ESSENTIALS

Seville is famous for its huge and magnificent historical and artistic heritage. Its main monuments (Cathedral and Giralda, Royal Alcázar and Archive of the Indies) are declared World Heritage by the UNESCO.

The Fine Arts Museum is the main painting museum in the city, with 14 halls which contain painting and sculpture from the 15th century to Sevillian genre painting from the 20th century.

Sevilla is a perfect city to stroll and revel in its beautiful views. Get lots in the innermost streets and squares of Santa Cruz Quarter, the ancient Jewish Quarter; around Maria Luisa Park, one of the main historical gardens, with a lot of plant species, arbours, fountains, ponds, and the place where the spectacular Plaza de España and Plaza de América are located, both built for the 1929 Iberoamerican Exhibition.

By the riverbank of the Guadalquivir river, the Golden Tower (site of the Navy Museum), the Hospital de la Santa Caridad (beautiful church in baroque style with paintings by Murillo) and the Maestranza Bullring (with the Bullfighting Museum).

The Baroque style in its whole splendor can be seen in the Hospital de los Venerables, the Church of San Luis de los Franceses or the Church of del Divino Salvador; Renaissance style can be admired in the City Hall and the beautiful manor houses which contain countless works of art.

The number of churches and convents in the city is quite high, which keep truly treasures of architecture and sculpture.

Contemporary architecture is also present in the city, with constructions such as Las Setas, the biggest wooden building, or Sevilla Tower, the highest skyscraper in Andalucia. From the top of both buildings the views of  the city are amazing.

And for families travelling with children, nothing better than visiting the Thematic Park Isla Mágica, inspired by the era of the Discovery of America; the Aquarium of Seville, with numerous species; the Casa de la Ciencia, with interesting exhibitions and a planetarium; or the Pabellón de la Navegación, where you will know the story of this activity so important for Seville.

GET MOVIN!

Seville was part of the first high-speed train line constructed in Spain. The high-speed train brings you to the Seville – Santa Justa station from Cordoba, Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona on the southeast – northwest AVE line and from Malaga on AVANT trains.

When you are in Seville, we recommend two original ways of sightseeing. The first, the most classical way, is to see the city from a horse-drawn carriage. There are a number of official stops for these rides in the city centre, but the carriages can also collect you at your hotel or any other location you choose. Another way is by boat, navigating the urban stretch of the River Guadalquivir, offering panoramic views of the monuments on the riverbank. Another way to see the city is to use the hop-on, hop-off tourist buses that leave from the Tower of Gold.

Seville also has city buses, an underground railway, trams and taxis but you can also hire a bicycle and ride the 180 kilometres of cycle lanes.

ALTERNATIVES

We recommend you some different visits which allow to get to know some unknown places in Seville

Visit to the roofs of the Cathedral: The traditional visit to the Cathedral allow us to admire this beautiful building declared World Heritage in 1987 and Building of Exceptional Value in 2010, as well as the numerous works of art it contains. But there is another way of visiting this temple: from the roofs in order to admire totally the biggest Gothic Cathedral in the world. It is compulsory to book in advance on reservas.cubiertasdelacatedral.com

Night visits to the Royal Alcazar: Visitors can know the Alcazar’s history guided by the most important characters who inhabited in the palace and get involved in the magic of this monument at night, discovering a new Alcazar of Seville. Visits are from April to October www.alcazarsevilla.org

Visit to the Salvador Church: The Salvador Church, the second most important temple behind the Cathedral, offers the possibility of visiting the church to know some of its most outstanding features, such as the Patio de los Naranjos, the crypt, the roofs and the chamber of Nuestra Señora de las Aguas. reservas.cubiertasdelacatedral.com

Visit to the Maestranza Theater: Why do not know all the corners of one of the biggest theaters in the city and in Andalucia?. It is already possible. “Music and opera behind the curtain” is a tour indoor the theater whose aim is to let know its facilities and activities. This way you will know the modern and high-quality facilities as well international program of the Maestranza Theater. www.teatrodelamaestranza.es

Besides, there are numerous agencies which organize guided visits to different buildings which are part of Seville’s historical-artistical heritage (churches, convents, museums, manor houses, cemetery…..) as well as thematic routes.

FLAVOURS

Seville’s gastronomy is as rich as it is varied: age-old recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation, where traditional and modern cuisine blend together, delicious dishes that put the gastronomy of the city on the highest level.

Although we can find excellent restaurants of all kinds in the city, both Spanish and international, the gastronomy of Seville finds its true identity in “tapeo”, the custom of trying different tapas.

To get to know it, you will have to try the enormous variety of tapas on offer in the bars and taverns of the city.

Fried fish, known as “pescaíto frito”, is a must, especially the boquerones (anchovies), puntillitas (baby squid) and the cazón en adobo (marinated shark). Tapeo is not just the simple act of eating and drinking, but a social occasion whose protocol has been strictly described by the experts: you must harmonise the flavours on a scale of intensity and over time.

The best accompaniment for tapas is sherry, either manzanilla or amontillado, but the warm climate of Seville calls for a cold beer. And if your holidays bring you here in summer, try the refreshing gazpacho, a cold soup of bread, water, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, vinegar and olive oil, served either as a drink in a glass or in a bowl, accompanied by a garnish.

And for those fond of sweet, nothing better than taste the delicious sweets made by the nuns of the cloistered convents, a real pleasure for the palate.

DON’T MISS

Don’t leave Seville without buying any typical product. In the city centre you can find both traditional and new shops of international chains where you can find fashion, footwear, accessories, jewellery, decoration, etc.,

Furthermore, because of its artisan tradition, you can buy typical products of high quality. For example, pottery and ceramics, the most established traditional manufactures, with a variety of products and styles. Those of the Triana district are well known. For many centuries, most of the factories and artisan workshops were based here.

There is also special appeal and vitality surrounding the entire creative sector related to flamenco dresses (fashion, accessories, footwear), which offers both a wide range of traditional dresses and a growing number of designs that approach haute couture.

Other craft items which should be considered include saddlery, because of the great love of horses, guitars made by skilled craftsmen, fans, lace and embroidered shawls from Manila.

Also of note is the craftsmanship surrounding the celebrations and iconographic representations of Easter Week (imagery, precious metal work, embroidery, woodwork, embossing, gold working, quilting, candle making, among other sumptuous arts).

In Seville there are numerous shopping centers, and lately we have two new ones, Torre Sevilla Shopping Center and Lagoh Shopping Center, both with a wide offer to go shopping as well as food and leisure.