Córdoba, Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2027
On 28 November 2025, the Foreign Ministers meeting within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) officially designated Córdoba (Spain) and Sidon (Lebanon) as the 2027 Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue, in an initiative coordinated with the Anna Lindh Foundation.
For Córdoba, this designation goes far beyond symbolic recognition: it constitutes a strategic roadmap for consolidating the city’s position as a destination for high-value cultural and responsible tourism. With four UNESCO World Heritage inscriptions —the Mosque-Cathedral, the historic centre, Medina Azahara and the Fiesta de los Patios—, the city brings together Roman, Jewish, Islamic and Christian legacies within a compact urban space that embodies the spirit of Mediterranean convivence.
The candidature is based on a values-driven model of tourism, inspired by the TRES project and the 2007 Córdoba Declaration. This model places local communities at the centre of the value chain, promotes fair trade, prioritises local gastronomy, crafts, family-run accommodation and neighbourhood-based experiences, and fosters balanced relationships between residents and visitors. For tourism professionals, this translates into more distinctive offerings, stronger visitor loyalty and a solid reputation as a responsible destination.
The Mediterranean Capital framework also strengthens Córdoba’s ability to attract high-value segments: cultural travellers, Euro-Mediterranean dialogue initiatives, academic exchanges, conferences, professional gatherings and major international events. Routes such as the Mozarabic Camino de Santiago, as well as other Andalusi, Jewish and Christian itineraries, zero-kilometre gastronomy, and experiences linked to traditional music and crafts open up broad opportunities for collaboration for agencies, tour operators and destination management companies.
This designation is part of an already active Mediterranean network —the Red de Juderías, institutions linked to the Legado Andalusí— as well as projects such as the Córdoba Forum, World Convivence Forum, which will cooperate with Sidon through “mirror” events and shared intercultural projects.
At the same time, Córdoba assumes the challenge of managing its success: preventing overcrowding, protecting quality of life, and advancing in digitalisation, artificial intelligence and participatory governance. The goal is to transform an exceptional heritage into a sustainable competitive advantage and to make Córdoba a living force of convivence, culture and dialogue in the Mediterranean.
