zuheros que ver what to see que voir cosa vedere

What to see in Zuheros a wonderful white village in Cordoba

The essential things to see and do in Zuheros


In this article you’ll find all the information you need to see the highlights of Zuheros:

  • A few words about Zuheros
  • Where is Zuheros on the map?
  • What to see in Zuheros?
  • What to do in the province of Córdoba
  • Book accommodation
  • Ferias in Zuheros
  • What to do around Zuheros
  • Where can I park in Zuheros?
  • Where to eat in Zuheros?
  • Useful links
  • Continuing your trip to Andalucia

what to see in zuheros


A few words about Zuheros


Zuheros is a small white village in the south-east of the province of Cordoba, in the famous Subbética Cordobesa region.

Thanks to its excellent state of conservation, this delightful white Cordoban village was declared a historic and artistic site in 2003.

And since 2016, it has been part of the network of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain – Pueblos más bonitos de España –.


A brief history of Zuheros under al-Andalus


Zuheros was founded by the Arabs in the 9th century. An Arab tribe, the Banu-Himsi, settled here. The village was given the name Sujayra. The Arabic name of the village is directly linked to the nearby cliffs.


que ver en zuheros pueblo y canon del rio bailon antigua Sujayra


During the Caliphate of Cordoba, Sujayra became part of the Cora of Elvira (later Garnata, which later became Granada). The village was located on one of the most important routes of the period, between Córdoba and Granada.

Sujayra was conquered by Ferdinand III on 14 May 1241. The name Sujayra was then Spanishised to Zuheros.


Where is Zuheros on the map?



What to see in Zuheros


1 – The castle

2 – Village park with hanging bridge

3 – Plaza de la Paz (Peace Square)

4 – Zuheros Archaeological Museum

5 – Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios

6 – Cueva de los Murcielagos (Bats Cave)

7 – Cueva de los Murciélagos Ecomuseum

8 – Calle Fotógrafo José Jiménez Poyato

9 – Viewpoint of the Cañón del río Bailón

10 – Viewpoint of the Villa

11 – Viewpoint of the Escominillas

12 – Museum of Popular Customs and Arts

13 – Bailon River Trail

14 – Iberfauna Subbetica Centre

15 – Sierras Subbéticas Nature Reserve and Geopark

16 – Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro oil mill


1 – Zuheros Castle a must-see in Zuheros


The castle is the main monument in Zuheros. Its construction dates back to the end of the 9th century, when the village was known as Sujayra.

Under the Caliphate of Córdoba, Zuheros Castle was located within a small fortified village comprising 30 houses, a mosque and a number of towers.


zuheros que voir le chateau


After the conquest by Catholic troops in 1240, the local inhabitants had to give up the castle but were allowed to stay and keep their houses and their religion. They then became known as the Mudejars.

In the 15th century, the castle was converted into a Renaissance palace by the Lords of Zuheros. In the 18th century, it became the property of the Marquises of Algarinejo. They never lived there and the castle fell into ruin.

The castle was restored in 1960.


what to see in zuheros visit zuheros castle tower stairs


Visit the Zuheros castle :


  • price: €4
  • open: Wednesday to Sunday

The views – over the valley, the canyon and the village – from the top of the castle are simply breathtaking.


que voir a zuheros visite du chateau et vue sur les environs


2 – Village park with hanging bridge


Just below the castle is a pretty little park for a stroll. A walkway with footbridges, the hanging bridge and viewpoints surrounds the lower part of the village.

Here’s a link to the exact location.


3 – Plaza de la Paz (Peace Square)


This Plaza de la Paz is the main square in Zuheros. It lies at the foot of the castle, and the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, the archaeological museum and the tourist office are also located here.


zuheros que ver plaza de la paz cartel pueblos mas bonitos de espana


You can also see this plaque, above, which refers to Zuheros as one of the ‘Pueblos mas bonitos de España’.


4 – Zuheros Archaeological Museum


zuheros que voir musee archeologique


This is a small but very interesting museum. You can see remains from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic (including remains of ceramics found in the bat cave), Copper Age and Bronze Age.


que ver en zuheros museo archeologico


Finally, there are also remains from the Roman era, such as the dice game in the photo, and a sarcophagus at the entrance to the museum.


5 – Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios


zuheros que ver iglesia nuestra senora de los remedios


This church was built in the 16th century.

It has a curious feature: the bell on the façade – just above the clock – came from the castle. It was ‘transferred’ in 1960.


que ver en zuheros iglesia de los remedios


6 – Cueva de los Murcielagos, a must-see cave in Zuheros


The Bats Cave – Cueva de los Murciélagos – is located in the heart of the Sierras Subbéticas Geopark, around 4 kilometres from the town centre.


que voir a zuheros grotte des chauve souris cueva murcielagos


This cave is an absolute marvel to visit, as the whole time you feel like you’re descending into the bowels of the earth, and what’s more, you can see bats flying around!

It has been declared a natural monument by the Junta de Andalucía. It is the largest cave in Cordoba.


cueva de los murcielagos en zuheros


Here are some figures on the Cueva de los Murcielagos:

  • The cave is 976 metres above sea level!
  • 3.3 km of pathway, 415 metres of which is open to the public
  • the cave is 85 metres deep, with visitors able to descend to a depth of 65 metres
  • 700 steps, about half of which are downhill
  • 4 species of bat live inside the cave

zuheros visit bat cave visitar cueva de los murcielagos


During your visit, you’ll pass by the cave’s most famous structure : the asparagus!


This is the name given to a 4-metre-high stalagmite. It grows at a rate of around 1cm every … 100 years.

It’s very curious because this stalagmite is formed by the drip of a stalactite only 10 cm high, which lies above the stalagmite.


NB 1: You are not allowed to take photos in the cave. You can only take pictures at the very beginning. I recommend that you wear trainers and a sweatshirt or jumper, even in summer!


what to see in zuheros bat cave cueva murcielagos


NB 2: if you like visiting caves, here are 2 others to check out: the Cueva del Tesoro in Rincon de la Victoria – the only cave of marine origin in Europe, and the Nerja Cave, which is truly magnificent!


7 – Cueva de los Murciélagos Ecomuseum


This eco-museum is located near the car park on the way to the cave. There’s a lot to learn in this small area dedicated to the Cueva de los Murcielagos, declared as a BIC (Site of Cultural Interest). Both the cave and the eco-museum are located in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park.


8- Fotógrafo José Jiménez Poyato Street


This is one of the most beautiful streets in Zuheros.


zuheros what to see fotografo jose jimenez poyato street


A narrow street full of flower pots.


9 – Mirador del Cañón del río Bailón


This viewpoint high above Zuheros offers magnificent views of the canyon of the same name.


visit zuheros what to see canyon rio bailon viewpoint


10 – Mirador de la Villa


This Villa viewpoint offers magnificent views of the Cara de los Tajos del Bailón and the castle.


zuheros que ver vista castillo desde mirador de la villa


It is located at the end of a small street, and the entrance looks surprisingly like the front door of a house:


zuheros cosa vedere mirador de la villa


11 – Mirador de las Escominillas


It is located not far from calle Fotógrafo José Jiménez Poyato…. and offers a different view of the village and the canyon of the River Bailón.


zuheros cosa vedere mirador de las escominillas


12 – Museum of Popular Customs and Arts


This museum, with its 3,000 exhibits, is a great place to learn about the traditions and customs of Zuheros.


zuheros que ver museo de costumbres y artes populares


It recreates the economic and social lifestyle of Zuheros and the surrounding region from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century.


13 – Bailon River Trail


Here’s a great idea for a hike: the Bailon River Trail.

You’ll pass a number of remains, including a era de trilla , a wheat threshing floor – pictured below:


zuheros que ver sendero rio bailon era de trilla


14 – Centre Iberfauna Subbetica


The Iberfauna Subberica centre, 2km from the village, is an environmental education centre open to all. It is located on the road between the village and the famous cave.


cosa vedere a zuheros centro iberfauna


Iberian wolves, foxes, birds of prey and countless other species await you in this curious park.


15 – Sierras Subbéticas Nature Reserve and Geopark


The Sierras Subbéticas Park, covering around 32,000 hectares, was declared a Nature Park in 1988. Zuheros is an excellent starting point for hiking enthusiasts.

This nature reserve was recognised by UNESCO as a geopark in 2006. It is also part of the European Geoparks network.

To find out more about the history of this park and for those who want to explore it, here’s the link (document in Spanish).


16 – Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro oil mill


This oil mill is located just below the village: Carretera de Luque a Doña Mencía.

The olive oil produced here, Zuheroliva, is of very high quality. You can buy it directly from the cooperative and take home a nice souvenir. Generally speaking, Subbética olive oils have an excellent reputation.


What to do in the province of Cordoba


Below you will find the excursions and activities on offer in the province of Cordoba.

You can also book them online today (with free cancellation):


 


Book accommodation


Below you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Zuheros and the surrounding area, once you have selected your dates:


 


Ferias de Zuheros


The Feria de Zuheros in August


feria y fiesta de zuheros 2024 agosto


The Cheese Festival – Fiesta del Queso – in September


zuheros fiesta del queso 2024


This cheese festival can also be the ideal time to discover this beautiful white village in the province of Córdoba.


The festivities are very festive, and you can sample a wide range of cheeses, many of which have won prizes in national and international competitions.


Here’s a link to find out more about the Fiesta del Queso de Zuheros (link under construction).


What to see and do around Zuheros?


There are some fabulous sites to discover in the Zuheros area. Here are 3 ideas for visits fairly close to Zuheros.


Rute and its 7 gastronomic museums!


rute que ver museo del anis museos gastronomicos


Here’s a link to Rute and its famous gastronomic museums. (link under construction)


Iznajar


iznajar que voir que ver what to see cosa vedere hermandad de los apostoles


This is a small town in the province of Cordoba, very close to Rute, with a beautiful centre. The area around Iznajar offers exceptional views.


Montefrio


If you’re heading towards Granada from Zuheros, here’s a white village that’s a must-see.

Montefrío is known as the last frontier of al-Andalus. For your information, National Geographic magazine has listed Montefrío as one of the 10 villages with the most beautiful views in the world!


what to see in montefrio spain national geographic


Here’s the link if you’d like to visit Montefrio.


Where can I park in Zuheros?


As in most white villages, parking can be tricky.

Here are the two small car parks you should use to find a space more easily: the car park next to the Bailón bridge and the car park in Calle Santo.


Where to eat in Zuheros?


There are several options for a good lunch in Zuheros. Here are three of them:


Hotel Zuhaira restaurant


In the restaurant, located in Calle Mirador, 10, you’ll find a lovely terrace for lunch.


Mesón Atalaya


zuheros donde comer meson atalaya


This establishment, Mesón Atalaya, at Calle Santo, 58, is also well known.


Los Balanchares Cheese Factory


This cheese dairy opened in 1995 and quickly became a firm favourite. It is located just a few kilometres from the village. These master cheesemakers make their cheeses according to traditional recipes. What’s more, the milk is supplied by small farms located in the Sierra Subbética Natural Geopark.

Here’s a link to the exact location.


Here you can buy cheeses and taste them in the best possible way…. The Los Balanchares cheese factory also doubles up as a restaurant 🙂.


Some ideas and useful links


The links below can be very useful depending on where you are staying and what you need to do to have a wonderful time in Andalucia.






Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalucia blog pages.


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