10 Things to Do in Cordoba in Summer

This Andalusian city is well known for its high temperatures, but what few people mention is the wide range of things you can do during the summer.

Beaches, Arab baths, surfing, rafting, water parks, fairs and much more. Make the most of your visit with this kit of essential activities to cool off and make the most of the summer in Cordoba.

The Arab baths are the perfect opportunity to lower your body temperature while you relax. And in Cordoba you have the opportunity to enjoy a session at Hammam Al Ándalus Cordoba which, located in the heart of Cordoba, is a reflection of Arab architecture with its patios and rooms.

In this experience you can enjoy a relaxing spa session, lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, which includes a massage with aromatic oils, 15 or 30 minutes of your choice, and a hot stone treatment, 15 minutes, ideal for exfoliating your body.

In addition, you will enjoy a delicious cup of traditional tea, enjoy the different thermal rooms and live a revitalizing experience!

On the guided tour of the Palacio de Viana you will enter into nothing less than five centuries, 12 courtyards and infinite sensations, an ideal proposal for the summer, as this contemporary palace is very cool. It is located in the Plaza de Don Gome and you can get there using the Cordoba tourist bus.

This stately palace has more than 6,500 square metres in which hundreds of traditions and souvenirs, an important part of the Andalusian heritage, are concentrated. It also houses a dozen courtyards and a 1,200-metre garden, a space designed to meet the needs of its inhabitants, as well as the conditions of the surroundings.

In summer, one of the reasons to visit this palace, apart from the coolness, is the Senses Concerts season. In the Patio de las Columnas there is a rich concert programme that is renewed annually for the audience, so make this palace part of your travel itinerary. Beyond being an Andalusian monument, it is a museum where every corner tells a story!

Known today as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, it is the third largest mosque in the world after only the Mecca Mosque, and the Blue Mosque, one of the top 10 mosques in Istanbul.

The Mosque Tower, a work of Hernan Ruiz III, is considered the skyline of Cordoba thanks to its 55-metre height that keeps the temple cool for the millions of visitors that congregate there. This is the main reason to visit at this time of year. In addition, 15 August is the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Great Mosque of Cordoba.

A visit to this place is a must when it comes to Cordoba, and summer is the ideal time for the warm temperature inside. The double arches, its impressive mihrab, the passage through Muslim and Christian culture, as well as its history dating back to 786, led to its recognition as a World Heritage Site in 1984. There is much to discover in this sacred space, one of the most visited monuments in Spain. I recommend you book your visit to the Mosque so that you don't miss out on any detail.

The botanical garden of Cordoba is a natural paradise that offers the perfect retreat for a summer afternoon. During your visit to this spectacular space you will walk through 7.5 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds.

The arboretum represents a natural forest, you pass through different greenhouses, the agricultural school and the rose garden where you will find all kinds of different gardens. In addition, there is a museum containing information about different types of flora, a stone forest, a plant culture centre, an agricultural school and of course, a Patio Cordobés.

The Museo Hidráulico integrates the Molino de Martos with information about the history through culture, water management and tradition in the use of plants on the mill route. This is a place to relax and get in touch with nature and you can visit it from 3 €. It is located on Avenida Linneo, 800 metres from the Alcázar. In fact, visitors usually come after the guided tour of the Alcázar.

In summer there is also room for Christian festivities and every 16th July the Carmelites take part in the procession to venerate the Virgin.

It is an important moment in the Christian tradition. Believers or not, the energy is contagious and invites the whole village to participate in the event and experience a day to remember. Whether you are in the Mosque-Cathedral or in any other church in the city, join in this liturgical celebration.

During the summer, the nights are hectic in Cordoba: theatre festivals, concerts, festivals and tablaos everywhere. Come on! Let's get the nightlife going!

Check the events calendar and remember that Cordoba is one of the cradles of flamenco and you can book your ticket for a flamenco show.

On the other hand, don't forget the traditional summer cinema. Also known as cinema by the light of the moon, these are screenings that take place around the historic quarter to present the best of the season and with charity prices starting at 3.5 €. At the four venues set up for the event, popcorn is swapped for snacks. This is a perfect family event to add to the list of things to see and do in Cordoba with children in summer.

• Cine Delicias, Calle de los Frailes, 10.
• Coliseo San Andrés Cinema, on Calle Fernán Pérez de Oliva, 6.
• Olimpia Cinema, in Zarco Street.
• Fuenseca Cinema, in Plaza de la Fuenseca.

It is worth mentioning that almost all hotels in Cordoba have swimming pools. However, the Aquasierra Water Park and the Assuan pools offer much more than just a dip in a pool.

Aquasierra

In Aquasierra you will find 12 attractions and a children's pool -take note to take the little ones with you- this park is hard to resist in summer. For the daredevils there is the Kamikaze slide or the dragon's tongue. Other attractions are quieter, such as the adventure river, its snails or its spaces such as the lake pool.

Its greatest advantage is the wide range of services available: you can have lunch in its restaurant or bring your own food and have a picnic in the picnic area. Don't hesitate to choose light, typical dishes such as salmorejo (gazpacho) or paella (paella) so that digestion is not too heavy in the heat. And if you want to learn how to make them, discover new recipes or perfect your technique, don't hesitate to book a paella and salmorejo cooking class, an ideal plan!

• Address. Carretera Córdoba, CO-3103, Km. 2, 5.
• Price. From 11 euros, depending on the height of the visitor.
• Public transport. You can get there by bus on the Cordoba bus line, opposite the train station, next to the Cercadilla archaeological site.

Assuan Swimming Pools

The Assuan Pools is a more traditional attraction. They opened their doors in 1975 as the largest swimming pools in Cordoba. Their service is equally charming. The mission is to have a fun day out with the family.

The facilities stand out for the spaciousness of their pools. There are 18,000 square metres of pure fun and the facilities are regularly modernised. This is the ideal place for families with small children. The slides are for children and there is a playground in the green areas.

Assuan also has a restaurant, shop, hammock hire, floats and its parking area is free of charge.

• Address. Road from Cordoba to Villaviciosa, km. 9.8.
• Price. From 10 € for adults and 6.5 € for children between 3 and 12 years old.
• Public transport. Aucorsa bus number 76 from Plaza de Colón de Las Jaras (opposite the Jardines de la Merced, one of the stops on the Cordoba tourist bus), will drop you off at the entrance to the park.

Unlike the coastal areas, this province has its own inland beaches. These are three seaside resorts that depend on the reservoirs or marshes where they are located. This is how we find them:

• La Colada beach. It is located near the Guadamatilla River in El Viso. It has a capacity for 286 people. This is a serene place. After your cocktail, take a seat or have a swim in its calm waters.
• La Breña II Beach. In Almodóvar bathers can enjoy this beach with seating for 100 people. It offers so many activities that it is a great alternative to the things to see and do in Cordoba in 2 days.
• Valdearenas Beach. Located in the Iznájar reservoir, the largest reservoir in Andalusia, it is very popular in the area. In its fresh waters you can practise various water sports such as kayaking and sailing.

Apart from water sports for you, it is also possible to bring your pets. Yes, there is a dog-friendly beach here. This is fun for the whole family. Find out the details.

Did you know that

La Playa Valdearenas will be a pioneer in renewable energy in the area, after having two electro-solar tourist boats for ecotourism.

Kayak tours or kayaking are activities that scream summer by all accounts. Canoeing or kayaking on the Guadalquivir is suitable for novices and experienced paddlers alike on the calm waters of this river. In fact, it's one of the best things to see and do in Cordoba with children for the fun on offer.

During the trip you can see the Isla de las Esculturas, the Sotos de la Albolafia and the stretch between the San Rafael bridge and Andalucía. You also have the opportunity to appreciate the Mosque of Cordoba from a distance. The walk usually lasts 2 hours and allows you to see the Andalusian city from a different perspective.

Excursions often start from the pier of the Botanical Gardens. Sign up for one of these summer activities, available from €30.

When the sun is shining there are some places that offer crystal-clear waters and relaxing sounds. This is the case of the waterfalls, those natural streams of water that fall from the tops of the mountains. In the nearby sierra you will find several of them, such as:

Las Chorreras waterfalls.

You find the waterfalls of Las Chorreras in Zuheros when walking along the path of the river Bailón, in the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas.

Following the path to the village of Zuheros you can enjoy two waterfalls and a curious river, as well as panoramic views of the countryside. The best way to get there is by car on the N-432. The 1 hour drive is very beautiful and the reward is well worth it.

The waterfalls of La Gargantilla

At these waterfalls you can plunge into the Gargantilla stream, visit a cave and follow the path of petrified trees in the Sierra de Tejeda between Pozoblanco and Villaharta.

Reach the waterfalls of La Gargantilla by approaching its namesake, Cascada de La Gargantilla.

• How to get there: like its predecessor in this list, via the N-432. In this case it will take less time, just 45 minutes.

The Baths of Poppea, the Elephant Fountain and the Bejarano Stream

The walk begins with a visit to a 10th century water fo untain known as the Elephant Fountain, a reminder of the splendour of the Caliphate of Cordoba. It is worth noting that this is the ideal trail for beginners. The circular route offers a low degree of difficulty.

Walking through Santa María de Trassierra is an experience as charming as it is refreshing in the midst of a landscape of 10. Along the trail you will come across various waterfalls and pools until you reach the Bejarano Stream for a good swim. Don't forget to appreciate the beauty around the Arroyo Molino, a must for visitors to the area.

Would you like to know what this magical trio looks like, take a look at this video. Then you are ready to pack your backpack and head to Santa María de Trassierra. If you go by private car you must take the road to Trassierra CO-3402. You can also get there by public transport with the buses from Cordoba. It will take you 35-37 minutes to La Virgencita station, where the elephant fountain will open the door to your excursion to the Baths of Poppea.

Did you know that

The waterfalls of La Gargantilla gained popularity in 2008 when the director Antonio Giménez Rico filmed the movie El libro de las aguas, an adaptation of the novel of the same name that recalled the beauty of these waterfalls.

As you have seen, there are many plans and activities to see and do in Cordoba regardless of the time of year. However, during the months of June, July and August, the Cordovan lands reach the highest temperatures in Europe. The average temperature during these months is 40°C, so pack cool clothes and make sure you stay hydrated.

And if it's too hot to book a guided tour of Cordoba when you arrive in the city, remember that you can explore the city in comfort on Cordoba's City Sightseeing bus

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