Local’s Guide To The Many Charms of Seville, Spain

Top Reasons To Explore The Amazing City of Seville, Spain

When considering the most inviting cities in Spain for your next visit, Seville may not be your first choice, but it should definitely be on your list. Here we will explain what makes Seville such an amazing city and why you need to add the capital of Andalucia to your next Spanish travel itinerary.  Our local’s guide to Seville will help you explore Seville with ease.

Top Things to do in Seville

There’s something for everyone in Seville. Whether you are interested in history, art, culture or just want a relaxing weekend, Seville has it all.  You won’t come up short for ideas or things to do when choosing to visit Seville. In fact there is such an abundance and variety, that it can be hard to fit it all in. So here’s our top picks:

Plaza de Espana

One of Spain’s most imposing and grand plazas, the Plaza de Espana, can be found in Seville. Covering 50,000 square metres, the Plaza is spectacular on a grand scale! With a fountain, towers, bridges, balconies, pavilions, a portico gallery, and even a 500 metre canal, you simply cannot help but be impressed when viewing this beautiful piece of culture and history. Beautiful blue and white ceramic tiles decorate the Plaza and almost everywhere you look there are intricate pieces of design. It’s no surprise that the Plaza de Espana is one of the most photographed squares in the whole of Spain.  Take in the delights of this beautiful sight with a tranquil stroll, picturesque carriage ride or even romantic boat trip along the canal.

Alcazar

One of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in Spain can be found in Seville’s Alcazar, a palace which is still in use today. Its an unforgettable experience viewing the Alcazars intricately formed ceilings and archways, alongside the serene gardens. You can be forgiven for forgetting that you are in a city whilst wandering amongst the orange trees and listening to the peaceful sounds of trickling water from the gardens fountains. Interestingly, for fans of TV series Game of Thrones, you may find parts of the structures and their surroundings very familiar as number of scenes from the series were filmed at this location.

Tip: Purchase a Seville Card.  The card comes with a map of the city and offers big discounts to all the attraction plus special lines that allow you to jump ahead of the crowds.

Museo de Bellas Artes

For those who appreciate art, you can discover works by some of Spain’s most notable artists in the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) a former convent turned art gallery. Works inside span the 15th to 20th centuries with a large number of paintings and depictions focusing on a religious perspective from the city’s 17th-century Siglo de Oro (Golden Age).

Las Setas de la Encarnación

An unusual and intriguing site can be found at Las Setas de la Encarnacion ( Translated as “Incarnación’s Mushrooms”!) and also known as the Metropol Parasol.

This quirky mushroom shaped structure was designed in 2011 by german architect Jürgen Mayer and claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Take the elevator to the top floor of the structure and you get impressive views of the city whilst strolling across the top of this giant waffle design mushroom, it’s truly modern and unique!

Sevilles Sumptuous Food & Drink

Seville is a foodie’s dreams come true! With atmospheric local bars around every corner, you will never be short of a place to stop off for a refreshing drink. The locally made Cruzcampo beer that comes from a pump encased in ice and the fresh tapas are as good as you will find anywhere in southern Spain. Add to this the authentic Sherry from Jerez and you will be partying like a local in no time.

A mouthwatering tapas dish has to be jamon iberico, proudly said to be from acorn-fed pigs. Or the deliciously tender pork loins cooked in whisky sauce.

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Tip: Avoid the regular price spike for being a tourist by noticing where the locals eat. This might mean heading off the beaten track but you will be rewarded for your efforts. Also check out Tripadvisor for abundance of places to eat. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but by checking out others reviews you can save time and money. One popular place loved by the Sevillanos is called Los Coloniales. Locals seem to delight in the larger sized portions of tasty tapas served here and the price isn’t so bad either!

Getting to Seville – Transport Options

You can reach Seville via Seville airport or Malaga airport. We will assume you will probably be travelling via Malaga airport as is it the larger airport of the two with a considerable number of international flights and is about 2 hours away from Seville. If you don’t fancy driving to your accommodation then pre booking a taxi transfer from Malaga airport to Seville might be the best option for you. Alternatively there’s a number of car hire companies located at both airports.

There is also a high speed train from Malaga to Cordoba and then from Cordoba to Seville, which is actually quicker than the direct train. The bonus is you can visit beautiful Cordoba as well if you decide to.

Air conditioned buses operated by Alsa travel between most cities can be a nice and relatively inexpensive way to travel to Seville too if you staying in a different part of southern Spain.

Tip: All trains in Spain are government owned and operated by RENFE. Special fares are available for single day and multi-day travel. Plus, they have special passes for tourists who purchase their tickets from outside of Spain.

Tips for visiting Seville in Summer

Spaniards call Seville the ‘Horno’ (oven) of Spain with temperatures, often reaching more than 45°C (113°F) in summer. In fact, Seville is hotter than anywhere else in Europe, so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a hat, wear suitable clothing and drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Some of Seville’s famous attractions and monuments are even more captivating at night, so you can enjoy summer evenings here too.

Tip: If you are visiting Seville during the summer, try and do your sightseeing early in the morning before it gets too hot. Visit the air conditioned museums in the midday sun. You can visit the Alcázar at night and enjoy a magical evening at the Plaza de España without the crowds.

Whenever you visit Seville, you’ll find a city filled with stunning architecture, vibrant culture and welcoming locals.