Popular Activities In Seville
An Overview of Seville
Seville is the capital of the province of Andalusia with arcing royal monuments and beautiful shopping avenues. The city is notorious as the birthplace of Flamenco, A southern-Spanish folkloric music tradition where instruments and dancing are combined. The city is also known for hosting the famous Easter Procession where over 50,000 people in traditional robes carry “pasos” religious statues in a parade through town. There are many popular activities in Seville, including architecture tours, enjoying traditional tapas meals and watching flamenco shows.
Things To Do In Seville
Royal Alcázar of Seville
Historically known as al-Qasr al-Muriq, this is the royal palace of Seville. It was constructed for the Christian King Peter of Castile on the site of an Abbadin Muslim alcazar (residential fortress). The blending of elements here is stunning. The attraction can be found in the Murillo Gardens, south of the city center. Visiting the royal palace is one of the most popular activities in Seville.
Plaza de España
Perhaps the most iconic attraction of Seville, this is a curving plaza space ringed by fountains, water features, unique architecture and mosaics. Visitors can view the Regionalism Architecture Style, which fuses elements from Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles.
Catedral de Sevilla
Officially named The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Roman Catholic cathedral with an elegant, receding entry-way. The structure is adjoined to the Alcázar Palace Complex and the nearby General Archive of the Indies.
Setas de Sevilla – The Metropol Parasol
This immense wooden structure is the largest wooden construct in the world. Located in the Old Quarter of Seville, this wooden-mushroom-inspired landmark is home to a lively Central Market, a series of interconnected terraces overlooking Seville’s beautiful skyline and a basement musuem housing ancient Roman and Moorish artifacts.
Torre del Oro
This oddly-shaped building made of pale stone is a military watchtower preserved along the Guadalquivir River. The tower’s original purpose was to control access to Seville by water, but it was also used as a prison during the Middle Ages. For guests, the Tower is a beautiful landmark on the parks and riverwalk areas in the city.
Archivo de Indias
The General Archives of the Indies is an ancient merchants’ exchange venue filled with trade documents portraying the vast history of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and Asia.
Palacio de las Dueñas
This beautiful yellow building is one of the centerpieces of Sevillian artistic heritage with Renaissance, Gothic and Moorish influences coloring the structure. The building hosts astonishing artworks and a gorgeous interior garden plaza.
Flamenco Dance Museum
This amazing 18th-century museum houses the full history of flamenco dancing and culture alongside live shows. Flamenco is the signiture folkloric music traditions of southern Spain developed in the region of Andalusia. There are many variations, but traditional shows often use stringed instruments at rapid tempos while a dancer twirls with iconic red, flowing dresses and high arm motions. Watching Flamenco dances are some of the most popular activities in Seville.
Barrio Santa Cruz
This beautiful little neighborhood is established in the old Jewish corridors, using a maze of narrow winding streets with pretty park spaces on one side.
Parque de María Luisa
This park is a beautiful public space stretching along the edge of the Guadalquivir River. Filled with unique water features, beautiful buildings, small artificial waterfalls and children’s playgrounds, this is a popular place to relax.
Guadalquivir Riverwalk Trail
While there are many routes that move alongside the Guadalquivir River, this extended route passes some of the most important landmarks in the city. On foot, pedestrians can access the unique Guadalquivir Garden space, the Pabellón de la Navegación contemporary sea navigation musuem, the Muelle de la sal riverfront pier area, the Nao Victoria 500 y Espacio I Vuelta al Mundo sailing ship musuem on the river, the Torre del Oro defensive tower and much more.
Plaza del Triunfo
This is a quaint, tiny plaza known for views of tall monument and nearby historic structures, including the Archivo de Indias, the Réplica del Giraldillo bronze replica atop the Catedral de Sevilla, the crimson Puerta del León entry point to the Royal Alcazár and the local tourism office.
Calle Sierpes
This has served as Seville’s main shopping and commerce avenue since the mid 1800s with several preserved historical shops, many new modern venues and strips of white fabric tied above to diminish the daily heat.
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Day Trip
Córdoba, located roughly two hours from Seville, is a fantastic historical city located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. It’s centerpiece attractions is the immense Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba officially known as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Mosque-Cathedral is a vast complex filled with patterned arches, unique sculptures and Muslim artworks.
Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián
Located near Plaza de España, this is a small, peaceful park with shady trees, walking paths and popular al fresco bars.
The Tomb of Christopher Columbus
Written locally as the Tumba de Cristobal Colon, the alleged Tomb of Christopher Columbus is within the Seville Cathedral. This monument shows four allegorical figures representing the kingdoms of Spain ( Castille, Aragon, Navara, and Leon) lifting the tomb upon their shoulders. Christopher Columbus’ original body was laid to rest in Valladolid before being briefly moved to Seville. Afterwards, per his wishes, the body was transferred to the Dominican Republic, which the Spanish lost control of. The body shifted again to Havana before being transferred back to Seville 100 years later. Due to the shuffling and another tomb being found, the remains underwent a DNA test. However, their authenticity is still uncertain.
Yemas at the the Convento San Leandro
This is an active Convent with working nuns known for a special treat. For more than four centuries, the nuns have made and sold an egg-yolk candy known as the yemas de San Leandro
Hospital de los Venerables
Located in a pretty square filled with orange trees, this is a 17th-century buidling which served as a residence for priests and holy men of Seville. The building was eventually converted into the Velázquez Center, dedicated to the famous painter Diego Velázquez. The venue is filled with stunning artworks.
Royal Shipyards of Seville
These numerous brick arches once served as the medieval shipyard for the city of Seville. They were operational from the 13th to the 15th century with Gothic stylistic elements.
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