Guadalquivir River

About the Guadalquivir
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Cruise the Guadalquivir River to Seville Spain

Ports-of-Call on the Guadalquivir River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Guadalquivir River as it flows through the Iberian Peninsula of Europe.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Guadalquivir River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Alcoutim & The Algarve

Portugal

The Algarve is Portugal’s most popular vacation destination due to the beautiful and expansive clean beaches, the cool and unpolluted water, and the economic, safe and welcoming atmosphere. Don’t miss Lagos, the old inner city inside the remnants of a protective wall. You’ll find winding streets barely wide enough for small cars, quaint shops and wonderful restaurants. Or Silves, the red stone castle with its narrow road that leads to it winding through some rural area. You may wonder why this southern part of Portugal is listed as a popular port for the Guadalquivir River – the reason is that a few of the Guadalquivir River cruises that depart Seville actually enter the Gulf de Cadiz of the Atlantic Ocean for a brief time in order to sail a short distance north on the Guadiana River on the border of Portugal and Spain.

Cadiz

Spain

Cadiz is the capital of the Cadix Province in the Andalusia region of southern Spain along the Gulf de Cadiz and the Atlantic Ocean. Cadiz is said to be the oldest city in western Europe founded by Phoenician sailors about 3,000 years ago as a protected trading port. Archeological remains can be found all around the old town. The Archeological Museum (Plaza de Mina) is worth a visit to view two Phoenician stone sarcophaguses. The ruins of the Roman theatre is just behind the Old Cathedral and are also worth a visit. The massive stone walls and forts that can be seen surrounding the old town were built to protect the city after the British Sir Francis Drake’s attack in 1596, and the forts of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina are open to the public. Everyone should visit the Cathedral in the old town and climb to the top of the North Tower for an amazing panorama view of Cadiz. The church Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, where the first Spanish Constitution was signed, has plenty of marble and bronze plates to honor the representatives from mainland Spain and colonial territories. The vibrant Central Market itself is well worth a visit in the morning, especially the fish section. Definitely a star on your Guadalquivir River cruise tour.

Carmona

Spain

Carmona is a historic Spanish town in the southwestern province of Seville, located just 10 miles northeast of the city of Seville. Carmona is built on a ridge overlooking the central plain of Andalusia; to the north is the Sierra Morena, with the peak of San Cristobal to the south. The city is known for its thriving trade in wine, olive oil, grain and cattle. Carmona was originally a Tartessian-Turdetani settlement. But with the arrival of Phoenician traders from Tyre, Carmona was transformed into an important city, which centuries later became a Roman stronghold of Hispania Baetica. It was known as Carmo in the time of Julius Caesar. Some of the many sights you should see on your Guadalquivir River cruise excursion include the Palace of King don Pedro, the Moorish Alcazar, the Palace of Rueda, the Roman Bridge and many other museums, palaces, parks and squares where you can absorb the amazing history of this Spanish city.

Cordoba

Spain

Cordoba is a Spanish city of about 350,000 residents and is the capital of the province of Cordoba, in the center of Andalucía. A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of the diverse cultures that have settled it throughout history. Very few places in the world can boast of having been the capital of a Roman province (Hispania Ulterior), the capital of an Arab State (Al-Andalus) and a Caliphate. Such unique history is palpable as you visit Cordoba. The historic center of Cordoba is a rich network of small streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards arranged around the Mezquita, which reflects the city’s prominent place in the Islamic world during medieval times. Cordoba also has much to offer in terms of art, culture and leisure, thanks to a variety of cultural events held here throughout the year: Flamenco festivals, concerts, ballet and other activities are common, as well as museums, historical architecture and amazing cuisine.

El Puerto de Santa Maria

Spain

El Puerto de Santa Maria, near Cadiz and the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, is a historic gem along the Gulf of Cadiz, that also experienced great influence in architecture, religion, culture, art and music from a variety of occupants like the Arab Moors. It was also the departure point for Christopher Columbus’ second quest to the New World. Try to plan your Guadalquivir River cruise around one of the many festivals that are held here annually. Also, don’t miss the Castle of San Marcos, the Monastery of the Victory, the Convent of the Holy Spirit of any of the multitude of other points of interest that make El Puerto de Santa Maria the perfect river cruise port.

Grenada

Spain

Granada is a mid-sized provincial capital in the Andalusia region of Spain that is rich in history and culture. Oriented around the intersection of Gran Via de Colon and Calle Reyes Catolicos, central Granada is the historic center and bustling heart of the city, with its many shops, restaurants, bars and attractions situated along narrow cobblestone alleys or on the edge of one of the many serene plazas in the area. Walking through you’re sure to take in the sights, smells and sounds of superb architecture, good food, and pleasant conversations among the locals. Enjoy the Plaza Isabel la Catolica, the Cathedral of Granada, the Royal Chapel and of course the Alhambra.

Jerez de la Frontera

Spain

Jerez de la Frontera is a city that has always enjoyed a strategic geographic position in the south of Spain. Jerez is a large city where long-standing cultural traditions coexist in perfect harmony with modernity – large shopping centers and wide avenues mix with the historic, cheerful and bustling city-center, where shopping and tapas go hand in hand. All of these distinctive features, together with a privileged geographical location and climate, present a unique tourist attractiveness with a modern infrastructure.

La Puebla del Río

Spain

La Puebla del Río is located in the province of Seville, Spain, with a population of only about 10,000 residents. Located just 10 miles south of Seville, La Puebla del Río or adjacent Coria del Rio are popular stops on most Guadalquivir River cruises. The farms in the area produce rice, oranges, corn, cotton, sunflower and wheat as their primary crops. La Puebla del Rio and Coria del Rio were important commercial centers during the Roman era. Today they offer a glimpse into the more rural Spanish life along the river where agriculture and history coincide in full view.

Seville

Spain

Seville is located on the banks of the peaceful, slow Guadalquivir River, which divides the city in two halves: Sevilla and Triana. The Guadalquivir River has had a major impact in the history of the city. Seville is near the point where the Guadalquivir stops being useful for navigation. It is at this point where Seville has acted as a sea-port for commerce of agricultural goods produced farther west and carried by river inland until it reached Seville, where land transport would take over. Intense trade existed in the area from Roman times, continued under Muslim rule, and exploded as Seville monopolized the new trade with the Americas. The cultural, artistic, musical, religious, and historic sites throughout make Seville the perfect place to spend some time before you embark or after you disembark your Guadalquivir River cruise.

Your Guadalquivir River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Guadalquivir River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.