Cordoba Entertainment

Cordoba may not be renowned for its entertainment or festivals, but as with most places in Spain, there are plenty of ways to spend an evening, depending on your mood. You will also find an event taking place most months of the year. There is a wide range of entertainment venues to choose from including trendy bars, lively nightclubs, quiet traditional bars, tapas bars and restaurants. The Spanish are well known for flamenco and tapas, and you will not be disappointed if you try either in Cordoba.

Nightlife

As with the majority of cities Spain, the possibilities for nights out in Cordoba are endless. By law, pubs must shut their doors at 03:00, but they don’t. The doors are shut but to get in, all you need to do is knock loudly and you’ll often find a party in full swing! There are plenty of nightclubs to visit with, Club Cahira being a favourite with locals.   Also, many of the hotels have their own nightclubs. 

If you are looking for something less frenetic, the ancient taverns and tapas bars in the old Jewish Quarter are very popular. The city is renowned for its excellent wine and hospitality that can be found in many local bars. The area close to the Cathedral Mosque is one of the best places to start a tapas bar crawl; you’ll find excellent bars and restaurants with stunning courtyards. Many ancient Andalucían homes have been converted into bars, giving them a traditional feel.

Theatre and music

Cordoba is not renowned for its theatre or music concerts. However, it is a great place to watch exotic flamenco dancing. In the Old City, in front of the Cathedral Mosque, you will find many outdoor performances held in a courtyard decorated with beautiful flowers. Other authentic flamenco shows can be seen at Tablao Cardenal. Performances begin at 22:30 and tables can be booked by phone; it is closed on Sundays. Small scale flamenco performances can be seen in many tapas bars. They work out cheaper than the Tablao Cardenal, but the performers aren’t as good. The local music school, Conservatorio Superior de Musica, puts on excellent concerts throughout the city, while if you are looking for some local culture, a concert by local musicians is an excellent choice.

Festivals

Cordoba’s past is one of religious diversity and change. The festivals held reflect the Catholic influence on the city, with Catholicism remaining the major religious denomination to this day. The following are some of the most popular festivals: 

• Festival of the Crosses, the city is split into distinct areas that all compete in the decoration of their crosses. Preparations take place in secret with big parties being held. Representatives from the city judge which cross they think is the best (May).
• Patio Contest, home owners compete for the prestigious prize of the most beautiful patio. There are some very impressive sights to see (May).
• Fiesta de Los Reyes, this is the time when the three kings bring Christmas gifts for the children of Cordoba. Three men dress up as the biblical kings and travel throughout the city visiting very excited children (January).
• As with any other Catholic country, carnivals are held before Lent. There are street parades, a ‘carnival queen’ contest and lots of music and dancing (February).