Seville - Spain Travel Guide

Seville is an elegant and exuberant city, home to authentic Andalusian culture and lifestyle

After a few days spent eating tapas, watching flamenco, and drinking local wine in the sunshine, you may find it hard to leave...

• Seville is a city with a strong personality defined by two thousand years of history. The city's motto 'No me ha dejado' means 'she [the city] has not abandoned me'. This motto is indicative of Seville's long history of survival throughout various conquests. Evidence of both Roman and Moorish influence is still apparent in the city's architecture and monuments.
• Dining in Seville Like all provincial capitals in Spain, Seville enjoys the best of provincial production. Fresh seafood from Cadiz, meats and cheeses from the north, and olive oil from Jaen are just a few examples of the regional fare available throughout the city. It is this variety that fuels the Tapas culture for which Seville is famous. Whether you are in search of a meal or just an accompaniment to a glass of wine, a Tapas bar or restaurant will have a selection of fresh delicious dishes to please every palate. The tapas bars of Barrio Santa Cruz are some of the city's best.
• Weather: Seville enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate. In fact Seville is one of the warmest cities in Europe with an average temperature of 32c in August. Winters are mild and temperatures rarely drop below 6c
• Flamenco in Seville is amongst the best in Spain. The roots of this traditional Andalucian music and dance originate in the province of Seville. As a result, Seville the city has always been the provincial meeting point for the creme de la creme of Flamenco musicians and dancers. Be sure to take in a traditional evening show in one of the city's many tablaos (Flamenco bars). Here are some long running establishments offering the best in Flamenco performance: El Arenal (7 Calle Rodo): A long running, intimate tablao. El Patio Sevillano (Paseo Colon) One of Seville's first tablaos, located next to the Plaza de Toros. Los Gallos (11 Plaza de Santa Cruz) This tablao has been open since the 60's and puts on two shows a night.
• The Cathedral of Seville: Built on the site of a 12th century Mosque, this incredible building is the largest cathedral in Spain and the third largest (by square footage) Christian church in the world. Inside the Cathedral you'll find what may be the largest church interior in existence. The vaulted ceilings, gothic carvings, and sheer grandeur of the building make this one of Seville's most visited attractions.
• The Alcazar Palace: Whether or not you are interested in Seville's historical context, this palace is well worth visiting. The palace, like Seville itself, is a fusion of Spanish and Moorish architecture. It was originally a Moorish fort and was later expanded under Spanish rule. The Moorish Zelig tiling, traditional arches, courtyards, and carvings, are a clear reminder of Southern Spain's proximity to Morocco.
• Visit Seville during the week leading up to Easter and you will find the city packed with people who have come for Seville's famous 'Semana Santa' (holy week) celebration. Throughout the holy week, processions of white clad, masked 'costaleros' from various brotherhoods parade solemnly through the streets carrying enormous heavy floats (pasos). To take part in a Semana Santa procession is a once in a lifetime honour and many men wait all their lives to be given the opportunity to join the procession. On Good Friday, the processions leave churches at midnight and the heavy alter-like floats are carried throughout the night, concluding around 6am. Though this is a truly spectacular time to be in Seville, be sure to book accommodation well in advance if you are planning to stay during this period.
• The Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza: Seville is one of the best places in Spain to witness a traditional bullfight. Though the sport is definitely not for the faint of heart and is constantly under fire from many animal rights organisations, Sevillanos are very passionate about the sport as Seville is arguably the 'home of the bullfight'. The Plaza de Toros is large, impressive, and very busy during the bullfighting season (April-June, September).
• Whether your time in Seville is spent walking the tree lined avenues enjoying the cafe and tapas bar culture or spent perusing the city's rich historical culture, architecture, and museums, the underlying charm and atmosphere of Seville is unavoidable. Seville is unquestionably, one of Spain's most attractive destinations.
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Did you know? Christopher Columbus’s tomb, supposedly containing his remains, is located inside Seville Cathedral.

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Top Tips you shouldn't miss

• While central Seville is not a very large area, getting around on foot is time consuming and hard on the feet after a day or so (especially if you are over 50). Taxis in Seville are plentiful and inexpensive. You can reach most of the places of interest from the Corregidor Hotel for five euro or less. Highlights of Seville include the Alcazar, Casa de Pilatos, Maria Luisa Park, but not the shopping. Use the Metro (a tram, actually) to get from the Cathedral area to the Maria Luisa Park.more Beaches & Sights Top Tips
• there are more restaurants than you can discover - good prices and good food if you stay one street back from all main attractions - it can be expensive on the main tourist streets - good places directly across the river from the Bullring and good views of the City more Food Top Tips
• Seville is an awesome city and well worth a visit! The city bus tour is a must and try to get the 'green' bus tour as it includes free guided walks which were excellent and well worth the effort. Try toavoid the tourist hangouts and head for the places where the locals go. Thankfully I am fluent in Spanish and was able to find out this kind of information. The 'Miami' bar in the district of 'Triana' is a must, and you should order the platter of mixed fried seafood and accompanied by a 'Manzanilla', an alcoholic beverage which goes well with fish. The tapas bar in the 'Old Money House' - La casa de Moneda - serves delicious tapas at very reasonable prices and big portions. I particularly liked the spinach dish and the cod and chickpeas tapas. If you dont want to pay out a fortune for the typical tourist Flamenco show you MUST go to a hidden local hangout called 'La Carboniera' where a local gypsy and her accompanying guitar player and Flamenco singer entertain you every night with an authentic, live Flamenco show, for free! It oozes authenticity and the atmosphere in amazing. This bar is found in the back streets near to the hotel 'Fernando III' and is a bohemian. white washed walled, pub with open fire and jazz piano until the early hours. There is no sign outside but is hidden behind 2 big read doors in the side of a wall. Just ask a local - a real must!Also the Catherdral,Royal palace and Santa Cruz area - awesome!! more Entertainment Top Tips
• La Carboneria, in the back quarters of the Santa Cruz Bario... off an unassuming square, with not visible sign of its existence. But once inside it is an expansive venue, bustling with tourists and locals alike, great tapas, free-flowing cervaza and flamenco and classical guitar on tap. more Bars, Pubs & Clubs Top Tips