7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Sevilla, Spain

A few months ago, my mom and I spent a long weekend down south in Sevilla, Spain. I can’t even describe how magical that time felt. Even though I was only a few hours away from Madrid, I felt like I’d been transported to an entirely different world.

During a visit to Spain, many travelers think about visiting the beaches of Barcelona or enjoying Madrid capital. But if you’re looking for a more thorough Spanish experience, I can’t recommend Sevilla enough. From Madrid, it’s easy to access – an hour flight or a two-and-a-half hour train ride – and though it’s Spain’s 4th-largest city, it has a distinctive personality that feels uniquely Spanish.

Have I convinced you to visit yet? If not, here are 7 reasons why you should take a journey down south to the capital of Andalucía!

1. The South of Spain

Andalucía is the name of Spain’s southernmost region, which is also the largest region in the country. While its big cities like Sevilla, Málaga, Córdoba, and Granada are home to many, Andalucía also has vast expanses of rolling farmland and mountains. The relative isolation of its location and the more relaxed pace of life will make you feel like you’re experiencing traditional Spain.

2. Weather

Even for early March, the weather in Sevilla was much nicer than it had been in Madrid. Andalucía is famous for hot summers – so much so that in Sevilla, houses and buildings are painted with light colors, and streets are narrow to block out the sun. You may be uncomfortable if you visit in the summer, especially because many places in Spain do not have air conditioning. But with an average of only 57 precipitation days per year, if you visit Sevilla in fall, winter, or spring, you’ll probably be happier with the weather than many other places in Spain or Europe.

3. The Orange Trees

I’ve seen my fair share of Spanish oranges throughout Europe, especially in places like Granada and Valencia. (In fact, I swear by this Valencian orange juice. You can buy it in most grocery stores here. It’s the best ever… you’re welcome.)

But we were so incredibly #hashtagblessed to be in Sevilla when we were, because not only were the trees full of oranges… all the orange blossoms were in bloom! It took our Sevillano experience to the next level because the whole city seemed like it was perfumed. Seriously. It smelled SO good, all the time.

4. Major Sights

Sevilla is home to quite a few can’t-miss places to see and experience. From the historical Alcázar, where you could spend hours in the gardens alone, to the Cathedral of Sevilla, the third-largest cathedral in the world, with its minaret-turned-belltower. There’s also the famous Plaza de España, which is one of Spain’s most recognizable icons and is the best plaza in the whole country (in my opinion).

There are also Las Setas de Sevilla, a strange mushroom-shaped wooden structure that houses restaurants, a food market, and an open-air space for events… which you can also climb on top of for unrivaled city views. There’s the neighborhood of Triana across the Guadalquivir River, which is likely where the famed flamenco dance was born. And there’s the bright-yellow Basilica of the Macarena, which is home to another of Sevilla’s most iconic sights, the Virgen de la Macarena statue.

5. History

Not only does Sevilla have three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – The Alcázar, the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies – Sevilla has been one of the most important cities on the Iberian peninsula all throughout history. For many years, Sevilla was part of the Muslim kingdom of Al-Andalus, which covered the majority of the peninsula, and it was one of the most powerful capitals of the empire. The Torre del Oro, located on the river, and La Giralda, the former mosque’s minaret which is now the cathedral’s belltower, are reminders of Andalucía’s history as Al-Andalus.

After the reconquista, Queen Isabella of Castilla commissioned Christopher Columbus for his voyage to the New World from Sevilla. The Guadalquivir River was easily navigable in that time; for this reason, Sevilla became a major port city and gained a monopoly on trade with the “West Indies.” You can find the tomb of Christopher Columbus inside the cathedral.

6. Tapas Culture

When you think of Spain, do you think of tapas? Even though I’ve lived in Madrid for almost two years, I don’t go out to eat too much. Being on vacation with my mom was the perfect opportunity to eat lots of different tapas.

Since Sevilla is such a diverse city, you’ll find a contrast between the modern and the traditional – and that extends to food! The tapas culture in Sevilla is strong, and with the rise of tourism, more modern tapas bars are popping up. That means you should never have a hard time finding somewhere good to eat! We didn’t really do any research – we just wandered into places that looked good – and we never came out disappointed. I also felt that many places we went still weren’t too touristy because there were almost always locals there as well.

Tapas recommendations: patatas bravas, croquetas, dátiles con bacon.

7. Bright Yellow Albero

When you’re in Sevilla, you can’t help but notice the bright yellow façades of so many buildings. What’s up with that? I thought they were just really into bold colors that were reminiscent of the sun and southern Spain’s vibrant lifestyle. But on this trip, I learned something new.

The yellow paint that you see has a special name: albero. Albero is the name of a fine yellow sand/dirt that is typical of the region. Mixed with paint to adorn homes and buildings, it produces the rich golden color that seems to magnify the sunlight’s reflection. And which provides yet another identity for proud Sevillanos.

 

If you haven’t yet visited beautiful Sevilla, Spain, add it to your list! If you have visited, what were your favorite things about it? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

Originally Published on August 27, 2020.