Buenos Aires could also be one of the lovely cities in South America, with its Haussmann-inspired boulevards à la parisienne, lush city parks, and unequalled gastronomy, however let’s face it, it is type of yesterday’s information.
It has been lined to dying by most main journey publications, and even when you have not been to BA your self, we’re positive you are not less than conversant in its primary landmarks, whether or not it is the baby-pink Presidential Palace, or the colourful streets of La Boca.
The excellent news? Argentina is excess of simply Buenos Aires, and if you happen to’ve ever puzzled what lies past the nationwide capital, you are in for a deal with with Córdoba:
Argentina’s Vibrant Second Metropolis
The capital of the namesake Argentinian province, in addition to the second largest metropolis in Argentina as an entire, Córdoba is without doubt one of the fastest-rising locations within the nation.
Over a long weekend in November alone, it hosted 320,000 vacationers, a 9.42% improve in guests in comparison with the earlier yr, and although total figures for 2025 aren’t in but, we suspect Córdoba might be leaving good previous BA within the rearview mirror.
It is not like Córdoba is inside simple attain of the capital, nonetheless, with vacationers going through both a 1.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires, or extra generally, a back-breaking 8-hour bus journey, so is it even well worth the main detour?
Brief reply: sure, completely.
Why Swap Buenos Aires For Córdoba
Córdoba is without doubt one of the oldest and most conventional cities in Argentina, surrounded by the luxurious grasslands and snow-capped sierras of the broader province.
Based as early as 1573, it hosted a significant inflow of Spanish and Italian settlers over the centuries, so it is no shock its colonial center resembles your common Southern European city:
Plaza San Martín, the historic coronary heart, is bordered by beautiful colonial edifices, and it is at all times busy with metropolis life, although not on the identical chaotic stage as Buenos Aires. Córdoba is way smaller, in spite of everything, with over 1.5 million residents, in opposition to the Higher BA’s 17+ million.
Inside quick strolling distance of the primary plaza, Córdoba Cathedral is understood for being considered one of Argentina’s first-ever church buildings, distinguished by its distinctive mixture of Baroque and Neoclassical structure and hovering central dome.
Córdoba’s satisfaction and pleasure, the Manzana Jesuítica, or Jesuit Block, is a UNESCO World Heritage Website with smaller colonial church buildings, cloisters, and college buildings nonetheless completely preserved from the sixteenth century.
On that observe, the Nationwide College of Córdoba is a must-see if you happen to’re on the town: established in 1613, it’s a European-style heart of information together with your ordinary tranquil courtyards, richly embellished libraries, and mental really feel.
Inexperienced Areas Galore
BA is legendary for its multitude of city parks that supply a respite from the hustle and bustle of the large metropolis, and peaceable as Córdoba could also be compared, the town’s (often) hectic visitors and fast-pacedness can nonetheless get to you.
In these moments, Sarmiento Park is all of the refuge you want: designed by the famend French panorama architect Charles Thays, who made Argentina his dwelling, it’s widespread for its romantic ponds, footpaths amid lush inexperienced areas, and Asian gazebos.
The French affect would not cease there: a brief 18-minute stroll from the middle of the park, Palacio Ferreyra is a French-style colonial mansion turned artwork museum. Not solely is it beautiful to admire, because it really appears like cut-and-paste Paris, it now homes an ‘Evita’ Advantageous Arts Museum.
Folks flock to BA from everywhere in the world to discover its churrascarias and empanada spots. Fluctuating prices apart, it is really value all of the hype, however allow us to let you know that the unassuming Córdoba leaves nothing to be desired:
Unbelievable Meals Each 10 Meters
An upscale residential space, Cerro de las Rosas boasts among the greatest eating places we have tried anyplace in Argentina, usually with epic metropolis views.
Identified for his or her ample collection of native wine and traditional parrilla cuts, Bodegán is a cherished spot amongst locals, and also you’re welcome to hitch for a dressy dinner and wine pairings if you happen to’ve budgeted $30–45 for an evening out within the city.
Tucson Córdoba, then again, is famend for its grilled meats and draft beer ($18–30 for a primary), whereas Mercé is the classical Argentinian-Italian fusion allotting Mediterranean-inspired meals for round $12–25.
That is the place you go for Michelin-star-worthy meals, however what about informal eats?
Posta! is a energetic beer room serving street-style meals, with menus averaging solely $10. Roughly 15 min on foot from the cathedral sq., Antojos is an equally widespread lomito spot, the place you possibly can gorge on generously crammed sandwiches, usually for underneath $5.
After all, there is no visiting Córdoba with out swinging by the most conventional market within the downtown space: Mercado Norte, with its 100+ stalls buying and selling recent provincial produce, cured meats and Argentinian cheeses, and all of the empanadas and choripanes you possibly can muster up an urge for food for.
Oh, and if you happen to occur to be on the lookout for a reasonable resort proper within the buzz of all of it, the highly-rated Hotel Everest has a rooftop view with epic views of the town’s skyline, and rooms begin from solely $73.
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