The elegant capital of Andalusia incorporates the best attractions of Spain: tapas, wine, bulls, flamenco, and the cordiality of its people eager to celebrate life in the name of happiness. Whether business or pleasure takes you to the city of Seville, rest assured this place will capture your heart. Rich in history, Seville’s past boasts Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque heritage. With the past mingling with Seville’s vivid present, visitors are offered a kaleidoscope of experiences guaranteed to leave an everlasting impression.
Daily life in Seville revolves around the flow of the placid Guadalquivir River, which divides the city in two parts. It is thanks to this river that Seville has played a prominent role for commercial trade. For three centuries, indeed, this was the main port of the country, the exclusive commercial entity authorized to trade New World goods with merchants of Europe, courtesy of Christopher Columbus’s expedition.
Things to See and Do
Alcazar is an historic Islamic palace showcasing a concoction of Spanish Christian and Moorish architecture. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of the most impressive monuments of Seville. Hint: Upon visiting the El Pation de Las Munecas, look for a hidden carved face. At that time, representations of humans were forbidden by Islam, but the face was hidden so well that only the sharpest eye could detect it.
Plaza de Espana boasts a magnificent facade and beautiful mosaic work. This square is bustling with activity with horse and carriage rides, musicians, and rowing boats for hire in the canal.
Barrio Santa Cruz will test your navigational skills with its narrow streets almost resembling a labyrinth. Getting lost here is part of the fun since you may stumble into charming art galleries, beautiful patios, and old artisan shops.
The Seville Cathedral is the resting place of Christopher Columbus. His remains are buried here in this large cathedral. The bell tower is worth the climb for the astounding views of the city.
Several other attractions worth visiting include the Flamenco Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Maria Luisa Park.
Spring Events in Seville
The Semana Santa in Seville is on its own quite an experience capable of evoking strong spiritual feelings. Thousands of hooded penitents, known as the Nazarenes, walk barefoot, while women and children participate in the solemn procession dressed up in elegant clothes.
Just two weeks after Easter, the Feria de Abril takes place, a famous festival that attracts locals and foreigners from across the globe. The passionate and bloody spectacle of the Temporada, Seville’s bullfighting, opens during this time. The most beautiful women of Andalusia dress up for the occasion boasting seductive flamenco ruffles, fans, and appealing shawls.
When to Visit Seville
With scorching temperatures often reaching 40 Celsius, summertime in Seville may not be the ideal time to visit. Spring is much preferable, with milder temperatures and a vast array of events to make this time worthy of visit. Orange trees are in bloom during this time, emanating a pleasant perfume throughout the city.
Where to Eat
Tapas are the staple food of Andalusia and Spain. They are appetizers crafted to encourage conversation since they do not require the full focus of a full meal, but rather encourage dynamic “nibbling” while sipping drinks. Whether eaten cold, hot, fried, or boiled, tapas best represent the social nature of Spanish society. El Rinconcillo, located nearby the Plaza de Los Terceros, is Seville’s oldest bar, founded in 1670, boasting a vast array of tapas.
El Reconcilio
C/ Gerona,
40 41003 Seville, Spain
Phone number: 34 954 22 31 83
If you are looking for a frisky way to start your evening, order a pitcher of Agua de Sevilla, a popular drink of the Seville region. The drink is a concoction of various liquors, champagne, pineapple juice, and cream sold in Santa Cruz and Calle Betis. Be careful, though – a bit too much may end your night rather than actually starting it!
For a different twist, try to purchase some sweets at a local convent. Ring the bell and upon hearing the nun say “Ave Maria Purisima,” respond, “Sin pecado concebido.” Next, order your favorite sweet product and place your money on a turnstile. Within seconds, expect something delicious to be spun back to you. The San Leandro convent is famous for its Yemas de San Leandro.
Where to Stay
An abundance of hotels and bed and breakfast are scattered throughout Seville. The Hotel Alma Seville Hotel Palacio de Villapanes ranks as one of the best hotels in town. Built in an 18th-century stone palace, the hotel boasts splendid rooms surrounded by marble columns, iron gates, and vaulted ceilings.
Hotel Alma Seville Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
Santiago 31,
41003 Seville, Spain
Phone number: 34 954 50 20 63
Seville is a very generous city offering a vast array of things to see and do. Visit Seville in the spring, and you will enjoy the mild weather, orange blossoms, and festive events that make this city so popular. Whether it’s the sunshine or the cordiality of its people, its history or its amazing culture, its mouthwatering tapas or its enticing street life, Seville will readily capture your heart and soul like no other place.
