We spent three days in the Argentinian city of Córdoba, Argentina’s second biggest city. We split our time between exploring the city itself, plus outings to several nearby towns. Here is my itinerary for a two day visit to Cordoba, which includes a half day in Jesús María. If you have a third day, add Alta Gracia with its historic colonial buildings plus childhood home of Che Guevara and the very German Villa General Belgrano.
How to get to Córdoba
We visited Córdoba as part of our South American trip, flying in from Ushuaia with an onward flight to Santiago, Chile. Córdoba’s airport, which is a bit of a mouthful (Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport), has connections with other cities in Argentina, other South American countries and Spain. The airport is located 8 miles north of the city centre. We picked up a hire car, but there are regular buses into town either the Aerobus or regular bus line 25.
Getting around Córdoba
We explored Córdoba on foot. All the sites in my itinerary are within a mile of each other.
Where to Stay in Córdoba
We stayed at the Yrigoyen 111 Hotel. It’s a very pleasant hotel with immaculate rooms from which you get a great view across the city.
It offers an excellent buffet breakfast, free wifi and a lovely rooftop pool.
Cordoba in 2 Days Itinerary
| Day 1 | Plaza San Martín Córdoba Cathedral Cabildo Museo de la Memoria Manzana Jesuítica Paseo del Buen Pastor Iglesia de Los Capuchinos Dinner at Antares Accommodation – Yrigoyen 111 Hotel |
| Day 2 | Jesús María Museo Jesuitico Museo Superior de Bellas Artes Evita Dinner at El Club de la Milanesa |
Córdoba Day 1
Plaza San Martín
Today is spent walking round historic Córdoba, starting in the central Plaza San Martín.
Cathedral of Córdoba
In typical Spanish colonial style, the Cathedral overlooks the Plaza. THe Cathedral of Córdoba dates back to the 16th Century, but was largely rebuilt following a collapse in 1677. Later embellishments include the cupola, Spanish Baroque façade and Neoclassical portico.
Cabildo
The Cabildo, the former Spanish colonial town hall, now houses a museum.
Museo de la Memoria
We visit the chilling Museo de la Memoria, housed in a former D2 intelligence detention centre. The museum is dedicated to those who ‘disappeared’ during the military regime of the 1970s.
Manzana Jesuítica
The Manzana Jesuítica (Jesuit Block) is a collection of 17th and 18th Century Spanish colonial style buildings constructed by Jesuit arrivals, who were allocated one of the 70 blocks of the original city. Buildings include a church, the Jesuit priests’ residence and a university.
Paseo del Buen Pastor
The Paseo del Buen Pastor started its life as a women’s prison in 1906, with a Gothic revival church added two decades later. The building now houses a cultural center, performance space, bars and restaurants. There is also plenty of funky public art to enjoy.
Iglesia de Los Capuchinos
My favourite building in Cordoba is the Iglesia de Los Capuchinos. This fairy talesque Neo-Gothic style church was only completed in 1933. It is notable for its two bell towers; one is truncated, which represents that matter dies and the other pointed 70 metre tall tower represents that the soul ascends.
The columns of different colours and styles represent the different pre-Christian cultures.
Dinner at Antares
In the evening we go out for dinner at Antares; a microbrewery with seating on a balcony overlooking the city. Dinner is the perfect combination of craft beer and cheesy chips.
Córdoba Day 2
Jesús María
This morning, we start by driving to Jesús María, 34 miles north of Córdoba.
The main plaza has a train line running through the middle.
And a strange collection of naked orange statues with enormous feet.
Museo Jesuitico
The main focus of our visit is the Museo Jesuitico, which is housed in a 17th Century Jesuit Estancia by the riverside. It’s a beautiful old building full of interesting religious artifacts.
Museo Superior de Bellas Artes Evita
In the afternoon, we return to Córdoba to visit the Museo Superior de Bellas Artes Evita, which is housed in the Palacio Ferrerya.
The palace is a beautiful 1914 Beaux-Arts mansion. Despite being somewhat bizarre (a fur lined staircase – what’s that all about?), the building easily outclasses the art it houses.
Dinner at El Club de la Milanesa
We have dinner at El Club de la Milanesa – the tasting plate – basically a collection of posh chicken nuggets.
- Trip taken: February 2019
- Updated: January 2025
I hope you found the above information useful. For guides to more destinations in the 50+ countries we have visited, check out my full list of Independent Travel Itineraries here.
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