Carmona resides 33 kilometres north-east of Seville, Andalusia, Spain. The lovely whitewashed town is known for its wine, olive oil and charming historic sites. A Moorish Alcázar sits next to ancient gates, palaces and towers, offering a glimpse into Andalusia of old. With a Mediterranean climate, delicious cuisine and bustling markets, Carmona will trigger the imagination and feed the senses.
Visitors to Carmona should head straight for the town’s main landmarks. These offer an insight into the city’s rich history. The first notable structure is the 15th century church tower, built as an imitation of La Giralda in Seville. At the town’s entrance lies Puerto de Sevilla, the ancient fortified gateway which opens into the historic town centre. Fragrant orange trees line the streets, as Mudejar Churches, palaces and Moorish buildings spring into view. Bustling produce markets enable visitors to shop for picnic treats, admire colourful displays and enjoy the animated banter. Venture to the foot of the town to the Roman necropolis. On a low hill surrounded by cypress trees, it contains over 900 family tombs. These range from 2nd century BC to 4th century AD. Carmona is also famous for its gastronomy. Almost all the restaurants and bodega bars offer tapas and a variety of local Spanish dishes. Walk the “tapas route”, a pub crawl of bars where culinary delights can be sampled with every drink. Try serrano ham, chickpea soup and salmorejo and for dessert, rice with milk or delicious almond cake.
Reaching Carmona from all over Andalusia is easy by car. It takes just 30 minutes to drive from Seville city centre. Buses operate from Plaza de Armas bus station in Seville. The transportation is comfortable and frequent, with a similar journey time. Taxi services are available throughout the area.
Carmona sits on one of the oldest urban sites in Europe. Complex agricultural societies began to converge in the area at the start of the Neolithic period and there has been a presence in the region ever since. The town has been home to a mosaic of different cultures throughout the years. Each has left their mark on Carmona and can be seen in the buildings, religious sanctuaries, artwork and cuisine. Visitors to Andalusia should ensure that a trip to Carmona is near the top of their wish list of places to see.