It’s a Festival of National Tourist Interest and an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is why we look forward to the arrival of May to enjoy the Festival of the Patios of Córdoba. In 2026 it runs until 17 May, and during these days the patios look even more beautiful.

They’re famous for the flowerpots hanging from their walls or scattered across their cobbled floors. Also for the colours of their flowers which, just by seeing and smelling them, have the power to lift your mood. It’s no surprise they make an effort to look their best: the festival includes a competition that has been held since 1921.

They may look quite similar at first glance, but there are different types of patios, broadly divided into two groups. On one hand, there are the monumental and stately ones. This category includes the Patio de los Naranjos and the famous Palacio de Viana. On the other hand, there are the competition patios, which include all those that have taken part in the contest since it began. This category is further divided into traditional architecture (built up to the 1960s) and modern or renovated architecture (those that are part of newer homes built after demolition or that no longer retain their original features).

Considering that in 2026 there are 64 patios to visit (53 of them taking part in the competition), you’ll be glad to know they are grouped by areas.

Route 1 includes the patios of Santa Marina–San Agustín. Here you’ll find, for example, Marroquíes 6, one of the most awarded in the history of the competition. Route 2 runs through San Lorenzo and, with 13 patios, is the largest grouping. Route 3 is located in San Pedro–Santiago and features Diego Méndez 11: a neighbours’ house more than two centuries old that has preserved its essence. Route 4 runs through the Jewish Quarter (Judería) and San Francisco, where the Casa Árabe patio (Samuel de los Santos Gener 9) stands out for its wide variety of plant species. Finally, Route 5, in San Basilio, is ideal if you’re short on time: its 12 patios are concentrated across four streets.

Competition patios are open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00. Patios outside the competition have different opening times, which you can check in the official programme for this edition. Our recommendation is to plan your visits for early morning or late afternoon. This way, you’ll avoid long queues and enjoy the patios more comfortably once inside. You’ll also avoid the hottest part of the day and, if you’re keen on photography, you’ll get beautiful light.

Even with good planning, you’ll probably have to deal with some waiting: patios aren’t very large and only a limited number of people can enter at once. That’s why it’s best to plan realistic routes in terms of how many patios you can visit and how much time to spend in each. It’s also important to stay flexible and adjust your itinerary depending on how busy each patio is.

Once inside, remember that these are private homes. Respect is essential, and that also applies to photos: don’t overdo it. Not only out of consideration for residents, but also for other visitors who are waiting. And one more thing: if you do take your time, make it to chat with the owners. They’re often there and will happily tell you how they’ve kept these patios alive across generations.

Simply going from patio to patio would be enough to fall in love with this festival, but there’s also a packed programme including exhibitions, activities for children, craft workshops for all ages, concerts, flamenco… A rich line-up featuring highlights such as the exhibition Córdoba es patio, which explores the history of the patios; a flowerpot painting workshop for children; concerts by María Terremoto and Joana Jiménez; and flamenco dance performances by Cristina Carrasco and Lucía Leiva.

Our hotels in the city have everything ready so you can focus on enjoying the Festival of the Patios. Whether you’re looking for a central location like Sercotel Córdoba Medina Azahara, or prefer a quieter setting like Sercotel Córdoba Delicias, just enter our addresses into your GPS.

When you arrive, your room will be ready (including a pet-friendly kit if you’re travelling with your pet). You’ll find a pillow menu so you can choose the one that suits you best, and at reception we’ll let you know you can enjoy our swimming pool and that the breakfast buffet is well worth getting out of bed for. We’ll also give you a few extra tips so you don’t miss a thing during the festival that brought you here.