Day 4 in Seville: “Lost, Found, and Floating on the Guadalquivir” 🛍️🛟🌊

Woke up in **Plaza San Marcos** knowing it was our second last day in Seville.* I promised myself:

* No heat-related meltdowns.

* No buying things I can’t fit in my suitcase.

* No unnecessary cardio.

Spoiler: I failed two out of three.

🛍 **Morning Mission: Shopping & El Corte Inglés**

We set out for a little retail therapy, because nothing says “vacation” like pretending you live here while browsing kitchen gadgets you absolutely do not need. **El Corte Inglés** delivered — clothes, perfumes, gourmet food section (which I mentally renamed “Snack Heaven”). After wandering through a few more shops, my bag was heavier, my wallet lighter, and my willpower destroyed.

📜 **Stop 2: Archivo de Indias (Again)**

We made a quick stop back at the **Archivo de Indias**, because apparently I can’t get enough of 16th-century paperwork. It’s cool inside, both temperature-wise and history-wise, and we took one last appreciative look at Spain’s very fancy filing cabinet before heading home.

🍽 **Siesta Strategy**

Back to **Plaza San Marcos** for a lightning-fast lunch and the holy ritual of the siesta. Because in this heat, *if you’re not napping, you’re suffering.* I woke up refreshed… well, refreshed-ish.

🚌 **The Great Bus Quest**

The plan: catch a bus to the **Torre del Oro** for our river cruise.

The reality: a full-blown urban scavenger hunt. We followed signs, apps, and “I’m sure it’s this way” logic straight into a 20-minute game of *Where’s That Stop?* I swear the bus was playing hide-and-seek. Just as my faith wavered, there it was — our noble chariot, ready to whisk us toward watery glory.

⛪️ **Torre del Oro**

Arrived at the Golden Tower like triumphant explorers. It’s small but mighty, guarding the river since the 13th century. Once used to protect Seville’s riches, today it mostly protects tourists from boredom while they wait for their boat.

🚤 **River Cruise on the Guadalquivir**

We boarded our cruise and immediately decided this was the perfect way to say goodbye to Seville — gliding past landmarks, bridges, and the occasional kayaker pretending not to regret their life choices in 40°C heat. We saw the city from a whole new angle, with the breeze working overtime to keep us alive. It was beautiful, calm, and just smug enough to make us feel like 19th-century aristocrats on holiday.

🏠 **Back to Plaza San Marcos**

We floated home (mentally, not literally), ready to pack our souvenirs, delete unflattering sweaty selfies, and toast Seville for days of history, heat, and a frankly suspicious number of ice creams.

**Day 4 Recap:**

* Shopping: Success.

* Navigation skills: Questionable.

* Cruise: Chef’s kiss

Once again apologies for the river cruise spam 😀

Tomorrow will be our full last day in magnificant Seville. 

Seville (Sevilha) has quite a few bridges spanning the Guadalquivir River, each with its own character, history, and style. Here are the main ones you might come across:

Historic & Iconic Bridges

• Puente de Isabel II (Puente de Triana) – The most famous bridge, built in the 19th century, connecting the city center to the Triana neighborhood. Cast-iron arches and beautiful views.

• Puente de San Telmo – Early 20th-century bridge leading from the Arenal district to Los Remedios, near the San Telmo Palace.

• Puente de las Delicias – Built in the 1990s with a bascule (lifting) section for ships, near the cruise terminal and María Luisa Park.

Modern Architectural Bridges

• Puente del Alamillo – Santiago Calatrava’s striking asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge, built for Expo ’92, with its dramatic single pylon.

• Puente de la Barqueta – Another Expo ’92 bridge, with a sweeping steel arch design.

• Puente del Cristo de la Expiración – Known as the “puente del Cachorro,” completed in 1991, with modern lines and a striking statue of Christ nearby.

• Puente de la Cartuja – Built for Expo ’92, linking the Cartuja Island with the city.

Smaller / Functional Bridges

• Puente de Chapina – A simpler road bridge connecting Los Remedios with the Cartuja area.

• Puente de Hierro (or Alfonso XIII) – Historic movable bridge from the early 20th century (no longer in use for traffic, now a pedestrian and cycling route).

If you’re visiting Seville, the Triana Bridge (Puente de Isabel II) and Puente del Alamillo are the two most photogenic and culturally significant.