The summer adventures of Sophie, a British blogger from Wiltshire, and her daughter Saskia in that sultry beauty of a place called Spain. Sophie’s previous guest post for me was on Bruges.
Seville in August is an experience; it is boiling hot (daily temperatures often reach upto the 40s), full of history and it comes alive at night for Tapas and Flamenco. We visited for a long weekend and we fell in love with this stunning city and its fiery and friendly people. Don’t be put off by your drive from the airport…..just wait and Seville will work her charm!
We booked an apartment – as we are a family of four – which was in the Jewish Quarter of old Seville where all the shops were and had air conditioning. This worked well for us and gave us the flexibility that we were after. It was a 10-minute stroll to the cathedral and a 20-minute walk to the Plaza de Espana. There are loads of places to stay in Seville but if I were to go again in the summer months, I would look for a hotel with a rooftop pool such as this one.
There are so many things to do in Seville! These are my top 6 things for you.
- The Cathedral
This is a MUST and if you only have one or two days I insist that you go! It is the most beautiful cathedral I have ever visited and needs to be seen with your own eyes to be believed. It is a UNESCO World heritage site and it was completed in the early 16th century. The Giralda Bell Tower was once part of the city mosque which is even older. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. It is immense. The ornate carvings and gold work are something to behold; all the wealth of old Spain sits in this place!
There are many tombs here but my favourite was the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
- The Real Alcazar (palace of Seville)
The palace is one of the most beautiful in Spain and Moorish in design. The upper levels are still used once every three years or so by the present Spanish royal family. It is another UNESCO World Heritage site. As we waited to go in, a lovely lady called Isabel offered to be our guide, so we jumped at the chance to learn more and jump the queues. It was the best 10 Euros we spent as she was a resident of Seville and told us all about the history of this fascinating place. The palace has been used in many movies and TV shows; the most recent was in Game of Thrones. I came away though with the fact that under the rule of Alfonso X in the 1250’s, Christians, Jews and Muslims all lived together in peace and this is shown in the symbols around the palace that intermingle with each other.
The gardens are equally stunning and are worthy of a visit. We stayed here for many hours and you really need at least half a day to see everything.
- Plaza de Espana
Built in 1928 for the World Fair of 1929 to showcase Science and Technology they are now government buildings.
Take a horse and cart to explore Maria Luisa park which surrounds the Plaza. Spot parrots that fly above your head or relax amongst the cool trees. There is a lot to see here and many other points of interest such as The Museum of Arts and Traditions is worth a visit if you have time. Or just relax and enjoy a drink at one of the local bars or cafes.
4. The Metropol Parasol
The Metropol Parasol is the largest wooden structure in the world and gives a great view of the city as you can climb to the top for 3 Euros and even get a free drink! Roman relics were discovered during construction and these have been preserved in the underground Antiquarium museum. We visited in the daytime but apparently is beautiful at night as it is lit up.
- Maestranza (the bullring)
Whatever your feelings about bullfighting, the bull ring is worth a visit. There is a tour which includes some of the bullfighting costumes and art work.
- Tapas and Flamenco
There are numerous Tapas bars and cafes throughout the city but the place to go is the district of Triana. This is a 20-minute walk across the Isabel bridge from Old Seville. Here, under the mist that is pumped out to keep you cool, you can sample wonderful food. Don’t go too early though as Seville is the place for a siesta between 2pm and 8pm. Many of the bars play Spanish guitar music and offer Flamenco. Well, Triana is the birthplace of Flamenco!
Lovely post darling! Thank you for sharing. xx
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All yours Sophie, I am merely the instrument 🙂 xx
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Btw your photos are beautiful! Seville looks every bit as enchanting as I thought it to be. xx
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You must visit! It’s wonderful but advice….don’t go in August! Very hot!
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I found it hot in February, Sophie, in Malaga and Granada. August would wilt me.
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I think February would be perfect for me then. I enJoy the heat but even I was sweltering in the August heat!
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I can bear the heat as long as you cut out humidity… 🙂
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My trip to Granada and Seville was one of my absolute favorites! It’s an amazing destination. This brings back fond memories 🙂
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I can imagine 🙂 I have been to Granada between the two so Sophie’s post teased me about the fact that I missed out on Seville! xx
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Granada is next on my list as well as Córdoba. X
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Cordoba must be so pretty too. I want to explore Seville, Cordoba and Toledo and return to Granada. Experience Moorish exotica to the fullest. xx
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Absolutely! X
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Delightful post & fabulous photos. I must definitely visit! ?
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Wonderful blogpost. The Seville Cathedral is so beautiful and ornate. The statues on the tomb of Christopher Columbus look like they’re about to speak. I wonder what they would say if they could? Such a lovely city – so historic and modern. Thank you for sharing it! – Neek
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Thank you Neek. All Sophie’s photos and account. I am just the channel 😉 But yes the statues are so intricately carved. I was wondering about the claims of the Spanish about Columbus since the Dominican Republic lay claim to his remains too! I wonder if the statues could clear our doubts 😉
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Yes! You’ve inspired me to research this and it seems as though some of his remains might be in the Dominican Republic but they refuse to have the DNA testing done. The Spanish remains have been verified with the DNA from Columbus’ brother Diego’s remains. Never knew this! Thanks for sharing this fascinating bit of history 🙂
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Heh I am glad you found more because I stand enlightened. Then it is Seville that is the actual resting place. The Dominican Republic a bit of a scaredy cat methinks. xx
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All the photos are so beautiful ? somewhere I never knew I wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing! ?
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You are welcome 🙂
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Amazing pics and such a beautiful city!
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Indeed Maha 🙂 I loved her photos too! xx
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What a great post. We never got that far south to Seville in Spain. Just Barcelona.
Thanks for sharing, will hop over to Sophie’s page to check it out. Xx
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You are welcome Lorelle 🙂 xx
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All of this architecture is truly spectacular! That’s one of the reasons I would love to visit Spain, just for the buildings. 😛
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I agree Britney. Thanks for dropping by. Sophie’s photos tempt me too! xx
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What a wonderful post and it prompted me to dig about in @theoldhouseintheshires glorious blog …. what a beauty! Seville is one of my husband’s favourite places – he has yet to share it with me. This serves as a smart reminder that it is long overdue!! Xx
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Just share the post with him and bat your eyelashes – or has that ceased working? Adi says that Bambi eyes don’t cut it no more. xx
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HB2 has a fine line in just ignoring – he suddenly gets very interested in a stone or a plank of wood, I find. However, we have more than eyes in our armoury Mrs Dippy, do we not 😉 Cake, I mean, obviously … xx
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Ahahaha cake is for life, cake is life… And now I feel I should stop gushing about cake but really what is HB2 getting today? xx
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No idea – he is in Montreal whilst I am languishing in Grenoble! xx
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To cake in Grenoble and Montreal. xx
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I was supposed to go to Seville earlier this year but unfortunately had to cancel a week before. Can see what I missed. Such magnificence!
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Oh no, that is unfortunate but hey you can always plan another time and make sure you get there soon 🙂 xx
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Fingers crossed , soon. Am dying to get to south of Spain. Gosh, so much to see 🙂
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Right?! And what do you do when you want to revisit many. Sigh. xx
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I know ! The urge to revisit places with special memories vs the restlessness to experience something new. The latter is somehow winning at the moment.
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I drink to the thought – the list of places to be revisited growing longer. xx
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I am constantly amazed by the architecture around the world. 40 degrees is too hot.
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Consider me in your corner there. I cannot abide 40 too but Europe is getting hotter by the day. xx
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Thank you for allowing me to revisit many places we saw in 1999. One of my most favorite vacations!
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That is great that Sophie’s post has revived some lovely memories 🙂
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Beautiful city and country! They even host one of my favourite Grand Tours – the Vuelta! 🙂
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I am hearing of it for the first time. But I concur on both fronts.
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This is an amazing guest post! Beautiful photos!
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Thanks Natalie 🙂 I agree. Sophie’s photos do make me want to take off to Spain Now. xx
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I was able to explore Seville at the end of my semester abroad. It was so beautiful and a wonderful city!
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Lucky you Pam! It is so pretty. ’tis on my list 🙂 xx
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This is a beautifully written post 🙂 It felt like I was there! The history in Spain is so fascinating. I would love to visit Seville one day!
xxx
Jenna
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Thank you for reading Sophie’s post 🙂 I echo you on the last thought. xx
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These beautiful photos remind me of our time in Sevilla almost two years ago. Our son was studying there and it was a great excuse to visit. Lovely post of a spectacular city!
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Your son lucked out 🙂 xx
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What an adventure. The photos are great.
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Thank you. Sophie’s photos are tempting me too. x
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🙂
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Amazing architecture and wonderful design on the decorations. Your photos do the place justice. I never thought of Christopher Columbus coming from such a rich artistic environment!
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Thank you on Sophie’s behalf. Columbus, the fellow who set out for somewhere and ended up in another part of the world 😉
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to find the end of the world, wasn’t it?
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I did not know about the end of the world theory but that he wanted to prove that the world was round. And that the ancient Greeks had got there before him 😉
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Yes. That is right. At that time they believed that the world was flat and if you sailed too far you would fall off!
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Yes….sorry to jump in! You are right….he pondered his voyages here in a nearby convent and his son is also buried in the cathedral.
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No no why should you be sorry. This is your spot milady. I am the one guilty of jumping in 🙂 So he does lie in Spain!
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Great pictures! 🙂 I love Spain, what an amazing country :))))
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On Sophie’s behalf, thank you 🙂
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Hey great post.
I live in Seville and would agree you have chosen the best places, spot on. Didn’t know the Metropol parasol was called that, I only know it as the Setas (mushrooms) which the locals call it.
Was an interesting read as most of the places you mentioned feature in the novel I’m about to publish, might be of interest if you enjoyed Sevilla.
Looking forward to reading your next post.
Thanks
Barry
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Thanks Barry, this was a guest post by Sophie. She is linked at the intro to the post. I hope she reads this. Cheers.
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I have popped back. xx
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😀
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[…] in theme with the tone of the guest post on Seville by Sophie, I thought of my Andalusian adventures that kicked off from Málaga, the Andalusian […]
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That’s actually so coool! ? I have also been to Seville and is a great city!
( I have written and posted some photos on my blog )
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I shall go have a look Stefanie. Thank you for dropping by. Cheers.
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