Travel in Seville (city)
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Informations on Seville: history, politics, economy, culture, Did you mean: Seville
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Seville (Sevilla) is the capital of Andalucia, the cultural and financial centre of southern Spain. A city of just over 700,000 inhabitants (1.6 million in the metropolitan area, making it Spain's 3rd largest city), Seville has a great deal to offer the traveller.
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Understand
According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules. It was known as Hispalis under the Romans, and Isbiliya (????????) during the Moorish occupation. The high point in its history was following the discovery of America.
The city is situated on the banks of the smooth, slow Guadalquivir River, which divides the city into two halves: Sevilla and Triana. This river ends in Sanlucar de Barrameda and crosses the Parque de Doñana.
Seville has played host to two international exhibitions - the Iber-Americano Exhibition in 1929 and the International Exposition in 1992.
Inhabitants of the city are known as Sevillanos.
Get in
By plane
Sevilla International Airport 1 (http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagename=Estandar/Page/Aeropuerto&c=Page&MO=0&SMO=-1&SiteName=SVQ%26cid%3D1048243388846) is located about 25 minutes drive from the city centre.
A bus service (http://www.tussam.es/) 2 (http://www.tussam.es/horarios/pdf/LINEA_AEROPUERTO.pdf) runs about every 30 minutes from just outside the Arrivals hall during most of the day (though with longer gaps 1pm-4pm) and costs approx. ?3.50. Taxis are always available next to the bus stop and run on a fixed fare to Seville centre, just under ?18 during the day and just under ?21 after 10pm and at weekends / holidays. Much controversy has been stirred by some taxi drivers trying to overcharge tourists, so be careful to pay no more than this if you are travelling into the city. Other destinations outside Seville obviously cost more and are matered. Tips are NOT necessary, though ?1-2 for a polite, helpful service is appreciated.
By train
High-speed three-hour trains run from Madrid, slower trains are cheaper, and there's a reasonable overnight from Barcelona.
By car
Driving is also always an option for long distance travel in Spain, but isn't as convenient or as useful once in town.
By bus
Regular buses run to/from most major cities, departing either from the Plaza de Armas bus station near the river, or the Prado de San Sebastián station near the University/Santa Cruz.
See
- the Cathedral of Seville - once judged the third largest church in the world, after St Peters in Rome and St Pauls in London, now arguably the largest worldwide, when compared using the measurement of volume. Sevilla's 15th century Cathedral occupies the site of the former great mosque, built in the late 12th century. The central nave rises to an awesome 42 metres. Total area 11,520 square metres.
- La Giralda - a large and beautiful minaret tower, originally intended for the chief mosque, but now the magnificent bell tower of the Cathedral and symbol of the city of Sevilla. Climb the stairs for a great view of the city.
- The Alcázar - a beautiful Moorish palace, begun in the early 10th century.
- The old Jewish Quarter near the Giralda
- The Torre de Oro - a 13th century tower, the top of which was once covered in gold. It now houses the local maritime museum.
- Parque María Luisa was built for the 1929 Iber-Americano World's Fair, and now is landscaped with attractive monuments and museums.
- Plaza de España - the site of the Spanish pavilion from the 1929 exhibition.
- The Universidad de Sevilla - a beautiful old university set near the Parque Maria Luisa. Beautiful marble floors and arches above will lead you into smaller open courtyards with tiled decorations.
Do
- Semana Santa - the sombre Easter week processions feature thousands of people and go on all week - A spectacular display of Conspicuous Catholicism
- Feria de abril - a release after the sombreness of Semana Santa, a huge party of eating and drinking
- See Flamenco - Flamenco is in fact very popular at the moment in Spain and is not just for tourists, however finding the right place is hard (unless you ask a local). The Cultural Centre, C/ Ximénez de Enciso, 28 (Santa Cruz). Tel 954 56 06 70, is a good spot to see real flamenco, performances are daily at 9:00pm, it costs ?22, ?10 for students and Sevillians, ?6 for kids (4 to 10).
- Walking Tours info@sevillawalkingtours.com, 902 158 226, 616 501 100, 3 (http://www.sevillawalkingtours.com). Really interesting and almost vital to your enjoyment of a city are all the little bits and stories that audioguides don't give. The guide is interesting and interested in what she does, if she doesn't know she will find out. Entry to buildings is not included, consider combining with a Seville tourist card. Reductions are available for taking various combinations of these tours.
- City Tour, Mon to Sat- ?10, meets at 10:30am in front of the statue in Plaza Nueva.
- Cathedral Tour, Mon, Wed, Fri - ?6, meets at 1:00pm in the Plaza del Triunfo.
- Alcazar Tour, Tue, Thr, Sat - ?6 meets at 1:00pm in the Plaza del Triunfo.
Horse drawn carriage rides found near the cathedral takes you to the nearby park and other sites of interest.
Buy
- Sevilla is home to many beautiful artifacts, one of the more popularly known are the plates and spanish tiles. There are stores that custom design them near the cathedral, but you would be better off going over the river to Triana where there are more, selling other pottery items you won't want to leave without.
Eat
Sevilla, like most Andalucian destinations, is known for its tapas. There are loads of great tapas places around the foot of the cathedral in the center of town. You can't go wrong, simply order one of everything to find your favorite!
Drink
- There are quite a few teterias in Triana across the river offering teas, shakes and middle eastern pastries in a cozy cushion filled environment
- Across from the cathedral sits a coffee shop called Cafe de Las Indias where you can buy delicious chocolate shakes and coffees.
- Just down the road from Cafe de Las Indias you will find a patisserie shop selling wonderful chocolate covered palmeras, a wonderful afternoon treat after a long day touring the sites.
- Don't miss 'Cervecería La Internacional', one of the best beer shops in Spain. More than 250 types of beer, wonderful tapas and good connections: it's located in Calle Barcelona, just 1 minute away from Plaza Nueva, where the Town Hall is.
Sleep
Accommodation prices in Seville are slightly higher than the rest of Andalusia. They also change with the tourist seasons. High season is August - September, Mid - High Season is May-June. Most places have air conditioning but be sure to ask in summer, you will need it. Your room is really the place where you siesta.
- There are some amazing hotels in Sevilla like Alfonso XIII but it will cost you an arm and a leg. For a more intimate experience on a let's say tighter budget, wander into Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter and you will wonderful "pensiones" offering comfy beds and typical courtyard views.
- Grupo Piramide, (between the Alazar and the Indian Archives) 4 (http://www.grupo-piramide.com). A Group of four hotels named after artists offering good accommodation. Each offers a slightly different form of accommodation, Hospederia Dalí, Hotel Zurbarán, Hostal Van Gogh, Hostal Picasso. Contact information and map are available on their website. (Hostal Van Gogh, double room with private bathroom, ?50 in June)
- Las Casas de la Judería, Callejón Dos Hermanas, 7. (in Santa Cruz), 5 (http://www.reservator.com/htmlfiles/catalogstatic/casas_juderia_spa.htm). A lovely old collection of houses beside a church that was once a synagogue. Very expensive (rooms start at ?150 (prices less than this probably do not include breakfast.(?32)). Rooms are often nothing special, apparently offers a pool. You can get a slightly smaller room elsewhere for two thirds the price. Perhaps wander in for a look around at its court yards but if you want a special night or two, look elsewhere.
Get out
- Nearby Granada is possible on a long day trip, but better for an overnight or long weekend.
- Nearby Cordoba is a wonderful day trip (about an hour by train). Visit the Mezquita with peppermint striped arches or the old white walled Jewish quarter where every turn offers a new view.
- Nearby Cadiz a wonderful, ancient (eldest city in Europe) city. It's an hour and a half by train, a little less by car. Walk its downtown, bath in its beaches and taste its delicious fish. And if it's Carnival time, don't miss one of the more massive Carnival in the world (and surely one of the funniest ones).
External Links
- Seville Tourist Office (http://www.turismosevilla.org/ing-index.html)
- Reviews on Seville (http://travel.ciao.co.uk/Seville_5296459_4)