Cordoba's Patios Festival, how to visit them

The Cordoba Courtyard Festival is one of the most popular and colourful events in the Andalusian city of Cordoba.Spain.

This celebration takes place every year during the first half of May and it is a time when the courtyards of the city's traditional houses are opened to the public so that everyone can enjoy their beauty.

If you are planning to visit the city of Cordoba, from Visitanddo.com we are going to explain you how to visit them during the festival of the Patios of Cordoba.

What are the courtyards of Cordoba?

Cordoba's courtyards are open-air spaces found inside the houses and which are decorated with colourful plants and flowers. The patios have become a distinctive element of the city and have been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The Cordoba Courtyards Festival is an event which attracts visitors from all over the world and have become an integral part of Cordoba's architecture and culture.

The Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is an event that has survived for centuries. The tradition of courtyards dates back to Roman times.who built houses with courtyards in the city.

Visiting the courtyards of Cordoba in May

The courtyards of Cordoba open to the public in May and can be visited free of charge. and competitions are organised to reward the most beautiful and original courtyards. The owners of the houses also compete for the title of best playgroundMany of them go to great lengths to decorate their patios as elaborately as possible.

The courtyard competition is one of the most exciting moments of the Cordoba Courtyard Festival. The participating patios are evaluated by a jury that takes into account the beauty of the plants and flowers, the originality of the decoration and the preservation of the traditional architecture. The courtyard that wins the first prize receives a special distinction and the recognition of the whole city.

When is the festival of the Patios in Cordoba?

The courtyard festival in Cordoba takes place from 2 to 12 May 2024.

In addition, the following celebrations are held in connection with this holiday:

• Competition for May Crosses and academy competition from 26 April to 1 May 2024
• Competition for railings and balconies from 2 May to 12 May 2024.

How much time to dedicate to seeing the courtyards of Cordoba?

The duration of the visit to all the courtyards in Cordoba in competition can take you a few 45 minutes. However, the visit is free and you set the pace yourself. This time estimate will vary depending on some of the queues and crowds that form during the courtyard weeks.

What are the opening hours of the courtyards for a free visit?

The courtyards during the competition can be visited every day from 11:00h to 14:00h and from 18:00h to 22:00h.

On the other hand, the courtyards out of competitionwill only be available in the morning shift, usually from 11:00h to 14:00h.

Where to see typical courtyards in Cordoba

The typical patios in Cordoba are divided into different areas of the city as follows where you can enjoy the best patios in Cordoba:

The interpretation centre of the courtyards in Casa Trueque 4

It is an emblematic courtyard house with free admission, better known as Carmela's Courtyard. A complex of mostly ground-floor houses with white walls and latticed windows, and famous for the Moorish-inspired well.

Cordoba's courtyards in the San Basilio neighbourhood

The most famous are those found in the area of the Alcázar Viejo or San Basilio, where the most characteristic Cordoban patios are to be found. Specifically, it is a set of five typical private courtyardsYou have to pay per ticket to access them. Some of them have been awarded in competitions.

The start of the route of these courtyards begins at Calle San Basilio 14, where they sell tickets for this route at a price of approximately 6 euros for those over 12 years of age.

Cordoba's courtyards in the Santa Marina neighbourhood

In the northern part of the centre of Cordoba, around San Lorenzo and San Agustin, we find the area of Santa Marina next to the church of Santa Marina in the Plaza de los Condes where you can stroll through its streets visiting the different courtyards such as those in Calle Parras.

Nearby is also the Viana Palace which has a set of 12 courtyards that you can visit at any time of the year and a traditional Cordovan garden. It is one of the main attractions of the Caliphate city, popularly known as the museum of the courtyards, having its widest historical representation.

The courtyards of Cordoba in the Jewish quarter of Cordoba

In the surroundings of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, they are examples of great beauty and antiquity, you can visit the Patio de los Naranjos of the Mosque-Cathedral of CordobaIt is free to enter and is located in the public area where the ticket offices are located and the entrance to the church is located.

Tips for visiting the Patios of Cordoba 2024

A couple of tips to visit the courtyards of Cordoba like a true Cordovan:

• Be respectful of the plants and the yard you are visiting.. Try not to disturb the tranquillity of the place and pay attention to the sound of the water in the fountains, and admire the colours and scents of the flowers.
• The courtyards are located in houses of private homes  and it is the owners themselves who open the doors so that they can be visited free of charge. Therefore, it is expected that those who visit and access the houses behave in a way that is appropriate to their generosity. cordobeses who invite you into their homeTake the opportunity to ask your neighbours any questions you may have!
• Bring comfortable clothes and suitable footwear. As it is a very popular festival, the capacity of the courtyards is limited and the queues to see them can sometimes be longer than expected. The waits are not usually very long, but we assure you that the wait will be worth it.
• Public toilets and information centres are available in different areas, including each of the courtyard routes. They are signposted on the map and in the Cordoba courtyard festival programme.

What else to do during the courtyard festival in Cordoba

In addition to the beauty of the courtyards, the Cordoba Courtyard Festival is also an opportunity to get to know the culture and traditions of the city.

You can take the opportunity to visit the most emblematic points of the city, such as:

1. The Mosque-Cathedral: It is undoubtedly the city's most emblematic monument. It is an impressive mosque built in the 8th century and converted into a cathedral in the 13th century.
2. The Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs: This fortified palace was built in the 14th century by the Catholic Monarchs. In addition to its architectural beauty, it is famous for its beautiful gardens and courtyards.
3. The Roman Bridge: This stone bridge, built in the 1st century BC, is one of the symbols of the city. It crosses the Guadalquivir River and offers impressive views of the Mosque-Cathedral.
4. The Jewish Quarter: This charming neighbourhood, located in the old part of the city, is one of the most picturesque in Cordoba. It is full of narrow streets, flower-filled courtyards and whitewashed houses.
5. The Arab Baths: These Arab baths, built in the 10th century, are one of the best preserved in Europe. They are characterised by their horseshoe arches and vaulted ceilings.
6. The Calahorra Tower: This defensive tower, built in the 12th century, now houses a museum on the history of al-Andalus and the coexistence of the three cultures (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) in the city.
7. The Viana Palace: This Renaissance palace has an impressive collection of courtyards, gardens and fountains. It is one of the most beautiful places in the city and a real oasis of peace in the city centre.
8. The Julio Romero de Torres Museum: This museum is dedicated to the Cordovan painter Julio Romero de Torres, famous for his portraits of Andalusian women.
9. The Roman Temple: This temple, built in the 1st century AD, is one of the most important Roman remains in the city. It is located right in the centre and is an example of Cordoba's rich history.
10. The Asomadilla Park: This park is one of the largest in the city and has a wide variety of trees and plants. It is the perfect place to relax and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Trips to Cordoba from Malaga to see the courtyards of Cordoba

If you are thinking of going to see the courtyards of Cordoba from Malaga, take advantage of Visitanddo.com's excursionsCordoba at your own pace, with a guided tour of the Jewish quarter and entrance to the Mosque-Cathedral, or during the summer months, take the opportunity to visit the Mosque-Cathedral at night, a unique experience.

As you have already seen, the Cordoba Courtyards Festival is an event that offers a unique experience for visitors. It is an opportunity to get to know the beauty of the city's courtyards, as well as the culture and tradition of the region.

It is also a time to enjoy the traditional music, food and drink of the area and to get to know the people of Cordoba and their way of life.

If you are organising a group excursion to the courtyards and need to hire a bus, you are probably wondering: What is the best way to get to the courtyards?how much does a bus cost? On Riosautocares.com, you can find detailed information on bus rental prices for all types of excursions. The price of renting a bus will depend on several factors, such as the number of seats, the duration of the trip, the season of the year and the distance to be covered. In addition, in Riosautocares.com you can request a personalised quote for your bus trip to Los Patios de Córdoba, making sure you find the most suitable option for your needs and budget. Don't hesitate to visit their website for more information and to book your bus at the best price.

The Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is a unique celebration that shows the best of the city and its people, and that will surely leave an unforgettable memory in the minds of visitors. Take the opportunity to visit Córdoba from Malaga!