Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Dates in 2027
The Festival de los Patios runs from Monday 3 to Sunday 16 May 2027. The city approved these dates in its 2027 calendar in October 2026. Córdoba’s other spring festivals fall around it:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 25 April (Sunday) | Batalla de las Flores, the flower parade |
| 28 April to 2 May | Cruces de Mayo, flower crosses in the squares |
| 3 to 16 May | Festival and contest of the patios, and the window and balcony contest |
| 22 to 29 May | Feria de Nuestra Señora de la Salud, the city’s fair |
The list of patios and the map for 2027 weren’t out when we checked. They usually appear shortly before the festival on the official patios website.
What it is
For two weeks each May, the people of Córdoba open their private courtyards to visitors. The patios are the centre of family life in the old houses here, with walls covered in pots of geraniums and carnations, and a well or a fountain to keep them cool. The owners compete for prizes in a contest held since 1921, and the festival has been on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2012.
Entry is free. It is very popular: local press reports more than a million visits in 2025.
Schedule and key days
In 2026, the patios opened at these times, and we’d expect the same pattern in 2027:
- Morning: 11:00 to 14:00
- Evening: 18:00 to 22:00
- Last day: one local guide says the patios close earlier, at about 20:30
They are shut in the afternoon, so plan your lunch and a rest for those hours. The festival also has free concerts and flamenco in some squares and patios, usually in the evening and at weekends. The programme is published with the official map.
Where to watch / how to take part
How the routes work
The patios are grouped into walking routes by neighbourhood. In 2026, there were five, according to local press, and we’d allow about half a day for each:
- San Basilio (Alcázar Viejo): the most famous and the busiest, with about 246,000 visits reported in 2025. It is a short walk from the Alcázar.
- San Lorenzo: the second most visited, and more of a neighbourhood feel.
- Santa Marina and San Agustín: usually fewer people, and close to the Palacio de Viana.
- San Pedro and Santiago: east of the centre, around the Plaza de la Corredera.
- Judería and San Francisco: close to the Mezquita, and easy to combine with a walk around the Jewish quarter.
Get the official map on the website before you go, because it shows each patio, its route and, once it is published, this year’s list. One local guide also recommends the free Mayo Cordobés app.
If you only have one day
We’d do one route in the morning and another in the evening. Start with Santa Marina or San Lorenzo at 11:00, when queues are short, then see San Basilio around 18:00 or later, when the light is softer and the air is cooler. See how to fit it around the Mezquita in our one-day plan for Córdoba.
With a guide
The patios are easy to visit on your own, but a patios tour gets you round the best ones with the stories behind them. Local guides say the tours have reserved times that help you avoid the longest queues.
Outside May
The Palacio de Viana has 12 patios and a garden, and it is open all year (about €8.50 for the patios). In our view, it is the best way to see Córdoba’s patios outside the festival. See things to do in Córdoba.
Where to stay and when to book
May is the busiest and most expensive month for hotels in Córdoba. We’d book as soon as you know your dates, and choose free cancellation if you can. The two weekends of the festival, 8–9 and 15–16 May, are likely to fill first.
- For the patios: Las Casas de la Judería has its own patios, between the Judería and San Basilio, or search apartments in San Basilio.
- Near the Mezquita: Hotel Balcón de Córdoba is a small boutique hotel a few steps away, with a roof terrace.
- Budget: Hotel Maestre is simple and well kept, near the Plaza del Potro.
See where to stay in Córdoba. If the city is full, you can visit from Seville, only about 45 minutes away by high-speed train.
Etiquette and tips
- Go on a weekday if you can. At weekends the queues at the famous patios are much longer. One local guide reports queues of 20–30 people at the busiest times, though they move steadily.
- Remember it is someone’s home. Follow the way through the patio, don’t touch the plants, and keep moving so others can come in. Owners often enjoy talking about their flowers when it isn’t too busy.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking on cobbles for hours.
- Book your restaurant. Tables in the old town fill up in May. See where to eat in Córdoba.
- Stay for the crosses or the fair. If you can’t make the patio dates, the Cruces de Mayo and the Feria are also free and very lively.
FAQ
When is the Córdoba Patios Festival in 2027?
From Monday 3 to Sunday 16 May 2027, according to the calendar approved by the city in October 2026.
Is the Córdoba Patios Festival free?
Yes, entry to the patios is free. You only pay if you choose a guided tour.
What time do the patios open?
In 2026 they opened from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00, and we’d expect the same in 2027. The official website publishes the final times.
What is the best route for the Córdoba patios?
San Basilio has the most famous patios, and also the longest queues. For fewer people, we’d go to Santa Marina or San Lorenzo.
Can you see the patios of Córdoba outside May?
Yes. The Palacio de Viana has 12 patios and is open all year, though private homes only open for the festival.
How many days do you need for the patios?
One full day is enough for two routes. With two days you can see most of them at an easy pace, and add the Mezquita and the Jewish quarter.