El Viso del Alcor, a balcony in La Campiña
You will be impressed by the beautiful views of La Campiña that El Viso del Alcor has to offer. The history of this town, perched atop a plateau, is reflected in its lovely streets. Walk around and admire the 17th century stately homes, enjoy the sunset from the Balcony of Los Alcores or go to its most picturesque place, the Callejón del Viento. In summer, the locals go there to cool down.
Traditions are celebrated with love at El Viso del Alcor, especially those related to its festivals. The most eagerly awaited festival takes place in September in honour of the patron saint, Santa María del Alcor Coronada, worshipped since the 13th century. A venerated image of the Virgin Mary, for whom many local women are named. Culture also plays a crucial role. The Cante Grande Festival, which brings together the best flamenco, has taken place in September since 1980. One of Spain’s leading national painting competition is also held here.
Its cuisine is another attraction. Locally produced olive oil and oranges have brought fame to the town. If you come, be sure to sample menudo and rabo de toro, two traditional dishes. El Viso del Alcor is also very well known for its exquisite confectionery. Try the pechugones, a unique sweet that you will love.
History, culture, cuisine and tradition, the perfect combination to enjoy this balcony of La Campiña in Seville.
Getting to El Viso del Alcor
If you are travelling by car from Seville, take the A-4 motorway. Enter the A-8025 at exit 521 and continue to Venta la Vereda. Turn onto the SE-209, and your destination is only a few minutes away.
You can also take the A-92 motorway and enter the A-398 at the Alcalá-Mairena exit. When you reach Mairena, take the A-392 until your destination.
The town does not have a train station. You can take the M-126 intercity bus line from Seville.
Getting around
Stroll through the streets and watch the locals go about their daily lives. You can also go hiking, cycling or horse riding along Los Alcores Greenway.
Reasons to visit
- Admire the best views of La Campiña or a beautiful sunset from the Balcony of Los Alcores.
- If you like hiking, make your way along the Vía Verde de Los Alcores when it passes through El Viso del Alcor. You will see the La Motilla archaeological burial site.
- Experience the best flamenco at the Cante Grande Festival held every September for the past forty years.
- Enjoy the pechugones and piececitas, two typical local sweets.
- Walk along the historic streets admiring the palace houses or go to Callejón del Viento, the most picturesque alleyway.
- Enjoy nature in La Muela Park. There are a picnic area and walking trails to get some exercise in the fresh air.
- El Viso del Alcor’s menudo is internationally renowned. Try it!
- Take a guided tour of Basilippo Olive Oil Cultural Centre, where you will learn about the local oil-making tradition.
- Travel back in time at the traditional Medieval Market held in April.
- Be sure to come on 12 September for the festival in honour of the patron saint, Santa María del Alcor, where people eat chocolate and potaje.
- The famous pilgrimage in honour of the patron saint also takes place around the same time. Fun, horses, colours, wagons and carts accompany Santa María del Alcor Coronada.
What to see
Start your tour at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where you will see the Clock Tower that belonged to the old town hall. It has now become a symbol of the town.
Nearby, in 17th century Condes de Castela Palace is the new town hall. Only the façade of the original palace remains. Adjacent to the building is the baroque-style Corpus Christi Church and Convent with the statue of the Virgen de la Merced. Only the cloister and the staircase of the convent have been preserved.
Santa María del Alcor Parish Church is only one minute away in Plaza Sacristán Guerrero. The temple, built over a Muslim mosque, is the town’s most significant religious building. It is home to the statue of the patron saint, Santa María del Alcor, as well as the Lignum Crucis relic, a piece of wood from the Cross of Christ.
The Rosario Chapel, located on the street of the same name, is another remarkable monument. It was built in the 1920s as a granary. It has always been known as ‘the house of the birds’. The main altar is presided by the Virgen del Rosario and the Cristo de la Vera Cruz.
Continue through the town until Calle Real or Calle Albaicín where you can admire several palatial houses that characterise El Viso del Alcor. Climb up to Calvario Viewpoint and enjoy some beautiful views.
Go to a bar and try the famous menudo, rabo de toro or garlic.
You can ask a local for directions to the Plaza de la Recovera. The monument to working women stands here. It honours the women who travelled to Seville to sell eggs and other produce to earn some extra cash.
To round off the visit, you can hike one of the routes that start at La Muela Park. However, if you are tired, you can spend a pleasant day also in the park, surrounded by nature in the picnic area.
Places to visit
- Condes de Castelar Palace, now the Town Hall
- Palatial Houses
- Clock Tower of the old Town Hall
- Corpus Christi Church and Convent
- Santa María del Alcor Church
- Rosario Chapel
- La Muela Park
- Basilippo Olive Oil Cultural Centre
- Plaza de la Recovera, monument to working women
Surroundings
El Viso del Alcor is about 30 kilometres from Seville, in the heart of the La Campiña region. It sits in the Vega de Los Alcores, between the Guadaíra and Corbones rivers, with the River Guadalquivir to the north. The fields are given over to olive groves, orange orchards and cereal crops. The Los Alcores Greenway, which connects Alcalá de Guadaíra with Carmona, passes through the area.
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