Seville Spain: A True Andalusian Paradise

I like to think of Seville Spain as the Spanish Riviera. The weather is fine, the women are fine, and it has long been known as a place that is full of life. While you could spend an entire vacation in Seville and never see daylight, there are plenty of reasons to check out what this Andalusian gem has to offer. On your next trip to Europe, visit these attractions to make Paris a very forgettable pit stop.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Feria de Abril (Festivals)
Seville's most well known festivals occur at Easter, and 2 weeks after Easter Sunday. Semana Santa is marked by grand processions that make western affairs seem mundane. There is a religious tone to this festival, so you may want to hold off on any hard partying until Feria which is basically a week long block party. Women wear flamenco dresses, and the whole affair is spent dancing, drinking and being merry. Since Seville is a culinary capital of Spain, you will also get your fill of the local Tapas, which are basically heavily flavored Spanish appetizers.

The Plaza de la Maestranza (Bullfighting Ring)
Seville is second only to Madrid in Bullfighting. The ring was built in 1733, and is the oldest Bullring in the world. Some of the greatest matadors of all time have passed through it's gates. There is also a museum located in the plaza, so if watching a fight is not your thing you can still visit for the culture and sights. If watching a fight is your thing, you will want to visit in the spring or summer, as fights are unlikely after October. The museum is open daily from 9:30am -7pm, and from 9am-3pm when there is a bullfight.

The Cathedral of Seville
The most striking piece of architecture, and most heavily visited tourist destination is the Cathedral of Seville. It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, and the third largest cathedral after St. Peters in Rome and St. Paul's in London. Construction began in 1401 and replaced a Mosque. The Giralda Tower was retained from the Mosque, and has become one of Seville's most recognizable features.

Real Alcazar De Sevilla (Palace)
The Royal Alcazar was originally a Moorish palace that is situated near the cathedral. Monarchs have made additions to the Alcazar over the last thousand years, culminating in the grand landmark we have now. The palace has been declared a world heritage site, and is one of the best examples of mudejar architecture. The Alcazar is open to tourists from 9:30am-7pm every day of the week in the April-September season.

L'Albufera (Restaurant)
The restaurant is located in the Hotel Melia. The decor in the L'Albufera is not as over the top as many of the eateries in Seville, but while visiting a city known for it's gourmet food, you have to visit a restaurant that showcases the best they have to offer. The wait staff is friendly, and while the food is a little pricey, the overall experience is worth every penny. While any Mediterranean seafood selection will be delicious, the L'Albufera is most known for their paella with lobster and cuttlefish. The food is great, and you won't have to fight quite as many tourists to get in. Lunch hours are 1pm-2pm, and dinner is served from 8pm-12m all week long. The address is listed below.

Hotel Melia Sevilla
Seville, ES 41004
Phone: 95-442-1511

Additional Sources:

SpainforVisitors.com , Seville