Seville, Spain. Three day guide to discover some hidden gems and some top spots.
This was our third trip to Seville, so we explored a couple of favourite spots, but also discovered some fascinating hidden gems. We share our three day guide to unveiling some secret spots and some all time favourites.
The Plaza de Espana was built over 15 years for the 1929 World Exhibition. It is built in a semi-circular design, two stories with balconies and a tower at each end. There is a three-metre ceramic tile feature of the 50 provinces of Spain that wrap around the bottom of the building. Each one is completely unique and includes a picture depiction of the province, a map and a coat of arms. They are in alphabetical order and are a sight to behold.
The Setas de Seville or Metropol Parasol is a wonderful place to visit at sunset. It is the biggest wooden structure in the world. There is a walkway across the top that you can pay to access. It is free to walk under the magnificent structure. There are bars and restaurants underneath and around the area. At night the structure lights up in different colours. If you don’t want to walk across the top - then try one of the rooftop bars that have fabulous views. The area was home to a market that had 100’s of stalls, but become outdated and unsightly.
On December 19, 2010, a modern and renovated Mercado de la Encarnación reopened its doors. Three months later the Plaza Mayor and the Antiquarium were opened. As a final culmination, on 6 May 2011, Setas de Sevilla was completely inaugurated with the opening of the Footbridges and Viewing Platform: in total, 250 metres of overpasses available to Sevillianos and tourists to enjoy Seville, its culture, its history and its environment from a surprising new point of view.
Casa de Pilatos is a hidden gem in the heart of Seville. If you have visited the big ticket monuments, like the Cathedral and Alcazar, then a visit to this palace is recommended. It is much smaller, and much less crowded and you will be rewarded with amazing architecture and stunning gardens. It was built in the 15th century and occupies an area of over 10,000 square metres. It has been home to many leaders over the years but is now maintained by a trust and is open to the public.
One of the best things we have done in Seville is a Flamenco dance lesson. This was a gift from my family and I admit we were a bit reluctant as we have never tried flamenco dancing before. Once we arrived and saw that everyone else was just as nervous, we embraced the challenge - even putting on the flamenco dress and shoes. It was so much fun and after an hour we were flamenco dancing. Click the button below to see the lesson we did. We highly recommend it.
We have done a previous blog post and podcast where we take you to the Cathedral, Plaza de Espana at sunset, the Alcazar and to some great tapas bars. If you would like to see the information and pictures (the Plaza de Espana ones are particularly good) then click the button below.
There are some wonderful shopping streets around the old town in Seville. One of the most popular is called Calle Sierpes. There are so many original shops to visit including stunning dress shops that sell everything flamenco. The fabrics and jewelry in these stores are stunning. Of course you can buy yourself and wonderful handmade hat, or even espadrilles. If you want some Iberian jamon, cheese or sherry, then this is the street for you as well.
One of our favourite things to do in Seville is to wander the streets, especially in the early morning when its cool and not crowded. In spring you will be rewarded with stunning jacaranda trees and quiet streets. You can enjoy the architecture and find a nice place to sit and watch the city come to life.
Seville is also famous for its Jewish quarter and tapas bars. You can find many traditional bars with bullfighting memorabilia, or small intimate tapas bars where there is only room for a few people. You will also be rewarded with some funky new modern cocktail bars around the city as well. The food is great and the wine even better.
This is our third visit to Seville and we love it even more this time. As we had already visited the major tourist attractions, we were able to explore a few more of Seville’s hidden gems - oh and become flamenco dancers.