Seville

The capital of Andalucía in southern Spain, Seville epitomizes the spirit of Andalucía. It is situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, and this river divides it into two parts - Seville and Triana. The river has played a great part in the history of the city and its surrounding regions.

Many people believe that the best nightclubs and bars in Andalucia are located in Seville. The Andalucians are proud of their ability to enjoy themselves, and also serve some great food and wine in all these places.

Seville is also a cultural and financial hub. It has some great museums and many of the cathedrals and churches here are worth a visit. The cathedral of Seville and the Real Alcazar are among the major landmarks of this lovely city.

Visitor Suggestions:

Must visit:

The Cathedral of Seville is the third largest church in the world. Built in the fifteenth century, it is also the final resting place of explorer, Christopher Columbus. The Alcazar which faces this Cathedral is a former Moorish palace and has traces of Renaissance and Moorish architecture within its structure

Must Drink:

Seville is famous for its oranges - the local freshly squeezed orange juice is sold at most bars and cafes.

Must spend time in:

The Alcazar gardens - these gardens have different segments, each built in a different era and are showpieces of the landscaping and style of each era. They are a pleasure to walk through and spend some time in.

Must attend:

The Semanta Santa or the Holy Week celebrations. This is the most well-known of Seville's festivals, and the solemn and sacred processions are a delight to watch.

Music:

The local music of Andalucia is flamenco - many bars have flamenco music with flamenco groups playing outside in summer.

When to go

The climate in Seville is mild in winter with very hot summers. The average winter maximum temperature is around 16 C, and summer temperatures are often above 40 C. In fact Seville in summer is just about the hottest place in Europe.

How to get there:

Seville International Airport is the main airport, and it is located 10 km (15 minutes by taxi) away from the city centre. Most airlines will run services to this airport. Budget airlines such as Ryan air tend to use the smaller airport La Parra International Airport, located at Jerez.