Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir
Seville’s Alcázar and Plaza de España, a riverside castle, the caliphs’ city of Medina Azahara, the Mezquita of Córdoba and the towers of Écija.
- Distance
- approx. 276 km (171 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 48 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- Spain
- Best time to go
- March–April and October–November
- Tolls and vignettes
- ≈ €7
- Updated
- August 1, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 276 km (171 mi) with 9 stops, from Seville to Carmona. About 3 h 48 min of driving in total. Best time to go: March–April and October–November. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €7 (Spain).
More road trips in Spain · More road trips from Seville
Photos along the route
Route description
Spend a day in Seville on foot: the Real Alcázar, the cathedral and Giralda next door, and the Plaza de España in María Luisa Park. The old town is not for driving; motorhomes can use the guarded areas on the edge of the city and take the bus in. Avoid July and August if you can, when afternoon temperatures often pass 40°C. Spring, especially around the April fair, is lively but busy.
Leave Seville on the A-431, which follows the north bank of the Guadalquivir through orange groves and farm towns, instead of the faster A-4. After about 120 km, the castle of Almodóvar del Río rises on its hill above the river. The road to the top is narrow and steep, so park large vehicles in the town. Another 20 km brings you to Medina Azahara, just west of Córdoba.
At Medina Azahara leave the vehicle at the museum and take the shuttle bus up to the ruins; allow two hours. In Córdoba, visit the Mosque-Cathedral early, then walk the Jewish quarter and the Roman bridge. In May the town’s flower-filled patios open to visitors for a festival. The historic centre is a restricted-traffic zone, so park outside it, for example south of the river.
Return towards Seville on the A-4 via Écija, known as the city of towers for its many baroque church towers and as the frying pan of Andalusia for its summer heat. Its centre has palaces with painted façades. The last stop is Carmona, a hilltop town with Roman and Moorish gates, from where Seville is only 35 km away. The route is about 330 km in all.
Which stops are on Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Seville
Spain - 21 km
Real Alcázar of Seville
HistorySeville, SpainA royal palace in Mudéjar style, still used by the Spanish royal family, with tiled courtyards and large gardens. Timed tickets sell out in spring; book online and leave the vehicle outside the old town.
- 31 km
Plaza de España, Seville
HistorySeville, SpainA huge semicircular square built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, with a canal, bridges and tiled alcoves for the Spanish provinces. Free to enter; late afternoon light is best, and María Luisa Park is next door.
- 4122 km
Almodóvar del Río Castle
HistoryAlmodóvar del Río, SpainA restored Moorish and Christian castle on a cone-shaped hill above the Guadalquivir, used as a film location for Game of Thrones. A narrow road climbs to a small car park below the gate; entry fee.
- 520 km
Medina Azahara
HistoryCórdoba, SpainRuins of the palace-city of the 10th-century Caliphate of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. Park at the museum and take the shuttle bus up to the site; closed on Mondays.
- 610 km
Córdoba
Spain - 71 km
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
HistoryCórdoba, SpainA forest of red-and-white arches from the Great Mosque of the 8th–10th centuries with a Renaissance cathedral built into its centre. Early morning is the quietest time; the old town is a restricted-traffic zone.
- 858 km
Écija
Spain - 963 km
Carmona
Spain
How do you drive Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir in 4 days?
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Seville → Almodóvar del Río Castle · 124 km · 1 h 43 minOn the way: Real Alcázar of Seville, Plaza de España, Seville.Overnight nearby, for example: Camper Park Medina Azahara (16 km); Camping Carlos III (17 km).
- Day 2: Almodóvar del Río Castle → Medina Azahara · 20 km · 0 h 17 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camper Park Medina Azahara (2 km); Córdoba Centro Historico (7 km).
- Day 3: Medina Azahara → Écija · 68 km · 0 h 57 minOn the way: Córdoba, Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.Overnight nearby, for example: Área de Servicio para Autocaravanas de Écija (< 1 km); Área de autocaravanas de La Luisiana (15 km).
- Day 4: Écija → Carmona · 63 km · 0 h 52 minOvernight nearby, for example: El Viso del Alcor (12 km).
When is the best time for Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €7 (Spain).
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
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FAQs
How long is Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
4-day road trip of about 276 km (171 mi) with 9 stops, from Seville to Carmona. About 3 h 48 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 48 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir start and end?
It starts in Seville and ends in Carmona.
Which countries does Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir pass through?
Spain.
Where can you camp along Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
OpenStreetMap lists 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Área parking Autocaravanas Sevilla, Puerto Gelves and Hidalgo parking.
How much are the tolls on Seville to Córdoba along the Guadalquivir?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €7 (Spain). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.
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