Best Things to Do:
- 1. Seville: Insider Tips for a City Trip
- 2. Starting the Day with Culinary Delights
- 3. Metropol Parasol - The Mushrooms of Seville
- 4. Wandering Through Orange Tree-Lined Alleys
- 5. Moorish Architecture in Alcazár and Gothic Architecture
- 6. Seville Culinary Delight: Churros for a Boost
- 7. Insider Tip: Sundowner on the Rooftop Terrace
- 8. Seville in the Evening: Tapas, Wine & Spanish Sociability
- 9. Experience Seville Like the Locals: Flamenco and Alternative Neighborhoods
- 10. Insider Tips from Locals for Seville
- 11. Authentic Tapas Enjoyment:
- 12. Nightlife for Insiders:
- 13. Shopping Tips in Seville:
- 14. A Very Special Insider Tip:
- 15. More Tips for Seville to Recreate
Seville: Insider Tips for a City Trip
Starting the Day with Culinary Delights
On a cold, gray day, I felt a longing and decided to take a short trip to Andalusia. When I landed two weeks later in the south Spanish city of Seville at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, my heart leaped just as I had imagined. Seville is simply wonderful! I returned with many tips for the perfect city trip. Let's get started!
What works incredibly well in Seville: just stumble in anywhere. While searching for a nice café, I wandered through the somewhat sleepy old town and suddenly found myself in front of Mamā Inés on Plaza Zurbarán. This tiny café has an outdoor terrace, great coffee, cakes, and an excellent breakfast selection. I opted for Tostada, toasted bread, with various spreads like hummus, tomatoes, guacamole, or - quite classically - olive oil. Along with freshly squeezed orange juice, cappuccino, and I was perfectly prepared for my first day in the capital of Andalusia!
Metropol Parasol - The Mushrooms of Seville
I love to wander aimlessly while exploring cities. Because, wonderfully, I end up accidentally at the major sightseeing spots. That happened in Seville too: suddenly, I stood before the gigantic wooden structure Metropol Parasol, the 'mushrooms of Seville,' designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer. The great thing is that for 5 euros (as of August 2021), you can take an elevator up and walk through the stunning, winding outdoor corridors - including a complimentary drink and a panoramic view of the city!
Afterwards, you can treat yourself to a little shopping tour through the markets and shops on the ground floor of the mushrooms or inform yourself about the history of Seville at the Archaeological Museum.
Also worth a visit: Plaza de España, especially because it's not very crowded in the morning. The impressive building is semicircular around the namesake square and symbolizes Spain's embrace of its South American colonies. Overall, it's rich in history, a wonderful place to linger, and admire the architecture - especially the Azulejos, the tile ornaments.
Wandering Through Orange Tree-Lined Alleys
For those who love to get to know a city while strolling, Seville is perfect - even though the old town is the largest in the country. I love the lush orange trees that grace the entire cityscape and the little shops that tempt you to go souvenir shopping. I also enjoyed the beautiful alleys where you can briefly lose yourself. It's a bit away from the hustle and bustle, yet right at the center of it all.
Moorish Architecture in Alcazár and Gothic Architecture
Due to its proximity to North Africa, the Moorish architecture with its oriental elements is deeply rooted in Seville. Not only can you find beautiful courtyards reminiscent of Moroccan Riads throughout the old town, but the medieval royal palace Alcazár is also a feast for the eyes in terms of Moorish architecture. The Mudéjar architecture - a style that emerged under Christian rule influenced by Islamic design - is especially stunning here, including the Salón de Embajadores, the Patio de las Doncellas, and the huge garden area. It's really worthwhile to spend a lot of time here in this palace, which is still occasionally used by the royal family, and immerse yourself in the fascinating architecture.
You must definitely see the Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede right next to the royal palace. It is the largest Gothic church in the country and is a protected monument. Interesting: The bell tower of the cathedral is a former minaret.
Seville Culinary Delight: Churros for a Boost
If you're feeling a bit tired now, you should take a quick break - and what better way than to relax with a portion of churros and hot chocolate? You really don't have to look long for the Spanish treat, a fried pastry made from choux pastry in Seville - they can be found in almost every café. So, kick back, order some churros, and dunk them in the thick chocolate!
An alternative to churros for ice cream lovers and vegans: At Bolas, there's fantastic ice cream made without additives and several dairy- and egg-free options.
Insider Tip: Sundowner on the Rooftop Terrace
At this time, dinner is still not being served in Spain, but it's the perfect time to get into the mood. A great spot right at the cathedral is the rooftop terrace of Hotel Doña Maria, where you can start the evening with a drink and some snacks. Here, you can enjoy the sunset beautifully and, thanks to the central location, leisurely embark on your tapas tour around 8:30 PM!
Seville in the Evening: Tapas, Wine & Spanish Sociability
Olives, cheese, Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham), Espinacas con Garbanzos (my favorite: chickpeas with spinach), or Flamenquín (meat rolls filled with ham) - the list of Spanish specialties is endless! If you want to try them, it's best to order them first as 'mini-portions,' known as tapas. Later, you can always order a larger portion! The delicious food is often washed down with a Caña, which is best translated as 'a small beer,' or red wine. The Andalusians also love to drink Manzanilla, a very dry sherry that is exclusively produced in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in southwest Spain.
Experience Seville Like the Locals: Flamenco and Alternative Neighborhoods
The neighborhood of Triana, located between the Guadalquivir River and the Canal de Alfonso XIII, is no longer a hidden gem. However, it's a wonderful place for a tapas tour with its many local restaurants, bars, and pubs. Great bars with nice ambiance include Las Golondrinas and the slightly fancier Majaretta. You can find more tips on tapas bars and other local favorites further down the list.
But Triana has much more to offer. The ceramics museum is particularly impressive - no wonder it's located here in Triana, as potters lived and worked here in the past.
Feel the Flamenco! Watch Flamenco! It combines singing, (guitar) music, and dance, with origins from various cultures, and it's rooted in Andalusia. I believe, if you haven't experienced Flamenco, you haven't truly been to Seville. A great and authentic bar is La Carboneria. Entry is free, and Flamenco is performed every night. Especially after midnight, you should check out 'Casa La Anselma' or 'Lola de los Reyes!' In terms of nightlife, Triana certainly has much more to offer than just Flamenco. The best clubs, etc., can be found on Calle Betis, just let yourself drift and get inspired.
Speaking of nightlife: The artistic neighborhood Alameda, often compared to London's Soho and a bit more 'underground' than Triana, is also really nice. Besides Flamenco at one of the countless bars and pubs, you can experience a lot of live jazz performances here! Additionally, Alameda is wonderfully green, making it a perfect place to relax!
This part was added by the Travellers Insight editorial team.
Insider Tips from Locals for Seville
My love for Seville was especially through my stomach, as it often is with Spain and its food culture. Anyone coming here should be hungry - not just for the delicious specialties but also for the city's history and culture. Here's a list of insider tips from locals:
Authentic Tapas Enjoyment:
- Many locals go to the bar Casa Ruperto in Triana, especially at lunchtime. Here you can find very affordable tapas that are served quickly. The quail, in Spanish: codornices, is especially popular.
- The oldest tapas bar in the city is El Rinconcillo, which has been serving Spanish specialties since 1670. Definitely worth a stop!
- Right next to El Rinconcillo, you'll find La Huerta, where the locals say you can find the best chickpeas with spinach.
- Additional tips from the editorial team: You can also find Los Cuevas in Triana. Especially try the scrambled eggs with ham and the tuna with salmorejo and pisto.
- Los Golondrinas is also among the recommended addresses for tapas in Triana: Their seafood tapas are particularly delicious!
Nightlife for Insiders:
- Around Alameda de Hércules, there is an alternative and international party scene. If you want to go out, this is the right place any day of the week.
- On the site of a former convent, which now functions as a museum and is known as Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, electronic parties are held every two weeks.
Shopping Tips in Seville:
- The El Jueves Flea Market takes place - as the name suggests - every Thursday year-round and is the oldest market in the city. There, you can find antiques, little treasures like rare vinyl records, and many special souvenirs, which are anything but kitschy, including beautifully woven baskets.
- You can't miss the ceramic typical for Seville: colorful plates, cups, or candle holders make great small gifts for those back home. Fans are also a great souvenir.
A Very Special Insider Tip:
- 1001 Nights right in the middle of Seville: The Arab baths at Aire de Sevilla are a perfect highlight for couples or just to unwind in between. Thermal baths, Andalusian rituals, massages & co. - they're all heavenly!
More Tips for Seville to Recreate
This part was added by the editorial team.
- When is the best time to visit Seville? It is obvious that there is more going on in Seville and all of Andalusia when the weather is good. This means conversely: If you don't want long lines in front of museums or overcrowded places, you should fly to Seville between November and February. The weather is more rainy and less crowded then. Those who don't mind the hustle and bustle and love the sun should come in spring and in September/October when the weather is pleasantly mild in Seville. Summer is very hot there.
- How long to stay? You should stay at least for an extended weekend, even better a whole week. Then you have enough time for relaxed sightseeing in the city and even a few days at the beach.
- Getting from A to B in Seville: In Seville, you can actually reach all the sights - most of them are located right in the car-free city center - comfortably on foot, but you can of course also take the bus, tram, or subway to get around the Andalusian metropolis.
- And where to sleep? Surely: In Seville, there are countless hotels of every size and category. We find the El Rey Moro Hotel Boutique particularly appealing, located in the historic center, as well as the Casa Boutique La Pila del Pato. While the first is a bit pricier, you can stay at La Pila del Pato quite affordably. Otherwise, we can only recommend that you look for hotels or guesthouses online early, as there are many options in Seville! And one last tip: Why not take your tent along and camp at one of the lovely sites around the city?