10 Essentials: what to see and do in Iznajar (Córdoba)

Surely you have the image of the city ​​of cordoba with their patios full of flowers, which reaches its greatest splendor during the month of May.

For this reason, you will not be surprised to learn that in the province there is a town that has precisely in its squares and patios decorated with flowers one of its main attractions.

Specifically I am referring to Iznájar, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful towns in the province of Córdoba and also of all Andalusia.

We have precisely had the opportunity to visit Iznájar in the month of Mayduring the celebration of his Balcony Festival, time in which this Cordoba town It shows us its most flowery image, which to a greater or lesser extent is maintained throughout the year.

The first thing that will catch your eye Iznajar is its very special geographical location, on the banks of the largest reservoir in Andalusia formed by the waters of the Genil River and other small tributaries.

Curiosities history of Iznájar in Córdoba

La history of Iznájar It dates back to the 8th century, when the Arabs established a citadel and the area became a Caliphate, and then in the 11th century, in a Taifa Kingdom.

In the 13th century, Iznajar was conquered by the Christian king Ferdinand VI, although it remained in a border area.

At the end of the 15th century, when the Reconquest, Iznájar became part of the Kingdom of Granada and became a strategic place Camino Real that went from Seville to Castilla.

With a current population of about 4.000 inhabitants in the municipality, including its various villages, it is located one hour from the cities of Málaga, Granada, and Córdoba.

Due to its special charm and its location very close to the coastal areas of Malaga and Granada, you will not be surprised to know that, currently, there is 15 percent of foreign residents, mostly British.

Also keep in mind that after the city of Córdoba, Iznajar It is the town in the province with the largest touristic offer, which includes 1.400 beds between hotels and rural houses.

In addition, throughout the year it has a wide cultural activities program during the weekends, which makes Iznajar in a very attractive place to get away.

What the Iznájar Reservoir is like, the Lake of Andalusia

A key moment in the history of Iznajar was the construction in 1969 of its large reservoir.

La hilltop location Crowned by the old castle, and surrounded by the waters of the reservoir, it forms the most characteristic image of this beautiful Cordoba town.

Known as the Andalusia lake, Embalse It supplies 200.000 people and 80.000 hectares of irrigated land.

When it was built, it became the third largest reservoir in Spain and, currently, it is the tenth in size.

It has a 130 meter high dam, although in 1930 there was a project to build a 382-meter-high dam, which was not carried out.

La filling medium of the Iznájar Reservoir In the last 20 years it is 60 percent, and it has only been completely filled in 1978 and 2010.

Currently, the Iznájar Reservoir has 40 percent of its capacity.

Valdearenas in Iznájar Reservoir

From the history of the reservoir and the Genil River you have all the information during the visit of the Interpretation Center which is near the beach area,

Known as Valdearenas place, it is a large sandy area on the banks of the reservoir that is open to visitors in summer.

Boat trip through the Reservoir

In addition to enjoying the aforementioned beach, an activity that you can do during your visit of Iznájar is a boat ride on the reservoir.

With a duration of an hour and a quarter, you will tour the most interesting corners of it, with the possibility of bird watching.

El price of this activity is 12 euros for adults and 9 euros for children.

The best things to see and do when visiting Iznájar

Tu visit of Iznájar will focus on a walk through the different viewpoints with views of the reservoir, and as you go up to the old medieval enclosure where the castle is located, you will see the most beautiful squares and corners for their floral decoration.

Best viewpoints in Iznájar

So, for example, you have the Three Crosses viewpoint, although you have one of the best views of the reservoir from the viewpoint of the Cross of San Pedro, from where you also have a good panoramic view of the castle.

From this place you will also see an old four-arch bridge that is covered with water when the level of the swamp rises.

Also in that area of ​​the town you can see some cave houses located in the Rock neighborhood, at the foot of the castle, whose tradition dates back to the time of the Neolithic.

Tower Square 

Very close you will find one of the most beautiful corners of Iznájar, Tower Square, whose neighbors are in charge throughout the year of maintaining the floral decoration with more than 300 pots located on its walls and corners.

This decoration creates a beautiful panorama in which the castle is framed among the flowers.

As you head towards the castle, it is also worth approaching the city ​​hall headquarters building, whose patio also has a pretty floral decoration.

Courtyard of Comedies 

And right at the access door to the old medieval walled enclosure, inside which is the castle and the church of Santiago Apóstol, you arrive at Courtyard of Comedies, the corner with the most emblematic image of Iznájar.

This is how another square is known that is also completely decorated with flowers, an essential corner to know and that is also worth visiting in a night walk to see its lighting.

Next to this square is what is known as Kiss Corner, gazebo at the foot of a tower of the old medieval wall, with views towards the reservoir, which has become a landmark for instagramers.

Hisn-Ashar Castle 

Finally you will reach the Hisn-Ashar castle, whose construction dates back to the middle of the 8th century, although it has had various extensions until the 15th century.

After a major restoration completed in 2008, in your visit of Iznájar castle you can walk along its walls, from where you have the best panoramic views of the reservoir and the surroundings of the town.

You will also visit a room that occupies the space of the Christian church that was built on the premises, and the Stables Room with an exhibition of trades of the time and artisanal pieces, as well as access to one of the dungeons.

Also noteworthy in the center of the Parade you can go down to one of the cisterns largest of the time, which is in a very good state of conservation.

In the tower of tribute you will see a corner dedicated to Rafael Alberti, poet who visited Iznajar in the 20s, and in which it is remembered that in this tower he was inspired to write his book The lost grove.

Also between the castle and the aforementioned church of Santiago Apóstol is the Raphael Alberti square, where you can see a plaque showing the poem that the poet wrote in said work dedicated to the aforementioned Iznájar tower.

Activities to do in Iznájar

Your stay in Iznajar you can complete it with some gastronomic activities.

On your visit to the town of Cordoba you will see that it is surrounded by olive tree landscapes, so you will have the opportunity to participate in some oil tourism activity.

Oil tourism activities

Specifically you can visit one of the olive groves that surround the town and a oil press with the agency EVA a coming.

La ideal time to make this tourist visit It is from the end of October to the end of March, and during it you will walk through a farm with different varieties of olive trees, among which stand out white leaf y weevil.

There you will learn that the harvesting of olive trees in this area of ​​the province of Córdoba cannot be done with large machinery, or that an olive tree that is about 70 years old has a production of 100 kg with a harvest every two years.

If what you really want is to make a oil tasting, you can find this activity in Grinding, a former family residence in the center of town that has now been converted into a cultural, gastronomic space and museum.

In addition to the oil tasting, from the production of its olive grove with centuries-old olive trees of various varieties, in Grinding you also find a store where you can buy gastronomic products from Córdoba, such as honey, craft beer, organic vermouth or the aforementioned oil.

Visit a cheese factory 

In the vicinity of Iznájar you can also visit a cheese factory.

This is the La Celad Cheese Factorya, a farm with 400 goats, where you can sign up for a activity to learn how to make cheese.

In this cheese factory, fresh and cured goat cheese only with natural rennet milk.

The activity is ideal for groups of friends and families, and with a duration of up to 4 hours, it has a price of 10 euros per person.

Where to sleep in Iznájar

As we have commented, Iznajar It has a wide range of hotel beds, allowing you to choose the type of establishment you prefer for your getaway.

So you have places on the outskirts of town, like the Iznájar hamlet, with views of the town and the reservoir and with a comforting pool, or Iznajar Suites, also on the banks of the reservoir.

And now in the historic center, we can recommend two charming rural housesas Villa Moana, which shows a delicious decoration, and The Jars, recently opened, both with a pleasant outdoor patio to enjoy views of the town during breakfast.

Where to eat in Iznájar

As for food, we highlight two recommended places based on our experience, what they are like Grandma Maria, in the center of town, and Casa Juani, in the outer area on the banks of the reservoir.

There you can taste the most typical preparations of Cordoba gastronomy.

Map: how to get to Iznájar in Córdoba

Iznajar It is located an hour and a quarter away south of the city of Córdoba already an hour north of the city of Malaga.