The Ultimate Guide to the Best Patios of Cordoba

Planning to visit Córdoba and want to visit the picturesque Patios of Cordoba? You’re in the right place!😍 This guide tells you everything you need to know about the Cordoba Patios, from “are they free” to where they are, and which are the best patios of Cordoba (open year round).

Whether you’re spending only one day in Cordoba, or more, the patios of Cordoba are a must-visit – as they are a huge part of Cordoba’s culture. I recently visited the patios of Alcazar Viejo, which are open year round, and was blown away by their beauty.

Without further ado, here is the ultimate guide and introduction to the patios of Cordoba!

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and buy with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

Table of Contents

Everything to Know about the Patios of Cordoba

Don’t have time to read yet? Grab my Quick Recommendations!👇

🏠 Stay: Find the Best and Most Affordable Stay in Cordoba

✅ Prepare: Grab my FREE Andalusia Essentials eChecklist to make sure you are prepared!

✨ Itinerary: How to Spend One Day in Cordoba

🗺️ Insurance: Protect yourself on your trip with Travel Medical Insurance.

📱 Connect: Always stay connected, and do so seamlessly, with a Spain eSim!📱

🚗 Rent a Car: Get the Most Affordable Deals with Rentalcars!

What is Cordoba, Spain best known for?

Cordoba, Spain is a historic Andalusian city and the only city in the world to have 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Out of those four, Cordoba is best known for La Mezquita-Catedral, “Great Mosque”, and the iconic and picturesque Patios de Córdoba.

To be completely honest, from what I’ve seen on the internet and social media – it would seem that most people want to visit Cordoba for the patios. While La Mezquita-Catedral is much more of a spectacle, no one can resist picturesque courtyards.

Are Córdoba Patios free?

It depends on the patio! Some are free, some are paid, and other’s are a mix as they simply request a tip to enter – whatever you can offer.

What is the famous street in Córdoba?

The most famous street in Córdoba is Calleja de las Flores. This is a narrow street filled with blue flower pots their flowers, along its walls. When you walk through this small alley, you’ll get a view of the alley with the Mosque-Cathedral’s Tower Bell in the background.

A narrow alley with white walls lined with blue pots hanging from the sides, each filled with various green plants and red flowers. The sky is visible above the alley.

Where are the flower patios in Córdoba?

What’s really neat about the Patios in Cordoba is that they are, for the most part, all grouped up in routes – with a few “off route” patios. There is a total of 63 Cordoba Patios, 53 are grouped in 6 different routes, and 10 are off-route patios.

The 6 different routes are Alcázar Viejo, Judería, Santiago – San Pedro, Regina Realejo, Santa Marina-San Agustín, San Lorenzo. The most distinctive patios, which are open year-round, are the in the Alcazar Viejo district – particularly on calle San Basilio.

The other patios are closed throughout the year and open back up for the famous Festival de los Patios Cordobeses. This is one of the most popular festivals in Córdoba, during which home owners open their patios to the public and compete for who has the best one.

How are the patios of Córdoba decorated?

Most patios of Córdoba are decorated with flower pots hanging on walls, colorful flowers, and endless, bright green plants that grow all around it.

What is the history of the patios festival in Cordoba?

Patios, “courtyards”, date back to the Roman times and despite Andalusia being conquered several times, by different groups of people, the patios always remained. The patios festival in Cordoba dates back to the 1920’s, when people first started opening their patios up to the public.

Due to initial lack of interest and few interruptions due to war, this festival really started taking place in the 50’s. The competition rules we see today date back to the late 80’s.

Do you need tickets for the Cordoba Patio Festival?

No, being a festival, the cordoba Patio Festival is free to attend. In 2025, the Cordoba Patio Festival will take place from the 5th to the 18th of May.

6 Most Beautiful & Best Patios of Cordoba Open Year Round

San Basilio, 20

This incredible, award-winning patio has historic remnants from Roman times. This is a private patio and the woman who owns it and takes care of it, lives here.

The patio is free to enter, but tips are encouraged. The woman will introduce you to her patio, telling you about the history and its plants. There is a corner of lemons that bring a nice scent and help freshen up.

A bright courtyard with white walls covered in lush green vines and potted plants. Arched windows and a balcony add to the charm. The open sky above is clear and blue, adding natural light to the scene.

A decorative garden wall featuring a mosaic of a face set in an arched niche. Green vines and plants cascade around the artwork, while other foliage adds texture and color to the scene.

San Basilio, 40

This Patio of Cordoba was nothing short of enchanting. This is also a private patio, and the owner lives here – while there isn’t a specific entry fee, you are required to tip to enter. Taking care of a patio is very demanding, so its important to support those who create this magical experience for us tourists.

A narrow, cobblestone alleyway in Córdoba features white walls adorned with vibrant green plants. Potted plants line the path, leading to a green door at the end. A fabric canopy stretches overhead, providing shade and evoking a peaceful, garden-like atmosphere.

A white wall adorned with numerous hanging pots of vibrant green and flowering plants. A streetlamp protrudes from the wall among the pots. Below, a brick structure is decorated with more potted plants, enhancing the lush, garden-like feel.

San Basilio, 44

Out of the San Basilio patios I got to visit, this was the greenest one – the one with the most out amount of plants and flowers. This patio has several artisan stores, making it a public, free-to-enter patio, no tip required.

A charming courtyard with vibrant flowers and lush greenery climbing around an arched entrance. Potted plants decorate the stone floor and a white wall, adorned with decorative plates and colorful hanging plants, creating a serene ambiance.

A picturesque courtyard with a cobblestone path, surrounded by white buildings adorned with lush green plants and vibrant pink flowers. A white staircase leads up to a balcony, and the sky above is partly cloudy.

Zoco Artesano

While it is not an official patio, it’s a wonderful one to visit! Surrounded by artisan stores, this patio is free to enter.

A brick courtyard with blue plant pots attached to the walls, filled with greenery, evokes the charm of spending one day in Cordoba. A staircase with potted plants on the steps leads to a small cat sitting on a cylindrical stone feature at the center.

A charming courtyard with white walls adorned with blue flower pots filled with various plants. Stone steps lead up to an arched walkway. The space is bathed in sunlight, highlighting the greenery and cobblestone flooring.

Martín de Roa, 2

This gorgeous Cordoba patio is another private one that requires tipping to enter.

A charming patio with a small table and two blue wooden chairs surrounded by lush green plants and ivy. The walls are decorated with blue flower pots, and the floor features a patterned stone mosaic. Rustic brick and white stucco walls complete the cozy setting.

A building facade covered with numerous potted plants in blue containers, arranged in a grid pattern. The plants vary in size and type, creating a green vertical garden. A small window with a blue blind is visible in the center.

Cordoba Patio Tour

If you want to be guided through Cordoba’s patios and learn more about them and their history, you might want to go on this best-rated Cordoba Patio Tour. This tour is great for those who want to dive into the history and do not speak English. If you speak Spanish, the patio owners will be happy to tell you about their history.

This 2-hour guided tour brings you around the San Basilio patios – most of which are listed above. The person who leads this tour is a professional art historian guide and offers this tour in English. If this sounds like your cup of tea, book your tickets here!👇

https://viator.tp.st/ehUxhg8D

Want more help with your travels? Check out my Posts!

Here additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Andalusian travels!👇

Grab my e-Checklist to make sure you’re properly prepared for Andalusia!👇

📌 Pin this for your Future Spain Travels!👇

A charming courtyard in Cordoba with white walls adorned with numerous potted plants. A sign reads, “Guide to the Best Patios of Cordoba - Read Now.” Lush greenery creates a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

A collage of beautiful patios in Cordoba, Spain, featuring vibrant green plants and colorful potted flowers against white and brick walls. The text reads "Best Patios of Cordoba, Spain" and "Read Now.

I have to ask…

Which of these patios are you most excited to visit? Will you attend the Cordoba Patio Festival in 2025? Let me know in the comments!😊

Share this with family & friends who are planning to travel to Andalusia and would find this helpful.🤩

Subscribe to my blog to never miss a post, and follow me on Instagram for daily travel content!

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Patios of Cordoba