Seville is one of the most beautiful Spanish cities, with its lined orange trees, horse-drawn carriages, mixed architectural styles and wonderful tapas restaurants. Spain’s fourth largest city is also a great holiday destination to be taken into account during winter season, as the temperatures are mild (almost 20 degrees) and the waiting queues for all major touristic attractions are short.
Do not forget that Seville is the birth place of the vibrant flamenco dance, home to Bizet’s Carmen, cradle of Spanish traditions and a gastronomic destination you really should not miss. So, no wonder Seville has been named one of the best cities to visit in 2018 by the famous travel guide Lonely Planet.
Also, 2018 is the “The Year of Murillo”, therefore you’ll encounter a lot of events dedicated to the famous painter Bartolomé Estebán Murillo, happening in Seville in December 2018 (http://www.murilloensevilla.com/calendario/).
Seville Cathedral and La Giralda Bell Tower
Seville Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, is the most important landmark of Seville (http://www.catedraldesevilla.es/). The third largest church in the world and the largest Gothic church in the world, this Cathedral has been built in the 15th century and is an UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/383). It is also famous for being the resting place of Christopher Columbus, as well as for the impressive artworks of painters Zurbarán and Murillo housed here.
The Giralda - the bell tower rising above the Cathedral - was originally the minaret of a mosque dating from when when the city was ruled by the Muslims. The mosque has been destroyed after Seville was recaptured by the Christians, but the tower remained. Thus, the new cathedral has been built around it. Do not forget to climb up to the top of the tower to admire a panoramic 360-degrees view over Seville. After enjoying these beautiful views, exit through the northern part, to reach the sweet-scented Court of the Orange Trees (Patio de los Naranjos).
Real Alcázar
Though Seville Cathedral is impressive, Real Alcázar is the true star of Seville (http://www.alcazarsevilla.org/). This flamboyant palace started off as a Moorish fortress erected in the 8th century. Since then, during the following centuries, different structures in distinct styles have been added to the main construction. Therefore, the palace now features an interesting combination of Islamic structures, Spanish Gothic designs and Christian elements, creating a style known worldwide as Mudéjar. You should know that this is the oldest palace in Europe that is still in use, as the royal family still uses the upper floors when they come to Seville. Real Alcázar has also been used a location for the filming of the HBO TV show Game of Thrones. One of the most visited complexes in the world, Real Alcázar is also a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.
For those visiting the palace in the near future, note that Real Alcázar is closed on the 1st and 6th of January, and well as on the 25th of December.
Casa de Pilatos (Pilate's House)
Also known as the Palace of the Governors of Andalusia (Palacio de los Adelantados Mayores de Andalucía), Casa de Pilatos is a 16th-century Andalusian palace and one of the biggest private residences of Seville. The palace is a wonderful mix of the Baroque, Mudejar and Renaissance architectural styles and has been chosen as a filming location for the famous movie Lawrence of Arabia in the 1960s.
During winter time, the palace may be visited daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. You may visit solely the ground floor or both the ground and upper floors. However, tours of the upper floor are only guided and you cannot visit this floor on your own.
Plaza de la Encarnation
From 2011, Plaza de la Encarnation features the strange structure called Metropol Parasol (http://www.jmayerh.de/19-0-metropol-parasol.html), shaped as giant mushrooms (setas), thus the nickname Las Setas (the mushrooms). Having over 26 meters high and 150 meters long, Metropol Parasol is claimed to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Under this unusual construction, designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer, you’ll find a large market, bars, restaurants, as well as a small museum housing Roman artifacts. Do climb on top of Metropol Parasol and enjoy amazing 360-degree views over Seville.
Plaza de España
Plaza de Espana has been Spain’s main pavilion during the 1929 World Fair. Today, the buildings host mainly government offices, but the place has kept the charm of good old days. Here you’ll find different bright ceramic tiles (azulejo) pictures, depicting all of Spain’s provinces. Located in the middle of María Luisa Park, Plaza de Espana is a great attraction for locals and tourists alike, loved for its beautiful architecture and special atmosphere.
Where to stay in Seville
Stay in Seville's old town to explore this wonderful area and the beautiful touristic attractions mentioned above. My recommendation is Hotel Palace Sevilla (http://www.hotelpalacesevilla.es/en/index.php), placed in Plaza de la Encarnation, with elegant, classic-style rooms and helpful staff. The hotel even has a bar with a terrace, offering great views of Metropol Parasol. I enjoyed my stay at this nice hotel and I do advice you to book a room here when in Seville.
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