Seville
I visited Seville on a business trip, I took three days off before the meeting and had the opportunity to see it entirely in three days. It is a city that has literally enchanted me in various aspects: the temperature is fantastic, always sunny like all of southern Spain, elegant buildings, bars and crowded squares that serve delicious tapas, and above all Plaza de España, fascinating with the colors, fountains, small canals and bridges that remind of a small Venice. I found Seville one of the most beautiful destinations in all of Spain in general, where you can see magnificent corners but also have fun and eat great food.
10 things to do in Seville
1. Take a boat ride in the romantic canals of Plaza de España
Plaza de España is a magnificent colored square in the shape of a semicircle, inside the Parque Maria Luisa. It is a riot of bricks and azulejos, and it is incredibly fascinating with its fountains and canals, which resemble a small Venice. It is also possible to climb the stairs inside and enjoy the view of the whole square from above. It is possible to get lost for an entire afternoon in this small colored corner, going up and down the bridges and getting lost in observing the colors, flowers and boats that come and go along the canals. An experience not to be missed is to rent a boat and go through the canals. This will allow you to see the panorama from the canals, and especially at sunset it is a truly romantic sight.
2. Enjoy a siesta in Parque Maria Luisa
Parque Maria Luisa is a fabulous green oasis, a huge park full of colorful flowers and paths, where you can see people running, walking, lying on the lawn, or tourists crossing the park in a horse-drawn carriage. You can admire the enchanting colorful flowers, and once you have walked for a while, enjoy a siesta lying on the lawn, taking advantage of the always sunny and warm climate of the city.
3. Taste tapas in one of the typical tapas bars overlooking the cathedral of Seville
The center of Seville is to be discovered, full of paths always crowded with people walking, admiring the view sitting on the steps in front of the cathedral, resting, taking a carriage ride.
In addition to all this, Seville is also full of small and crowded tapas bars, where the variety of tapas is infinite and you can taste typical and tasty menus at affordable prices, for sure not to miss the super tasty Jamon Serrano. In Seville it is almost impossible to eat badly!
4. Admire the Mudejar style of the Real Alcazar palace
The Real Alcazar palace in Seville is a perfect combination of Christian and Mudejar architecture, and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The palace is also one of the places where the Game of Thrones TV serie was filmed. The palace is a place to be entirely discovered, passing from one patio to another reflecting a union between Catholic and Muslim art, the result of the alliance between Don Pedro, Catholic sovereign, with the Muslim Emir of Granada Muhammed V. Outside the building there are also immense gardens, with flower beds, basins and fountains. The whole palace is enchanting and is one of the must-see stops on your trip to Seville. You enter only through a guided tour, therefore it is advisable to book in advance to avoid that places are sold out on the days of your visit.
5. Take the 35 ramps of the Giralda tower to admire the city from above
The imposing cathedral of Seville is one of the major attractions of the city, built on the remains of what was the main mosque in the city. In the north-eastern corner, a passage allows you to climb the Giralda, a 104 meters high tower which includes the original minaret of the mosque. The top can be reached via 35 ramps, which allowed the muezzin to climb on horseback. However, much effort is rewarded by the splendid 360° view over the roofs. The advice is to choose well the time to visit it because the crowd that goes up is so large, that you have to stand in line just to look at the view. Also to ac cess the tower it is better book in advance in order to avoid the long queue.
6. Get carried away by the rhythm of a flamenco show
Visiting Seville and not attending a flamenco show, in the homeland of origin of this art, is truly unforgivable. This art, born in Andalusia and awarded as a UNESCO intangible heritage, is a true sign of identity of the various community of the region. A flamenco show is made up of three components: cante, baile y toque, that is to sing, dance and play. Three arts that mix in one moment trying to revive different emotions ranging from courtship to despair.
To see this type of show there are various options of , from the cheaper ones, which use smaller rooms with fewer artists, to the more expensive ones. Whichever place you choose, however, let yourself be carried away by the rhythm and emotion!
7. Go up and down the panoramic steps of the Metropol Parasol
This structure was inaugurated in 2011 and is nicknamed Las Setas (the mushrooms) of Seville and has become one of the main attractions of the city over time. The work represents a huge parasol umbrella and holds the record for the largest wooden structure in the world. The last level, the corrugated roof, which can be accessed, is composed of steps that go up and down, allowing you to enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. Also very fascinating is the play of lights and shadows that this imposing structure creates on the buildings below.
8. Admire the fascinating combination of Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance style of the palaces of Seville
In Seville there are many palaces, some of which are still inhabited by the families who own them, which are extremely fascinating for their artistic particularities: specifically the one in the photo is Casa de Pilatos, but the Palacio de Las Duenas must also be visited, with its garden overflowing with lemon trees and the splendid courtyard decorated with arches, and Casa de Salinas, which is an elegant miniature version of the royal palace of Seville, full of Mudejar-style arches.
9. Walk around the bullring of the Plaza de Toros of Seville
Even for those like me who are not at all fanatic of the bullfighting show, in the world of bullfighting the Plaza de Toros in Seville is considered one of the most important in Spain, the place where bullfighters who have reached the peak of their career fight, therefore in the visit to Seville must not be missing.
The guided tour is very interesting because it tells stories of this typical Spanish tradition, and also fascinating anecdotes on bullfighters.
10. Go shopping in calle Sierpes
Calle Sierpes, the street that heads north of the Plaza de San Francisco, is considered one of the trendiest shopping streets in Seville.
Don’t be in a hurry and stop in the family-run shops, boutiques, and also have fun in the tourist shops that sell myriads of clothes for the flamenco dance.
When to go?
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
The best months to visit Seville are April, May and October, to avoid the summer hot weather and winter rains, although in these months it can rain sometimes. Those who endure the heat can choose the summer, preparing for the likely hot weather.
In winter you can find several pleasant, sunny and spring yummy days, although at night it can be cold, and waves of bad weather are not excluded.
I visited Seville in early October and the weather couldn’t have been more wonderful. Sunny days, warm but not sultry temperatures, no rain or clouds. Certainly the period before or after the summer, which instead is very sultry, are the best times to visit the city
three unmissable stops
Best photos spots
I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.
Cathedral of Seville – Giralda 
Plaza de España 
Paseo Cristobal Colon 
Real Alcazar of Seville 
Las Setas de Sevilla 
Palacio de Las Duenas
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