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Seville

GETTING THERE

AIRPORT

San Paolo Airport

Seville's airport is called San Paolo and is located just 10 km from the city centre. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi (20-25 euros) and more or less 35 minutes by bus. 

BY CAR

Seville is situated in Andalusia, in Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula: it can be easily reached with the highway A4 from the South, A66 from the North and A92 from Granada. 

BY TRAIN

Seville can be easily reached also by train from the main Spanish cities.

LOW COST FLIGHTS

www.vueling.com

www.ryanair.com

www.britishairways.com

www.iberia.com

CHURCHES

Cathedral of Seville

It has huge dimensions, the third biggest church after St. Peter's in Vatican City and Saint Paul's in London. It represents a wonderful example of late-Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The church's roof is dominated by the Giralda, which is an ancient minaret representing an icon of the city.

Church of St. Luis

It is located in Barrio Macarena, just a few steps from the centre. This church is in pure Baroque style and was designed by Leonardo de Figueroa. It is characterized by a wonderful façade but the interiors are not less amazing.

Basilica de la Macarena

It is located in the heart of the suggestive Barrio Macarena and contains the famous statue of the Virgin of Mcarena, carried in procession along the streets during the Holy Week.

Church of El Salvador

It is the second widest church in Seville and is an example of Spanish Baroque architecture, design by Leonardo de Figueroa.

MUSEUMS

Museo de Bellas Artes

The Fine Art Museum contains masterpieces by Murillo, Velasquez and Zubaran. It is housed in a beautiful ancient building, Convento de la Merced.

Museum of Contemporary Art

It is housed in the Cartuja Monastery, dating back to the 15th century and completely renovated in 1922 for the Expo exhibitions. The Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art contains sculptures, ceramics and  paintings starting from the early 1900s. 

Archeological Museum

It contains an interesting collection of prehistoric, Phoenician and Romanic crafts and products.

ATTRACTIONS

The Giralda

This is the true icon of Seville. The Almohad minaret dates back to the 12th century and is the only remain of an ancient Moorish Mosque. It is 100 meters high and from its top tourists can enjoy a suggestive view of the city.

Barrio Santa Cruz

It was considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and was in origin the Jewish district of the town. Tourists can admire the Cathedral, the palaces of Alcazar and the Archives of the Indies. The narrow streets are lined by ancient building embellished by azulejos and ceramic handworks, mainly representing religious images. There is a plenty of picturesque shops where visistors can buy beautiful fabrics and clothes, mother of pearl fans and inlaid wooden objects.

The Royal Fortresses

The Reales Alcazares were built by the Arabs and then transformed by the Reconquest. This is the reason why they show so different styles and architectures in their beautiful patios and lounges and gardens. 

Golden Tower

The Torre de Oro is one of the most popular Seville's landmarks. It dates back to the 13th century and was built by the Almohad as a defense tower. It became a prison and a port and nowadays it represents the starting point of the cruises on the Guadalquivir river.

SHOPPING

Seville offers different options for shopping. Along with the most popular and universally known stores and brands there is a wide choice of traditional shops that sell typical crafts and souvenirs. The most important shopping area is around Calle Tetuan, between the Campana and Plaza Nueva.

Seville has several markets which are very picturesque and suggestive and particularly appreciated by those who are looking for antiques, books, stamps and various objects. The most famous of these "mercadillos" is El Jueves, in Calle Feria (Barrio de la Feria).

NIGHTLIFE

Despite its small dimensions, Seville has a vibrant nightlife, in perfectly Spanish style.

Barrio Santa Cruz is a good starting point to the evening: it is full of tapas bars where tasting good wine and typical tapas in a suggestive atmosphere.

The Alameda is characterized by a plenty of small bar each one with tables or terraces, usually full of tourists and local people.

If you want to make a true Spanish experience with flamenco you must go to the area of Triana. The Casa de la Memoria is perhaps the most important local to discover flamenco and it is located in Barrio de Santa Cruz. Other interesting shows are impromptu performances in local bars, for example at Bar Tenderete, Calle Rodrigo Caro 3, or at Carboneria, Calle Leviés 18. Regular formal tablao venues include the highly rated El Arenal, Calle Rodo, and Los Gallos, Plaza de Santa Cruz 11.

The Island of Cartuja, Aduana (www.aduana.net) and Bestiario (www.bestiario.net) are the most popular nightclubs open till sunrise.

For more information on cultural events see either Guia del Ocio (www.guiadelocio.com/sevilla) or El Giraldillo (www.elegirhoy.com).

RESTAURANTS

Andalusian cuisine is particularly appreciated by tourists and its main specialties are tortilla, gaspacho and tapas. In Seville there are a lot of restaurants where you can taste these original flavours. Gaspacho is a cold soup made mostly of the vegetables that grow in the gardens of Andalusia. It normally contains garlic, tomato, carrots, bell peppers and cucumbers, olive oil and vinegar. The tortilla is essentially an omelet with potatoes and the tapas are different delicious appetizers, famous in all Spain.

Eganya Oriza

It is one of Seville's finest and most exclusive restaurants serving delicious Basque cuisine.

Address: Calle San Fernando 41

Telephone: 95 422 7254

www.restauranteoriza.com

Corral de Agua

This restaurant is housed in a 18th century beautiful building and serves delicious Spanish dishes in a romantic atmosphere.

Address: Callejon del Agua 6

Telephone: 95 422 4841

www.corraldelagua.es

El Reconcillo

This charming restaurant dates back to 1670 and is the oldest tapas bar in Seville. 

Adrress: Calle Gerona 40

Telephone: 95 422 3183

www.elriconcillo.es

Remember that restaurants in Spain serve dinner from 9:00 to 11:00 pm. 

EVENTS

Fiesta de la Immaculada Conception

It is religious event for the celebration of the Immaculade Conception and it is held in Seville Cathedral.

Semana Santa

Eight days of religious events and parades every year for the Holy Week.