Seville

Seville is the capital of Andalusia, famous for flamenco, Moorish architecture, tapas, and festivals. It's one of Spain's most beautiful and characterful cities with a rich Arab heritage.

Altitude: 12mBest: March to May, September to October37.39°N, -5.98°EAndalusia

History

Seville was an important Roman city (Hispalis) and later the capital of the Almohad Caliphate. It became a major port after the discovery of the Americas, controlling all trade with the New World. This golden age produced stunning architecture including the Alcazar and Cathedral.

Famous for

Alcazar of Seville (royal palace, Game of Thrones filming location)Seville Cathedral (largest Gothic cathedral in the world) and Giralda TowerPlaza de Espana (massive crescent-shaped plaza)Flamenco shows in Triana and Santa CruzSanta Cruz neighborhood (Jewish quarter)Tapas culture (invented here)Metropol Parasol (Setas de Sevilla, wooden structure)April Fair (Feria de Abril)Triana neighborhood (ceramics, flamenco)Bullring (Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza)

How to reach

By air: Seville Airport (SVQ). By rail: Santa Justa station with AVE high-speed trains from Madrid (2.5 hours). By road: from Madrid via A-4.

Nearby attractions

Cordoba (Mezquita, 1 hour by train)Granada (Alhambra, 2.5 hours)Ronda (cliff-top town)Cadiz (coastal city)Donana National ParkJerez de la Frontera (sherry, horses)

Emergency contacts

Police: 112Ambulance: 061

About

Seville is the heart of flamenco and Andalusian culture. The Alcazar is a stunning Moorish palace with intricate tilework, gardens, and courtyards. It was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones (Dorne's Water Gardens). The adjacent Santa Cruz neighborhood is a maze of whitewashed alleys with orange trees and flower-filled patios.

The Cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque, is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda Tower, originally a minaret, offers panoramic views. Climbing the ramp instead of stairs was designed so the muezzin could ride a horse to the top.

Plaza de Espana is an architectural marvel built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, featuring ceramic tile alcoves representing each Spanish province. Triana, across the Guadalquivir River, is the traditional flamenco and ceramics district. Seville experiences intense summer heat (40°C+), making spring and autumn the best times to visit.