Sevilla Travel Guide

The Cathedral of Seville -  Easily one of Sevilla's proudest monuments, the Cathedral of Seville boasts an impressive number of historically relevant and culturally representative traits. The Cathedral of Seville is the largest of its kind in the world, having overthrown the thousand year title reign of the Hagia Sofia; it is also a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the burial ground of Christopher Columbus. Originally built as an extravagant display of the cities wealth in 1402, the cathedral has been maintained incredibly well, and still stands as a pristine, intricate example of Gothic-era architecture. 

La Giralda- Originally built as a minaret in 1184 by the famed architect and mathematician team, Ben Baso and Jabir ibn Aflah, Sevilla's iconic La Giralda now operates as a bell-tower for the Cathedral of Seville. La Giralda's highly-detailed, and geometrically precise design can be seen throughout the city, serving as a stoic reminder of Sevilla's role as a cultural epicenter from the earliest Roman times, through the dark ages, renaissance, and into our modern era.

Real Alcazar - Real Alcazar is a royal palace located in the heart of Sevilla, and one of the worlds most well-preserved remaining examples of Moorish architecture. Standing in stark contrast to much of Europe's Gothic, Byzantine, and Baroque design styling, Real Alcazar provides visitors to Sevilla with an unbridled glimpse into the region's history of Arabic cultural influence, through its highly detailed and patterned interior architecture, marked by gold flourishings. No vacation in Sevilla is complete without paying a visit to Real Alcazar.

Torre de Oro - The Torre de Oro (translated as "Gold Tower"), built in the 13th century from a combination of mortar, limestone and pressed hay, gets its name from the golden shine it projects onto the nearby Guadalquivir River, creating a glowing aura steeped in warmth. The Torre de Oro was originally used as a medieval watchtower and prison. Visitors to the Gold Tower are free to explore its interior, and for a small fee of €3.00 EUR, can ascend the staircase to the top for incredible panoramic views of the city below.

Plaza de Espana - In anticipation for the 1929 World Fair, much of Sevilla was redeveloped with expansive gardens, fountains, and boulevards, as an attempt to showcase Spain's burgeoning industrial and technological feats. The Plaza de Espana is the epicenter of Sevilla's 1929 redesign, a grand display of the city's culturally diverse history through a combination of architectural styles, ranging from Art Deco and Neo-Renaissance, to Gothic and Neo-Mudejar. Today the Plaza de Espana is primarily used to house government offices, though the outside grounds are open to the public, and provide a relaxing venue for picnics and site-seeing, with the light pitter-patter of the fountain as a tranquil backdrop.

Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares - For those travelers eager for a comprehensive experience of southern Spain's Andalusian culture, a visit to the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (Museum of Arts and Traditions) is an absolute must. No other museum offers such a complete display of the regions cultural artifacts and traditions, from embroidery and gold-smithing, to weaponry and furniture crafting. In addition to the many artifact exhibits at the Museum of Arts and Traditions, massive collections of paintings, ceramics, and sculptures are also housed there.

Sevilla Tapas Tour -  Spain is famous for its vibrant and flavorful cuisine; each region of the country contributing its own local offerings to Spain's unique take on the culinary arts. Sevilla's contribution comes in the form of fresh grilled seafood, ranging from oddities like squid and cuttlefish, to swordfish and dogfish. On a Tapas Tour of Sevilla, patrons will tour buzzing food markets, sampling, and learning of the many regional ingredients used in Andalusian cooking. They will also be led, by a local gastronomy expert, to a number of celebrated tapas restaurants, sampling the fare, and sipping on the regions famous wine varietals.

Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour - Much like the bus tours in Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga, a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Sevilla is an excellent way to explore all of the cities enchantments, with the added benefit of having a knowledgeable, local guide at your side. Discover all of Sevilla's diverse cultural monuments, gardens, and festivals, from atop a double-decker bus, when you embark on a guided bus tour, getting off for further exploration wherever your heart desires. Busses run on a frequent, around the clock schedule, allowing you to take your time at any and all points of interest, without having to worry.

Experience Flamenco Workshop - Spain's vibrant and colorful culture extends far beyond the reaches of architecture, museums and restaurants, influencing the performing arts as well. The traditional style of music played in Sevilla is called Flamenco, a dynamic blend of athletically precise guitar performance, heavy rhythmic clapping, and fast-paced romantic dance. During an Experience Flamenco Workshop, students of all skill levels will be taught the basics of Flamenco dancing by local experts, culminating in a group dance performance, backed by the sounds of a live band.

Donana National Park - Donana National Park, located just outside of Sevilla, provides a glimpse into many unique ecosystems and natural shelters, and is home to thousands of European and African wildlife, from migratory birds and Egyptian mongooses, to Spanish Imperial Eagles and European badgers. The park is divided into two sections, the outer natural park and the inner national park, both of which display breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty. Gaining entry to the inner national park can only be done while partaking in a guided tour, allowing patrons access to the well-preserved annual pilgrimage site, El Rocio, home to a small village and famed church, housing the gilded Statue of the Virgin, a revered Spanish icon since 1280.

La Maestranza - La Maestranza, built and upgraded from 1749-1881, is the oldest bullfighting ring in the world, and its storied grounds have been used for centuries during Sevilla's annual bull-fighting festival, the Seville Fair. The La Maestranza ring itself is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of Spain, as its status as the world's premier bullfighting ring makes it one of the most challenging and frenetic stages for bull fighters, many whom consider it the sports' Mecca. On a tour of La Maestranza, you will be guided through the entirety of the area, from the seats and fighting ring to the supporting façade, learning of the famous fighters and bulls that have passed through these hallowed grounds, and the architectural styling undergone in centuries past. Guided tours of the grounds are offered throughout the year, even when the ring isn't in use.

Fall Weather in Sevilla - Traveling to Sevilla during the fall can be a risky endeavor for some, though there are quite a few inherent benefits that make it an alluring time to travel as well. Despite the increase in rainfall, and shorter daylight hours characteristic of fall, tourist traffic nears its annual low, and drives travel costs down, making it a great time to explore the city, unabated by swaths of attraction hungry tourists queuing around the block. 

Average Temperature: 65-70 Degrees F

Winter Weather in Sevilla - As mentioned, Sevilla's winter climate is marked by increased precipitation. Some travelers may be discouraged by the increase in rainfall, and generally damp landscape, but for tourists under austerity measures, the winter may be the best time to visit this beautiful city. Prices for hotel bookings, car rentals, and airfare reservations are at there annual low, tourist traffic is next too none, and despite the shorter days, the weather is still generally favorable, making for a relaxing, stress-free travel season.

Average Temperature: 50-55 Degrees F

Spring Weather in Sevilla - The springtime in Seville comes as a near-perfect alternative to summer travel, as the weather is still immaculate, and travel costs are yet to peak. The weather is perfect for walking the city and exploring its wonders. The spring experiences little rainfall, with only a week of precipitation days each month. During the beginning of the spring months, mostly March and April, tourist traffic is still down, and savvy travelers can still find excellent deals on all the travel necessities.

Average Temperature: 60-70 Degrees F