Seville is one of those places you may have heard of but don’t really know that much about. Maybe a relative has visited recently, maybe you’ve seen it tagged on a post, but where is it…and what’s there? Well, here is a low down to get you up to speed on one destination that you definitely need to tick off your travel list!
Where is it?
Andalusia
Region, Southern Spain.
What’s it known for?
Flamenco
dancing, artistic and architectural heritage.
Is it the hottest city in Europe?
It’s the second hottest city in
Europe. Córdoba (also in Andalusia) is actually the hottest – but Seville
is pretty close behind with an annual average of 19.2 °C (67 °F). Seville does have the hottest summer in
continental Europe, with
average daily temperatures reaching 36.0 °C (97 °F) in July.
How long should I go for?
You have to spend an absolute minimum of 2
nights here. There are so many things to get up to, you could probably fit them
neatly into a weekend, but you want to make sure you have enough time to fully
appreciate your surroundings and immerse yourself totally in all the city has
to offer.
Where Should I Go?
Seville Cathedral
You can even get a horse and cart to drop you right off at the doors of
this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Giralda, the Bell Tower
Climb to the top of the Bell Tower to get a picture perfect view of the
city from, yet another, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts
Open since the mid-19th century, feast your eyes on the works
of Murillo, Valdés Leal and Zurbarán in the second best gallery in Spain.
Royal Alcázar of Seville
Get your Game of Thrones on in the Royal Palace, another UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Stroll around the fragrant gardens full of fruit trees and
floral beauty…you may recognise it as the home of the Dornish characters in the
HBO series.
Barrio Santa Cruz
This beautiful little neighbourhood is perfect for a stroll. You’ll find
the main tourist spots around here, such as the Royal Alcázar mentioned above along with
other locations in this list. Enjoy some tapas at a cute little bar or purchase
a trinket souvenir from one of the many craft or ceramic shops.
Centro Cerámica Triana
This fine-looking museum is full of the
most beautifully unique artistry in the form of hand-painted tiles, pottery and
kilns. It’s actually an old factory that is home to all the preserved local
history.
Mercado de Triana
Head to this market to indulge yourself in local delicacies and fresh
food to tantalise your taste buds.
Casa de Pilatos
Yet another gorgeous palace on this list! This was actually arguably the
prototype for the Andalusian Palace.
Museo Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
This house museum dates back to the 16th century! Let
history envelope you with mosaics and art as well as its decorative interiors
that will leave you with neck ache from looking up to the elaborate ceilings.
Metropol Parasol
Find this gravity defying structure at La
Encarnación square. Standing strong since April 2011, this work of German
Architect Jürgen Mayer brings a modern twist to the old quarter.
Flamenco Museum
Check out a live show while you brush up on
your history of flamenco dancing and culture in this 18th century
building.
Plaza de España
Why not explore the city by boat around the Plaza de España? Take in the
beautifully elegant structures of the arches that surround the plaza. Standing
since 1928, these buildings showcase the best of Spanish architecture.
Party at the Feria de Sevilla
If you plan your trip right, you’ll make sure your travel dates coincide
with the Seville Fair – one of the best Easter celebrations around Europe.
It usually commences 2 weeks after the Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), running
for 7 days from midnight on Saturday to the following Saturday. Here you will
find many marquee tents, home to dancing, parties, bars and tapas stalls topped
off with an amusement park fitted with roller coasters and other games to help
see in the Easter festivities.
