The shape of Plaza de España is a semicircle, surrounded by a row of buildings primarily used for public administration (Photo: Palak Chawla)
Wandering through the charming cobblestone streets of the historic centre and the vibrant Triana neighbourhood in Seville feels like stepping into a living story. The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of jasmine and lush orange trees dot the landscape, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
At every square, you will be drawn in by the sounds of flamenco music, performed by passionate local artists, making it impossible not to feel the throbbing heart and soul of this beautiful place.
An afternoon at Plaza de España is the perfect way, and a personal recommendation, to soak in the vibrant Andalusian culture. The air is filled with the passionate rhythms of flamenco dancers. You can’t help but smile at the lively conversations around you. Taking a rowboat or paddleboat to explore the canal adds a fun touch to the experience, letting you enjoy the stunning architecture of Plaza de España from the water while ducks glide peacefully around you. It is a perfect blend of art, nature, and joyful moments.
Within minutes of wandering around in the city, one realises why the capital of the Spanish region of Andalusia is so famous for its art scene, flamenco performances, magnificent monuments, for hosting numerous festivals and its delectable must-try, Vino de Naranja or orange wine.
One of Spain’s most sought after destinations, Seville is a city brimming with culture, history, and artistic beauty at every turn. Its wealth of culture is not limited to Spain alone, vibrant as it may be. In Seville, visitors get to immerse themselves in the remnants of the Roman Empire, experience a rich Arabic heritage, and see the symbols of Christianity. Truly, the city offers visitors a vibrant tapestry of cultures, making it a compelling choice for tourists from around the globe.
The timeless icons of Seville
Seville is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wealth of charming monuments that showcase its rich multicultural heritage. The iconic Cathedral, the stunning Giralda Tower, and the magnificent Real Alcázar are all remarkable examples of the city’s diverse influences, each telling a unique story.
The Real Alcázar is a group of palaces which boasts contributions from all periods of the city’s storied past. The stunning palace features a web of never-ending courtyards, gardens and royal chambers adorned with varied architectural influences from Islamic, Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Romantic elements you can’t get enough of.
Seville Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in the world and the largest Gothic style cathedral
One of the most captivating features of the palace lies underground, the underground baths and passageways. As you step into this hidden realm, be prepared to be instantly struck by their beauty. The intricate design and serene atmosphere would leave you breathless; it is as if you stumbled upon a secret oasis. The experience feels like a journey back in time, where every corner whispers stories of luxury and tranquillity.
The Alcázar also offers a special tour for visitors that includes the Cuarto Real Alto, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family and visiting Heads of State. However, tickets for this tour often sell out in a matter of seconds, so be prepared to book weeks or even months in advance.
A few metres away from the palace stand the Cathedral and a former mosque minaret, which has been turned into a bell tower, La Giralda. Standing for over 800 years, the 103 m high bell tower is the tallest building in Seville, offering captivating views of the city and surrounding landscape.
You can access the tower from the equally stunning Gothic Mosque turned Cathedral boasting a fusion of Moorish and Christian architecture. The Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic church of the world. The site is home to 80 different chapels including Capilla Real, or the Royal Chapel.
The Cathedral has also served as a burial ground for many celebrated personalities over the years including the Italian explorer, Chistopher Columbus. The Cathedral is known to house one of the largest bells in the world, called Santa Maria Mayor.
In addition to these timeless icons the city also boasts a number of stunning lively streets, open spaces, gardens and squares such as the renowned Plaza de España, María Luisa Park, and the largest wooden structure in the world, Setas de Sevilla. Every corner of Seville is a celebration of music, art, heritage and culture.
While the city is charming and beautiful all through the year, the ideal time to visit would be from February to April. If you are lucky enough to be in Seville during April you will get a chance to experience one of the largest festivals in Andalusia, the Feria de Abril or the Seville April Fair.
Feria de Abril: A fiesta celebrating traditions, dance and culture
Seville is seen by many people as the most beautiful city of Andalusia
For one week each April, the city of Seville comes alive with music, dance, food, laughter and culture. The Seville April Fair is one of the most renowned festivals in Andalusía which attracts over one million people from all over Spain and around the world.
The festival kicks off two weeks after Semana Santa, the Holy Week preceding Easter, in the vibrant neighbourhood of Los Remedios in Seville. The fairgrounds are transformed with over a thousand colourful and stunning casetas, or tents, each featuring bars, dining tables, and dance floors.
Additionally, La Calle del Infierno, an amusement park with more than 350 attractions, adds to the excitement. At the entrance, a magnificent 50-metre tall gateway adorned with thousands of colourful lightbulbs welcomes visitors, showcasing a unique motif each year.
Most of the casetas at the fiesta are private belonging to different local families, trade groups, political parties and clubs, open to only members and their guests. However, for visitors who don’t have access to the private tents, there are a number of casetas open to tourists with free entry. The casetas are alive with the aroma of delicious food, the clinking of traditional drinks, the sound of laughter, vibrant music, lively conversations, and the rhythm of sevillanas, the local version of flamenco dancing.
Be sure to pack some colourful dresses and stylish suits to blend in with the locals, who truly know how to dress for the occasion during the festival. The men don their traje corto, a blue suit, fitted trousers, and hats, while women shine in vibrant traje de gitano, stunning flamenco and gypsy dresses that twirl beautifully with every movement.
Strolling through the fairgrounds during the day, you will be captivated by the sight of horsemen and beautifully adorned carriages parading by, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A vital component of the Feria is the bullfight, organised every afternoon at the Plaza de la Maestranza. Finally, the week-long extravaganza is sent off by a breath-taking display of fireworks.
Besides the Feria, Seville hosts numerous other festivals throughout the year, such as Semana Santa, one of the most iconic celebrations, that features a week of spiritual processions of various representations from the Passion of Jesus Christ right before Easter, and La Bienal de Flamenco, a festival celebrated every two years that features top artists and performers showcasing the richness of Andalusian art form.
Whether it is the stunning architecture, vibrant festivals, the captivating sunset over the Guadalquivir River or the energetic chatter of the streets, Seville’s ambience is simply unparalleled.