Cordoba’s patios

Paradises of light, colour and tranquillity

Cordoba’s patios were officially classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012, making Cordoba the only Spanish city with three UNESCO listings – the Mezquita-Cathedral, the Old Town and the Patios. It was a well-deserved recognition of this delightful facet of Cordoba life, a tradition dating back centuries in which a small community of neighbours have shared their cooking, their communal patio and its maintenance. Once a year they throw open their doors and invite the public to delight in their flowers, their fountains and their charm. This is the Patios Festival, which takes place every year in May, the month of blossom and fiestas in Cordoba.

But it is no longer necessary to wait until May to enjoy this unique spectacle… because now the patios are open to travellers for nine months of the year! And depending on the season it’s possible to enjoy a whole host of flower species -carnations, roses, geraniums, ivy-leafed geraniums, jasmine, petunias, hydrangeas, orange blossom, passion flowers, poinsettias and aromatic herbs take it in turns to ensure that there is always plenty of colour in the patios. The owners will confide their gardening secrets in us and how they manage to water the highest flowerpots, which can be as much as 3 metres off the ground…

Savour our most intimate tour, which takes us right into the private homes of some of the local residents. The activities you can do in the patio are so varied and attractive that you won’t want to miss out: thrill at a passionate performance of flamenco, take part in cooking classes led by a local chef, sample delicious tapas accompanied by local wines and – of course – enjoy some of the most relaxing moments you’ll experience in the city. Welcome to the soul of Cordoba.