Kayaking over the Guadalquivir in Cordoba
Imagine sitting on a boat, well, to be precise, in a kayak. The sun is about to set, whilst the river meanders towards the monumental city of Córdoba.
You float effortlessly towards the historic Roman Bridge whilst enjoying the view. The only sounds are your fellow kayakers and the birds nesting on the riverside.
Kayaking as a family
Before winter, the Guadalquivir is shallow, creating a slow relaxing flow. In addition, there is no motorized traffic on the Guadalquivir because of low water levels.
Thus ensuring safe passage, even for young children
The Roman Bridge in Cordoba
The Roman Bridge – the ultimate goal of this trip – was built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir River. The 247-meter-long bridge has 16 arches and is 9 meters wide.
Over time the bridge was several times restored. As a result, the 14th and 15th arches are the only ones remaining in their original state.
A kayak tour is a unique way to see this impressive construction from a different side. Most people will see the bridge exclusively from above.
The Guadalquivir
The Guadalquivir is 657 kilometres (408 miles) long. Although in Roman times one could navigate all the way up to Cordoba, now only Seville can be reached from the sea.
The name originates from al-wadi al-Kabir, “great valley” or “big wash” in Arabic.
Pin it
Practical information
- The trip is short and, because of the minimal effort, perfectly doable with small children.
- The tour company offers kayaks with one, two or three seats.
- Maria Font, our local guide, organized this tour.
- In summer, it would be wise to bring a water bottle on board and plenty of sun cream.
- Wear sneakers, as flip-flops will get lost in the muddy underground when trying to enter or leave the boat.
- Hotels, hostels and other accommodations in Córdoba can be relatively expensive compared to other Spanish cities. Make sure to book your accommodation early to get a reasonable price.
- Whilst in Córdoba, visit the Medina Azahara, a Unesco heritage site.
More Cordoba
More Spain
Step by step guide how to get to Madrid Airport by train
Step by step guide how to get to Madrid Barajas airport in time by train via Atocha, using the AVE and short distance train C1.
See Malaga like a local with these 5 tips
Discover the real Malaga by going off the beaten track with these 5 tips.
La Mancha, following Don Quixote’s trail
historic region La Mancha in Spain is world famous for its windmills and of course Don Quixote. We follow his footsteps and look for the story behind the story.
7 reasons why you should visit Mallorca in low season
Mallorca has a mild climate outside the summer months, with temperatures between 15 and 25º C . Ideal for an active holiday. Discover the island with these tips.
Ten things to do in Madrid in three hours or less
Madrid is a city with 3 million inhabitants, the capital of Spain. Of course it is not possible to see everything in a couple of hours, however, you can see a lot with careful planning. Read here how what and where.