Move over Buenos Aires! This lesser-known city in Argentina is quickly rising in popularity

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Buenos Aires is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in South America, with its Haussmann-inspired boulevards a la Parisianlush city parks and unparalleled gastronomy, but let’s be honest: are kind of yesterday’s news.

There is coverage for it dead by most major travel publications, and even if you haven’t been to BA yourself, we’re sure you’re at least familiar with the main sights, whether it’s the baby pink Presidential Palace or the colorful streets of La Boca.

The good news? Argentina is much more than just Buenos Aires, and if you’ve ever wondered what lies behind that past the national capital, which you will enjoy a lot Cordoba:

Argentina’s vibrant second city

Córdoba, the capital of the Argentine province of the same name, and the second largest city in Argentina as a whole, is one of the country’s fastest growing destinations.

More than one long weekend in November alone it received 320,000 tourists, one 9.42% increase in the number of visitors compared to the previous year, and although the overall figures for 2025 are not yet known, we suspect that Córdoba could leave the good old BA in the rear-view mirror.

However, Córdoba isn’t within easy reach of the capital, as tourists either have to take an hour-and-a-half flight from Buenos Aires or, more commonly, a grueling eight-hour bus journey, so is it even worth the long detour?

Short answer: Yesabsolute.

Why exchange Buenos Aires for Cordoba

Córdoba is one of the oldest and most traditional cities in Argentina, surrounded by lush grasslands and snow-capped sierras of the wider province.

Founded way back in 1573, it has seen a large influx of Spanish and Italian settlers over the centuries, so it’s no surprise that its colonial center resembles an average southern European city:

Plaza San Martinthe historic heart bordered by beautiful colonial buildingsand it is always busy with city life, but not at the same chaotic level as Buenos Aires. After all, Córdoba is much smaller, with a population of over 1.5 million, compared to the Greater BA’s 17+ million.

A short walk from the main square, Córdoba Cathedral is known as one of Argentina’s very first churches, distinguished by its unique blend of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture and soaring central dome.

The pride and joy of Córdoba, the Manzana Jesuiticaor Jesuit block, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with smaller colonial churches, monasteries 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 the city: founded in 1613, it’s a European-style center of learning with the usual quiet courtyards, richly decorated libraries and an intellectual feel.

Green spaces in abundance

BA is known for its multitude of urban parks that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of the great metropolis, and as peaceful as Córdoba may be in comparison, the (sometimes) hectic traffic and speed of the city can still get to you.

At those times, Sarmiento Park is all the refuge you need: designed by renowned French landscape architect Charles Thays, who made Argentina his home, and is popular for its romantic ponds, walking paths amid lush greenery and Asian gazebos.

The French influence doesn’t stop there: Palacio Ferreyra, just an 18-minute walk from the center of the park, is a French-style colonial mansion converted into an art museum. Not only is it beautiful to admire, it really does look like a cut-and-paste Paris, it now also houses an ‘Evita’ Museum of Fine Arts.

People come to BA from all over the world to explore the city churrascarias and empanada places. Fluctuating prices aside, it’s really worth all the hype, but let us tell you that humble 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 views of the city.

Known for their wide selection of local wine and classics parrilla cuts, Bodegán is a beloved spot among locals, and you’re welcome for a fancy dinner and wine pairings if you’re on a budget $30-45 for a night out in the city.

Tucson Córdoba, on the other hand, is known for its grilled meats and draft beer ($18-30 for a main course), while Mercé is the classic Argentinian-Italian fusion that serves Mediterranean-inspired meals for around $12-25.

That’s the place to be for Michelin star-worthy meals, but what about? casual eat?

Posta! is a lively beer room serving street food, with menus costing an average of just $10. Antojos, about a 15-minute walk from Cathedral Square, is just as popular Lomit placewhere you can enjoy generously filled sandwiches, often for less than $5.

Of course you can’t visit Córdoba without passing by most traditional market in the city center: Mercado Nortewith more than 100 stalls selling fresh provincial produce, cured meats and Argentinian cheeses, and all the empanadas and choripans that you can get hungry for.

Oh, and if you happen to be looking for a cheap hotel right in the hustle and bustle of it all, it’s highly rated Hotel Everest has a rooftop view with epic views of the city skyline, and rooms start from just $73.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.