Seville, in Spanish 'Sevilla', inspires with traditional charm.
Magnificent palaces, royal houses and futuristic architecture, medieval quarters and extensive gardens, important art museums, flamenco shows and bullfighting. Seville, the capital of Andalusia, combines magical and modern places paired with Andalusian joie de vivre.
- Travel period: 3 days
- Best time to travel: April/May/June & September/October
- Main dish: 10 €
Arrival
The airport Aeropuerto de Málaga is the most important airport of Andalusia and is served by many airlines including budget airlines. Seville is only 200 kilometres away and can be easily reached in less than two hours by rental car via the A-45 / A-92.
Hotel
In Seville there are some luxury hotels. For a night in a double room in the Hotel Alfonso XIII* you have to pay at least 400 euros. We recommend the 3-stars-hotel Patio de Las Cruces*. It has a typical Spanish ambience and is located only a few minutes walk from the cathedral.
Places of interest
During the summer months the weather in Seville can become unbearably hot. The best time to travel is from April to June and in September and October.
The Royal Palace Real Alcázar is an oriental masterpiece, built after the model of the Alhambra in Granada. The many halls and patios are decorated with mosaics, filigree Arabic ornaments and Christian symbols. The flowering gardens with their artistic watercourses extend over several terraces. Kings have resided here since the Middle Ages and each one gave the architecture its own character. Even today the palace is still the official residence of the Spanish royal family.
The Cathedral of Sevilla was built on the walls of the Arab mosque and is today one of the largest churches in the world. It houses the mortal remains of Christopher Columbus and a gilded high altar with the world's largest reredos. The bell tower La Giralda is the symbol of Seville and offers a beautiful view over the city.
The Archivo General de Indias is worth seeing for its architecture alone. You will find here documents about the conquest and colonization of America and the diary of Christopher Columbus. The entrance is free.
For the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929, the Spanish Palace with the same named Plaza de España was built. Gorgeous pictures and ornaments made of marble and Andalusian ceramics adorn the building and the plaza. The niches with tiled coats of arms and maps symbolize the provinces of that time and the four bridges stand for the old Spanish kingdoms. The adjacent Park Maria Luisa is the green oasis of Seville. Between beautiful arcades and numerous fountains you can take a wonderful walk or go for a bike tour.
In the middle of the old town you will find a futuristic work of art designed by a Berlin architect among the historic buildings. The Metropol Parasol is one of the architectural highlights in Seville. The view is especially beautiful in the evening.
The Museum of Fine Arts is located in a monastery and is the second largest painting museum in Spain. Even the baroque building itself with its arcades and patios is worth a visit.
Sevilla is considered the city of tapas. In the picturesque district of Santa Cruz you will find the best tapas restaurants, which offer homemade creations to delight the palate. It is best to stop at several restaurants to try the small delicacies. It is also worthwhile to simply stroll through the alleyways decorated with flowers, where souvenirs and handicrafts are offered. The best shopping areas for an extended shopping tour are Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuán and Plaza Nueva.
Flamenco should you see, when visiting Seville. The Museo del Baile Flamencopresents an authentic performance. You can buy the ticket during the day at the museum cash desk.
The traditional bullfights are widely allowed in Spain. The bullring in Madrid and the Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla are the most famous ones in Spain.
Our book tip
For your trip through Andalusia we recommend the travel guide 'From Málaga through Andalusia'. You can find this handy book for example on Amazon.
