Holiday apartment in Gelves: Guadalquivir, culture and nature

Gelves combines the Guadalquivir with Baroque culture, traditional crafts, varied parks and its own cuisine. Guided boat trips on the Guadalquivir depart from Puerto Gelves. The port lies directly on the riverbank, while a path running parallel to the Guadalquivir stretches from the boundary with San Juan de Aznalfarache to the marina. The M-140 metropolitan bus line from Seville also stops in Gelves.

Water

The town’s proximity to the river shapes several of its facets. At Puerto Gelves, boat trips meet the riverside landscape of the Guadalquivir. The path running parallel to the river passes through the area from the boundary with San Juan de Aznalfarache to the marina, creating its own stretch along the water.

Culture

The Iglesia Santa María de Gracia is a Baroque church. The crypt contains the mortal remains of several admirals of the Indies. On Plaza Joselito El Gallo, the square is crowned by an imposing statue of the bullfighter Joselito.

Craftsmanship is also part of Gelves’s cultural character. In Gelves, the Escuela de Formación de Artesanos de Gelves has two training centres: one for ceramics and one for wood. The Escuela de Artes y Artesanía de Andalucía Della Robbia offers training in ceramics, wood and lutherie. Parque El Cañuelo also preserves the Mannerist entrance to an old water tunnel system.

The municipal “Gelves conoce Gelves” route is intended for groups of 5 to 30 people. The Fiestas Patronales de Gelves have a fixed place in the annual calendar: traditionally, they take place on the days leading up to the last Sunday in August and culminate in a procession of the Virgen de Gracia.

Nature

Parque de la Cornisa is integrated into the natural area of the Cornisa del Aljarafe and overlooks the Guadalquivir Valley. Its paths have varying gradients and are suitable for hikers and walkers. The park includes Mediterranean scrubland, olive groves on the slopes and paths through an authentic, well-preserved landscape. It also has barbecue areas and children’s play areas for different age groups.

In Parque de Los Manantiales, a large cascade flows into pools fed by diverted springs. The park also features irrigation channels, pools and canals crossed by bridges. Parque El Pandero has a garden of aromatic plants that invites visitors to enjoy a pleasant and educational stroll. Gelves is also home to a small, very well-preserved aqueduct.

Parque Municipal del Agua offers shaded and quiet areas for users and accompanying persons. Its water attractions operate in a closed-loop system; the water is continuously purified.

Paths

A section of the Corredor Verde del Área Metropolitana de Sevilla runs through Gelves. It offers cyclists and walkers opportunities for recreation and environmental education. In the Gelves area, the Corredor Verde is reached via the Colada de Gelves. There, it includes a level section along the edge of the Cornisa del Aljarafe, with views of Seville and the Guadalquivir Valley.

Cuisine

Local specialities include Cascote, a stew originating from Gelves. Ajo Molinero is a typical soup made with bread and garlic, with bitter orange optionally added. Every autumn, the Feria Río y Sabor showcases the cuisine of Gelves; albur is one of the event’s featured dishes.

Other places

Discover more destinations: Pedrera, El Pedroso, Tocina, El Real De La Jara, Gines, El Cuervo De Sevilla, Benacazón, Coripe.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Seville.