Montilla

Why visit Montilla

Montilla rises on gentle hills in the south of Córdoba province, surrounded by the vineyards of the Montilla-Moriles designation of origin. Its wines are aged in solera systems much like sherry, but the hot inland climate lets the Pedro Ximénez grape ripen fully, so the dry finos are naturally strong and the sweet PX is among the best in Spain. Wine shapes the town's calendar, its architecture of cool whitewashed bodegas and its food. Montilla suits wine lovers, travellers on the way between Córdoba and Granada, and anyone looking for an easy, authentic town with little tourist pressure.

What to see and do in Montilla

Visiting a bodega is the main reason to come. Bodegas Alvear, founded in the eighteenth century, and Pérez Barquero both offer tours through their cellars of oak butts, followed by tastings from bone-dry fino to treacly old PX. In town, the house of the chronicler known as El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega is now a museum, and the parish church of Santiago and the convent of Santa Clara are worth a look. The hill once crowned by the castle of the Fernández de Córdoba family gives views over the vines. Nearby villages such as Moriles, Aguilar de la Frontera with its octagonal square, and Montemayor with its castle, make short drives. Guided tours of Andalucía stop here for a wine experience on the way from Córdoba.

A day in Montilla

Book a late-morning bodega tour and tasting, then have lunch in a traditional restaurant with dishes cooked in fino. In the afternoon, visit the house of El Inca Garcilaso and stroll the old streets around the parish church. Before dinner, drive out to the vineyards for sunset, or continue to Aguilar de la Frontera to see its octagonal square.

Food and local life

Montilla's restaurants cook with its wine: try kidneys or meatballs in fino sauce, salmorejo, flamenquín and seasonal stews, with a sweet PX poured over ice cream for dessert. Las Camachas, an old roadside inn, is a local institution. In late August and September, the Fiesta de la Vendimia celebrates the harvest with grape treading, tastings and music.

Around Montilla

Montilla leads the Campiña Sur Cordobesa, a comarca of vineyards, olive groves and castle-topped towns. Moriles shares the wine designation, Montemayor has the castle of Dos Hermanas, and the Roman villa of Fuente Álamo near Puente Genil displays fine mosaics. The Laguna de Zóñar near Aguilar is a haven for waterbirds, and Córdoba is 40 minutes away.

See every town and village on the Campiña Sur Cordobesa page.

Getting there and around

Montilla is in the Campiña Sur Cordobesa comarca, about 45 km south of Córdoba, roughly 40 minutes by car on the road towards Granada and Málaga. Buses run from Córdoba, but a car makes bodega visits and nearby villages easier. Book cellar tours in advance, especially at weekends. Spring and the autumn harvest are the most pleasant seasons.