The Spanish singer Lola Flores once said, “Seville is like dreaming of heaven.” Her celestial comparisons are hard to argue with; whether for the elegant charm of its streets, the fiery pride of its people or the rich artistry of its culture, the capital of Andalucia is truly one of Spain’s most captivating destinations. It’s a city bursting with creativity too, from traditional crafts, music and dance to contemporary innovation in art and design. And now, looking to the future, Seville aims to become one of Europe’s leading cities for smart, sustainable tourism. Here are the best things to do in Seville right now.
Best things to do in Seville
Seville’s old town
Getty Images1. Soak up the rich historical heritage
The buildings of Seville’s old town are nothing short of majestic—and they provide a flavor of the city’s complex historical legacy, rich in Muslim and Catholic influences. The city is home to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, whose bell tower, La Giralda, is over 325-feet-tall and in a former Moorish minaret. The jaw-dropping Alcazar—a 13th-century Christian palace built over an even older Islamic castle—is a gem of Mudejar architecture, where Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance styles sit among Islamic ornamentation. Together with the nearby Archivo de las Indias, a mid-16th century building housing documents related to Spain’s colonization of the Americas, they make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: La Giralda, Av. de la Constitución, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain; Royal Alcázar of Seville, Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain; Archivo de Indias, Av. de la Constitución, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Riding bikes through Seville
Getty Images