Córdoba holidays
Córdoba holidays at a glance
Right in the centre of Argentina, Córdoba and the Central Sierras offer a change of pace from the country’s big-hitting landscapes. This is gentle, pastoral country, all rolling hills, wide grasslands and low mountains, and it’s the classic place to slow down, get in the saddle and experience estancia life. For many travellers it’s the most relaxed and traditional leg of an Argentina trip.
The region’s great draw is horse riding. The open terrain of the Sierras is made for it, and you can ride out for a few hours or spend several days trekking between ranches, staying at welcoming family estancias where the day winds down over an asado (barbecued meats) by the fire. It’s a working landscape of cattle and gauchos, wildflowers and clear streams.
At its heart sits Córdoba, Argentina’s lively second city and one of its oldest. Founded in the 16th century, it has a beautifully preserved colonial centre built around the Manzana Jesuítica, the Jesuit block that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the city, the Sierras are dotted with characterful towns, from Alta Gracia, with its Jesuit estancia and Che Guevara museum, to the alpine-style village of La Cumbrecita.
Córdoba is estancia country, and staying on one is the essence of a visit here. These historic ranches range from grand colonial homesteads to homely boutique lodges, most built around a central courtyard. Days revolve around riding, walking and country pursuits, with hearty cooking and long evenings around the grill. Out on the land, look for foxes, owls and grassland birds.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Córdoba
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Come here to slow down. Give it two or three nights on an estancia and let the pace take over. You don’t need to be an experienced rider.
When to visit Córdoba
The Sierras can be visited year-round, though the weather varies a good deal by season. Seasons run opposite to the UK, so summer falls around the turn of the year.
These months are the height of summertime in Cordoba and the Sierras. It can be stiflingly hot at this time of year, with temperatures reaching 30°C. December sees the most rainfall and muggy, humid weather.
As temperatures are cooler during these autumn months, this is a pleasant time for outdoor adventures. Try horse riding or playing polo in the rolling country hills.
Temperatures drop during the winter months, and with lows of 4°C in the daytime this can be a chilly time to visit, though there is little chance of rainfall.
Spring is a pleasant time to visit the region as temperatures are pleasantly warm and the air is not too humid. This is a wonderful time to sample rural life on a family estancia.
Top Things to do in Córdoba
This is a region for slowing down and getting out into the countryside, with the horse at the centre of it all. Here’s what we recommend.
Spend a week journeying into the unspoilt landscapes around Córdoba on horseback.
Have a go at polo – Argentina’s most popular sport after football – on a rural ranch.
Accommodation in Córdoba
Staying on an estancia is the whole point here, and we hand-pick each one for its setting, character and riding. Our favourites range from historic homesteads to intimate boutique ranches like Estancia Los Potreros and Estancia Dos Lunas, most within an hour or two of Córdoba’s airport yet deep in the sierras, with just a handful of rooms and a warm, family-run feel. For a night either side, the city itself has comfortable hotels near the colonial centre.
Boutique country ranch in classic country style with a nod towards the contemporary, set within ruggedly beautiful countryside just calling out to be explored on horseback.
Welcoming Argentine estancia offering superb riding opportunities, a wonderfully homely atmosphere and a real sense of history.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting Córdoba
Córdoba is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Cordoba and the Central Sierras?
It can be stiflingly hot in summer, Dec-Mar. Outdoor visits are much more pleasant in the spring and autumn months, with plenty of sun.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Cordoba and the Central Sierras?
The main language spoken in Cordoba and the Central Sierras is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Cordoba and the central sierras?
The Argentine Peso is the main currency used in Cordoba.
- What's the time difference between Cordoba and the UK?
The time difference between Cordoba and the UK is GMT -3 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, but this is announced ad hoc on a year-on-year basis.
- What places combine well with Cordoba and the Central Sierras?
Mendoza in Argentina’s prime wine-producing region (daily direct flights 1hr 15mins); Santiago, the capital of Chile, (daily flights 1hr 30mins).
- How do I get to Cordoba and the Central Sierras?
A flight from Buenos Aires to Cordoba takes 1 hour.
- What are the festivals and cultural and sporting events in Cordoba and Central Sierras?
FICA Craft Market: First three weeks of Apr, close to Chateau Carrera stadium, Córdoba.
Book Fair: This takes pace in Córdoba in mid-Sept and attracts some well-known authors.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.