Why Sevilla is the Heart of Spain

We spent ten days in Spain this year and even though we loved Madrid, Malaga and Granada, we found that Sevilla is really the heart of Spain. There is something about this little town that just exudes the essence of this beautiful country. We stayed in the center of the old part of Sevilla, within walking distance of the cathedral and the Alcazar Real. Sevilla does not seem like a tourist town, although there is a lot to see, and you will need at least three days to get a feel for all that Sevilla has to offer.

What to do in Seville

Real Alcazar

We visited Sevilla’s Real Alcazar (Royal Palace) before we had the opportunity to see the famous Alhambra in Granada. Little did I know that we would prefer the Real Alcazar in Sevilla! We arrived early and waited in line for less than 15 minutes before we are able to enter. Lucky us, because the lines grew longer as the day progressed. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, The Real Alcazar is a historical palace with traces of the Arabic period, late Middle Ages Mudéjar, Renaissance, Baroque and even the XIX century.

The palace itself was gorgeous, with intricate, lace-like decorations, and the garden was absolutely lush with abundant plantings and, its own noisy peacock!

Catedral de Sevilla

This massive cathedral is decorated with so much gold-work, it is just amazing. The Catedral de Sevilla  is also the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world.

The cathedral holds a surprise for the unaware tourist; the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Surrounded by four bearers, the gold-enhanced tomb is visible to all. The bearers represent the kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarra.

Giralda

The bell tower of the Cathedral de Seville was 0nce the minaret of the mosque that stood on this site. It was completed in 1198 and was later converted into the cathedral’s bell tower after the Reconquista. In 1987 it was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Giralda is a wonderful place to capture a great view of this spectacular city.

Museo de Bellas Artes

For a glimpse into Spain’s Golden Age, spend a little time in the Museo de Ballas Artes in Seville. Housed in a former convent, the museum houses many religious-themed paintings by Spanish greats such as: Murillo, Pacheco, El Greco and Velasquez.

Take in a Flamenco show

There are several places in town that offer nightly Flamenco shows. A few of our favorites are Casa de Memoria Calle Cuna, 6 and Casa de Flamenco, Calle Ximénez de Enciso, 28. And, you might want to visit the Flamenco Museum beforehand to learn more.

Old Town

We enjoyed strolling through the old town, getting a feel for the graciousness and culture of the residents. Other options include: taking  a horse carriage ride through the town, checking out the little shops for souvenirs or popping into the little tavernas for tapas.

Where to Stay in Seville

 

There are a lot of hotels to choose from while on your luxury holiday in Sevilla. But, if you want the finest, we love the Hotel Alfonso XIII for its glamorous and nostalgic decor, giving you the feeling that you are part of a 20s movie. It is strategically situated in the old town, thereby offering the opportunity to explore and enjoy an indulgent visit to Seville. We also like the  boutique Casa de Poeta for its classic architecture. But, no matter what your budget, you will surly find a hotel to meet your needs in Sevilla.

Written by Staff for EuropeUpClose.com