Oh how I love Spain… the Spanish seem to have their work/life balance down to perfection, and our time spent to visit Seville validates how much we love this culture. Seville is famous for its enormous Catedral and the city is filled with orange scented courtyards, and stunning Mudejar architecture oozing with history. We stumbled upon interesting neighborhoods humming with the hustle of Spanish life, scenic parks, and delightful boutiques… and of course delectable tapas bars.
Seville boasts a particularly vibrant nightlife, and we found Flamenco bars, jazz clubs, and tapas bars, all hidden in unexpected cozy plazas.
The Réal Alcazar (Royal Alcazar) is a remarkable structure, originally built on the site of a Muslim fortress. The royal family still uses the second floor as a residence today. Pro tip – be sure to reserve tickets ahead of time, or, even better, book a personalized skip-the-line tour. Also, Mondays have free hourly entry.
Catedral de Sevilla sits on a former mosque in the city center and is the largest gothic building in Europe. The Catedral has over 40 chapels and impressive architecture throughout. The cathedral is available for mass and is open regularly to visitors who visit Seville.
La Giralda is the tallest landmark in Seville and is adjacent to the Catedral. There are no stairs in La Girada, instead there are about 40 ramps winding to the top that offers sweeping views of the city. La Giralda is one of the world’s longest-surviving minarets from the 12th century Berber-Muslim Almohad Dynasty.
Plaza de España has one of the most picturesque views in the city and is a buzzing with activity and charm. The 540,000-square-foot Plaza is packed with tapas bars, street performers and restaurants. You can even rent boats to row around the canal.
In the center there’s a huge mosaic patio with a canal, a fountain and four foot bridges. The detailed artwork and architecture in the Plaza de España is intricate and interesting, and the impressive blue tile work is a treat.
Seville is the Flamenco capital of Spain and there are many Flamenco shows to enjoy, from impromptu performances in local bars to unique theaters dedicated to the art of Flamenco dancing.
The powerful Teatro Flamenco Sevilla show is magical and you can read about that in detail here. Flamenco dance originated in Andalusia, and there are three parts to each flamenco performance: the song, the guitar, and the dance. The dancers are mesmerizing as they balance power, passion and calm. Do not miss catching a show when you visit Sevilla.
Metropol Parasol is known to locals as Las Setas (The Mushrooms), and is one of Seville’s iconic landmarks.
It’s basically a huge honeycomb sunshade and it claims to be the world’s largest wooden-framed structure. This stunning structure is three blocks long and at night it comes alive when it’s lit up with a light show offering incredible city views. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a coffee as you visit Seville.
We ate our way through the city! Seville should be at the top of any foodies travel list. Tapas are tasty and inexpensive in Seville, and there’s literally hundred’s of tapas bars to choose from.
Our tapas of choice are Iberian jamon, Spinach with Garbanzo beans, Patatas Bravas and croquettes, washed down with a cold local beer or a glass of local wine. There are plenty of tapas food tasting tours available, but you honestly can just wander into tapas bars yourself to sample the the many different types of cuisine.
Barrio Santa Cruz is a neighborhood close to the cathedral. Barrio Santa Cruz is filled with narrow streets and interesting shops, bars and restaurants. The quaint Plaza de la Santa Cruz is a small yet charming square filled with Spanish culture.
Mercado de Triana is a large local market filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meat.
Local cafes serve tapas fresh from the market for a farm to table experience. It’s located in the Triana quarter near the bridge and the river, which is a great place to sit and soak in the culture.
We love Seville! Seville stays true to its historical and cultural mix of architecture and cafe culture. The city is beautiful, people are kind, the weather is perfect and I love that most people get around the city by foot or riding a bike. The locals are mostly smiling and enjoying life – although if I lived in Seville I’d be smiling every day too!
I’m a travel and health writer, digital and brand consultant, breast cancer survivor, and supermom to two active boys! I keep it real and share stories of raising teenage boys, family life after a cancer diagnosis, and family travels around the world! Each story is shared with my dry, and sometimes naughty sense of humor.
Sevilla is the Flamenco capital of Spain and experiencing Teatro Flamenco Sevilla in the old…
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