"Quien no ha visto Sevilla no ha visto maravilla"
"Who has not seen Seville has not seen wonder".
This quote could not express better what Sevilla is for me: a truly magical, vibrant place, full of wonder, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I've been there several times already and still am fascinated by its beauty and the atmosphere. A city with a long history, beautiful buildings, palaces and parks. In which you can sit outside for hours, sipping a glass of wine, just enjoying its atmosphere and people, always with a little bit of Flamenco in your ear. I immediately feel home when I arrive there. Feel connected to the city and its people. I can't explain what it is, but somehow Sevilla is a miracle. If you want to experience yourself, here are a few recommendations.
To start with a few general tips:
- How to reach: Sevilla is easy to reach by plane. There is a shuttle bus that brings you to the city center (line EA, 4 Euros for one way).
- When to go: In summer it is getting extremely hot in the city and you're constantly seeking shade. So july and august are probably not the best months to go there - also because a lot of shops are closed then. I've been in october the last time which was fantastic - still warm, but not hot anymore - simply perfect!
- How to get around: Sevilla always surprises me how big it is (I will never learn it...), so you walk quite some kilometers if you explore everything by foot. Quite a great way to get around are the rental bikes of "Sevici" that you find at almost every corner. You can download an app in advance and then use the bikes as much as you want. The paths for bicycles are good and you are a lot faster! There are also e-scooters to rent for those who want to be even faster.
- Where to stay: I normally stayed at the house of my former host mum, but can recommend the hostel "El viajero en Sevilla", a very cute house with cozy rooms, in the middle of the center and very close to the Guadalquivir river.
Another great place to stay would be the "EME Cathedral Mercer", a five star hotel next to the Giralda. I normally use their rooftop terrace to sip a Mojito and enjoy the view, but who knows: Maybe one day I will treat myself with a night there.
What to do
Sevilla is full of highlights and sightseeing spots, so make sure you plan enough time to visit them! Some of the most important spots I will share with you in this post.
1. The old town of Sevilla (Barrio Santa Cruz)
Sevillas old town is a beautiful labyrinth of alleys in which you probably gonna get lost at least once. You will find beautiful narrow streets with shops, a lot of restaurants and wine bars. Ooh, and shade off course, just in case you ignored my recommendations and travel there in summer...
Make sure you visit the Santa Cruz-part of the old town, the former jewish quarter. It is located next to the cathedral and the Real Alcazar.
2. Don't forget to eat and drink!
Sevilla wouldn't be the same without its bodegas and tapas bars. You will find hundreds of cute places to sit down, enjoy a local wine and taste some of the local tapas.
Oh, and let me point out one of my favorite dishes in town: The churros con chocolate that you can order already for breakfast. Probably one of the most unhealthy ways to start your day, but probably also one of the happiest!
3. Stroll along the Guadalquivir river
The waterfront next to the Guadalquivir river is a great place to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere. There is always something going on there!
On the opposite side of the river is Triana, a quarter famous for the Flamenco. There, you find a lot of restaurants, bars and tablaos in which you can enjoy the real Flamenco.
4. Enjoy the view from Metropol Parasol
Sevilla has a new attraction which does not seem to fit into the environment at first sight: The "Metropol parasol", a construction made out of wood, concrete and steel that looks a bit like giant mushrooms (this is why it is also called "Las Setas" by locals, means "the mushroom"). But make sure that after the first shock you buy a ticket (5 euros) to get up on the construction. From there, you have a magnificent view over the city and its surroundings!
5. Explore the palaces of Sevilla - Real Alcazar and Casa Pilatos
In case you prefer less people, I recommend you the Casa Pilatos, somehow a mini version of the Real Alcazar, built in the 16th century. It is extremely beautiful and much more relaxing!
6. Sevilla by night
Sevilla is magical during the day too. But for me, the city reveals its real character when the sun goes down. Then, everyone seems to come out (probably also because the heat has gone), the restaurants are crowded, everywhere are people, music, laughter and noise. People strolling around, enjoying the evening, buildings turning into a golden shimmer, such a vibrant atmosphere!
My favorite places to spend the evenings are in the Triana quarter or in the Alameda de Hercules, a square full of restaurants.
7. Plaza de España
The most beautiful square in Sevilla - and probably also the biggest! Withs its water canals and bridges, its almost a little Venice in Spain. It is most beautiful during the evening hours, when the sun turns everything into a golden light. There are always musicians, painters or dancers which make the experience even more unforgettable. Oh, and weddings, photoshoots, video shoots,...
But let me tell you: This plaza is also called "frying pan of Andalusia", so make sure you don't visit it during the hottest hours of the day as the temperatures then are unbearable.
And because there is so much more to do: 6 more tips for your perfect trip to Sevilla:
- The cathedral and Giralda: Sevillas top highligh, the biggest gothic church in Spain and one of the biggest worldwide. From top of the Giralda (clocktower), you have the best view over the city. And the best thing: You don't even have to climb stairs as there are ramps that bring you to the top.
- Palacio de las dueñas: Another beautiful palace from the 14th century that you can visit.
- Parque Maria Luisa: A huge, beautiful park where you can relax - or just go jogging, there are some kilometers to do in there!
- Treat yourself in "Aire Sevilla": a hamam in the middle of the old town. A wonderful building in the Arabian style. Great baths and treatments - perfect after a long day in the city!
- Enjoy Flamenco in one of the many tablaos! There are a lot of places where you can see a flamenco show. A lot of them are quite touristic, so make sure you choose a spot where you see the authentic flamenco. The best indicator: The shows don't start at 20:00 but "something after 22:00"... My favorites are "La Carboneria" (Calle Levies 18) or the Pena Torre Macarena (Calle Torijano 29).
- Sip a mojito at the rooftop bar of the "EME Hotel". I can't be in Sevilla without doing this at least once. On top of this 5* hotel you find an amazing terrace from where you have the perfect view over the cathedral. It's quite busy during the evening, but if you're lucky you get a table and can see a wonderful sunset. Cheers!