Buenos Aires may be one of the most beautiful cities in South America, with its Haussmann-inspired boulevards à la parisienne, lush urban parks, and unrivaled gastronomy, but let’s face it, it’s sort of yesterday’s news.
It’s been covered to death by most major travel publications, and even if you haven’t been to BA yourself, we’re sure you’re at least familiar with its main landmarks, whether it’s the baby-pink Presidential Palace, or the colorful streets of La Boca.
The good news? Argentina is far more than just Buenos Aires, and if you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond the national capital, you’re in for a treat with Córdoba:
Argentina’s Vibrant Second City
The capital of the namesake Argentinian province, as well as the second largest city in Argentina as a whole, Córdoba is one of the fastest-rising destinations in the country.
Over a long weekend in November alone, it hosted 320,000 tourists, a 9.42% increase in visitors compared to the previous year, and though overall figures for 2025 aren’t in yet, we suspect Córdoba could be leaving good old BA in the rearview mirror.
It’s not like Córdoba is within easy reach of the capital, however, with tourists facing either a 1.5-hour flight from Buenos Aires, or more commonly, a back-breaking 8-hour bus journey, so is it even worth the major detour?
Short answer: yes, absolutely.
Why Swap Buenos Aires For Córdoba
Córdoba is one of the oldest and most traditional cities in Argentina, surrounded by the lush grasslands and snow-capped sierras of the wider province.
Founded as early as 1573, it hosted a major influx of Spanish and Italian settlers over the centuries, so it’s no surprise its colonial center resembles your average Southern European town:
Plaza San Martín, the historic heart, is bordered by stunning colonial edifices, and it’s always busy with city life, though not on the same chaotic level as Buenos Aires. Córdoba is much smaller, after all, with over 1.5 million residents, against the Greater BA’s 17+ million.
Within short walking distance of the main plaza, Córdoba Cathedral is known for being one of Argentina’s first-ever churches, distinguished by its unique mix of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture and soaring central dome.
Córdoba’s pride and joy, the Manzana Jesuítica, or Jesuit Block, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with smaller colonial churches, cloisters, and university buildings still perfectly preserved from the 16th century.
On that note, the National University of Córdoba is a must-see if you’re in town: established in 1613, it is a European-style center of knowledge with your usual tranquil courtyards, richly decorated libraries, and intellectual feel.
Green Spaces Galore
BA is famous for its multitude of urban parks that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of the big metropolis, and peaceful as Córdoba may be in comparison, the city’s (occasionally) hectic traffic and fast-pacedness can still get to you.
In those moments, Sarmiento Park is all the refuge you need: designed by the renowned French landscape architect Charles Thays, who made Argentina his home, it is popular for its romantic ponds, footpaths amid lush green spaces, and Asian gazebos.
The French influence doesn’t stop there: a short 18-minute walk from the center of the park, Palacio Ferreyra is a French-style colonial mansion turned art museum. Not only is it gorgeous to admire, as it truly looks like cut-and-paste Paris, it now houses an ‘Evita’ Fine Arts Museum.
People flock to BA from all over the world to explore its churrascarias and empanada spots. Fluctuating prices aside, it’s truly worth all the hype, but let us tell you that the unassuming Córdoba leaves nothing to be desired:
Incredible Food Every 10 Meters
An upscale residential area, Cerro de las Rosas boasts some of the best restaurants we’ve tried anywhere in Argentina, often with epic city views.
Known for their ample selection of local wine and classic parrilla cuts, Bodegán is a cherished spot among locals, and you’re welcome to join for a dressy dinner and wine pairings if you’ve budgeted $30–45 for a night out in the town.
Tucson Córdoba, on the other hand, is renowned for its grilled meats and draft beer ($18–30 for a main), whereas Mercé is the classical Argentinian-Italian fusion dishing out Mediterranean-inspired meals for around $12–25.
That’s where you go for Michelin-star-worthy meals, but what about casual eats?
Posta! is a lively beer room serving street-style foods, with menus averaging only $10. Roughly 15 min on foot from the cathedral square, Antojos is an equally popular lomito spot, where you can gorge on generously filled sandwiches, often for under $5.
Of course, there’s no visiting Córdoba without swinging by the most traditional market in the downtown area: Mercado Norte, with its 100+ stalls trading fresh provincial produce, cured meats and Argentinian cheeses, and all the empanadas and choripanes you can muster up an appetite for.
Oh, and if you happen to be looking for an inexpensive hotel right in the buzz of it all, the highly-rated Hotel Everest has a rooftop view with epic views of the city’s skyline, and rooms start from only $73.
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