Parador de Carmona: the hotel in Pedro I's fortress near Seville

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The short answer

The Parador de Carmona is a hotel built inside the ruins of the Alcázar del Rey Don Pedro, the fortress-palace of Peter I of Castile, on the highest point of Carmona. It is about 35 km east of Seville, so we think it works as a quiet base for a night or two, or as a lunch stop on a day trip.

• Who it suits: couples and drivers who want views, history and a pool without Seville’s crowds.
• Why go: the terraces and many rooms look over the Vega, the wide farmland plain below the town.
• Best fact to know first: the hotel is at the eastern end of the old town, so you walk everything else in Carmona, but you will want a car or a taxi to reach Seville in the evening.

It is part of Paradores, the Spanish state-run chain of historic hotels. For the town itself, see our Carmona day trip guide.

Quick facts

• Address: Calle Alcázar s/n, 41410 Carmona (Seville), inside the old town on the hill.
• Distance: about 35 km from Seville, 30 to 40 minutes by car on the A-4.
• Rooms: classic Andalusian style, many with a balcony or terrace over the plain. The room count varies by source, so check the booking page.
• Pool: outdoor and seasonal, with views.
• Restaurant: in the former refectory, with a view of the plain.
• Parking: available on site but limited. Ask the hotel when you book.
• Price: it changes a lot with dates and season, so check dates before you plan. We give no figure here.
• Check-in and check-out: shown on the booking page for your dates.

The building and its history

The hill has been fortified since ancient times, and the town’s Roman, Carthaginian and Moorish builders all used it. The Moors left a fortress here, and in the 14th century Peter I of Castile, known as Pedro the Cruel, turned it into a Mudéjar palace and one of his favourite residences. The same king rebuilt much of Seville’s Real Alcázar, which is why the two share a style.

The Catholic Monarchs later added to the complex. After the earthquake of 1755 it fell into ruin, and by the 19th century little of the palace was left.

The parador is a modern building, put up on the east side of the old complex in a style that imitates the original, and it opened in 1976. Some of the old walls, patios and a Moorish tower still stand around it, so you stay among real remains, not in the palace itself. We recommend a short wander around the courtyards even if you only come for lunch.

Rooms, pool and views

Rooms are decorated in a classic Andalusian taste, with dark furniture and fabrics, and many have a balcony or terrace facing the plain. Paradores lists single, double, superior double and accessible rooms; the mix may change, so look at the room descriptions when you book.

What you are paying for is the position. On a clear day the Vega, the plain of the Corbones valley, stretches to the horizon, and sunsets over the fields are the main show. If views matter, we’d choose a room described as having a terrace or plain view, and ask the hotel when you book. We cannot name a specific “best” room.

The outdoor pool is seasonal, usually open in the warm months (confirm the dates), and is, we think, a real plus in summer, when Carmona often passes 38 °C. Guest reviews on travel sites mention the views, the pool and helpful staff, and now and then a disappointing breakfast or slow restaurant service. Beds are often described as firm.

Restaurant, bar and terrace

The restaurant is in the former refectory, a tall hall with big windows over the plain. It serves traditional Andalusian cooking with seasonal and local produce, including Carmona-style spinach with chickpeas, Iberian pork, salt cod confit and salmorejo. There is a gluten-free menu. Andalucía.org lists breakfast about 8:00 to 11:00, lunch about 13:30 to 16:00 and dinner about 20:30 to 23:00; confirm before you go.

Non-guests can normally book a meal, and the hotel’s terraces and bar are usually open for a drink, though the details change, so ring ahead. For the views, we’d go for late afternoon or sunset in spring and autumn. In July and August it is too hot at midday to enjoy any terrace.

For other places to eat, see the food section of our Carmona guide, or where to eat in Seville.

How to book

• Official site: paradores.es sells direct rates and sometimes flexible or advance-purchase offers. We’d check it before you book elsewhere.
• Booking.com: Parador de Carmona on Booking.com. The hotel is highly rated there, and free cancellation is often available on flexible rates. We’d compare the same room and conditions with the official site.
• Busy dates: Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril and spring weekends fill the whole Seville area, so we’d book early. October and May are popular too.
• Breakfast: check whether it is included in your rate. Reviews are mixed on it.
• Cancellation: read the rate rules. Cheaper rates are often non-refundable.

How to get there

By car: take the A-4 towards Córdoba and leave at the Carmona exit, about 30 to 40 minutes from central Seville. Drive up to the Puerta de Marchena and follow the signs to the parador; old-town streets are narrow. Parking at the hotel is limited, so tell them you are coming by car. Pick up a car at the airport on the way: car hire at Seville airport.

By bus: the Casal bus (line M-124) runs from Seville (most buses leave from the San Bernardo stop, a few from the Prado de San Sebastián bus station) to Carmona in about 40 to 50 minutes on direct services, stopping at the Paseo del Estatuto. From there it is a walk uphill through the old town to the parador, so we suggest a light bag or a taxi if you have luggage. Check the timetable, because weekend and holiday services are far less frequent. Full details are in our Carmona day trip guide.

By taxi: a taxi from Seville is possible but costs more than the bus. There is no train to Carmona.

What to see nearby on foot

The parador sits next to the sights at the eastern end of town:

• Puerta de Córdoba: the Roman gate, rebuilt in the 17th century, with a view down to the Vega.
• Iglesia Prioral de Santa María and the Patio de los Naranjos: the main church, on the site of the great mosque, with its orange tree courtyard.
• The old town: the Plaza de San Fernando, the town hall’s Roman mosaic and the convent sweets shops are all within about 10 to 20 minutes’ walk.
• Roman Necropolis: a longer walk or a short taxi ride on the far side of town, free for EU citizens; see our Roman Necropolis guide for hours and tickets.

If you go by day, the Carmona tours from Seville are an option without a car.

Other places to stay

If the parador is full or too expensive, other hotels in Carmona’s old town exist, but we have not checked them. You can also stay in Seville and visit Carmona by bus or car; see where to stay in Seville and the Seville guide. In Seville you have far more restaurants and evening life; in Carmona you get quiet, views and the pool.

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