Travel Guide to Sevilla, Spain

Seville, the city of Don Juan, Carmen and flamenco, is situated to the south-east of Spain, in Andalusia. Your life would be incomplete, if you have never been to this fantastic city, full of palm and orange trees, the smell of which every spring covers Seville and its outskirts. Seville is the pride and joy of Andalusia. Maybe that's why Andalusia is often called 'the true Spain'. This Spanish province is famous for its beautiful cities with long and interesting history. Seville is a real melting pot for various cultures. For centuries a great number of various nations and peoples, who put themselves on record of art, architecture, folklore and of course cuisine, lived on this territory.

The parks of Seville. Seville is well known for its parks and gardens, which quite often have the Arabic style and seem to be true oases after the everyday hustle of the big city. The most famous of them is surely the Maria Luisa Park, created for the 1929 Exposición Ibero-Americana World's Fair. The park was a part of the San Telmo complex and later it was presented to the city by Princess Maria Luisa. Before the opening of the fair it was laid out once again by Frenchmen Forestier. The Maria Luisa Park has the square of 400 000 m2 and is the largest green zone in Seville. On the edge of the park, not far from the river, you'll find a small pink-and-yellow building - de Costurero de la Reina. There Queen Maria liked to have rest and do some fancywork on her own. Nowadays there takes place the tourist office.

The oldest park of Seville, Delicias de Arjona, is located between the Maria Luisa Park and the River Guadalquivir. It was opened for visitors in the beginning of the 19th century. At the other bank of the river you'll see Parque de los Principes, laid out in 1973. Even younger is El Prado de San Sebastian Park, situated at one of the vacant sites of Seville. It's planted with palm trees and can boast of lots of small ponds. Near the Alcázar Palace take place the Murillo Gardens, called after the artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The park was laid out in a typical style of Seville: there are a lot of palms, arcades, flowers and sculptures by local masters.

The Giralda Tower. For a long time from 711 to 1248 Seville was under the influence of the Moslem, which, of course, affected the look of the city. One of the most famous Islam monuments is the Giralda Tower that, by the way, serves as the symbol of the Seville. The tower is 97 meters tall. Primordially it was the Mauritanian minaret. From the viewing platform of the Giralda Tower one can enjoy the marvelous view on the city. In the 14th century they changed the Mauritanian cupolas on the top of the tower for the Christian symbols. And in 1568 the Giralda got the chapel tower, projected by Hernan Ruiz.

The Santa Cruz area. Being Jewish some time ago, the Santa Cruz area is an ideal place for having walks along the narrow light streets with lots of bars and restaurants, where one can try the delicious tapas. By the way, this word was first used in Seville, so it's not surprising that it's served almost everywhere. By the order of King Ferdinand III the Jewish had no right to settle down anywhere but in this area. In the 15th century the Christian came to power and Santa Cruz was turned into a working class area. Nowadays it's an interesting touristic place with narrow streets and picturesque alleyways.

The number of tourists at Calle Mateos Gago, the street full of restaurants, bars and souvenir stores, can shock any person. Go along it in the direction of the Plaza de Doña Elvira, where in house 6 the unrequited love of Don Juan used to live. Nowadays in this house you’ll find a restaurant, where one can try national cuisine. Don Juan is an imaginary figure, but it doesn’t prevent the natives from creating legends about him. Some people believe that Don Juan really existed and was born at Calle Justino de Neve 2. There is even a monument in honor of this symbol of men love at Plaza de los Refinadores.

The Santa Cruz can also boast of some other sights. For example, Casa de Pilatos, built in the end of the 16th century. It has Magyar style and is luxuriously decorated. You should visit the magnificent inside garden. The attractive residence building with the nice yard is situated in Callejón del Agua 2. At the Plaza del Triunfo your attention would be fist of all dragged by the “Immaculate Conception” statue. In the church of the Plaza de Santa Cruz the artist Murillo is buried. Not far from there take place the Murillo Gardens. The best way to get to know the Santa Cruz area is to have a quiet walk along its streets and alleyways.

The Old Town. All the points of interest in Seville are located from each other at the distance of a foot walk. But if you don’t want your feet to get tired, the best choice will be the old town. There you’ll find lots of interesting sights, situated at the same place: marvelous buildings, cozy yards and a great number of restaurants. Jamon de Serano de Belottal is the most famous tapa in Seville. Tapa is special for the fact that to get the special ham for it, pigs are fed with acorns only.

The natives have talent for joyful spending their free time, especially in the evenings. Seville is an ideal city for evening entertainment. If you want to know where is “the place to be” – just ask any passer-by, because when night is setting in, the streets are quite crowded. And keep in mind that this city gave birth to flamenco and there is no other place, where it is danced better than here.

Read more about Sevilla:
Restaurants and cuisine in Sevilla
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Sevilla
Nightlife and attractions in Sevilla
Preparing for Sevilla: Advices
Sevilla photogallery