Photo Post of Carmona: The Perfect Little Day Trip from Seville

Nothing says long weekend like a roadtrip, a quick stop in a village and the mass migration of people during the sacred puente. Not wanting to go too far, I settled on taking a day trip to Carmona, one of the province highlights that is often shadowed by Seville (even though, in my opinion, the province doesn’t offer too much by way of historical sites). 

Rain was on the forecast, but it didn’t matter – Phyllis and I grabbed Pequeño Monty and took the A-4 all the way into town. My first trip to Carmona was five years ago on a similar, drizzly morning – I’ve been aching to return since (particularly because that was one of my poorest points of expat life – we didn’t pay to see anything and split two plates of food between five of us).

Most visitors to the city arrive to the Plaza del Estatuto, known to locals as the Plaza de Abajo. The oblong plaza is lined with old man bars. I swooned immediately.

This small city, perched on a hill above acres of wheat and olives, has seen traces of Bronze Age settlers, Roman emperors, Visigoth Kings and the Moors before its conquest in the 13th Century. In pounding the pavement, I felt like we were on the tails of history.

The old center winds up from the Puerta de Sevilla and its imposing city walls and onto Plaza San Fernando towards Calle Prim, called the Plaza de Abajo by locals. Hidden within the gradually steep walls that stretch to the Iglesia de Santiago and the Puerte de Córdoba are tucked-away plazas, convents, grandiose cathedrals and stately palaces. Many alleyways are so slim, you can touch both sides of the walls.

There was little car traffic (it seemed the whole town was either sleeping off the Carnival celebrations or at a wedding at the Priory of Santa María), and we practically had the whole place to ourselves.

Ending the day at the Necrópolis de Carmona (which is free, so you have no excuse to not go), we had gone from lavish renaissance palaces to the ruins of an ancient burial ground by just driving to the other part of town. Laying along the Via Augusta, Carmona has been attracting tourists for millennia.  We were just two unassuming guiris still amazed that such old stuff exists.

Have you been to Carmona? What are you favorite villages in the Sevilla province? I’d recommend the following:

Estepa, Ciudad del Mantecado

Itálica and its Roman Ruins

San Nicolás del Puerto

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About Cat Gaa

As a beef-loving Chicago girl living amongst pigs, bullfighters, and a whole lotta canis, Cat Gaa writes about expat life in Seville, Spain. When not cavorting with adorable Spanish grandpas or struggling with Spanish prepositions, she works in higher education at an American university in Madrid and freelances with other publications, like Rough Guides and The Spain Scoop.

Comments

  1. I loved Carmona when my friend and I made a daytrip there last October. We also came on a rainy day, but fortunately it let up once the bus rolled into the main plaza, leaving a moody fog to linger until the sun came out. Like you, I enjoyed strolling around this warm, cozy pueblo layers deep in history :) Props to you for seeing the necropolis…we tried to go there but they had closed admissions half an hour before closing
    Trevor Huxham recently posted..Photo Post: Colexiata de Sar, the Leaning Church of Santiago de Compostela, SpainMy Profile

  2. I have Carmona on my wish list and I want to stay at the Parador!
    Nicole recently posted..Southwestern Quinoa CakesMy Profile

    • You must! We wanted to have a quick coffee there, but the terrace was closed because of rain and wind. The town is so beautiful!

  3. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Carmona before! I feel terrible 😛 It definitely looks like my sort of place, too, with all the history and the gorgeous architecture. Definitely somewhere to keep in mind!
    Caitlyn recently posted..A return to Little CollinsMy Profile

  4. What a cute town! I especially love those Moorish arcades. Glad you got to go again as a more well-to-do adult ;P
    Cassandra recently posted..Oam Thong: Spicy Thai in MadridMy Profile

  5. I wish I’d known about how great Carmona was last summer when I was visiting Sevilla! Looks awesome.
    Corinne recently posted..Where to Eat in Singapore – More Hawker Stall GoodnessMy Profile

  6. Gahhh I’m already in love with this little gem! The pictures are enchanting! I might have to make a little day trip next time I’m in Sevilla :)
    Julia recently posted..48 Hours in MilanMy Profile

  7. Tapas, narrow winding alleys, Roman ruins? We’d love to visit Carmona (and Seville)…
    Sand In My Suitcase recently posted..A sultan’s palace? No, Baraza Resort and SpaMy Profile

  8. Christine says:

    Putting it on my list. I have heard people talk about Carmona but seeing your pictures makes me want to go.

  9. Noted on my bucket list! :)
    ben recently posted..Mackinac Island – the Island that Suits You BestMy Profile

  10. Seville is the most beautiful place in Spain!!!

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  1. […] read a bit more on ones I love: Garganta la Olla (Cáceres) // San Nicolás del Puerto (Sevilla) // Carmona (Sevilla) // Osuna (Sevilla) Comparte:Email Pin It Filed Under: Andalusia Tourism, Day Trips, […]

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