Seville is quintessential Spain. Although the architecture is a layered blend of Christian and Moorish styles, those clichés that are most associated with Spain are all to be found huddled in Andalucia’s compact capital. From flamenco to fiestas and tapas to bullfights, here you’ll find the biggest and the best.
‘Romantic’, ‘flamboyant’, ‘intriguing’ and ‘embracing’ – these are all words that have been used to describe Seville, but so have ‘wild’ (think bullfights and frenzied flamenco), ‘reserved’, ‘conspicuous’ and ‘insular’.
Such is the city, a hybrid of contrasts visible at every turn. The merciless bullring looms over romantic walkways whilst shark-fin bridges over the Rio Guadalquivir poke ominously through a terracotta skyline and mournful laments drift lazily through the cobbled alleyways of one of Europe’s most upbeat cities.
Seville is a city for all seasons. Party with the in-crowd at Plaza Alfalfa or Calle Betis or soak up the solitude within the Parque de Maria Luisa. Culture vultures swoop on the numerous museums and megalithic monuments of a time gone by, whilst eagle-eyed visitors find new fascination in every small detail.
Dating from the 14th century, the Reales Alcazares complex provides a perfect example of Moorish architecture and houses some prime examples of mudéjar artistry plus the most ornate gardens in Seville.
Patio de Banderas
Tel: 95 450 2323.
Website: www.patronato-alcazarsevilla.es
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (Oct-Mar); daily 0930-1900 (Apr-Sept).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Catedral de Sevilla & La Giralda (Seville Cathedral and bell tower)
Built in the 15th century on the foundations of the al-Moharrem Great Mosque, this gargantuan cathedral is the world’s largest gothic temple and third largest Christian church after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London. La Giralda was the minaret of the former mosque and in its day was the highest tower in the world, still affording great views of Seville’s rooftops today.
Fray Caferino Gonzalez
Tel: 95 421 4971.
Website: http://catedraldesevilla.es
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1100-1730, Sun 1430-1830 (Sep-Jun); Mon-Sat 0930-1630, Sun 1430-1830 (Jul-Aug).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Torre del Oro and Museo Naval (Tower of Gold and Naval Museum)
Formerly a Moorish watchtower when it was built in the early 13th century, the Torre del Oro marked the edge of Seville’s defences, later becoming a storage depot for gold and riches gathered on voyages to the Americas. Today it houses a small naval museum.
Paseo de Colón
Tel: 95 422 2419.
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1400, Sat-Sun and holidays 1100-1400.
Admission charge: Y (free Tues).
Disabled access: Y.
La Maestranza (Bullring)
Seville’s yellow and white bullring, revered by Andalucians, is considered to be one of the most important bullfighting arenas in Spain.
Paseo de Colón
Tel: 95 422 4577.
Website: www.realmaestranza.com
Opening hours: Daily 0930-2000 (May-Oct); daily 0930-1900 (Nov-Apr).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Plaza de España
Seville’s Plaza de España is a huge public area bordered by a crescent of government buildings facing a monumental fountain. A moat flows under ornate staircases and gently past a succession of brightly tiled alcoves, one for each of Spain’s provinces.
