Free walking tours in Rute and what to see

Must-sees

Rute lies in the south-east of the province of Córdoba, at the foot of the Sierra de Rute and within the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park. The town is divided into the Barrio Alto and the Barrio Bajo. In the lower part is the parish church of Santa Catalina, dating back to the 15th century. In the upper part, the Plaza de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza is the heart of the neighbourhood, with the church of San Francisco de Asís, which began as a chapel, became a Franciscan convent in the 18th century and stands out for its main chapel and dome. The Paseo de Francisco Salto, an early 20th-century garden, is the place to sit in the shade.

Rute is known for its aguardientes and anise liqueurs. The Anise Museum, in the oldest part of an early 20th-century distillery, displays stills, old labels and the history of the drink. Outside town, on top of El Hacho, stands the Torre del Canuto, a 14th-century Moorish tower, and part of the Iznájar reservoir lies within the municipality.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Rute. The usual plan is to explore both neighbourhoods on your own and visit the Anise Museum or one of the distilleries and local produce shops. The tourist office can tell you about routes in the hills. From Córdoba there are day trips through the Subbética that pass through the area.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the town and the museum. If you want to climb to the Torre del Canuto or walk in the Sierra de Rute, set aside a full day and wear hiking boots. With two days you can add the Iznájar reservoir and a nearby Subbética village such as Priego de Córdoba or Iznájar.

Where to stay

Rute has guesthouses, small hotels and rural houses, spread between the centre and the upper town. If you prefer the countryside, the hamlets and farmhouses in the municipality, near the Iznájar reservoir, offer rural houses with views of the water. For more choice, Lucena, Iznájar and Priego de Córdoba are a short drive away.