After flying into Lisbon, stopping through Évora, and checking out Córdoba, we finally made it to our destination, Sevilla! Insert all the flamenco dancer emojis here.. We ventured to Southern Spain for a wedding, but thoroughly enjoyed the road trip along the way.
WHAT TO SEE:
Funny story. So, Plaza de España is the iconic image of Sevilla, and we missed it. We spent 4 days here and MISSED IT. I blindly followed Google maps and thought, huh, this park really isn’t as impressive as everyone said it would be? We did not realize until after we returned home that we were steps from the correct spot. How does this happen?? I blame the haze of the wedding fun the night before…So, here are some pictures of the park next to it. SAD!
Initially, this was the site of a mosque built in the 12th century. After Ferdinand III conquered the city, it became a cathedral. In the 15th century, construction on a new and improved cathedral commenced. There are still elements from the mosque woven into the current structure. This blending of Muslim and Christian architecture is known as Mudéjar style.
It is the largest cathedral in the world, and the third largest church in the world. This place is huge! Allot at least an hour, probably longer, to see everything. There are numerous chapels, plenty of artifacts, and Christopher Columbus is buried here. There was a line to enter that took about 30 minutes. Go early before the heat sets in and the lines are shorter. Admission is 9 Euros, audio guide free subject to availability.
The Royal Alcázar dates back to the middle ages and is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. This was a personal favorite! I could have spent hours wandering the beautiful gardens, admiring the colorful tiles, and eavesdropping on guided tours to learn more. Game of Thrones has scenes filmed here, too. Not that I watch it, but it seems like 99% of the world does and can appreciate this tidbit… We went early afternoon and there was a very long line. It was HOT! We baked in the sun for quite awhile as the line moved slow. Admission is 9.50 Euros. Hours vary by season.
The wedding ceremony took place at Casa de Salinas, a 16th century palatial home that still has portions used as living quarters. Truly beautiful! It is open to the public, but hours vary by season, and the entrance fee is 6 Euros.
After the ceremony, we walked on over to the reception. No one reallllly knew where they were going, so it felt like an extra long jaunt in the summer heat, but the venue was well worth the walk.
On to the reception! This 15th century palace is the current home to the Dukes of Medinaceli and parts of the palace and grounds serve as a museum. The gardens were stunning! We followed some wedding guests to the roof of a building for a beautiful view of the grounds and were quickly tracked down by security. Oops! At least I got a good pic..Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If the party wasn’t elaborate enough, the dance party that followed took the cake.
WHERE TO EAT:
This sliver of a cafe offers coffee, tea, snacks, and the prettiest china, making you feel fancy.
Modern tapas bar with a great cheese and charcuterie plate, yum!
Milk Away:
Acai bowls! Smoothies! All the healthy-ish good stuff that tastes refreshing when it’s hot out. Also, it is one of the few places open in the morning since everyone seems to be late risers.
Delicious! It was in between meals and we needed a snack and a seat after spending the afternoon sweating at the Alcázar. Fresh gazpacho and salad did the trick to cool down and refresh.
What a pleasant surprise to stumble by! Any place with a cat theme is a winner in my book. This coffee shop/bookstore/art studio hybrid was a perfect afternoon break from walking.
WHERE TO SHOP:
For all your stationary and cute office supply needs, similar to The Paper Source here.
Boutique clothing and accessories store.
WHERE TO STAY:
Our Airbnb couldn’t have been more convenient. The 2nd floor apartment had a fabulous roofdeck and was centrally located on one of the cobblestone pedestrian-only streets in the heart of the city. While parking was a bit of a pain, we did find garage parking a few blocks away. The main attractions were all within walking distance.
TIPS:
Safe water! Hurray! Beginning of June was very steamy, so staying hydrated was of utmost importance (combined with balancing all the wine consumption).
Seville is not for the early bird. Very few places open early in the morning, so expect to start your day later and go well into the night. Also plan out your siesta since many places close mid afternoon!
Take a moment to get lost in the side streets. You’ll likely stumble upon some great street art, a little cafe, or a hidden shop.
One final recap to go: the olive oil adventure. Stay tuned!