Subbética
Baroque, caves, olive oil and a natural park in the south of the province.
Key points
- The Subbética is the area in the south of the province: Priego de Córdoba, Cabra, Lucena, Zuheros, Rute, Iznájar, Luque and Carcabuey, among 14 municipalities.
- It has a natural park, the Sierras Subbéticas, with limestone peaks, caves and canyons.
- Priego de Córdoba holds one of the most beautiful baroque ensembles in Andalusia.
- The Subbética Greenway runs through the area among olive groves on the former Olive Oil Train.
Priego de Córdoba
The "city of the baroque" gathers within a few metres the Fuente del Rey (with the Fuente de la Salud), the Balcón del Adarve, the Villa quarter with its white streets and flowerpots, and the parish church of the Asunción with its Sagrario. It is the essential stop of the area and is best enjoyed on foot. Its oil has its own designation of origin.
Zuheros
A white village hanging from a crag beneath an Andalusi castle, beside the Bailón river canyon. The Cueva de los Murciélagos (Bat Cave), visited with a guide, shows stalactites and prehistoric remains. From the village there are trails through the canyon. Goat's cheese is the local product.
More villages
- CabraSanctuary of the Virgen de la Sierra, old town and mountain walks.
- LucenaThe "Pearl of Sepharad", with an important Jewish past and the Moral castle.
- LuqueA castle on a rock and a setting of olive groves and mountains.
- IznájarA white village above the reservoir, one of the largest in Andalusia.
- RuteFamous for its anise liqueur and its Christmas mantecados and turrones.
- Almedinilla and CarcabueyThe Roman villa of El Ruedo and the Iberian settlement of Cerro de la Cruz; Carcabuey is a gateway to the natural park.
Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park
A massif of limestone mountains, with the Tiñosa (1,570 m) as the highest peak in the province. There are routes for all levels, caves, lagoons and viewpoints. More details in natural parks and green areas.
Subbética Greenway
The Olive Oil Train, a railway closed in 1985, is today a path for walking and cycling among olive groves, with viaducts, a tunnel and old stations. More in tourist routes.
Getting there
Cabra and Lucena are about 72 km from Córdoba, Zuheros about 75 and Priego about 94. With one day, pair Priego and Zuheros; with two, add Cabra, Lucena and the Greenway. See also the wines and oils of the area.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in the Subbética in a day?
With one day, Priego de Córdoba (Fuente del Rey and Villa quarter) and Zuheros (castle and cave) are the best pairing.