According to Lonely Planet, Seville is the best city to visit in 2018, and we certainly agree with them! Seville is the essence of everything that crosses your mind when thinking “Spain”: sunshine, flamenco, tapas, ceramics, opera, stunning monuments of rich architectural heritage (Moorish, Catholic, Jewish…), bulls and much more.
When visiting Seville, the following places are ‘must see’:
Cathedral & Giralda Tower.
Built on top of the Mosque after the Catholic Kings’re-conquest, the Cathedral of Seville is the third largest church in the World after Saint Peter’s in the Vatican and Saint Paul’s in London. The Giralda Tower was the former minaret which has been preserved within the Cathedral structure because of its outstanding beauty. Nowadays, the Giralda Tower is the city bell tower.
Royal Alcazar.
This fortress of Moorish influences is a jewel of architecture. The oldest part of the fortress dates back to the 10th Ceramics and beautiful tiles cut according to the tradition of the alicatado, courtyards with fountains, beautifully carved wooden ceilings and plaster walls and amazing flowered gardens are what this structure has to offer. This monument is certainly one of the most beautiful in town.
Plaza de España.
Built as the main information pavilion during the 1929 Iberian-American exhibition, Plaza de España is another jewel of architecture in Seville. Located in María Luisa Park, the green epicentre of the city, it invites visitors to relax and wander around the beautiful ceramics representing the 50 provinces of Spain. This place is stunning and has been part of the set for many movies including Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Santa Cruz & Triana Quarters.
Santa Cruz quarter is located just behind the Cathedral and Alcazar. It is a maze of narrow streets full of white-washed houses with flowered courtyards (although private property, some are open to the public). This quarter is also full of small boutique hotels, tapas bars, souvenir shops and museums. This is probably the most touristic neighborhood in town but it definitely is worth the visit. If you wish to visit a more “genuine” quarter, cross the Guadalquivir River and visit Triana. Triana is one of the favourite quarters of the locals. Famous for its ceramic shops, churches and its colourful market, we highly recommend you pay a visit to this part of the city. The market is located inside Saint George Castle, a castle that served as Tribunal of the Inquisition; you can visit, on its -1 floor, a museum dedicated to this theme.
Metropol Parasol.
Seville is not only traditions and old monuments, it is also a vibrant and evolving city, constantly looking to the future. Metropol Parasol is a perfect example of this mix between past, present and future. Built a few years ago by a German architect, Metropol Parasol offers a very modern type of architecture (all made from white concrete and wood). On the -1 floor you will find a museum dedicated to the Roman ruins that were discovered during the resurrection of this building. On the top of the building, you will find a venue (suitable for gala dinner or meetings), a bar and a stunning rooftop where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. An interesting contrast of architecture in the middle of the old town.
What’s more, don’t forget to try as many tapas bars as possible (Iberian ham, salmorejo, spinach with chickpeas, fried fishes, sangria & sherry wines are only some examples). Enter a tablao flamenco to immerse yourself in our traditional flamenco or enjoy an opera performance at the Teatro de la Maestranza. Come and visit Seville, you won’t regret it!
