, a exuberante floresta que a rodeia e suas vistas incríveis. Estar perto da Europa nunca foi tão fácil.

Mergulhe no Valle de Calamuchita

Aprecie a majestosa paisagem serrana, mergulhe nos lagos, saboreie a deliciosa culinária local e visite cidades e vilas de beleza imensurável, como Villa General Belgrano e Santa Rosa de Calamuchita.

Caminhadas em Los Gigantes

Atinge o ponto mais alto de Los Gigantes, um maciço de pedras de granito, serras ondulantes e estradas com mais de 300 milhões de anos.

Suba a bordo do Trem das Serras

Um comboio inaugurado em 1889 que atravessa o Valle de Punilla e permite observar a cidade de longe e a imponente paisagem cada vez mais próxima. 

What’s the climate and temperature in Córdoba?

This province has an exceptional climate, so you can visit it all year round. It is moderately temperate, with mild winters. It is hot during the day and cooler at night. In summer, there is usually rainfall, while winter is pretty dry. The average annual temperature is approximately 18 °C.

What kind of flora and fauna does Córdoba have?

In the characteristic Córdoba’s sierras , in the plain, and in the saline environments as well, the province is home to unique autochthonous flora, among which the carob tree, the quebracho, and different species of bushes and herbs stand out.

As for fauna, there is a rich variety of animals in Córdoba. Depending on the area, we can find the following: wild cat, puma, big lutrine opossum, rhea, wild boar, armadillo, lizards, colubrid snakes, amphibians, and all kinds of birds.

What provinces does Córdoba border?

Córdoba borders seven Argentinian provinces: Catamarca and Santiago del Estero on the north, Santa Fe on the east, La Pampa on the south, Buenos Aires on the southeast, and La Rioja and San Luis on the west.

What is the capital of Córdoba?

The city of Córdoba is the capital of the province of Córdoba. After Buenos Aires, it is the largest in Argentina. It has an international airport and some of the most important and oldest universities in the country. It also offers a wide variety of museums, activities, and tourist attractions to learn about Córdoba’s culture and history, for example, the Museum of Anthropology in the emblematic Nueva Córdoba neighbourhood , or the Jesuit Block in the city centre, declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

¡Descubrí las experiencias que solo se viven en Córdoba!

Valle de punilla, córdoba, picturesque villages in córdoba, cosquín festival, food in córdoba, traslasierra valley, jesuit legacy in córdoba, villa carlos paz, food and drink in córdoba, laguna de mar chiquita, córdoba feasts and festivals, córdoba hills, la cumbrecita, villa general belgrano, capilla del monte, los gigantes, tren de las sierras, córdoba with bells, nueva córdoba, find out the events we have for you, descubre las últimas noticias sobre córdoba.