Patios of Córdoba 2026

The Córdoba Patios Contest and Festival 2026 runs from 4 to 17 May 2026. Over 14 days, 64 private patios in the historic centre of Córdoba open their doors to the public completely free to compete in the municipal contest. Entry is free between 11:00 and 14:00 and between 18:00 and 22:00. The Patios of Córdoba were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in December 2012.

2026 Contest dates and opening hours

Contest categories

• Traditional Architecture: patios in old communal houses or traditional Córdoban dwellings with historic structural features (columns, well, basin, staircase).
• Modern Architecture: patios in more recent buildings that reinterpret the Córdoban tradition.
• Singular Patios: patios with exceptional features (archaeological, artistic or botanical).
• Conventual Patios: patios inside religious or conventual buildings.
• Non-Contest Patios: visitable patios not competing, usually in institutional buildings (Viana Palace, Casa Árabe, Archaeological Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Andalusian Filmoteca, Historical Archive, Trueque 4 Patio Interpretation Centre…).

2026 Patios list by area

San Basilio – Alcázar Viejo

The most iconic area, next to the Alcázar of the Christian Kings and the Royal Stables. 12 patios concentrated within a short walk.

• Duartas, 2 — Modern
• Martín de Roa, 2 — Modern (3rd 2025)
• Martín de Roa, 7 — Traditional (2nd 2025)
• Martín de Roa, 9, Bajo 2 — Traditional (3rd 2025)
• Postrera, 28 — Traditional
• San Basilio, 14 — Traditional (4th 2025)
• San Basilio, 15 — Modern
• San Basilio, 17 — Modern (5th 2025)
• San Basilio, 20 — Modern (2nd 2025)
• San Basilio, 22 — Traditional · Special Award 2025
• San Basilio, 40 — Traditional (8th 2025)
• San Basilio, 44 — Singular (1st 2025)

Judería – San Francisco

Patios in the heart of the historic centre, a few steps from the Mosque-Cathedral.

• Ángel de Saavedra, 7 — Conventual
• Badanas, 13 — Singular
• Fernando Colón, 14 — Modern
• Judíos, 6 — Modern · Special Award 2025
• Julio Romero de Torres, 15 — Traditional · Special Award 2025
• Maese Luis, 3 — Traditional
• Maese Luis, 4 — Modern
• Maese Luis, 9 — Modern
• Plaza de las Cañas, 3 (La Piedad School) — Conventual
• Samuel de los Santos Gener, 5 — Singular

Santa Marina – San Agustín

Working-class neighbourhood north of the old town, with some of the most iconic patios of the contest.

• Marroquíes, 6 — Traditional · Honorary Mention 2025
• Menéndez Pelayo, 6 (La Alegría Hermitage) — Singular
• Ocaña, 19 — Traditional
• Santa Marta, 10 — Conventual
• Zarco, 13 — Traditional (6th 2025)
• Zarco, 15 — Modern

San Lorenzo

Traditional communal-house patios with a more local atmosphere.

• Alvar Rodríguez, 8 — Modern
• Alvar Rodríguez, 11 — Modern
• Escañuela, 3 — Non-Contest
• Frailes, 6 — Traditional
• Guzmanas, 4 — Non-Contest · Special Award 2025
• Guzmanas, 7 — Traditional (5th 2025)
• Jesús Calvario, 16 — Non-Contest
• Mariano Amaya, 4 — Traditional
• Montero, 27 — Non-Contest
• Pastora, 2 — Modern (1st 2025)
• Plaza San Rafael, 7 — Conventual (1st 2025)
• San Juan de Palomares, 8 — Modern (8th 2025)
• San Juan de Palomares, 11 — Singular (2nd 2025)

San Pedro – Santiago

Traditional area with communal patios along narrow streets.

• Aceite, 8 — Modern
• Agustín Moreno, 6 — Conventual
• Agustín Moreno, 7 — Traditional
• Agustín Moreno, 43 — Traditional
• Alfonso XII, 29 — Traditional
• Barrionuevo, 43 — Modern
• Diego Méndez, 11 — Non-Contest
• La Palma, 3 — Traditional (7th 2025)
• Pedro Fernández, 6 — Modern
• Plaza de las Tasas, 11 — Modern
• Siete Revueltas, 1 — Singular · Special Award 2025
• Tinte, 9 — Traditional (1st 2025)

Non-Contest Patios (visitable)

• Plaza de Don Gome — Viana Palace (12 interior patios, ticketed)
• Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9 — Casa Árabe
• Jerónimo Páez, 7 — Archaeological Museum
• Plaza del Potro, 1 — Fine Arts Museum
• Medina y Corella, 5 — Andalusian Filmoteca
• Plaza Ramón y Cajal — Defence Sub-delegation
• Orive Palace patio
• Sánchez de Feria, 6 — Municipal Archive
• Pompeyos, 6 — Provincial Historical Archive
• Trueque, 4 — Patio Interpretation Centre

2025 Patios Contest winners

Traditional Architecture

1. Tinte, 9 (San Pedro-Santiago)
2. Martín de Roa, 7 (San Basilio)
3. Martín de Roa, 9, Bajo 2 (San Basilio)
4. San Basilio, 14
5. Guzmanas, 7
6. Zarco, 13
7. La Palma, 3
8. San Basilio, 40

Modern Architecture

1. Pastora, 2 (San Lorenzo)
2. San Basilio, 20
3. Martín de Roa, 2
4. Maese Luis, 4
5. San Basilio, 17
6. Duartas, 2
7. Tafures 2
8. San Juan de Palomares, 8

Other prizes

• Singular Patios 1st: San Basilio, 44
• Conventual Patios 1st: Plaza San Rafael, 7
• Honorary Mention: Marroquíes, 6
• Special Awards: San Basilio 22, Judíos 6, Guzmanas 4, Siete Revueltas 1, Julio Romero de Torres 15

Recommended patio routes

Route 1 · San Basilio (2–3 hours)

Start at the Alcázar of the Christian Kings, walk down San Basilio and cover the 12 patios of the area in one go. This area has the longest queues, so arriving at 11:00 is essential. Finish with lunch in Plaza de la Corredera or in the Jewish Quarter.

Route 2 · Santa Marina + San Lorenzo (half a day)

From Plaza de Colón, visit Marroquíes 6, Zarco 13 and 15, Ocaña, Santa Marta. Walk down to San Lorenzo: Pastora 2 (2025 Modern winner), Plaza San Rafael 7 and the San Juan de Palomares. Tapas at Plaza de San Lorenzo.

Route 3 · San Pedro-Santiago + Judería (half a day)

Start with Tinte 9 (2025 Traditional winner), Siete Revueltas 1, La Palma 3, Aceite 8. Cross into the Jewish Quarter: Judíos 6, Maese Luis, Badanas 13, Julio Romero de Torres 15. Finish at the Mosque-Cathedral.

Route 4 · Palaces and museums (afternoon)

Ideal when it's hot: Viana Palace (12 interior patios), Orive Palace, Archaeological Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Casa Árabe. All non-contest patios.

Visiting tips

• Arrive at 11:00: when they open there are almost no queues. From 12:30 onwards, waits of 20–45 min are common at the most famous patios.
• Stick to one area at a time, don't jump between neighbourhoods.
• Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
• Bring water and a hat: May in Córdoba can top 30°C at midday.
• Some patios accept voluntary donations (bring coins).
• The evening route from 20:00 is cooler and more intimate.

Getting to the Patios of Córdoba

Córdoba-Central (AVE) station is 20–25 minutes on foot from the Alcázar / San Basilio. From the city centre (Plaza de las Tendillas), it's 10–15 minutes to the start of the patio route. By car, the historic centre is restricted (ACIRE): use the La Victoria, Vial Norte / Avenida de América or Zoco car parks. By bus, Aucorsa lines 3, 4, 12 and 14 reach the centre.

History of the Córdoba Patios Contest

The first Córdoba Patios Contest was organised by the City Council in 1921. The Córdoban patio tradition has Roman roots (atrium-impluvium), Andalusi (al-wust) and Baroque influences. The patio is a space for neighbourly coexistence, natural cooling and botanical display, with geraniums, ivy geraniums (gitanillas), carnations, busy Lizzies, columns, wells, fountains and hanging pots. In 2012, UNESCO declared the Córdoba Patios Festival Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book to enter the patios?

No. They are visited on a first-come, first-served basis. Contest patios are free and need no booking.

When are there fewer people?

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday see less traffic. The busiest days are Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday during the two-week contest.

Are the patios accessible?

Many patios have entrance steps and narrow hallways. The Mayo Cordobés app indicates which patios are accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Can the patios be visited outside of May?

Some yes: Viana Palace, Casa Árabe, Orive Palace and the museum patios are open almost year-round. The 50+ private contest patios only open during Mayo Cordobés.