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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can also see this plaque, above, which refers to Zuheros as one of the ‘Pueblos mas bonitos de España’.
4 – Zuheros Archaeological Museum
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
10 – Mirador de la Villa
This Villa viewpoint offers magnificent views of the Cara de los Tajos del Bailón and the castle.
It is located at the end of a small street, and the entrance looks surprisingly like the front door of a house:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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
The Cheese Festival – Fiesta del Queso – in September
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!
Here’s a link to Rute and its famous gastronomic museums. (link under construction)
Iznajar
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!
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
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.
- An interactive map of Andalucia to find lots of ideas for visits around you, off the beaten track.
- link to book a rental car at Malaga airport.
- link to book a rental car anywhere else in Andalucia with the rentalcars platform.
- If you’re on the Costa del Sol and looking for ideas for excursions in Andalucia, you can use the following link to book a tour departing from Málaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.
Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalucia blog pages.
Here is the link to receive our blog newsletter.
