The theaters in Córdoba are much more than simple stages: they are spaces where the city breathes art, music, and culture in all its forms. Tradition and modernity come together, offering everything from great classical performances to contemporary shows, concerts, and proposals for the whole family.
In this guide, we will tour the main theaters in Córdoba, discovering their history, their role within the city, and, of course, their updated programs so you know what to see during your visit. If you are planning your trip and want to explore the city comfortably, you may consider options such as hiring an all-inclusive car at Málaga Airport to move around without complications.
Get ready, because the curtain is about to rise and Córdoba has plenty to show you from its stages!
Table of Contents
History and theatrical tradition in Córdoba
The love for theaters in Córdoba goes way back.
As early as Roman times, the city had the impressive Roman theater of Córdoba, with a capacity for 15,000 people, where all kinds of shows were held: from comedies and tragedies to public celebrations. This archaeological site shows that theater has been, since antiquity, an essential part of social and cultural life in Córdoba’s capital.
Over the centuries, comedy courtyards and small spaces in convents and squares opened up, where works by Lope de Vega or Calderón were performed. Later, during the Baroque and Enlightenment periods, the city consolidated a stage tradition that led to the construction of halls such as the Teatro Duque de Rivas or the Gran Teatro, which are still a benchmark for the performing arts in the city today.
Currently, the city has a wide network of spaces: from the great stages of the Gran Teatro de Córdoba or La Axerquía to more alternative halls such as the Teatro Avanti or the Teatro Cómico, not forgetting historic theaters such as the Roman one or cultural spaces in neighborhoods like La Salle.
Main theaters in Córdoba
Gran Teatro de Córdoba
The Gran Teatro is the cultural heart of Córdoba’s capital and, without a doubt, one of the most important performance spaces in Andalusia. Inaugurated in 1873, it was designed by architect Amadeo Rodríguez and has since been a meeting point for lovers of the performing arts.
Throughout its history, it has undergone several renovations, the most important being the reopening in 1986 with a completely renewed interior adapted to current technical needs.
Its capacity exceeds 1,000 seats distributed across stalls, orchestra, boxes, and amphitheater. In addition, some of the city’s most important shows are held on this stage: opera, zarzuela, classical theater, dance, flamenco, and concerts at the Gran Teatro that attract audiences from all over Andalusia.
Program and schedule
The schedule of the Gran Teatro de Córdoba is one of the most complete in Andalusia. Each season is organized into cycles (classical theater, opera, symphonic music, flamenco, dance, contemporary theater) so that the audience can find what they like best. There are also family shows and innovative proposals that aim to attract new audiences.
- Location: Avenida del Gran Capitán, n 3, 14008, Córdoba.
- Website: https://teatrocordoba.es/recintos/gran-teatro/
- Phone: 957 48 06 44
- Capacity: approximately 1,000 people.
If you enjoy discovering special places, take advantage of your visit to the Gran Teatro to stroll along Avenida del Gran Capitán and its surroundings. You’ll find cafés, tapas bars to eat at, and bookstores perfect for completing a well-rounded cultural afternoon.
Teatro de la Axerquía
The Teatro de la Axerquía is a large open-air amphitheater inaugurated in 1965, with a capacity of more than 3,500 people.
It is located next to Parque Cruz Conde and is the epicenter of major summer concerts in Córdoba. Its semicircular design, inspired by classical theaters, makes it a spectacular place to enjoy concerts and festivals under the Cordoban sky.
The Teatro de la Axerquía is the main stage for concerts in Córdoba. Some of the city’s most prominent cultural events are held here, such as the Córdoba Guitar Festival, which brings together internationally renowned musicians every year, as well as major tours by national artists.
Throughout its history, this venue has hosted performances of very diverse styles: pop, rock, flamenco, indie, jazz, and even symphonic music.
Program and schedule
The schedule of the Teatro de la Axerquía is full of concerts at La Axerquía, festivals, and large-scale events.
Its busiest season takes place between spring and summer, although occasionally it also hosts shows at other times of the year.
- Location: Avenida Menéndez Pidal, n 1, 14004, Córdoba.
- Phone: 957 76 09 45
- Capacity: 3,500 people
Teatro Góngora
The Teatro Góngora opened its doors in 1932 as a cinema and, over the years, became one of the great cultural landmarks of Córdoba’s capital. Its name pays tribute to the Cordoban poet Luis de Góngora, a key figure of the Spanish Golden Age.
It is located in the very heart of the city, on Jesús y María Street, just a few steps from the Gran Teatro de Córdoba, making it a perfect complement within the network of theaters in the capital. After an important renovation in 2011, it once again shone brightly, adapted to current technical needs while preserving all its historical charm.
Although its capacity is smaller, with around 600 seats (though some official figures mention up to 1,500 in total distribution), this feature makes it an intimate and welcoming space, ideal for shows where closeness to the audience is essential.
Its programming focuses on contemporary theater, dance, chamber music, and smaller-scale shows, becoming a cultural reference for those seeking something different from what the Gran Teatro offers.
Program and schedule
On the Teatro Góngora schedule you’ll find alternative plays, contemporary dance, and cultural cycles. You can also purchase tickets directly from its official website or at the IMAE box office.
- Location: Calle Jesús y María, n 10, 14003, Córdoba.
- Phone: 957 48 02 92
- Capacity: 600 – 1,500 seats (depending on configuration)
If you love discovering new artistic proposals, this is your theater. After the show, take advantage of its central location to stroll around Plaza de las Tendillas or visit some of the imposing Cordoban palaces nearby.
Teatro Avanti
The Teatro Avanti is one of the most original and alternative cultural spaces in Córdoba’s capital.
Founded in the 1990s, it has established itself as a reference point for independent theater, the most authentic flamenco, monologues, and family-friendly proposals. Its philosophy focuses on giving visibility to both established artists and emerging companies, making it a meeting point for those seeking different shows.
Program and schedule
The schedule of the Teatro Avanti is available on its official website, where you can see the events and shows scheduled, as well as purchase tickets.
One of its strengths is its family and children’s programming: participatory plays, storytelling, puppetry, and educational shows that bring art closer to the little ones. Thanks to this, Avanti has become one of the most beloved venues for Cordoban families.
- Location: Calle María Auxiliadora, n 17, 14002, Córdoba.
- Phone: 957 49 11 66
- Capacity: approximately 300 seats
If you’re looking for a different plan in Córdoba, check out the children’s theater section at Avanti: many of its shows are designed for kids to participate and interact with the actors. A unique experience in Córdoba’s capital!
Teatro Cómico
The Teatro Cómico, also known as the Cómico Principal, is one of the most traditional theatrical spaces in Córdoba’s capital.
Although it does not have the magnitude of the Gran Teatro or La Axerquía, it plays a fundamental role in the city’s cultural life, especially as a platform supporting local companies, cultural groups, and associations.
What makes it special is precisely its popular character: it is not a theater for major productions, but a space where closeness and community can be felt. It is the ideal place for those who want to discover Cordoban talent and enjoy more accessible, family-friendly cultural proposals.
Program and schedule
The schedule of the Teatro Cómico Principal mainly includes community theater, activities by cultural associations, local festivals, and occasional music or dance performances.
Although its programming is not as constant as that of other theaters in Córdoba, it is worth keeping an eye on its agenda to discover unexpected gems.
- Location: Calle Ambrosio de Morales, 14003, Córdoba.
- Phone: 957 01 53 00
- Capacity: approximately 300 seats
If you visit the Teatro Cómico, take advantage of its location to explore the Jewish Quarter and the Mezquita-Catedral, which are just a few minutes’ walk away. A perfect plan to combine culture and heritage in the same day.
Roman Theater of Córdoba
The Roman theater of Córdoba was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and at its peak it was one of the largest in the entire Roman Empire in Hispania, with an estimated capacity of about 15,000 spectators. Its size places it at the level of great venues such as those of Mérida or Cartagena, giving an idea of the importance that the city of Corduba had at that time.
The remains of the theater are now integrated into the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba, allowing visitors not only to contemplate its preserved structures but also to contextualize the cultural and social life of the Roman city.
This space is a unique archaeological gem that connects the present with the splendor of the past. In addition to guided tours, the Roman theater has become the stage for occasional cultural events, especially in summer.
Among them are classical theatrical performances, intimate concerts, and festivals that seek to revive the spirit of Roman Córdoba. Experiencing a show here, surrounded by millennia-old stones, is something one hardly forgets.
Program and schedule
Although it does not have a regular schedule like the Gran Teatro or La Axerquía, the Roman theater of Córdoba hosts occasional activities, especially in summer.
- Location: Calle Ambrosio de Morales, 14003, Córdoba.
- Phone: 957 01 53 00
- Capacity: depending on the production
Other theaters in Córdoba
In addition to the major venues we’ve reviewed, Córdoba’s capital also has other performance spaces that are part of its cultural life. Some examples include:
- Teatro El Brillante, located in the northern part of the city, which hosts local shows and neighborhood cultural activities.
- Teatro Duque de Rivas, a historic space closely linked to classical theater and Cordoban stage tradition, where the artists are often students from Córdoba’s Official School of Dramatic Art (ESAD).
Although they don’t have the international projection of the Gran Teatro or La Axerquía, these venues complete the city’s cultural offering and reflect the diversity of proposals you can enjoy in Córdoba.
Map of the theaters in Córdoba
So you don’t get lost among so many streets and names, here’s a map showing the location of the main theaters in Córdoba we’ve covered in this post: the Gran Teatro, the Teatro de la Axerquía, and the Teatro Góngora (as well as others like Avanti, Cómico, and the Roman Theater).
Getting here from Málaga is really comfortable and quick. If you prefer to travel by car, you can take the A-45 and arrive in about 2 hours, enjoying the scenery along the way. On the other hand, if you opt for the AVE high-speed train, the journey is reduced to barely 1 hour and you avoid any parking-related worries, making it a practical and stress-free option.
