A long weekend in Córdoba is the perfect amount of time to get to know Argentina’s second largest city. From its cool student energy and rich colonial heritage to the surrounding undulating mountains and dedication to time-honored traditions, Córdoba is a fascinating place bursting with culture, history, and hidden beauty.
The city offers a compelling mix of Jesuit architecture, shaded leafy plazas, contemporary art galleries, buzzing live music bars, and handmade empanadas that are so flaky, golden, and perfect they’re all you’ll ever want to eat.
With just three days to spend in the city, you need to make every moment count. This itinerary covers the highlights of the best things to see and do in Córdoba, along with some hidden gems and local favorites to make your trip even better.
Whether your ideal mini break includes perusing impressive art galleries, sipping Fernet and Coke while listening to live music, or getting involved in Argentina’s proud traditions, this guide covers everything you need to know to have an amazing time in Córdoba.
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Getting Around Córdoba
If you’re flying into Córdoba, you’ll most likely be landing at Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport (COR). The easiest way to reach your accommodation is by taxi or a ridesharing app like Uber or Cabify — they’re all popular transportation methods and safe to use in Córdoba.
You’ll find the taxi rank just outside the airport terminal. The taxis are bright yellow here, so you really can’t miss them. Some taxis also use ridesharing apps, which can make things a little confusing. So make sure you check out the color and make of the car coming to collect you before you exit the terminal.
Sometimes the rideshare drivers will drive to the upper departure area because there’s less traffic. This is almost impossible to tell on any apps. So if you can’t find your driver on the lower floor, head upstairs and look there.
Córdoba’s city center is incredibly compact and walkable, especially around the historical core. A lot of the main attractions are clustered together, so pack comfortable shoes and plan to spend most of your time in the city walking.
Córdoba Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
Start your long weekend in Córdoba with a visit to Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit Block). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the oldest buildings in Argentina. Check out the Montserrat School and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús to learn more about the city’s educational and religious roots. The National University of Córdoba is also worth checking out. It’s one of the oldest in South America and looks absolutely gorgeous.
Next, stop by Patio de la Cañada. This cute courtyard cafe dishes up a huge variety of typical Argentinian food. If you’ve already worked up a serious appetite, I recommend ordering the bife de chorizo — it’s a local steak that’s so tender and packed with flavor. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, the empanadas are superb.
After lunch, take a stroll through Parque Sarmiento. Designed by the same creative mind behind the Palermo Parks in Buenos Aires, this lush, green park is the perfect place to relax. Here you can wander down palm tree-lined paths, watch swans swim over the lake, or just find a shady bench and enjoy being on vacation. If you need an energy boost, head for Café del Parque. A local favorite, this cool kiosk serves drinks and snacks at great prices. The smoothies are fantastic!
As the day moves on, head to Güemes. This is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Córdoba, home to chic independent boutiques, thought-provoking street art, intriguing artisan workshops, and a laid-back vibe that will win you over instantly.
Definitely check out the Galería Convento. It’s a quirky shopping mall set inside an old house that used to be a seminary residence. Here you’ll find everything from stores selling hand-made silver bracelets and hand-picked tea leaves to restaurants serving up the latest Argentinian food trends and cocktails that look more like magic potions than drinks.
Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, Galería Convento is simply a cool place to hang out and soak up the vibrant, intoxicating atmosphere.
As the evening rolls in, seek out El Papagayo. This sleek, upmarket restaurant is known for its bold, industrial design which it squeezes into one of the narrowest buildings in the city. There’s no set menu — the chef whips up a different tasting menu each day that’s always phenomenal. The flavors are beyond sublime and the presentation is so dazzling that you’ll barely want to touch your plate.
End day one of your Córdoba itinerary with drinks at Antares. This laid-back brew pub boasts a staggering selection of beers made from their own brewery and other local breweries. The prices are surprisingly affordable, especially if you visit early evening when it’s happy hour. When stopping by on a weekend, you’ll probably be treated to a few live music sets, too.
Córdoba Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Begin your second day in Córdoba with a trip to Paseo del Buen Pastor. This stunning cultural complex was once a female prison, but today it’s a thriving hotspot, home to art exhibitions, concerts, and beautiful architecture. Seek out the old chapel that’s been transformed into a magnificent exhibition space and the surrounding plaza that’s used for live music and other fun events.
When you’re done exploring, move onto Brunchería for some of the best brunch dishes you’ll find in Córdoba. This hugely popular spot serves everything from pancakes topped with dulce de leche and chocolate cheesecake with a peanut butter base to fried eggs with smoky bacon and salads piled high with marinated chicken and confit cherry tomatoes.
The drinks selection is even more impressive than the food, with an enormous choice of coffee, tea, juices, and brunch-inspired cocktails.
When you’ve reenergized, continue on to Paseo de las Artes for some shopping. Each weekend this usually peaceful space comes to life with an artisan market that’s absolutely brimming with creativity. Here you can shop for everything from handmade pottery, original artwork, and unique clothes to fresh flowers, locally-made jam, and children’s toys. Cards aren’t widely accepted here, so make sure you’ve got some cash on you if you’re planning on buying things.
Just a short walk away you’ll find the dramatic Iglesia Sagrado Corazón (Los Capuchinos). This towering church is known for its neo-Gothic architecture and sky-piercing towers that make it one of the most striking in the city. If you’ve got some spare time, it’s worth heading inside to admire the intricately-carved altars and mesmerizing stained glass windows.
Take a break by making a stop at Verasens for ice cream. This small cafe offers a fantastic selection of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items, but the ice creams are the highlight of their menu. You’ll find all the usual ice cream flavors available, as well as some you may not have come across before, like rice pudding, flan, and Patagonian fruit.
In the evening, dress up and head to the Teatro del Libertador. The most prestigious performing arts venue in Córdoba, this cultural nightlife spot hosts classical concerts, ballet performances, and theatrical pieces, delivering a touch of old-world glamour with every act. Take a look at what’s on during your visit to see if there are any tickets worth snapping up.
End your night with an amazing cocktail at Capitan. This modern, industrial-chic brew pub boasts a funky rooftop terrace where you can watch the sunset and the city come to life with twinkling lights. There’s a massive selection of house-made and international beers on tap and if that’s not your thing, there are plenty of cocktails and wines available by the glass, too.
The food is surprisingly good for a low-key brew pub. The menu is mostly pub grub-style food, like nachos, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and burritos, but the quality of the ingredients is fantastic. I definitely recommend ordering the loaded fries. My favorite is the signature ‘Papas Capitan’, loaded with mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, grilled Argentinian sausage, and parsley.
Córdoba Weekend Itinerary – Day 3
On your final day in Córdoba, get out of the city center and see what the natural side of the city has to offer! The surrounding Sierras de Córdoba are staggeringly beautiful and provide a stark contrast to the colonial architecture of the inner city.
Start off with a hearty breakfast at La Capke. This charming cafe is decorated like a cute tea shop and serves some of the richest and most extravagant breakfasts in Córdoba.
If you’re a savory person, I recommend ordering ‘Fosforito La Capke’. It’s like a sandwich filled with Argentinian cheese, cream cheese, roasted tomatoes, and arugula. But instead of bread, it’s made with two slices of super flaky pastry! If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the ‘Pop Cake’. Two light and fluffy pancakes piled high with red fruit coulis, housemade ice cream, seasonal fruits, and flowers, just like a fancy two-tiered cake.
You’ve got a long day ahead of you, so it may be worth ordering some sandwiches and sweet treats to take away so you don’t go hungry.
When you’re full, hire a car and head straight for Alta Gracia. The journey will take you less than an hour and is mostly along a single, easy-to-drive road. Set in the foothills of the Sierras de Córdoba, this small town is best known for its peaceful atmosphere, rich colonial history, and connections to Che Guevara who spent his childhood there.
The Che Guevara Museum is a fascinating place to visit if you want to learn more about the famous revolutionary icon. The museum is set inside the house where he once lived and uses photos, personal items, and letters to trace his early years. It’s an eye-opening place to visit, even if you don’t know much about the man.
If you can feel your stomach rumbling, stop by Herencia Restó. This incredible restaurant relies on traditional Córdoban flavors (the name means ‘Heritage Restaurant’) to deliver five-star dishes in bright and airy surroundings. The menu changes frequently according to what’s in season. But if you ever see ‘Confit de Cabrito’ (young goat confit) on the menu, it’s 100% worth ordering.
After filling up, get back into the car and drive to Tajamar Lake. This artificial lake was built by Jesuits in the 17th century and is the beating heart of a town. If you visit on a Sunday, the lake will be bustling with locals chatting, relaxing, and enjoying the surrounding beauty. If you’re lucky, you may spot a live tango performance being held here — they’re quite common during summer.
Before you head back, make a detour for the Sierras mirador. This spectacular viewpoint shows you a phenomenal panorama of the rolling Sierras de Córdoba mountains. The best time to visit is during the golden light of late afternoon, but this spot is always worth visiting, whatever time it is.
End your long weekend in Córdoba on a high note with dinner at San Honorato. This fine dining restaurant is housed within a restored 20th century mansion, giving it a unique, elevated atmosphere. The remarkable menu contains tempting dishes inspired by flavors and techniques from all around the world. The Chilean roast salmon special with lemon and herb butter is one dish that’s always available and always outstanding.
