Move Over Buenos Aires! This Lesser Known City In Argentina Is Rising Fast In Popularity

Share The Article

Buenos Aires could also be probably the most lovely cities in South America, with its Haussmann-inspired boulevards à la parisienne, lush city parks, and unmatched gastronomy, however let’s face it, it is type of yesterday’s information.

It’s been lined to loss of life by most main journey publications, and even when you have not been to BA your self, we’re certain you are at the very least accustomed to its most important landmarks, whether or not it is the baby-pink Presidential Palace, or the colourful streets of La Boca.

The excellent news? Argentina is way over 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 City

The capital of the namesake Argentinian province, in addition to the second largest metropolis in Argentina as a complete, 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% enhance in guests in comparison with the earlier 12 months, and although general figures for 2025 aren’t in but, we suspect Córdoba may very well be leaving good outdated BA within the rearview mirror.

It’s not like Córdoba is inside simple attain of the capital, nevertheless, with vacationers dealing with both a 1.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires, or extra generally, a back-breaking 8-hour bus journey, so is it even definitely worth the main detour?

Short 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.

Founded 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 gorgeous colonial edifices, and it is all the time busy with metropolis life, although not on the identical chaotic degree as Buenos Aires. Córdoba is far smaller, in spite of everything, with over 1.5 million residents, in opposition to the Greater BA’s 17+ million.

Within brief strolling distance of the principle plaza, Córdoba Cathedral is understood for being one in all 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 Site with smaller colonial church buildings, cloisters, and college buildings nonetheless completely preserved from the sixteenth century.

On that notice, the National University of Córdoba is a must-see if you happen to’re on the town: established in 1613, it’s a European-style middle of data along with your normal tranquil courtyards, richly adorned libraries, and mental really feel.

Green Spaces Galore

BA is known 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 site 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 residence, it’s standard for its romantic ponds, footpaths amid lush inexperienced areas, and Asian gazebos.

The French affect does 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 attractive to admire, because it actually appears like cut-and-paste Paris, it now homes an ‘Evita’ Fine Arts Museum.

People flock to BA from all around the world to discover its churrascarias and empanada spots. Fluctuating prices apart, it is actually value all of the hype, however allow us to inform you that the unassuming Córdoba leaves nothing to be desired:

Incredible Food Every 10 Meters

An upscale residential space, Cerro de las Rosas boasts a number of the greatest eating places we have tried anyplace in Argentina, usually with epic metropolis views.

Known for his or her ample collection of native wine and basic 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, alternatively, is famend for its grilled meats and draft beer ($18–30 for a most important), whereas Mercé is the classical Argentinian-Italian fusion dispensing Mediterranean-inspired meals for round $12–25.

That’s 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 standard lomito spot, the place you possibly can gorge on generously stuffed sandwiches, usually for beneath $5.

Of course, there is not any visiting Córdoba with out swinging by the most conventional market within the downtown space: Mercado Norte, with its 100+ stalls buying and selling contemporary 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 in search of an affordable lodge 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.