#Tag 35 Sevilla vs. Bremen

Sunday is travel day. That confirms itself again. We leave at 11 o'clock and take the highway to Sevilla. It's only 140 km, but completely relaxed because there's no traffic on the highway.

The outskirts of Sevilla are a bit confusing, as several highways and national roads converge here. We have to take a honorary lap.

Our destination is the parking lot at the Gelves port (Puerto Gelves). It is recommended by many and is also very centrally located to the historic old town of Sevilla (about 8 km). I don't have the courage to park for free here, so we'll first take a look at the parking lot.

Sevilla is located about 80 km from the coast, but still has water due to the only navigable river in Spain, the Guadalquivir. Sevilla also has its own port, which can be accessed by high-sea ships. As luck would have it, our honorary lap led us right through this harbor area. I felt involuntarily reminded of Bremen for the first time that day. Bremen is also about 60 km away from the North Sea and used to have a port for ocean-going ships. However, they only go as far as Bremerhaven now.

Further towards the center, the Rio Guadalquivir meanders further into the country, but the old builders straightened the river and diverted it past the city center for flood protection. The old riverbed is now a kind of canal, which is still directly next to the city center and has strong parallels to the Weser and the Schlachte. The promenade runs directly along the riverbank and is very lively and popular (second parallel to Bremen).

On Sunday afternoon, we encountered a lot of people dressed in green and white. Sounds like a football afternoon. Isn't Werder also playing today, on Sunday, against Sandhausen?

But Sevilla has two teams in the Primera Division. FC Sevilla is playing in Barcelona today, so people here certainly aren't crossing the street for that. But Betis Sevilla, with the green and white team colors, is playing at home and winning 4:1.

Well, Werder, that would have done you good too.

By the way, the parking lot at Puerto Gelves is a real recommendation for motorhome enthusiasts looking for a place in Sevilla with a connection to the city center. It is somewhat difficult to find (no signs), but in the end it is terrific. The small sailing port with a closed marina is located right on the Guadalquivir River. There are several sailboats and small motorboats in the harbor basin.

The area between the harbor basin and the river is paved, equipped with electricity and water, and offers about 20 motorhomes a great place to stay. The marina is staffed with a 24-hour service, the entrance is only through an electric gate, and the harbor master keeps an eye on his guests. The price for one night is 15 €. That is well worth it, especially since there is also a shower, toilet, and disposal available. Motorhome enthusiasts know what I mean.

Today we rode our bikes to the historic old town to get oriented. Of course, that also means always carrying a handicap that you don't like to let out of sight.

Tomorrow we want to try it without bikes, but with the bus instead. It stops right in front of the door of the harbor at the main road and takes us to the old town in 20 minutes for 1.65 €. It doesn't get much better than that.

The sights of Sevilla that we can cover in a day are on the program. That is of course way too short and only scratches the surface. We have set ourselves the goal to visit:

Plaza de España

Maria Luisa Park

Cathedral

Pedestrian zone and Santa Cruz

Bullfighting arena

River promenade Guadalquivir

and that all between 11 am and 6 pm. Let me tell you, our feet are tired.

Interestingly, we met the same people from the parking lot at the bus stop for the return journey, who were already sitting with us on the bus on the way there. We all seem to have the same level when it comes to sightseeing in cities.

During the short breaks with tapas, beer, and catching our breath, we agreed that the big cities need a break as well. The hustle and bustle of the big city is annoying and it brings back memories of our feelings in Malaga. We've had enough of crowds of people for now, and the masquerade in the sights and the massive presence of masks on the streets really put me off.

Where are the normal people?

Tomorrow we're going to Portugal. I'm curious to see how the people there are and how public life is.

I need a break from Spain.

Oh yes, in addition to the similarities between Sevilla and Bremen (by the river, navigable waterway, promenade by the river, football green and white, 700,000 inhabitants, tram, ...), Sevilla gets bonus points for its large green spaces, historic buildings, the plethora of restaurants and tapas bars in the city center, the lively city with young people, and the bullfighting arena.

I would have liked to see that if there had been an event.

But in conclusion, Sevilla clearly wins over Bremen. You still have a lot to do there.