A Day by the Rio Guadalquivir in Seville, Spain
Being a mom with a toddler, I am always searching for outdoor, kid-friendly activities, that we can do together as a family. I get even more excited when these activities are paired with some delicious food. You know how I love to eat! If you’re in Seville and are looking for a fun family afternoon activity, I have the perfect thing planned out for you – spend the day along the Guadalquivir River. I’ve rounded up some ideas for a relaxing and delicious afternoon in Seville that is super family friendly. I hope you enjoy!
Public Playground
We like to start our day coming from town and heading west towards the Guadalquivir River on Calle San Laureano which turns into Calle Jandalo. When we get to the edge of the river we turn left and take a short walk south to an unknown park. (See the map below for the exact location) The park is surrounded by two small streets, Calle Rey Juan Carlos 1 and Calle Radio Sevilla. You’ll run right into it. This park is simple. In fact, I don’t even know for sure if it has an official name. It didn’t make the list of my favorite playgrounds in Seville, but it is a nice sized public park that is never very crowded. It’s a great one to bring a ball to kick around because there is some extra space. It has a big slide that Jimmy loves to go down over and over again. Last time he went on it, he climbed to the top and said, “Mama take my picture. It’d be cute!” I guess you can tell he is the son of a travel and food blogger . . . He’s always ready for a good picture!
Take a Stroll
After we’re done playing at the park, we like to continue our way down the river, headed south. It’s a nice walk with a paved walkway, perfect for a smooth stroller ride. Often times I’ll let Jimmy out to walk because there are no cars nearby, making it super safe for an active toddler. The river is so beautiful as it glistens in the sun. It’s nice to feel like you've escaped the busyness of the city for a bit and just enjoy the natural beauty of Seville with the sun on your back. I love the energy down this way. There are runners, walkers, bikers, skateboarders, and sunbathers. It is such a peaceful place to be, explore, and just enjoy the day. Not to mention the iconic Seville orange trees that you see everywhere in this area. I don’t think I could ever get sick of seeing oranges on trees. I grew up in Northern Idaho where oranges only came from the grocery store.
Where to Eat Lunch?
Now for my favorite part of the day . . . the food! Head on down to Mercado Lonja del Barranco for a food market experience. This market isn’t necessarily the best place to eat in Seville, but there is a ton of variety and it’s perfectly located right by the river, making it very convenient if you’re already in this area. They have a little of everything from a salmorejo soup bar to an olive bar. They have different kinds of croquettes, fried to order. Seville isn’t Seville without croquettes. It’s a fun place to eat with rows of little walk-up booths. You order your food, pick it up, and then find your perfect place to sit, either outside or inside. My favorite thing to order at this market is some cheese from the cheese booth. I’m a sucker for good cheese. It’s the main reason why I could NEVER go vegan. Ice cream too. For me, cheese and ice cream are life.
Calle Arjona, s/n
The Guadalquivir River
After you’ve eaten lunch, keep heading south down the river. Enjoy the beautiful views of Triana and the great energy that’s in the air. I love looking across the river and seeing all the different colored buildings and homes. Jimmy loves watching all the boats go by. You’ll see all sorts of different types of boats. There are a lot of rowing teams practicing on the river. I love seeing them working in sync, gliding down the water at such a fast pace. A lot of locals kayak for their morning exercise routine like in the picture below. You’ll also see large tour boats that transport tourists up and down the river while pointing out different landmarks as it goes. It’s a fun place to just sit, watch, and take in the culture of Seville.
The Triana Bridge
Don’t forget to check out the famous landmark, The Triana Bridge, also known as Puente de Isabel II. It’s the oldest bridge in Seville. It was constructed in 1852. It is a National Heritage Historic Monument in Spain. This bridge is seen in many photographs of Seville with its famous circle design along the bottom. There are 180 circles in total. It was designed after the Carousel Bridge in Paris, which is no longer standing. I find this bridge so beautiful and unique in its architecture. It was fun taking so many pictures near it.
Ice Cream Stop
If you’re craving something sweet, head over to Puro and Bio, one of my favorite ice cream shops in Seville. All of their ice cream is 100% organic and extremely delicious. Don’t be shy. Ask for several samples until you find your perfect flavor. They are all so delicious. Just head up the ramp or the stairs to the main street, and cross at the crosswalk. Enjoy your treat outside while you people watch and take in the view of the river from a bit further away.
Local 2, Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, 9
Monumento a la Tolerancia
After you’ve devoured your ice cream, head back down to the walking path along the river. There is a famous monument called, Monumento a la Tolerancia, or The Monument to Tolerance, by the artist, Eduardo Chillida. It was placed along the river for the World Exhibition in 1992. Hopefully you brought your camera so you can get some fun shots of it. It’s often a busy place to be so snag that perfect picture while you can!
Torre del Oro
As you continue your walk south, you’ll eventually run into one of the most famous landmarks in Seville called, Torre del Oro, or The Tower of Gold. It’s a historic building that was built in 1220 as a military watchtower building to protect the city of Seville from invaders coming across the river. You can go inside and explore a bit. There is a nice museum on the inside as well as a gift shop. You can climb the spiral staircase to the top of the building and see a beautiful view of Seville as well as Triana. You can even see the Catedral de Sevilla from up top! If you want to save a little money, go on Monday when it is free.
Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, s/n
I hope you enjoy exploring this area of Seville as much as I do. There is something so nice about being near the river and exploring among the locals. Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comment section below!