Though primarily known for its stadium, this busy neighbourhood also has a wide variety of green spaces perfect for relaxation and recreation.

Once an open plain on the banks of the Guadalquivir, Vista Alegre is now one of Córdoba’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Here the people of the area once grouped together to play sports and get exercise. This healthy spirit still pervades the neighbourhood, which has many sports clubs and green spaces as well as interesting historical architecture. Walk around or raise your heart rate with a run or a swim.

Begin your tour of the neighbourhood at its centerpiece, the Palacio Municipal De Deportes Vista Alegre, an enormous stadium from the 1990s that is the city’s largest enclosed area. Watch a concert or sports game from the comfortable seats alongside 3,500 other sports and music fans. Play sports in the same building or go to the adjacent swimming complex where some of Spain’s best competitors have trained.

Walk east to the Avenue of the Conde de Vallellano, which is lined with gardens and trees that make it perfect for a long stroll. Follow it south to the 19th-century Cementerio Nuestra Señora de la Salud, ironically named for “Our Lady of Health,” filled with the tombs and mausoleums of Córdoba’s leading families.

Continuing south, wander amid the manicured natural area of the Parque Cruz Conde, which was once a pre-Roman settlement. Head north to the Plaza de la Constitución, a leafy green space perfect for planning a day’s adventure or resting between activities.

Vista Alegre is southwest of central Córdoba, not far from Guadalquivir. Drive here in 5 minutes from the main train station or walk in 20 minutes. Bus service connects Vista Alegre to other parts of the city. Parking is available in several garages nearby, mostly set up to serve the stadium. Drive to Córdoba in 2 hours from the closest large airport in Málaga.

Join a pick-up soccer game to celebrate the history of the Vista Alegre neighbourhood, where “chiquellería” soccer was popularized.