Seville Holidays

There are lots of reasons to book a holiday in Seville. There are a number of wonderful attractions that continue to attract and delight holidaymakers from across the globe. If you’re travelling with your family or a group of friends, you’ll be pleased to learn that Seville has a wide range of activities and places of interest to keep everybody happy. With links to some of the best-known names in history, Seville is a great Spanish holiday destination for those that love history. A good place to start off your holiday is the Cathedral of Seville, which is considered by some to be the largest cathedral in the world, and the final resting place of famous explorer Christopher Columbus. Originally built as a mosque, this building was converted to a cathedral in the 15^th century following the Christian re-conquest of Andalucia. There’s also the Jewish Quarter, with narrow winding alleyways and pristine architecture that make for a wonderful afternoon spent exploring. More places of interest include the Maria Luisa Park and the stunning nearby villages of Sierra de Aracena and Sierra Norte.

As with many Andalucian destinations, gastronomy is a huge draw of Seville. This historic city attracts foodies from around the globe and has the honour of being the birthplace of tapas, or small plates of food. There’s a huge choice of restaurants and cafés in Seville, meaning you’re never short of options for a delicious meal. If you’re looking for the authentic Spanish dining experience, opt for several small plates of tapas for a wider selection or large plates for sharing, known as raciones. Seville is famous for its incredible gastronomy, showcasing vibrant seafood platters and traditional recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Much of the food in Seville, as in the rest of Andalucia, has strong multicultural influences which can be seen in dishes such as spinach with chickpeas. The prices here are very reasonable, with many tapas dishes and glasses of wine starting at just two euros each.

While Seville is often thought of as a paradise for adult holidaymakers, offering grown-up cultural and historic activities and a chic lifestyle, there’s plenty of activities and attractions for all the family in this diverse city. The Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral and its bell tower, La Giralda, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and excellent place to learn more about the city’s past. Children will enjoy clambering to the top of the tower to enjoy the beautiful views of Seville and the Patio de los Naranjos. Other family-friendly attractions include the Real Alcazar, a royal residence with stunning gardens and majestic grand halls. With plants, flowers and lush green trees, children will love playing in the grounds of the Real Alcazar while the adults take in the breathtaking architecture.

One of the best attractions for a thrilling day out in Seville is the theme park Isla Magica, in the heart of the city. This fantastic attraction is themed around the Spanish expedition to the New World, with a number of roller coasters, attractions and log flumes to keep the whole family entertained for hours on end. Other more active things to do include going on a boat ride at Plaza de Espana, while if you have the option to, you may wish to visit during April for the Feria de Abril, the biggest festival and party in Spain. During this festival, the whole city spends an entire week celebrating, with both men and women wearing traditional Andalucian dress and streets lined with horse-drawn carriages and marquees set up with food and things to buy. By night, the city comes alive with flamenco dancing, live music and a party-all-night atmosphere with copious amounts of red wine and tapas.

Most visitors to Seville agree that if the city had a beach, it would have everything you could want in one neat package. While there are no beaches in Seville owing to its geographic location, that’s not to say that you can’t have a sunshine holiday in Seville. The city has an average of 300 days of sun a year, with temperatures reaching above 40°C in summer, making it one of the hottest cities in Europe. As Seville has excellent transport links, it’s easy to make use of the more than 1,000 kilometres of coastline in the surrounding area that do have beautiful beaches. Many visitors consider Bolonia, in Costa de Luz, to be the best beach close to Seville. Bolonia beach is secluded and just far enough away from Cadiz not to become too crowded, offering a slice of unspoilt paradise. Other beautiful beaches nearby include the Punta Umbria, in the seaside town of Huelva on the Costa de Luz, Los Canos de Meca in Cadiz and Conil de la Frontera.

Seville has a metropolitan feel and a vibrant lifestyle that continues around the clock. Many bars and restaurants in the city stay open until midnight, with some staying open until 2-3am. An important thing to note is that many of the clubs that stay open late stay quiet until midnight, and the busiest days for nightlife are from Thursday to Saturday. In the peak summer period, you can make your way across the city travelling between terrazzas and focus on the riverside area for some of the best nightlife hotspots in the city. If you prefer an international vibe for your nightlife, try Flaherty’s Irish Pub, which has Murphy’s and Guinness beer on tap and English-speaking staff, as well as tasty Irish versions of tapas. Other nightlife venues with a home-like vibe include The Trinity in the Hotel Inglaterra and the Clan, a Scottish bar. If you’re looking for a magical place to watch the sun go down over the cathedral, try the Fontecruz Hotel’s rooftop bars, the Dona Maris and the EME on Calle Alemanes.

Seville may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of romantic European destinations. But thanks to its compact size and clever layout, Seville has everything that you need for a romantic holiday close at hand, all just a brief stroll away. Seville is an excellent place for holidaying couples, whether you’re looking to celebrate a special anniversary or want to relax and enjoy some quiet time with your loved one. The Gothic architecture, scenic cobbled streets and traditional Andalusian architecture make a naturally romantic setting, perfect for quiet strolls as a couple. In the city’s streets, Seville has plenty of traditional tapas bars, historic Gothic buildings and quaint shops in the old quarter, the Triana, to explore for souvenirs and gifts. Many of the most romantic stories in popular culture and history are set in Seville, including Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s opera the Marrige of Figaro. One of the most romantic parts of the town for you to explore as a couple is the Barrio Santa Cruz, formerly the district of Jews and Moors which is situated in the historical centre part of Seville. Here, you’ll find numerous shaded lanes, picturesque buildings and scenic courtyards lined with flowers and lush green trees.

Seville is one of the best-loved holiday destinations in Spain, with the perfect balance of heritage, culture and great attractions. Once, Seville was the largest city in Spain and was the gateway for the Spanish Empire to the New World. Andalusia was formerly occupied by the Moors for around 800 years and shows Moorish influences in its cuisine and, most of all, its architecture. Seville has served as the setting for numerous stories throughout history including Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Bizet’s Carmen. The city has also welcomed some of the most famous figures throughout history, including Don Juan, who began his travels across Europe in the city. Columbus also commenced his expedition to the New World from a port nearby to Seville and is buried here. Other distinctive features of Seville include bullfighting, flamenco music and dancing, tapas and the celebration of the largest festival in Spain in April, the Feria de Abril.