Córdoba: Patios Festival walking tour with local guide + wine

Summary

Step into Córdoba’s secret patios, meet proud hosts, and share a glass

You’ll wander Córdoba’s hidden patios during festival season, step inside real homes with a local guide, chat with proud owners about their flowers, and end your walk sharing Montilla-Moriles wine and tapas in a neighborhood tavern—a day full of color and small surprises you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We turned off the main street near Santa Marina—our guide Carmen waved us over, her voice echoing just a little in the stone square. I’d seen photos of the Córdoba Patios Festival before, but actually stepping through someone’s front door felt different. The air inside was cooler, heavy with that green smell you get from hundreds of plants crammed together. One of the owners—Señora Pilar—showed us her lemon tree and pointed out flowers I’d never even heard of (I tried to repeat their names in Spanish; she smiled politely). It’s funny how proud everyone seemed, but not in a showy way. More like they were letting us in on something personal.

We zigzagged between houses for what must’ve been hours—honestly lost track of time. Some courtyards were tiny, barely enough room for five people, but every inch was packed with color. Bougainvillea overhead, geraniums everywhere else. Carmen explained how families spend months getting ready for this festival; it’s only two weeks each May when these private patios open up to outsiders. At one stop near San Agustin Square, an old man told us he waters his plants before sunrise so the petals don’t burn. I didn’t expect to care about flower schedules, but there you go.

By the time we reached San Lorenzo church (just saw the outside), my feet were tired and my phone full of blurry flower photos. We ended up at a local tavern nearby—dark wood tables, cool tiles underfoot—and tried Montilla-Moriles wine with a tapa. The wine was dry and almost salty; not what I expected but somehow perfect after all that walking. Someone tried to explain the difference between this and sherry—I nodded along but honestly just wanted another sip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cordoba Patios Festival Tour

• Visit 10-15 decorated patios
• See Santa Marina Church exterior
• Stop at Church of St. Augustine and nearby patios
• View San Lorenzo Church and enjoy local wine and tapa

Top questions

How many patios do you visit on this Córdoba Patios Festival tour?

You’ll go inside 10 to 15 private patios during the guided tour.

Is entry to the Córdoba Patios included in the tour?

Yes, entrance to all patios is included during the festival dates.

Does this tour include food or drinks?

The tour includes one Montilla-Moriles wine and a tapa at a local tavern.

Where does the Córdoba Patios walking tour start?

The meeting point is in front of Santa Marina church in Córdoba.

Is there a guide on this day trip through Córdoba’s patios?

Yes, a qualified local guide leads the group throughout the experience.

What languages is this patio tour available in?

The tour is offered in Spanish, English, and French.

What’s included

Your day includes entry to all festival patios (free during May), guidance from a local expert who knows every shortcut through Córdoba’s winding streets, plus one Montilla-Moriles wine and tapa at a typical tavern before you head back out into the city’s sunlight again.