According to ehistorylib, the Argentine Cordoba is similar to the Spanish only in the name that she got thanks to the valiant conquistador Jeronimo Luis de Cabrera. More cities have nothing in common – both are unique and not similar to each other.
Cordoba is one of the most prosperous Argentine cities. The locals call it La Docta (“knowing” or “scientist” in Spanish), because it is here that the country’s oldest universities, scientific institutes and two world-famous academies of sciences are located. Thanks to this, Cordoba is a young and student city, there are many discos, bars, cafes and various youth parties.
How to get to Cordoba
According to ehealthfacts, Cordoba has an international airport, but there are no direct flights from Russia there. It is more convenient to get from Buenos Aires, you can also fly from Lima, Santiago de Chile, Bolivian Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Porto Alegre in Brazil.
There are no direct flights to Buenos Aires from Russia either, the most convenient way is through Madrid. Aeroflot and Air Europe flights depart from Sheremetyevo, take from 20 to 37 hours, tickets cost from 1100 USD round trip. It is more expensive to fly from St. Petersburg: for example, Lufthansa will deliver via Frankfurt am Main in at least 23 hours and 1600 USD.
From Buenos Aires to Cordoba
From Buenos Aires to Cordoba, about 700 km, the flight will take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and will cost from 100 USD round trip, flights are operated by Argentine Airlines and Andes Lineas Aereas. Planes from Mendoza fly to Cordoba twice a day, the flight will cost from 200 USD in both directions. Cordoba International Airport (off. site (in English) is located 10 km north of the city. The center can be reached by bus, which leaves every 15-30 minutes, the fare costs 37 ARS. A taxi will cost 800-100 ARS.
Buses from Buenos Aires leave for Cordoba approximately every hour from 6:30 am to 1:30 am from Retiro Station. On the way from 8 to 11 hours, the fare is from 2400 ARS one way. You can get to the Buenos Aires Airport Station by Manuel Tienda Leon buses (off site (in English). They go to the Madero Terminal bus station, from where it is 5 minutes walk to Retiro. Travel – 370 ARS, on the way – about an hour, in The cabin has free Wi-Fi (slow).
By car from the capital, you need to move along the Cordoba-Villa Maria highway, as well as along highways No. 19, 20 or 36. These roads connect Cordoba with Buenos Aires, Salta and other major cities of Argentina.
Transportation
It is convenient to travel around Cordoba by buses and trolleybuses, some of them run around the clock, minibuses run on the outskirts. To pay for the fare, you need to buy a magnetic card – Tarjeta de transporte (an analogue of the Moscow Troika), they are sold in newspaper and tobacco kiosks. The price is from 10 ARS, the card itself is free, this amount will be in the account. A trip by bus or trolley bus will cost from 20 ARS.
A taxi within the city center costs 200-300 ARS for a 10-15 minute journey.
Cordoba Hotels
Cordoba is a student city, so most of all there are budget housing, including in the center. Compared to Buenos Aires, it is safer here, but it is better not to settle far from the center, especially along the river. There are many bars and cafes on the embankment, on weekends there is a party, full of young people, and on weekdays marginal people often gather.
A day in a double room in a 4 * hotel in the center of Cordoba will cost 70-90 USD, in a 3 * hotel – from 30 to 70 USD. “Stardom” in Argentine hotels is a relative concept, and you need to focus only on photos and services offered. A bed in a hostel can be rented for 8-10 USD per person, and a room in a guest house with a bathroom on the floor can be rented for 25 USD and more.
Shopping
For shopping, you need to go to the northern part of the city center. There are many local and imported clothing stores, wine shops, souvenir shops and street markets. The prices are high here. It is worth paying attention to costume jewelry, scarves and shawls of large knitting, ponchos and gaucho trousers, the symbols of the local football team, “calabashes” and “bombillas” for mate. Unusual musical instruments, handmade jewelry and other souvenirs can be found at the city’s artisan market.
There are two large shopping centers in the city: Dinosaurio Mall (off. site in Spanish) and Patio Olmos (off. site in Spanish). The assortment there is about the same, but Patio Olmos is located in an early 19th century building, decorated with carved balconies, stairs and promenades.
Delicacies are best bought at the Mercado Norte market. They sell local sausages, cheese (pay special attention to goat – queso de cabra) and wine. Many eateries and bars, periodically hold cooking classes and other events. The market is open from Tuesday to Friday from morning to evening and on Saturday in the morning.
Cuisine and restaurants of Cordoba
Restaurants and cafes in Cordoba are concentrated in the center (on Colon Street – expensive and respectable, and in the Nueva Cordoba area – more budgetary and youthful), as well as in the north on Avenida Rafael Munez.
For students and budget travelers, there are plenty of inexpensive eateries. They serve local fast food “minutas” – hot dogs with mustard, “lomito” (large chop and cheese sandwich) and “empanadas” (Argentinean pies with meat, spicy chicken, spinach and cheese, etc.).
In restaurants, you should eat meat: steaks, steaks and black puddings. For two or a company, you can order a “parillada” – cold cuts. One of the popular restaurants is Alcorta Carnes Y Vinos (a lot of meat and a good wine list), author’s variations on Argentinean cuisine – in more expensive and elegant establishments – El Paragayo and Sibaris.
Lunch at a diner will cost 300-400 ARS per person (including a drink), lunch or dinner in a restaurant for two – from 1500 ARS for two, excluding alcohol.
Entertainment and attractions
The Jesuits influenced the culture of Cordoba more than others; in the very center, the entire Jesuit quarter of the 17th century has been preserved. It includes the National University (the oldest in the country, founded in 1610, Av. Haya de la Torre s / n), the Montserrat School (off. site in Spanish) and several private houses. In 2000, the quarter was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
San Martin Square was declared central in 1577, 4 years after the founding of the city, then there were two of the most important buildings on it: the Government House (Cabildo, Independencia, 30) and the Cathedral (Independencia, 80). All important city events were held here from fairs to bullfights. Today, the passage of Santa Catalina (Independencia, s / n), the monastery, the Royal Theater and the main branch of the National Bank of Argentina in Cordoba (San Jeronimo, 30) are built here.
Inside the Cathedral there are about a thousand pillars, among which no two are the same. They were brought here from all over the world, each symbolizing a particular diaspora.
Sacred Heart Church (Buenos Aires, 600-699) is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the city. The neo-Gothic temple today belongs to the Franciscan order, and the most recognizable decorative element is the spire piercing the sky.
3 things to do in Cordoba
- Chat with the owner of the private Roksen museum in the neighboring town of Nono, who often walks through the halls with a unique exposition in terms of its subject matter. The museum is open daily until sunset.
- Once again, make sure that aliens exist by looking at the relevant documents and shocking video stored in the information center of the neighboring city of Capilla del Monte. Address: lntendente Cabus, 237.
- Try a local delicacy – “troucha” (trout), which is excellently prepared in the Los Paredones restaurant.
Museums of Cordoba
The Marcus de Sobremonte Provincial Historical Museum (Rosario de Sta Fe, 218) occupies the oldest 18th-century mansion in the city. Artifacts from the epoch of the 17th-18th centuries are collected here: furniture, household items, weapons, musical instruments, paintings and the main pride – a clay flask from the beginning of the 17th century and a map of South America in 1775.
The Evita Museum of Fine Arts (Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen, 511) is located in the Ferreira Palace, an example of French classicism. Halls with luxurious staircases, massive gates and about 60 rooms have been preserved here. They exhibit the works of famous Argentinean artists.
The Caraffa Museum of Fine Arts (Av. Poeta Lugones, 411) houses a collection of paintings and sculptures by Argentinean artists, as well as works by Pablo Picasso and Francisco Goya.
Neighborhood
Quebrada del Condorito National Park is located 90 km from Cordoba, towards the mountains. This is a deep canyon surrounded by untouched nature, where condors love to nest. Entrance is free, it is allowed to set up tents, you can get there by Coata buses from the Central Bus Station.
Weather
Cordoba is located at an altitude of 350-550 m above sea level, in the zone of subtropical oceanic climate. It is a little cooler here than in the capital, and it often rains. Summers (November to February) are hot, with the most precipitation from mid-spring to late autumn, and very dry winters.
