This is the first barrio (area or neighbourhood) tourists head for, and with good reason. It is the most picturesque and delightful part of the city, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, where you can sit outside a bar, enjoy some tapas and watch the world go by, or wander through centuries-old gardens and relax on beautiful tiled benches.
One of the least known of Seville’s museums, this is a family palace with a wonderfully varied private collection. It is situated at the Campana end of Calle Cuna, parallel to Calle Sierpes. Look out for the impressive but discreet stone doorway (there is no obvious sign) and huge wooden doors.
Back in Columbus' time the river here would be crowded with boats, nowadays the occasional tourist steamer chugs by or pedal boat. But it is still the most charming paseo which during the weekends is thronging with strolling lovers and Spanish families dressed in their Sunday best. The view across the river is quite beautiful with a row of typical Andaluz houses with wrought iron balconies.
The main shopping area is the square between Plazas Nueva, Magdalena, Encarnacion and San Francisco, with Calle Sierpes at its heart. For more touristy gear (flamenco aprons, T-shirts, bullfighting souvenirs) Barrio Santa Cruz has a wealth of places; for more individual shops, Barrio San Vincente and the Alameda; while for ceramics, Triana is where the beautiful azulejos (ceramic tiles) which adorn many Sevillano bars, hotels, churches and private houses are made.
No fewer than three Roman emperors were born just outside Seville. The Romans first arrived in Spain in 206BC, during a war against the Carthaginians, and stayed for 700 years battling the fierce Iberian tribes.
Hotel Palacio de Villapanes boasts a formidable entrance of pale-coloured stone, topped by a heraldic crest. Inside, a red marble floor and imposing black pillars lead to the patio; the 18th-century palace’s historic pedigree (it was built by the 1st Marques de Torre Blanca del Aljarafe; the Villapanes title was taken by a descendant) is further evident from another massive coat of arms on the grand staircase.
Located in the Mudejar Pavilion of the 1920 Ibero-American exhibition devoted to the popular arts and traditions of Andalucia. There are exhibitions held in the basement here, including a permanent series of workshop scenes detailing crafts, such as leatherwork, ceramics and cooperage.
We bring you ten interesting titbits about the Andalucian capital, whether you´re visiting Seville for the first time, you´re already a seasoned expert, or you live here. Find out more about film, food, sport, history, religion and politics - plenty of key aspects of this historic city.
Going out for afternoon coffee has always been part of the culture here, and cakes have steadily improved in quality over recent years. In such a warm climate, ice-cream is also popular. Menus have expanded massively, taking in bagels, breakfast bowls, and smoothies. Brunch has also become popular - ideal for peckish late-rising visitors.
When you visit Seville, you will undoubtedly go out for tapas. These small, tasty dishes, now found all over the world, originated in Sevilla.
The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares is devoted to a more general tradition of arts and culture. The archaeological museum covers a period dating back to Paleolithic times, while the Casa de Pilatos and Casa de la Dueñas are examples of fine stately homes.
This neo-baroque theatre is named after the famous 16th century Spanish playwright, often called the Spanish Shakespeare, who wrote more than 1,500 plays. Like most of the buildings in this area of the city, it was designed for the 1929 Iberico-American Expo as the Pavilion of Seville, and was later used as a casino. It was converted into a theatre in 1980.
This botanical garden is full of species donated by countries in the Americas for Expo 92, and is divided into different areas, including palms, cacti (look out for the prickly pear, with its yellow flowers and reddish-yellow fruit), tropical and sub-tropical plants. Many succulents and other plants.
Built more as a traditional park, this is very close to the Jardin Americano, but you need to know exactly how to get there, it’s not signposted (which means it’s quiet and little-visited): leave through the gate at the lake end, turn left walk and along next to the cycle lane.
If you are considering visiting Seville you may find our maps a useful tool, we provide three maps, one of the region of Andalucia with Seville highlighted. The second handcrafted map gives the location of Seville with the corresponding local road network
