This time around, I took some time off to recharge and disconnect from the hassle and bustle of everyday life, and gave myself the gift of visiting Seville. A week-long trip made me fall in love with this Spanish city and gave me exactly the energy refill I needed. So, here’s my full list and take on everything to see, eat, do and where to stay in Seville, for everyone who’s looking for the same.
By Little Chilean
First, a bit of historic background that’s crucial to understand why Seville is such a unique and charming place to visit.
Seville is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia, you know, the region-birthplace of Flamenco. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, making the Seville harbour the only river port in Spain.
Its old town contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alcázar palace complex, the Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies.
This last one is a very cool place to discover as it goes back to when Seville was the gateway of the Spanish Empire's trans-Atlantic trade, managed from the Casa de Contratación. This agency is the one that led to the exploration trip that took Columbus to America and Magellan to the furthest south point of South America, a trip that eventually became the first circumnavigation of the world.
Nowadays, Seville will catch anyone’s attention with its unique mixed Andalusian-style buildings. Curiously, this region clearly shows the mixed influences of the Mediterranean common to the Peninsula, plus the soul of Spain. But also, we can clearly appreciate the Islamic urban influences inspired by the Arabic style of their rulers from back in the day up until 1492.
You can appreciate this style in buildings like “Patio del Yeso” in the Alcázar, as well as in the city walls and the main section of the Giralda, the bell tower of the Seville Cathedral. This influence expresses itself in their custom of decorating with plants and small fountains in the courtyards of the houses, and big interior patios in the middle of the building. It’s quite a unique view.
All these, alongside its warm weather perfect for a year-round visit (though personally, I would skip the 35° during summer), and mixed style has given Seville a unique charm, bringing in travellers from all over the world.
According to the Andalusia government website, “the national tourist arrivals (including Andalusian tourists) increased substantially in 2021 with close to 20 million tourists helping the economy of tourism”. When it comes to international travellers, according to ‘Instituto Nacional de Estadistica’ from Spain, there were predicted to receive in 2022, almost 10 million international tourists – I guess I was one in 10 million!
However, even though numbers are growing, Seville still remains “the great unknown for many. It is a city that requires immersion in order to understand its life and its people. It is a welcoming city that has been welcoming for centuries, but if you manage to go beyond the visit, you will get to know the real life”, ensures Yolanda Rabanal, General Director of Legado Alcazar Hotel.
Where to stay?
Now, we know that where we sleep and start our journey can be so defining to the experience of visiting a new place, so it’s not a decision to take lightly. We definitely recommend choosing accommodation in the neighbourhood of Santa Cruz.
Described as the city’s tourist heart, Santa Cruz is home to Seville Cathedral, a Gothic landmark offering views from the Giralda bell tower, the Real Alcázar, and the old Jewish quarter with its narrow streets and orange tree-lined squares.
1. Legado Alcazar Hotel
With the perfect area to start our Seville trip, you want to stay in the perfect place allowing you to relax and rest, but when it comes to picking one, a typical Andalusian-style hotel certainly makes a difference.
I would recommend the recently renovated, Legado Alcazar Hotel, the only hotel in Seville with rooms overlooking the gardens of the Real Alcázar of Seville –Yes! That’s a view you won’t forget.
The staff will treat you like family from the first step in, which perfectly aligns with their statement that “Legado Alcázar is more than a hotel. It is more than a house. It is the place where we take care of you”.
One of the coolest things about this hotel is that it respects the building’s historic style. But, they’re also aware that renovations and improvements have to be made along the way not only to offer more luxury but also to adapt older buildings to current sustainable standards.
“It is essential to know how to adapt our original buildings to contemporary architecture, always from a sustainable point of view, so that we take advantage of the legacy left to us by our ancestors, to reduce our environmental footprint and preserve natural resources,” explains Yolanda Rabanal, General Director of Legado Alcazar Hotel.
2. Petit Palace Santa Cruz
Staying in the same quarter, you may want to consider Petite Palace in Santa Cruz. This pet-friendly boutique hotel stands in a former 16th-century mansion, with imposing arches, high ceilings, and a restful air of tranquillity.
3. Hotel Casa del Poeta
Finally, looking for a bit of inspiration and energy recharge, I’m sure you’ll love checking out Hotel Casa del Poeta, which translates to The Poet’s house. This accommodation is a 17th-century house restored in the 21st century, respecting the original architecture and materials. It shows the style of an authentic Sevillian manor house, with its typical architecture and a central courtyard with a fountain surrounded by the different hotel rooms.
Where to eat?
We’ve arrived in Seville! Probably had a nice walk to absorb the vibe of the city, now what? Food?
1. Il Ristorantino dell’Avvocato
You’re right! By then I was starving! So, I headed to "Il Ristorantino dell’Avvocato", an Italian gem just a 3-minute walk from Palace of the Duenas.
This Neapolitan-styled and owned restaurant bakes contemporary Neapolitan pizzas. The menu is inspired by Neapolitan street food, with an original and personal touch to spike the curiosity of anyone trying these delights.
And as if Italian food wasn’t enough to invite us in, this place’s welcome and atmosphere will transport your palate through the characteristic gastronomy of the Italian city, proudly staying loyal to its flavours.
“Neapolitan pizza finds its trademark in its softness. The cooked dough is soft, and the cut slice does not stand up on its own when lifted from the plate. That’s why our dough has 75% hydration with 24 hours of fermentation which makes it soft and light. In addition, this softness is maintained thanks to the strong heat of the oven, which cooks it very quickly. All these characteristics make it a contemporary Neapolitan pizza”, explains his founder, Marco Cardillo.
"Il Ristorantino dell’Avvocato"’s founder moved to Seville for love, but quickly fell in love with the city too. “It is said that this is the city where nobody is a stranger, and that is how it was with me. I surrounded myself with good people in this city, people who to this day are still my friends and work with me”, adds Marco.
And just like Marco moving into Seville, for me, experiencing this family-run business was a fairytale from beginning to end.
What did I eat? Well, I got taken by, first, the “Crocchè di patate”, a fried potato filled with mozzarella cheese; A fried pizza as a starter; a mouth-watering Margherita pizza and, to top it up, an authentic Tiramisu that gave me an immediate foodgasm.
2. Señora Pan
Looking for a more Spanish cuisine venue where you can also eat veggie marvels (yes, not always the easiest to find in Spain)? I got you! I found this lovely Fusion food restaurant called “Señora Pan”, or Miss bread in English.
With a fully gluten-free menu, this restaurant mixes styles from Venezuela and Spain, with some vegan options available. Find it near Plaza Nueva in Seville.
3. El Enano Verde
Finally, for a fully vegan menu, we found “El Enano Verde”, or the green dwarf in English.
This laid-back vegan bar offers homemade and creative dishes with vegetables, fruits and veggies from the "Mercado de Feria", a typical Spanish marketplace with indoor stalls selling fresh produce.
What to do?
Now, walk and travel everywhere in Seville. Fall in love with this historic city. As you’ll find everywhere where Seville is highlighted, you’ll want to check the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a huge (seriously, it takes a few hours to walk it entirely) Royal Palace in Seville, originally built for the Christian King Peter of Castile.
It was built on the site of an Abbadid Muslim alcazar or residential fortress, which explains its aesthetics. One of my favourite areas is the several lush gardens that can transport you to different cultures in a second, it’s really mesmerizing.
My personal favourite landmark in this city, and honestly one that I was absolutely not expecting to love so much, is the Plaza de España. This square was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles of Spanish architecture. It has a lake, romantic bridges, epic ceramic art and, views to enjoy all its immensity and beauty from different perspectives. Here’s a full list of the 7 Best Things to do in Seville.
7 Best Things To Do in Seville
Plaza de Espana Square
Royal Alcázar of Seville
Cathedral of Seville.
Tomb of Christopher Columbus.
Enjoy a glass of local wine at Legado Alcazar Hotel Bar
Torre de Oro
Enjoy a fried pizza at "Il Ristorantino dell’Avvocato".
Bonus: Guadaluxe River Cruise
