The first thing you'll see when you arrive at the Seville Fair from the city centre is the portada - the gateway, where you traditionally enter the fairground. Everyone gets their photo taken in front of the portada.
Sevillanos are very well-known, throughout Spain and the wider world, for their fierce pride in their city.
Reviews of 20 of most the prestigious hotels of Seville. Hotels in Seville come in all shapes and sizes. There are plenty of rooms all over the centre. High season is March and April. During Semana Santa and the April Feria you should book even for inexpensive hostals, preferably a year in advance.
The Duquesa de Alba was one of Spain's most famous aristocrats, and one of Seville best-loved personalities, until her death in 2014. With palaces and castles all over Spain, Cayetana was happiest in her home in the historic city centre, Casa de las Dueñas.
According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. Called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya by the Moors, the high point in its history was following the discovery of America in 1492, when wealth flooded in from the "New World". For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Sevilla is universally famous for being a joyous town.
The Alcázar Réal (Royal Palace) of Seville is one of the city’s most enchanting, and most popular, historic monuments. Along with the Cathedral and Archive of the Indies, it is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. The word alcázar actually means fortified palace, and this one is hidden behind castle walls on Plaza del Triunfo opposite the Cathedral.
Sevilla is beloved of movie and TV directors for its range of well-preserved buildings from every era and style, from medieval to regionalist.
Seville is often referred to as the 'Jewel of Andalucia' and it's easy to see why; be it for business or for pleasure the city has such a lot to offer with its rich and colourful mix of history and culture.
Seville has a good selection of cinemas, if you are looking for English language films or "VO" (original version). Avenida 5 cines announces its "VO" films for the week, each Tuesday. The simultaneous Spanish subtitles are perfect for both English and Spanish language students.
Sevilla or Seville is the capital of Andalucia and architecturally it's often referred to as the jewel in the Andalucian crown. With its magnificent Baroque cathedral, a Moorish Royal Palace, (Reales Alcazares) and the remains of the Roman city Italica to name but a few, the town has so many highlights that it's worthwhile spending some time here to discover its delights at leisure.
Hotels in Seville come in all shapes and sizes. There are plenty of rooms all over the centre. High season is March and April. During Semana Santa and the April Feria you should book even for inexpensive hostals, preferably a year in advance.
If you're visiting for more than a few days then you might be interested in getting to know the surrounding area as well. With world class destinations like Cordoba and Granada (the home of the Alhambra) just a short drive away, why not take the opportunity to visit their top attractions before heading home.
We talked to Cristina Vega, manager of Seville’s first, and oldest, hat shop, which has family-run since 1896, and in its current Calle Sierpes site since 1908. When a sevillano needs headgear for the Feria, a wedding, a beach trip, or to match their winter coat, Sombrerería Maquedano is where generations have headed. The shop still conserves its original décor, with wooden façade, pretty coloured tiles, a spiral staircase with metal banister, with circular hat boxes bearing the striking logo piled up to the ceiling. A simple table in front of the door, with a small mirror for customers to check their potential purchase, serves as the shop counter.
The Atarazanas are Seville’s medieval Royal Shipyards in the Arenal district, formerly the port area. They are located about halfway between the Alcazar palace and the river, on the corner of calle Temprano and calle Dos de Mayo. The shipyards are currently closed to the public (January 2025), although long-standing plans for a cultural centre are predicted to be finished soon.
Fourth edition of this music festival, which covers all genres from rap, pop and rock, to electronica, folk and classical. Its setting is the spectacular Plaza de España in Maria Luisa park, with the artists performing in front of the illuminated building.
Estadio La Cartuja (formerly known as the Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla) is the main stadium in Seville, and the second-largest in Andalucia. It is located in the north of Isla la Cartuja, to the north-west of the city centre.
Third edition of this music festival, which covers all genres from rap, pop and rock, to electronica, folk and classical. Its setting is the spectacular Plaza de España in Maria Luisa park, with the artists performing in front of the illuminated building.
