Seville Travel Guide

About Seville

Filled with charming traditional architecture, Andalusia’s atmospheric capital Seville is a world of larger-than-life festival celebrations and flamboyant cultural arts; a romantic, feisty, passionate city.

In its historic quarters, the bullring looms over Rio Guadalquivir. Traditional horse-drawn carriages still amble around the city, clomping alongside the city’s sleek new metro system. Such is Seville - a hybrid of contrasts visible at every turn.

Visitors marvel at the impressive Plaza de España or get lost amongst the laneways of Santa Cruz. Over the bridge, the old gypsy district of Triana is now hip and vibrant, containing the city’s best nightclubs and retaining its rich flamenco culture. Seville is the place to see Spain’s most famous dance, with numerous tablaos (flamenco clubs) offering a variety of performances. It also has the Flamenco Museum if you’re feeling inspired.

While traditional Andalusian taverns are still rife, Seville is currently undergoing a tapas revolution. New gastrobars dish up mini fajitas, tiny burgers and crispy tempura, all presented in innovative ways.

Once full, party with the in-crowd at Plaza Alfalfa and Tiana’s Calle Betis, sip sangria in leafy plazas or soak up the Sunday afternoon solitude along the riverbank or in the Parque de Maria Luisa. Swoop on the numerous museums and megalithic monuments, but don’t miss the city’s Moorish past at the ornate Real Alcázar palace, the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) and the famous La Giralda tower, which offers stunning views across the city.

Seville is a city for all seasons, with lots going on throughout the year, but try (if you can bag a room) to catch some of the city’s most famous festivals. Go in spring to see the mournful, yet impressive processions of Semana Santa as well as the vivacious fiestas of La Feria de Abril. A celebration of everything Seville holds dear (flamenco, horses and bullfighting), the Feria is the city in a nutshell.

Key facts

Population:

702, 355

Latitude:

37.384534

Longitude:

-5.985145

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

Corral del Rey

Set on a narrow street in the old town, this stylish boutique hotel is set in a 17th century palacio. The rooms are set in two buildings around a central courtyard and furnished in antiques with Moroccan touches. If you don't treat yourself to the suite with two terraces and a private plunge pool, the rooftop garden has a pool too. Downstairs, there's a tapas bar. The hotel arranges insightful tours of the city too.

Hotel Abril

Located along Calle San Jerónimo Hernández, one of the main shopping streets of Seville, Hotel Abril is a humble bolthole with reasonably good prices. Rooms are spacious and clean, with homely decor; some have windows opening into the lobby but they are quieter than those opening onto the street. For those keeping to a tight budget, free coffee and tea is available throughout the day. A hearty breakfast buffet is also available for an extra fee. All rooms are en suite and come with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.

YH Giralda

A former house of the abbots, the YH Giralda is a perennially popular option for young couples seeking affordable comfort. The 2-star hotel is just metres away from the Giralda, in the midst of tapas bars and shops. The tastefully-furnished rooms are small but comfortable and are all en suite. Ask for the patio-facing rooms as they are quieter than those overlooking the streets.

Hotel Boutique Elvira Plaza

This small boutique hotel - there are only nine rooms, two of them suites - is set in a charming pedestrianised square in Santa Cruz, the former Jewish district. Although the rooms are on the small size, they are light and stylish. A roof terrace looks out onto the city, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

Hotel Alfonso XIII

If you're looking to splurge, the Hotel Alfonso XIII is arguably one of the most prestigious hotels in Seville. Converted from a neo-Moorish palace, the hotel pays homage to Spain's past. Huge chandeliers, opulent fabrics and an exotic ambiance make it the preferred choice of the rich and famous, including foreign royalties, members of the government and celebrities. The hotel's cocktail bar is ideal for pre-prandial drinks by the pool, followed by dinner at San Fernando Restaurant or its venerable tapas lounge.

EME Catedral Hotel

Stylish and chic, the EME Catedral Hotel stands out for its juxtaposition of avant garde and rustic. Rooms are tastefully decorated with modish touches while the bricked walls and vaulted ceilings take on a rugged appearance. The rooftop swimming pool and terrace bar have spectacular views of the Cathedral, and dining options include a rustic Italian restaurant. The hotel also features glass floors that reveal Roman ruins under the hotel.

Introducing Seville

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