Hello...

On our way back from Granada to Madrid by train, we are doing an overnight stop in Cordoba May 7 for the Festival de Patios (and to break up the long train ride).

Our plan is to arrive on the 10:31 train May 7 and take an afternoon AVE or Altaria to Madrid the next day.

I saw a 2011 Patio Festival map online (though I cannot find it anymore) and it gave the hours as 10-14 and 16-22. Does anyone have the 2012 info? Hopefully it will be the same.

Inexpensive food recommendations are always welcome as well.

Thanks.
SS

Hi

This site gives the 2012 dates as 2 May to 13 May - http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm. Another site - http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/patios.htm - states "The patios are open from Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 2pm and from 7pm to 11pm; and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm and from 7pm to 12am." This is for 2011 though. I hope to coincide my next visit to Spain with the patio festival. Even though I could only see them through gates the ones I viewed were beautiful. A unique feature of Cordoba.

Oops correction. The first link should read http://www.patiosdecordoba.es/index....d=79&Itemid=41.

I suggest you go a little north of the old town - to the central area around Plaza de las Tendillas and Plaza de la Corredera - to find lots of local atmosphere, affordable and traditional tabernas. Had excellent meals in some of them last summer. At night, we used to pay some 30-35€ included a bottle of wine and a couple of brandys. Taberna Salinas is one of the more famous, recommended by the Michelin guide: http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

I loved Taberna El Gallo in C/Mária Cristina, 6, two minutes from Plaza de las Tendillas, close to the Roman ruins. Great wines - try the dry Amargoso - and excellent tapas. In one word: Genuine!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
http://cordobapedia.wikanda.es/wiki/Taberna_El_Gallo

Here's a list of more tabernas in Córdoba. http://www.cordoba24.info/tavernen/h...vernen_en.html

Perhaps do as the Spanish and have your main meal at lunch-time, from about 1.30. Lots of places would offer a three course menu del dia for some 8-12€ with drinks included.

During the patio festival, there are outdoor concerts almost every night at about 10pm. Takes place in either majestic Plaza de la Corredera, the beautiful gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos or in the Patio de las Campanas. Some of the finest flamenco and copla artists come to Córdoba for the event. Not sure about Mondays though, peraps go a day earlier? Could be a very special experience.
The Alcázar gardens: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/cordoba/alcazar.htm
Plaza de la Corredera: http://www.google.no/search?q=plaza+...w=1600&bih=719

And remember to try the local Montilla-Moriles wines, somewhat like sherry (Jeréz). The dry (fino) is excellent and is drunk with tapas in every bar.

Nice bars and cafés with outdoor terraces in and around central Plaza de las Tendillas long into the night.

.. and I think the late hours are 18-22 (to midnight in the week-ends), at least according to the festival homepage:
http://www.patiosdecordoba.es/index....d=552&Itemid=1

I'm going to piggyback on this post, as we are considering a daytrip to Cordoba during this year's Patio Festival & would appreciate some firsthand info. I looked at the official website refernced above using an English translator. It appears that in 2011 there was a map of the patios with several walking routes. Are these maps typically given out during the festival? Will we be able to get one at the tourist office? Are you permitted to enter the participating patios during festival hours? Will we have to purchase any type of ticket? If you've attended the festival in the past, would really appreciate a summary of your experience. Thanks.

Hi

According to the offical website - "LA ENTRADA A LOS PATIOS ES GRATUITA, PERO SE AGRADECEN LOS DONATIVOS PARA SU MANTENIMIENTO". With my very limited Spanish and using Babel Fish it means "Entrance to the Patios is free but donations for maintenance are appreciated". If you haven't seen it a map of the 2011 route is here - http://www.patiosdecordoba.es/images...plano-2011.jpg. For more info try contacting the Cordoba Tourist Board using this online form - http://english.turismodecordoba.org/contactar.cfm.

Good local tapas at Taberna Salinas: salmorejo (tomato cream), flamenquines (pork loin wrapped with slice of jamón, coated with breadcrumbs and egg, then deep fried) and berenjenas con miel (eggplant with honey).
http://www.tabernasalinas.com/

Taberna Santos on Calle Magistral González Francés 3 for THICK tortilla!

Thanks for the info....I'm pushing this back to the top, still hoping for input from someone with firsthand experience attending the Festival de Patios. See questions in my March 22 post above. Thanks.

Maps of routes are available all over. You can enter all the participating patios, and there are no tickets. You are nevertheless excpected to leave some coins at the entrances.