🎭 The Góngora Theatre in Córdoba is one of the city's most beloved and popular performing arts venues.
Located in the heart of the city, just a few metres from Plaza de la Corredera and the lively shopping area, this theatre has reinvented itself over nearly a century, evolving from a first-run cinema into a multidisciplinary cultural centre that hosts theatre, dance, music, flamenco and activities for all audiences.
Managed by the Municipal Institute of Performing Arts (IMAE) of Córdoba City Council, the Góngora Theatre offers a high-quality programme throughout the year, becoming a cultural reference not only for the people of Córdoba, but also for visitors seeking to enjoy the city's cultural offering.
In this guide, The Sun Places reveals everything you need to know to visit this iconic space, from its fascinating history to its current programme and the best plans to combine theatre and gastronomy.
Where is the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba located?
The Góngora Theatre in Córdoba is located at number 10 Calle Jesús y María, right in the city centre, next to Plaza de las Tendillas, Córdoba's main commercial and leisure hub. Its location is unbeatable: just a 5-minute walk from Plaza de la Corredera, 10 minutes from the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba and 12 minutes from the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs.
Its surroundings are packed with shops, cafés and restaurants, turning the area into a lively meeting point before and after performances.
The building, built in a rationalist style, occupies a plot of 950 square metres. Its façade, in Andalusian regionalist style, stands out for its two side towers with latticework and its entrance through a three-arched opening on columns.
Our Luxury Apartments in Córdoba are located in the city centre, less than a 10-minute walk from the theatre, so you can enjoy a cultural evening in total comfort.
History of the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba: from the 1930s cinema to the 21st-century rebirth
The history of the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba begins in the golden age of cinema. Designed and built between 1929 and 1932 by the prestigious Madrid-based architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto, the building was conceived as a first-run cinema and was named Cine Pathè.
Gutiérrez Soto, one of the leading exponents of architectural rationalism in Spain, skilfully combined in this building the Andalusian regionalist language of the façade (with pergolas and semicircular arches) with the rationalist and art-deco modernity of the interior.
At its opening on 24 September 1932, with the screening of the film "The Shanghai Express", it was considered Spain's most modern "entertainment hall".
Its interior featured a ground floor with 700 seats, two floors of boxes and a cantilevered amphitheatre with 300 seats, 14 boxes, three staircases, two lifts and an innovative summer terrace. The terrace, accessible by lift, became the city's most "polite" and modern summer cinema, with rocking chairs instead of the usual seats.
For decades, the Cine Góngora was the temple of cinema and theatre in Córdoba, and in the 1980s it became practically the only functioning theatre after the Gran Teatro closed.
Its auditorium hosted not only film screenings and plays, but also concerts, political rallies and various social events. However, the passage of time and lack of investment took their toll.
In 1997, the Urban Planning Department ordered its closure due to its poor condition. The building remained abandoned for several years until it was acquired by Córdoba City Council in 2004 for €2.46 million.
In 2009, the remodelling project was presented, designed by architect Rafael de la Hoz Castanys, and work began in June of that year, at a cost of almost €4 million financed by El Corte Inglés.
On 6 October 2011, the renovated Góngora Theatre in Córdoba reopened its doors, becoming a top-level performing arts venue that combines the history of the original building with the needs of the 21st century.
The rehabilitation was recognised in 2021 with the CC distinction by the Global Architecture Guide (C-guide).
The Góngora Theatre today: halls, capacity and programme
Following its rehabilitation, the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba has become one of the most important cultural venues in Andalusia.
Managed by the Municipal Institute of Performing Arts (IMAE), the theatre operates throughout the year, except in August.
Its programme is varied and high-quality, encompassing theatre, dance, flamenco, classical music, jazz, cinema and family shows. The theatre has two distinct spaces:
- Main Auditorium: Located on the ground floor, it is a performance hall with a total capacity of 590 seats (400 in the stalls, 116 in the mezzanine and 24 in boxes). It retains the original 1930s cinema structure, but with all modern comforts and technologies. It is the space where major theatre productions and the most outstanding concerts are held.
- Polifemo Hall: Located on the upper floor, where the summer cinema used to be, this versatile hall has a capacity of 200-250 people. It is an open-plan space with a 6-metre ceiling height and no fixed stage or audience layout, allowing great versatility. It is used for chamber concerts, intimate theatre, exhibitions, conferences, presentations, colloquiums and even banquets and dances.
The Góngora Theatre's programme is available on its official website (teatrocordoba.es) and on the city's cultural agenda.
Among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season are the Opening Concert of the Córdoba Orchestra (17 September 2026), the performance of Don Juan Tenorio (2 November 2026) and the Christmas Lyrical Gala (22 December 2026).
Where to eat near the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba?
The excellent location of the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba, in the heart of Córdoba's historic and commercial centre, allows you to enjoy a superb gastronomic offering both before and after the performance.
Although the Jewish Quarter and the traditional neighbourhoods are a pleasant stroll away, these are the best real options and their exact walking distance so you can plan your evening without surprises.
Classic and recommended options (10 to 15 minutes' walk)
- Casa Pepe de la Judería (10-minute walk). Located in the charming Calle Romero, 1, this establishment holds the official seal of Historic Tavern. It is one of the great ambassadors of Córdoba's gastronomy and the perfect spot for dinner. Its signature dishes are traditional Salmorejo with Iberian ham and a melting Oxtail
- Taberna Santa Marina (13-minute walk)Located at Calle Mayor de Santa Marina, 1, it is a gem with nearly a century of history (founded in 1930) and recognised by Córdoba City Council. It is ideal for an authentic tapas crawl before the theatre. Don't leave without trying the Sombrero del Obispo (their famous patented dish of spicy potatoes with sirloin tips and green sauce), perfectly paired with local wines from Montilla-Moriles
- La Taberna del Río (14-minute walk)If you're looking for Andalusian cuisine with an author's touch and views of the Guadalquivir, head to Calle Enrique Romero de Torres, 7 (next to Plaza del Potro). This restaurant, distinguished with a Repsol Guide Solete, offers a fresh and avant-garde proposal that reinterprets the traditional Córdoba recipe book in a modern setting
- Bodegas Campos (16-minute walk). A true culinary monument at Calle Lineros, 32. With over a century of tradition, this iconic restaurant is distributed around a beautiful 18th-century courtyard. It is the ideal place if you have enough time to leisurely enjoy traditional Córdoba haute cuisine, highlighting its flamenquín, croquettes and traditional stews
- Taberna Rincón de las Beatillas (16-minute walk)Located at Calle Ocaña, 4 (in the traditional San Agustín neighbourhood), it boasts of being Córdoba's oldest tavern. It offers an extremely authentic experience in a typical Andalusian house with a courtyard. Its speciality is meat, oxtail and a traditional flamenco atmosphere
💡 "Just a step away" alternatives near the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba (Less than 4 minutes' walk)
If you're short on time and prefer to eat after the show with barely any walking, the Las Tendillas area (next to the theatre) hides great gastronomic temples:
- Taberna San Miguel (Casa El Pisto): 3-minute walk (Plaza San Miguel, 1). A temple of historic Córdoba tapas, famous for its pisto and montaditos
- Taberna Góngora: 2-minute walk (Calle Conde de Cárdenas, 10). An absolute classic in the centre, ideal for generous portions of fried fish and game meats
The Sun Places recommends booking in advance at these establishments, especially on weekends and opening nights. We manage private reservations for you.
What the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba represents for Córdoba, Andalusia and The Sun Places
For Córdoba, the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba is the stage of the city's cultural life, the place where the people of Córdoba enjoy the performing arts and connect with culture.
It is a symbol of the city's ability to preserve its heritage and adapt it to modern times.
For Andalusia, it represents the excellence of its cultural programming and the importance of the performing arts in the social fabric.
For The Sun Places, the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba symbolises the connection between luxury and culture. When you stay at our Luxury Apartments in Córdoba, we offer you the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable cultural evening, combining quality theatre with dinner at the city's best restaurants.
Because at The Sun Places we believe that luxury is also experiencing culture with comfort and excellence.
The perfect plan with The Sun Places to enjoy the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba
Friday:
- Arrival in Córdoba and check-in at our Luxury Apartment in Córdoba (recommended location: city centre, less than a 10-minute walk from the theatre)
- Pre-theatre dinner at Taberna Santa Marina (8-minute walk), tasting their "Sombrero del Obispo" and a wine from Montilla-Moriles
- Performance at the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba (check programme at teatrocordoba.es).
- In the evening, a night-time stroll through the illuminated Plaza de las Tendillas
Saturday:
- Lunch at Casa Pepe de la Judería, tasting their famous salmorejo
- Dinner at Bodegas Campos (Córdoba specialities)
Sunday:
- Farewell lunch at La Taberna del Río (a Repsol Sun).
- Return with the memory of an unforgettable cultural evening.
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your visit to the Góngora Theatre in Córdoba. Culture, history and luxury go hand in hand. 🎭
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has prepared for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Madrid and, of course, Luxury Apartments in Seville (from where you can visit María Luisa Park, Triana Neighbourhood and its people, Betis Street and the Archive of the Indies). Choose your luxury, choose The Sun Places!
© 2026 The Sun Places. All rights reserved