Places to Visit in Seville

For designer shopping the Plaza Nueva offers Spanish designers such as Victorio and Lucchino and Purificaiton Garcia.  Alternatively for crafts, Triana is the centre of Seville’s ceramic industry.  Ceramica Ruiz offers a wide selection of pottery on Calle San Jorge.

The elegant Casa Pilatos was built in the 16th century and is now the family home of the Dukes of Medinaceli.  It was constructed around a series of courtyard and gardens in a variety of architectural styles.  It opens daily and the reasonable admission charge includes a short guided tour.  On a Tuesday afternoon entry is free to visitors who are EU citizens upon showing a passport.

The grand Cathedral is one of the largest religious buildings in Europe.  In stunning gothic style it is a masterpiece of pillars, decorated screens and altarpieces.  There is a small entry free on weekdays and it is free on Sundays when services take place.

The Maestranza bullring is a must see to discover more about this important part of Seville’s culture.  Tours depart every 20 minutes and when bull fighting is scheduled they stop two hours before.

The gardens of Alcazar are lovely to stroll through with orange trees, pools and formal flower beds.  The palaces within the complex are also worthwhile a look with their Moorish and renaissance style.

River cruises operate daily along the Guadalquivir.  Hour long trips depart every half hour and travel south past the Maria Luisa Park and then sail north up to the Isla Cartuja and Alamillo Bridge.

Eating Out in Seville

For breakfast try Bodega Santa Cruz on Calle Rodrigo Caro.  The locals know it as ‘Las Collumnas’ because of the pillars that support the first floor.  The spot stays open through the night and coffee and fresh bread is available to kick start the day.

San Marco on Calle Meson del Moro is within an old Moorish bath-house and offers pizza or pasta ideal for lunch on the go.  There are many excellent tapas bars in Seville.  Calle Mateos Gago has many good bars along it offering chilled sherry or beer with nibbles and snacks.  The Alvaro Pergil is excellent but is so small it only offers a standing room.

The Taberna del Alabardero can be found on Calle Zaragoza.  The menu offers traditional Spanish dishes based on seasonal produce.  Popular choices are the traditional game and fish, which have been updated to give a modern flavoured dish.

Seville Night Life

During the summer the riverside is most popular at night where it’s cooler and during winter the bars in the centre become busier. Flamenco bars range from more expensive spots offering professional performances to spontaneous show in local bars.

A common night out is to start with tapas and a pub or two then heading to bar de compas later on.  Botellon suits a younger crowd and is a kind of party where people bring their own drinks.  Discoteca has dancing which goes on even later until 6 or 7 in the morning. 

Local Information

The centre of Seville with most of it’s attractions are on the east side of the river Guadalquivir.  Trianna is the main residential district on the west bank of the river but is still worth exploring.  The main tourist office can be found on Avenida de la Constitucion.

From the Airport to Seville

From Seville Airport a bus runs every half-hour to Santa Justa railway station for a small price.