In the heart of Córdoba, when the July heat scorches the ancient stones, the notes of a flamenco, classical or jazz guitar fill every corner.
The Córdoba Guitar Festival is much more than a concert series: it is a tribute to the instrument that has most marked Andalusian musical identity and a bridge between cultures that has been moving the world for over four decades. At The Sun Places we invite you to discover why this festival is an essential event for lovers of music, history and luxury.
When is The Córdoba Guitar Festival?
📅 The Córdoba Guitar Festival is held every year during the month of July, lasting approximately three weeks. The 2026 edition is scheduled from 1 to 11 July.
The main concerts take place from Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 22:00 (in the case of open-air venues) or at 20:30 at the Gran Teatro.
Opening day usually includes a free opening concert at Plaza de la Corredera, and the closing ceremony features a large-format show at The Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs.
📍 Where is The Córdoba Guitar Festival located?
The venues of The Córdoba Guitar Festival are part of its magic. The main venues include the Gran Teatro de Córdoba (main headquarters), the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs (with its Renaissance garden), the Calleja de las Flores (an intimate setting in the heart of the Jewish Quarter), courtyards of the Santa Marina neighbourhood and Sant Basilio neighbourhood, the Posada del Potro, Plaza de la Corredera and the Synagogue.
Some concerts also take place at the Roman Temple and the Palacio de Viana. All of them are located in the historic centre, a short walk from the Calleja de las Flores, the Jewish Quarter and the Alcázar. The proximity of these spaces allows you to combine music with Craftsmanship, Olive Oil from the Sierra and wines from Montilla Moriles.
📜 History of The Córdoba Guitar Festival
The Córdoba Guitar Festival was born in 1981 thanks to guitarist and composer Rafael Aguilar and the Córdoba City Council. The initial objective was to recover the city's guitar tradition, the cradle of great flamenco masters such as Paco de Lucía (although he was from Algeciras, he lived and created close ties with Córdoba) and of the famous "Granadina School" but with Cordoban roots. The first edition was modest, with barely a dozen concerts. However, success was immediate.
In the 80s, international figures such as Andrés Segovia, Narciso Yepes, John Williams and Paco Peña began to arrive. In the 90s, purer flamenco (Manolo Sanlúcar, Vicente Amigo, Tomatito) and an incursion into jazz and rock (Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin) were incorporated.
In 2000, the festival was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia. From 2010 onwards, it expanded to other heritage spaces, turning Córdoba into a large open-air stage. Today, the festival is one of the most important guitar events in the world, with more than 60 concerts per edition and visitors from more than 40 countries.
Its history is also linked to the recovery of flamenco guitar in peñas and conservatories. During the festival, courses, masterclasses and international guitar competitions are held, which have launched young talents.
The city's equestrian tradition, visible at the Royal Stables Equestrian Show, merges in some charity gala. Without a doubt, The Córdoba Guitar Festival is a source of pride for the city and a gift for the senses.
🏛️ Who organises The Córdoba Guitar Festival?
The organisation of The Córdoba Guitar Festival is carried out by the Córdoba City Council, through the Department of Culture and Historical Heritage, in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Córdoba, the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Andalusian Flamenco Institute. Private entities such as the Fosforito Flamenco Peña (in honour of the great Cordoban singer), the Córdoba Concert Society and the Gran Teatro de Córdoba also participate.
Artistic coordination usually falls to a prestigious musical director; for many years it was Rafael Aguilar, and in recent editions names such as Juan Miguel Moreno "El Perla" for flamenco, or classical guitarist Rafael Serrallet, appear.
The festival also has the support of the University of Córdoba and the Professional Music Conservatory Músico Ziryab. The Sun Places can advise you on the most exclusive concerts, arrange VIP tickets for you and offer you meetings with artists by appointment.
🍽️ Where to eat during The Córdoba Guitar Festival? Haute cuisine and the best tapas
During The Córdoba Guitar Festival, your palate also deserves a luxury experience. The Michelin-starred restaurants in Córdoba are three:
- Restaurante Noor (three stars, by chef Paco Morales), with unique Andalusian cuisine
- Choco (one star, by Kisko García), creative and exciting
- ReComiendo (one star, by Periko Ortega), constantly evolving cuisine
If you are looking for Bib Gourmand (quality at a good price), don't miss Terra Olea, Regadera, La Casa de Manolete Bistró, La Taberna de Almodóvar and El Envero.
For traditional and authentic tapas, the must-stop places are:
- Bodegas Mezquita, Taberna La Montillana, Bar Santos (the famous omelette), Casa Pepe de la Judería, Bodegas Campos and La Cazuela de la Espartería
- At Plaza de la Corredera, Taberna La Cuarta and La Despensa de la Corredera offer high-quality local products
🏅What The Córdoba Guitar Festival represents for Córdoba, Andalusia and The Sun Places
- For Córdoba, The Córdoba Guitar Festival is its most international cultural event, a showcase that proves that the city is much more than its Mosque (although that is wonderful). It is the pride of a flamenco and guitar tradition that can be breathed in every alley of the Jewish Quarter
- For Andalusia, it is one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe, comparable to those in Granada or Seville, but with a unique specialisation in the guitar
- For The Sun Places, this festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase our cultural luxury: staying in our apartments in the centre, attending concerts at the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs illuminated at night, strolling along the Calleja de las Flores at sunset, relaxing in the Arab baths of Córdoba before the final gala
Silversmithing Craftsmanship and leather in the Jewish Quarter complete the experience. Nothing less for a festival that was born with a spirit of brotherhood between cultures.
🎸 Venues, programme and stars at The Córdoba Guitar Festival
The programme of The Córdoba Guitar Festival includes classical guitar, flamenco, jazz, rock, bossa nova and world music.
Stars confirmed in recent years: Vicente Amigo, Tomatito, Niño Josele, Paco Peña, Rafael Serrallet, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Caetano Veloso, etc.
The most emblematic venues:
- The Gran Teatro (for the big names)
- The Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs (open-air concerts among cypresses and fountains)
- The Calleja de las Flores (intimate recitals with limited capacity, maximum 80 people)
- The courtyards of the Santa Marina neighbourhood and Sant Basilio (surprising experiences)
- The Plaza de la Corredera (free massive concerts). Additionally, there are "Guitars in the Squares", children's activities and lutherie exhibitions
The Sun Places advises you on choosing the most exclusive concerts and getting the best seats.
🏠 The perfect plan with The Sun Places for The Córdoba Guitar Festival
Enjoy the festival with our three-day luxury plan:
Friday:
- In the afternoon, a private guided tour of the Calleja de las Flores, the Jewish Quarter and the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs
- Dinner at Choco (one Michelin star). At night, opening concert at the Alcázar
Saturday:
- Subsequent dinner at Bodegas Campos with a tasting of Olive Oil and wines from Montilla-Moriles
Sunday:
- Free morning to buy Craftsmanship in the Jewish Quarter and tapas at Taberna La Montillana.
- In the afternoon, closing concert at the Gran Teatro.
📞 Contact The Sun Places and let us organise your experience at The Córdoba Guitar Festival. Music and luxury await you. ✨
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Apartments in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Apartments in Seville and much more.