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Round the World Travel Guide

Scenes from Cordoba, Argentina

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The multi-colored entrance to Igelisa del Sagrado Corazon
The multi-colored entrance to Igelisa del Sagrado Corazon

Smack dab in the middle of Argentina, lies the university town of Cordoba.

Unlike Rosario, it was immediately apparent there's a lot to do in Cordoba, beyond a day trip to visit the childhood home of Che Guevara in nearby Alta Gracia.

For starters, Argentina's second largest city features the Jesuit Block, which is made up of historic churches, as well as university buildings and residences. In 2000, the Jesuit Block was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Being that it's a city filled with college students from all over Argentina, there's a palpable sense of youth culture present, in addition to all the restaurants, bars, and dance clubs that cater to students.

Add to that dozens of museums and parks, and it felt like a very livable city. If I were to return to live in Argentina, I'd pick Cordoba over Buenos Aires.

Facade of Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon
Facade of Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon
The gargoyles and flying buttresses of Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon (Church of the Sacred Heart)
The gargoyles and flying buttresses of Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon (Church of the Sacred Heart)
Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (1645-1654)
Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (1645-1654)
Iglesia Catedral (1694)
Iglesia Catedral (1694)
Detail of the Catherdal's dome
Detail of the Catherdal's dome
Plaza opposite the Cathedral
Plaza opposite the Cathedral
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Emilio E. Carrafa
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes Emilio E. Carrafa
Circle sculpture installation to celebrate Argentina's bicentennial in 2010. Each circle is engraved with a notable event from the city's history, and now, lots of graffiti too.
Circle sculpture installation to celebrate Argentina's bicentennial in 2010. Each circle is engraved with a notable event from the city's history, and now, lots of graffiti too.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara poster
Ernesto “Che” Guevara's image is alive and well in Cordoba
Dance clubs line the streets near the universities
Dance clubs line the streets near the universities
One of the bars inside Central, an upscale lounge and restaurant
One of the bars inside Central, an upscale lounge and restaurant where I grabbed sushi for dinner one night
Fernet and Coke
Fernet and Coke, a popular mixed drink in Argentina that tastes like cough syrup. I forced myself to give it a try in Cordoba, before I left the country.
Entrance to Galeria San Placido
Entrance to Galeria San Placido
Lots of little outdoor cafes, shops, and art galleries are waiting to be discovered
Lots of little outdoor cafes, shops, and art galleries are waiting to be discovered

If you have to pick a place to live in Argentina for a year, which city would you choose? Why?

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  1. would definitely be cordoba. i loved this city (was there in 2010 and will be back this November)

  3. Currently, we’re staying in Buenos Aires for a while, having come from the south. In considering where to go next, we had almost written off Cordoba as ‘another big city’, and thought of going straight north and on to Bolivia. Perhaps we will have to reconsider!

    • If you decide to head to Cordoba, I’d also recommend visiting Mendoza, which I actually liked a little bit more on account of all the wine tours you can do!

  4. Wow, the photos are all stunning. We haven’t been to Argentina yet but definitely on our bucket list, your photos have us more excited about going, thanks for posting!

  5. Nice pictures, glad you enjoyed Córdoba. I’d like to correct something, if you don’t mind. That circle sculpture installation was made to celebrate Argentina’s bicentennial in 2010. Córdoba is actually an older city, being founded in 1573.

    • Hi Flor, thanks for the correction. I’m going to fix the caption. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind Cordoba was much older, as I shared a picture of the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus above, which dates back to the mid 17th century :)