For two centuries the Guadalquivir was the empire's highway: up it came the gold, silver and tobacco of the Americas, down went settlers and goods. Seeing Seville from the water is seeing it as the Indies pilots did: Torre del Oro, Triana, the Maestranza and Cartuja lined up on one bank. An hour's cruise between the Torre del Oro and the Alamillo, guided and without walking.
Getting there & around
1-hour cruises departing from the Torre del Oro pier (several operators, every 30-60 min in season). Cheap alternative: the Los Remedios ferry (a neighbourhood shuttle).
The route
Apartamento Esencia Sevilla
Route starting point. Leave the apartment towards the first stop.
Torre del Oro (embarcadero)
Cruise departure point and former watchtower of the Almohad port.
History: Built in 1220, it anchored the chain that sealed the river. From here ships left linking Seville with the Americas after 1492.
Puente de Triana (desde el agua)
The river's gateway, seen from below with Triana and the Maestranza on each bank.
History: Opened in 1852, it was Spain's first iron bridge. Its structure joins two worlds: the monumental centre and the sailor's quarter.
Calle Betis y Capitanía
The river's most photogenic façade: colourful houses, the Capitanía towers and the Maestranza.
History: Triana's sailors watched the return of the Indies fleets from here. In 1898 the last squadron sailed from this dock to Cuba.
Muelle de las Delicias
The old docklands turned promenade, beside the Aquarium and the Navigation pavilion.
History: Seville's Expo 92 pavilion stood here, a replica of the 1929 Exhibition one. The port cranes were kept as dockyard memories.
Puente del Alamillo
The end of the trip: Calatrava's pylon that marked Expo 92.
History: Its 142-metre pylon stands with no backstays: Spain's most famous "backwards" bridge, raised for Expo 1992.
