Córdoba province is actively courting German tourists, seeking to solidify its position as a year-round destination beyond traditional sun-and-beach offerings. Officials are promoting the region’s castles and cultural experiences at the ITB Berlin trade show this week, hoping to capitalize on a growing trend of German visitors seeking immersive travel.
The Diputación de Córdoba, through its Provincial Tourism Board, is attending the International Tourism Fair in Berlin (ITB) from March 3 to 5, with the goal of bolstering tourism from Germany – currently the fastest-growing market among foreign visitors. According to data released by the province, visits from German tourists have increased by 4.7%.
“We want to strengthen the province as an inland tourism destination internationally,” said Salvador Fuentes, president of the Diputación de Córdoba. He emphasized the appeal of Córdoba to German travelers, noting their higher spending habits. “A German visitor has a high purchasing power, with a daily expenditure exceeding 150 euros per person and an average stay of 9 days.”
Fuentes also highlighted that German tourists are less reliant on seasonal weather patterns. “They don’t just look for sun and beach, but also opt for multi-day family experiences,” he said.
The province is showcasing its “Castle Love” initiative at the ITB Berlin, a new program designed to promote the region’s historic castles and offer curated travel routes. The Diputación has launched nine two-day routes, each including castle entry, locally-sourced meals, guided tours, and accommodation. These routes explore different areas of the province, including the Subbética region and along the Guadalquivir River.
A total of 23 castles are featured in the routes, with 11 newly added to the existing “Castle Love” project. The routes include ‘Entre fortalezas y atalayas en la Subbética’ (Between Fortresses and Watchtowers in the Subbética), ‘Castillos del Guadajoz y Roma Viva’ (Castles of the Guadajoz and Living Rome), and ‘Herencia del Gran Capitán’ (The Legacy of the Great Captain).
Alongside the castle routes, the province is also promoting 13 tourism experiences, ranging from 4 to 6 hours in length, centered around castles in municipalities like Iznájar, Belalcázar, and Zuheros.
Fuentes underscored the importance of Córdoba’s connectivity to Málaga Airport, which received over one million German tourists last year. “The connectivity is key,” he said, noting that Andalusia as a whole received 1.2 million German tourists in 2025, a 5% increase from the previous year.
Córdoba province also boasts a diverse range of attractions, including excellent gastronomy, a rich cultural and natural heritage, and a wide cultural offering, according to provincial officials.
The Diputación was joined at the fair by local companies, including Andalucía BirdLand, an ecotourism operator in the Sierra Morena region. Fuentes met with the company’s CEO, Agustín Pérez, and noted the increasing interest from German tourists in nature-based and gastronomic experiences, which can elevate average spending to over 200 euros.
“Our presence at this fair is important, as, along with the events in Madrid and London, it is one of the most important in the sector worldwide, where a very important flow of tour operators and travel agencies takes place,” Fuentes concluded.
