Middle Guadalquivir Valley
Castles, orange trees and Charles III colonies west of the capital.
Key points
- The Middle Guadalquivir Valley lies west of the capital: Almodóvar del Río, Hornachuelos, Palma del Río, Posadas, Fuente Palmera, La Carlota, La Victoria, Guadalcázar and Fuente Carreteros.
- Its great icon is Almodóvar del Río castle, about 29 km from the city.
- Fuente Palmera and La Carlota are part of the New Settlements that Charles III founded in the 18th century with European colonists.
- Hornachuelos gives access to a natural park and Biosphere Reserve.
Almodóvar del Río
The castle dominates the hill from which the Guadalquivir can be seen. It is of Muslim origin and was rebuilt after the Christian conquest; today you visit its towers, courtyards and wall-walks, with views over the countryside. Marked routes inside tell its story, and its silhouette is one of the most recognisable in Andalusia. In summer go early, because the sun is fierce.
Palma del Río
A city on the Genil and the Guadalquivir, famous for its orange and mandarin trees, it keeps its 12th-century Almohad wall and a quiet historic centre. It is also the birthplace of bullfighters, among them Manuel Benítez "El Cordobés".
Hornachuelos and its mountains
To the north, Hornachuelos is the gateway to the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park, of about 60,000 hectares, a Biosphere Reserve within the Dehesas de Sierra Morena. There are trails, viewpoints, a reservoir (Bembézar) and a good population of birds of prey, such as vultures and eagles.
The New Settlements
- Fuente PalmeraCapital of the colonies founded in 1767; it keeps an orderly layout and a heritage of Central European surnames.
- La CarlotaAnother of the new towns, with its square and grid layout.
- PosadasA riverside village on the Guadalquivir with a castle and good views.
Getting there
Almodóvar del Río is about 29 km from Córdoba and Palma del Río about 66 km. Combine it with Medina Azahara, which is on the way. More ideas in Plan your trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see west of Córdoba?
Almodóvar del Río castle, the Sierra de Hornachuelos and Palma del Río with its Almohad walls make a full-day getaway.