Welcome to Seville or see you soon! For those of you who want to explore past Barcelona and Madrid during your stay in Spain- Seville is perfect for you. I was surprised to find that my time in Seville has been filled with beautiful scenery and rich stories of its many centuries of history and culture. When you hear stories of travel to Spain, Seville is never at the top of the list. But I’d like to tell you why it’s a must see while in Spain even just for a few days. Near the Guadalquivir River, Seville pulsates with passionate energy and the scenes of beautiful historical architecture and accompanied with great food and culture it’s a perfect place to end your trip to Spain.
Who doesn’t like activities and attractions that cost little to no money? I was surprised to find that many of the things I’ve done in Seville were FREE. I did little to no research on Seville prior to arriving and was astonished at the beauty of some of its buildings. Plaza de Espana is free to enter and within its building you can find Flamenco street performers, pianists, and even guitarists and singers. Right next to the palace lies one of the most beautiful parks, Maria Luisa. Here you can find large grass areas for you and your family or significant other to enjoy a snack, paint, or even read a book. It also is home to many gorgeous water fountains, water falls, gardens, art galleries, and museums. Walk through the park to the other side of the palace and you’ll find yourself at the river where you will find my favorite bar, Manhattan. Although it’s on the pricier side for cocktails, I personally enjoy the vibrant chatter of Spanish locals accompanied by the loud club-like atmosphere and views of the river. It’s definitely worth the $7 Pina Coladas and Mojitos. If you’re really on a budget crunch my best advice is to order a Sangria or Tinto De Verano at any restaurant or bar. They will never cost more than $4.
Check out Manhattan: Manhattan River Bar ($4-$8 Drinks)
Although free is nice, not all things in life are free (unfortunately), but they can be affordable. If I were to recommend at least 3 paid activities during your time in Seville it would be the Seville Cathedral, The Royal Alcazar, and The Setas.
The Seville Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and houses the remains of Christopher Columbus. It’s gorgeous from outside but the inside is worth taking a peek as well. Tickets are on the higher end at about $60 and can be reserved here!
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, this one will have to be on your list of destinations while in Seville. But even if you aren’t it’s still very much a must see. The Royal Alcazar still functions as a place to stay for the current royal family of Seville and has the most beautiful pieces of art. It is the place in which Christopher Columbus had proposed to the royal family to venture off and where the very first world map was drafted. Tickets are much cheaper than the cathedral at around $16 per person!
Lastly, The Setas is the perfect place to get a nice view of Seville. A mushroom like structure made completely of wood- The Sevilla Setas is the perfect place to view the sunset and will be near everything you need for the day. There are hundreds of stores to shop, restaurants, bars, cafes, and even Starbucks.
With the right location for your accommodation, you will be able to optimize your stay in Seville by walking to all your sights and activities. If you are on a budget and don’t mind sharing your space with others, there are hostels right in the heart of Seville’s city center that are happy to accommodate you. Just minutes from one of the largest Gothic Catholic Cathedrals in Europe is La Banda Rooftop Hostel. It can be as cheap as $25 a night for a dorm if you don’t mind bunking with a few others. However, it can be $45 a night if you want your own room, which is a steal! If you book with La Banda you will receive a free city tour, city map, breakfast, and even WiFi.
Book here: La Banda Hostel ($20-$45/Night)
If you have a little more to spend during your time in Seville, there are many 4-5 star hotels that cost approximately $50-$100 a night. About 10 minutes away from Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de Espana is Hotel Giralda. Though it is a little further from other attractions, Hotel Giralda is just a few minutes from a train station that will take you directly to the city center for as low as $0.33 per trip on your credit card.
Book here: Hotel Giralda ($50-$100/Night)
Enough about drinks and hotels. Everyone wants to know where the best Tapas are in Seville and there are a few places I’d like to mention that will fit your range in budgets. If you are looking for cheap eats, the best restaurant for tapas will be Casa Morena. Tapas here will be less than $3! If you’re looking for a fine dining experience I’d recommend Abaceria del Postigo, but it’s a popular tourist spot so expect a little crowd. Check out their menu!
Speaking of restaurants there is a lot to know about Seville’s meal timeline. In Barcelona and Madrid most restaurants near city centers will be open a majority of the day because of tourists, here in Seville you will find that it can be very different. Breakfast consists of mostly toast with cured ham and most restaurants will not serve lunch until 1-2pm, until then most restaurants, bars, and even cafes will just have breakfast available. Don’t take too long to head to lunch because around 4pm restaurants will close for “siesta” aka nap time. They’ll open back up around 8pm and that’s dinner time. Think you can head to the pharmacy or mini store during siesta? Think again because they’ll be closed too…
Seville was a wonderful place for me personally as a person who primarily enjoys a simply pretty view and good food. Seville was so incredibly rich with history, everyday I learned something new. At the end of my stay, I took away more than pictures of pretty buildings but a new perspective on history and Spain and I think you will too.
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