Seville

www.spain.info
 aa PLAZA DE ESPAÑA

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism

Published by: © Turespaña
CONTENTS
Created by: Lionbridge Introduction 3
NIPO: 086-18-005-8
Discover Seville
FREE COPY
neighbourhood by neighbourhood 5
The content of this leaflet has been created with
the utmost care. However, if you find an error, Culture 12
please help us to improve by sending an email to
brochures@tourspain.es Tasting Seville 16
FRONT PAGE: Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede. Seville in the four seasons 18
Photo: Jacek Sopotnicki/123rf.com
BACK: Photo: Lucas Viani/123rf.com Seville for children 20
The hidden city 20
Enjoy Seville's nightlife 24
Tours and walks around the city 26
What can you visit near Seville? 27
How to get there 29
How to get around in Seville 30

2
 INTRODUCTION
Seville always has something
special for each visitor: a
passageway, a smile, a sunset...

Come to the capital of Andalusia, the

city of a thousand postcard pictures,
and discover a mix of cultures with
over 3,000 years of history.
Its streets display a fascinating monu-
mental heritage and it has districts full
of traditional culture, such as Triana
and La Macarena. Visit the streets of
Seville's Jewish quarter, discover the
secrets of the Santa Cruz district or
the stories about the life and death of
the painter Murillo. There are surpris-
ing little corners everywhere.
Museums, art centresand theme
parks... just some of the endless leisure
possibilities awaiting you in Seville. The
cultural life in the city is endless. Top
national and international groups play
at the La Cartuja Auditorium and El
Palenque. There is also no shortage of
theatre and cinema. Choose what suits
you and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy
the great hospitality and open charac-
ter of the people of Seville.
Get the taste of the city in the bars in
its historic centre where you can try
a great variety of delicious tapas. The
heartbeat of Seville is in its streets. Take
in its lively atmosphere in one of the
pavement cafés with views and iconic
monuments such as the cathedral and
the Giralda tower.
aa THE GIRALDA TOWER

3
 SEVILLE

Another good excuse to visit Seville The Sierra Norte Nature Reserve is an-
is its traditional festivities. Discover other treasure worthy of a few good
the passion of Easter Week and the days of hiking.
April Fair to experience at first hand You can also take the chance to buy
the ­devotion and traditions of Seville's some of the craft products on view
people. in shop windows, shopping centres and
After the urban bustle, get some fresh street markets: ceramics, fans, antiques,
air in its natural surroundings. Marshes, etc.
dunes and game reserves typify the The unique beauty and light of the
Doñana National Park, a gem of na- Andalusian capital intoxicate everyone
ture declared a World Heritage Site who visits it. Seville is colour, life and
and a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. magic.

bb DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK

HUELVA

4
 DISCOVER SEVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

DISCOVER SEVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD

BY NEIGHBOURHOOD
Seville is distinguished by its fascinating neighbourhoods. These include Santa
Cruz, right in the heart of the city, with its narrow streets, palaces and courtyards
full of flowers; Triana, on the other side of the Guadalquivir River, with its seafaring
flavour and flamenco art; and La Macarena, popular and full of history.

aa REAL ALCÁZAR FORTRESS IN SEVILLE

THE HISTORIC CITY CENTRE

The historic centre of Seville has spe- Nearby is the Real Alcázar Fortress,
cial charm. Its streets offer you a unique home to monarchs and dignitaries.
monumental heritage and a contagious A stroll around its gardens, with their
joyous atmosphere. Visit the cathedral orange and palm trees and fountains,
and admire its imposing structure of is an unforgettable experience. For fur-
Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque ther information and ticket sales visit
and Neoclassical design. The remains the website:
of Christopher Columbus lie in the ca- LLwww.alcazarsevilla.org/english-version
thedral. Next, go up the Giralda, the
cathedral's bell tower, which for centu-
ries was the highest in the world, and
look over the city from on high.

5
 SEVILLE
Photo: bloodua/ 123rf.com

aa PLAZA DE ESPAÑA

Another place not to be missed is Plaza Next, take a look at Salvador Church
de España, a set of buildings in María and Plaza del Salvador, the latter being
Luisa Park. This unique setting has been one of the best places in Seville to en-
chosen as a location for such famous joy t­apas. You can have a cold beer and
films as Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: some typical Seville dishes at its terrac-
Episode II. Attack of the Clones. It was es and taverns, while enjoying the spe-
designed as the main building for the cial light and colour of the place.
1929 Latin American Exhibition. It has Its many palaces will allow you to
a semi-elliptical form, symbolising Spain breathe in their history and legends
embracing its former American colonies, and make your tour of Seville an unfor-
and looks towards the Guadalquivir River gettable experience. They include the
as the route to take to reach America. Archbishop's Palace, housing one of the
The Archive of the Indies, declared a city's most important art galleries, with
World Heritage Site by UNESCO, pre- works by Murillo and Zurbarán, among
serves thousands of documents and others. It is advisable to plan the vis-
maps from the colonial era. Visit the it in advance, since it only opens two
town hall to see a great example of Saturdays a month and has a limited
Plateresque architecture in Andalusia. number of visitors.

6
 Photo: Karol Kozlowski/123rf.com
DISCOVER SEVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD
BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

Las Dueñas Palace, an imposing manor

house that was the home of aristocrats
and the birthplace of the poet Antonio
Machado. Its beautiful courtyard, its
collection of art works and the list of
its illustrious residents will amaze you.
Another place not to be missed is San
Telmo Palace, where you can admire
one of the most beautiful doorways of
Seville's Baroque.
There is also no lack of historical aa ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE

churches. Enjoy the serenity of the inte- to Plaza de La Campana, a square that
rior of Santa María Magdalena Church. is a meeting point and the city's shop-
Nearby is the charming San Andrés ping epicentre.
Church, in Gothic-Mudejar style and lo- Set aside a good bit of time to stroll
cated in the square of the same name. down the tree-lined Alameda de
Calle Sierpes is a must on your tour of Hércules boulevard, Seville's alter-
the centre. This bustling pedestrianised native space par excellence, with its
street is very popular with people in spectacular mixture of historical spots,
Seville and is an ideal spot to enjoy a cultural offerings and nightlife. It has a
great selection of shops, bars and res- great choice of bars and venues with
taurants. This busy street will bring you live and electronic music.

bb SAN TELMO PALACE

Photo: joserpizarro/123rf.com

7
 SEVILLE

SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT

In the heart of the city, this neighbour-
hood is characterized by its narrow
streets, palatial houses, the cheerful
colours of its buildings and a special
charm. You will fall in love with its house
courtyards, full of flowers and colour.
Wander around the maze of narrow
streets in what was originally Seville's
Jewish quarter. The neighbourhood is
made up of narrow passages that were
designed to create currents of cool
air. Here you will find the gorgeous
Banderas square, formed by a group
of houses adjoining the walls of the
Alcázar fortress. You can stroll through
the neighbourhood's squares and such
emblematic places as the Callejón del
Agua passage, which runs parallel to
the walls of the Real Alcázar Palace. Its
shaded, intimate patios are full of plants
that provide cool air in the hottest
months of summer.
aa SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT
Nearby are the famous Murillo Gardens,
with their immense centuries-old fi-
cus trees, and Casa de Pilatos (Pilate's End your tour in the Jewish Quarter,
House), a palace considered one of the one of the oldest in Spain. The best way
finest aristocratic buildings in Andalusia. to discover Seville's Sephardic past is to
visit the Jewish Quarter Visitor Centre
Miguel de Mañara Palace is anoth-
in Seville which is not only a museum
er monumental building, which, from
and an exhibition space but also organ-
1623, served as the residence of aris-
ises guided tours in several languages.
tocrats. Santa María la Blanca Church,
built over an old 13th century syna- LLFor more information go to
gogue, maintains its original structure, www.juderiadesevilla.es
although it was rebuilt twice, first in the To eat while taking in the full charm
13th century and later, in the 17th cen- of this neighbourhood, go to Mateos
tury, when it became one of the best Gago, a street full of lively bars and tav-
examples of Baroque church architec- erns with unique views of the Giralda
ture in Seville. tower.

8
Photo: Seville Tourism

DISCOVER SEVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

CASA DE PILATOS HOUSE

 SEVILLE

LA MACARENA DISTRICT
Located to the north of the historical centre,
La Macarena is one of the Seville's most traditional
neighbourhoods. It is almost a town within the city
with its own monuments, legends and traditions.

aa ARCH AND BASILICA OF LA MACARENA

Here you will find such marvels as the

Photo: Brian Kinney/123rf.com

arch and basilica of La Macarena, seat
of the Brotherhood of La Esperanza
Macarena, one of the oldest in Seville.
There are also the walls and the
Córdoba gateway, from the times of
Julius Caesar, which formed part of the
enclosure that defended the city.
Calle San Luis, the street that is the
real heart of La Macarena district,
is dotted with very welcoming bars,
shops and restaurants where you can
enjoy Seville's cuisine. It also boasts
architectural gems like Santa Marina
Church, one of the oldest in the city, in
Gothic-Mudéjar style, and San Marcos
Church, one of the best preserved
parish churches from the 14th centu- aa SAN MARCOS CHURCH

10
 DISCOVER SEVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD BY NEIGHBOURHOOD

ry, despite having suffered fires and It is well worth visiting the former
earthquakes. You should also see San Cinco Llagas hospital, now seat of the
Luis de los Franceses Church, with its Andalusia Regional Parliament, to see
sumptuous dome. It is one of the best its Renaissance façade and the gar-
examples of Baroque architecture. dens. If you want to visit inside you
must book in advance.

THE TRIANA DISTRICT

With its seafaring character and a great
feel of the traditional Seville, Triana is
the birthplace of bullfighters and art-
ists. Located on the other side of the
Guadalquivir River, it has its own iden-
tity, reflected in crafts and flamenco art.
Enter this neighbourhood by crossing
the famous Isabel II Bridge, the oldest in
Seville and declared a National Historic
Monument. You can then walk to Calle
San Jacinto, a great street for shopping
and enjoying a drink at one of its lively
terraces.
Calle Betis, one of Triana's most em-
blematic streets, runs parallel to the river
and is a distillation of all of the district's
special flavour. Here, at the end of July,
the Velá of Santa Ana is celebrated, a
popular festival that fills the neighbour-
hood with lanterns and cultural activities
in honour of its patron saint. The festival aa ISABEL II BRIDGE

is thought to have originated in the old

pilgrimage that took place in Santa Ana
Church, built in the 13th century. Take a look around the Triana Ceramics
In Triana you will also find architec- Centre, a museum that preserves and
tural marvels like the Callejón de la promotes the city's traditions in ceram-
Inquisición (Alley of the Inquisition), ics. There you can see interesting histor-
where remnants of the ancient San Jorge ical ceramics and ovens. On and around
castle are preserved. In the Basilica of the streets of Antillano Campos and
El Patrocinio you can admire the image Alfarería you can buy pretty souvenirs in
of El Cachorro, an emblematic figure in the shops-potteries where the potters
Seville's Easter Week. work.

11
 SEVILLE

THE ARTS
Seville has been home to a great diversity of civilisations and artistic styles.
Experience it all in the city's museums, theatres and cultural centres.

aa MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

MUSEUMS
In a delightful little square in the histori- trances us with the extraordinary tiled
cal centre of Seville stands the Museum panels covering the richly decorated
of Fine Arts, formerly the Convent of walls, vaults and ceilings and with works
La Merced Calzada, which welcomes of art by three of the greatest artists of
you to discover the greatest treasures what is known as Spain's Golden Age,
of Spanish Baroque painting. The muse- the 16th and 17th centuries: Zurbarán,
um occupies a convent space which en- Valdés Leal and, above all, Murillo.

12
 THE ARTS

Located in María Luisa Park is the

Photo: Seville Tourist Board

Museum of Popular Art and Traditions.
Created in 1972 to display the rich
­ethnographic variety, it exhibits objects
and utensils from the past. Standing
opposite to it, in Plaza de América, the
Seville Archaeological Museum has
a stunning collection of remains from
ancient civilizations. Discover remains
from the Roman era found in the Itálica
archaeological site and the rest of
Andalusia, and the Carambolo treasure:
21 pieces of Tartessian origin carved ANTIQUARIUM

in gold.
In Seville's Plaza de la Encarnación square duce market and a raised square pro-
you'll find the “Seville Mushrooms” (or viding a venue for different events and
Metropol Parasol) by the German archi- the structure of six parasols that shades
tect Jürgen Mayer. The largest wooden this space. Its walkway-viewing plat-
structure in the world, its five tiers house form offers amazing views over the city.
the Antiquarium (the most important LLFor further information go to:
site from Roman times in Seville), a pro- setasdesevilla.com

bb METROPOL PARASOL
Photo: Lucas Viani/123rf.com

13
 Photo: Seville Tourist Board
SEVILLE

aa FLAMENCO BIENNIAL

ART CENTRES
Photo: Seville Tourist Board

The Santa Clara Cultural Centre has a

special place in Seville's cultural life. In
addition to being located in the beau-
tiful convent of Santa Clara, it houses
an ­important artistic-cultural collection
and is the main venue for the Flamenco
Biennial.
Are you fascinated by architecture?
Take a look around the CaixaForum
art centre, an icon of modern design,
which has a wide cultural, artistic and
educational offering for all audiences.
Visit Casa Murillo, located in the
house-palace that was the penultimate
family residence of the great Seville
artist, to discover the path Murillo's life
took and some of his most representa-
tive works. It is the ideal starting point
if you want a guided tour following the
painter's steps through the city in the
aa CAIXA FORUM 17th century.

14
 THE ARTS

THEATRES AND
CULTURAL SPACES
Photo: Seville Tourist Board

The performing arts also have their place

in Seville's lively cultural agenda, with
venues of all kinds. You could start at La
Maestranza, a lyrical and musical colise-
um that occupies a key place in the oper-
aa CAIXA FORUM
atic life of southern Europe.
Next you can visit Lope de Vega Theatre
In the Monastery of La Cartuja which has a varied programme of per-
(Charterhouse) you can explore the forming arts, flamenco and jazz, and hosts
Andalusia Contemporary Art Centre, Spain's most prestigious Ancient Music
which offers an overview of artistic Festival in March each year.
trends in Spain with a collection that
For the more adventurous, there is the
goes from the second half of the twen-
Quintero Theatre, right in the centre of
tieth century to the present. Take the
Seville. This is a cultural activism space
opportunity to get to know La Cartuja,
with a varied offer of shows alongside
which also has an important archaeo-
conferences, cultural days and exhibitions.
logical heritage, in depth.
The other leading venue is the La Fundición
LLFor more information go to
Theatre, with a programme open to all the
www.murilloysevilla.org
public.
www.caac.es

Photo: joserpizarro/123rf.com
LA CARTUJA MONASTERY

15
 SEVILLE

TASTING
SEVILLE
Savour the Andalusian capital by trying
some of the tapas served in the bars, ter-
races and restaurants in the historic cen-
tre and different neighbourhoods of the
city. The variety is practically endless.

`` GAZPACHO

TRADITIONAL CUISINE Pretty much all the bars in Seville have

some on their menu. The hard thing is
Seville is one of the best places in to choose: sirloin, prawns, or the typi-
Spain for that treasure of Spanish cui- cal serranito, filled with loin fillet, fried
sine: t­apas. And a fantastic way to get green pepper and ham.
to know the atmosphere and the hos-
pitality of Seville's people is to visit its Feast yourself in the wineries and tav-
bars. There are dozens of them in the erns where you can taste the authentic
old quarter and the popular districts of flavours of Seville, washed down with
Triana and La Macarena. wines from the barrel. The most fa-
mous of these wines are the fino and
Some very typical ones are: chacinas manzanilla sherries, ideal as an aperitif.
(Iberian ham, Iberian cured pork sau- Many of these very traditional estab-
sage); papas aliñás (potatoes in vinai- lishments are in the historic city cen-
grette); and fried fish. If you visit Seville tre. Miguel de Cervantes, the author of
in the hottest months, don't forget
Don Quixote, is said to have frequented
to ask for gazpacho (cold soup, made
their tables.
mainly with tomatoes), which is very re-
freshing.
But there is something even more MODERN CUISINE
popular: montaditos (small toasted Haute cuisine also has its place in
sandwiches with delicious fillings). Seville. Be adventurous and try inno-

16
 TASTING SEVILLE

vative dishes with local touches, care-

fully presented with surprising flavours,
in the cutting edge restaurants. The
Michelin-starred Abantal restaurant is
a good example.
Eating in the markets is very fashion-
able among the locals. Triana Market,
next to the bridge that connects the
neighbourhood with the city cen-
tre, ­offers from the freshest oysters
to exquisite sushi. There is also the
Barranco food and fish market, near
the La Maestranza Bullring. It is the
most modern of all, with bars offer- aa BARRANCO FOOD AND FISH MARKET
ing traditional cuisine and avant-garde
delicacies. Andalusian produce to creative vegan
Cross Triana Bridge and wander options. Another option is to go on a
wine-tasting course.
around the stalls of Arenal Market.
There you can find everything from LLFor more information go to
traditional food based on organic www.mercadolonjadelbarranco.es

17
SEVILLE

SEVILLE IN THE FOUR SEASONS

It doesn't matter when you choose to visit Seville. The city has so much to offer
that any season is good for tapas, live flamenco, a boat trip on the Guadalquivir
River or the enchantment of Easter Week.

Luisa Park.
When the sun is at its hottest you can
get away to the beaches of Huelva
and Cádiz, just over an hour away by
car, and take a dip in the Atlantic.

AUTUMN
At the end of October, Dance Month
begins, offering a different way of un-
derstanding the city through shows
spread around theatres, streets and
districts.
The magic of flamenco awaits you
in a unique event held every two
years in Seville: The Flamenco
Biennial. This is the most important
international event for this supreme-
aa SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT
ly Spanish art form, which has been
­declared Intangible Cultural Heritage
SUMMER by UNESCO.
Summer months in Seville are syn- It usually takes place in September, in
onymous with sun and heat, but you several venues spread throughout the
can enjoy night time strolls through city. You will find out what the duende
its historic streets and drink a beer or (magic) of flamenco really means in
some gazpacho to cool down at one such special places as the courtyards
of its many terraces. At night, Seville's of the Real Alcázar Palace, the stage
Real Alcázar Palace generally offers of La Maestranza Theatre, the pa-
live music under the stars. If you're tio of the Hotel Triana (a traditional
a film lover, enjoy the summer pro- neighbours' gallery) or the beautiful
gramme of open air cinema in María church of San Luis de los Franceses.

18
 SEVILLE IN THE FOUR SEASONS

WINTER

Photo: Mikhail Mandrygin/123RF.com

In mid-December you can attend
the Seville Performing Arts Festival.
Music, performance and dance
shows spread over different ven-
ues transform the city into a cultural
party.
Are you sporty? Sign up for the sport
of the moment among Seville's lo-
cals: canoeing. People are out on the
Guadalquivir River at all hours. There
are some guided tours by kayak, also
in English, allowing you to get a view
from the water of monuments like the
Torre del Oro Tower, La Maestranza
Bullring and La Cartuja Monastery.

SPRING
aa APRIL FAIR
This time of the year in Seville is syn- SEVILLE

onymous with splendour, passion and ground's 250,000 light bulbs are
­mystery. Enjoy the intense experience lit. There is dancing and singing and
of Seville's Easter Week. Gaze at the ­people eat fried fish in the marquees.
richly adorned religious images that Feast your eyes on the colourful
are carried through the streets to the Flamenco dresses and try some de-
rhythm of solemn music. Flamenco licious hand-carved cured Iberian
songs called saetas are sung by the ham. You could also learn the steps
crowds a cappella as the images go of the traditional Flamenco sevilla-
past. One of the most anticipated nas dance, accompanied by the song
processions is the Madrugá, on the style of the same name, which pro-
night between Maundy Thursday and vides the unmistakable soundtrack
Good Friday, commemorating the of the April Fair. The Fair ends with a
Passion of Christ. great fireworks display alongside the
The other great annual event is Guadalquivir River.
the April Fair. It is the fair to end all Both Easter Week and the April
fairs, beginning on the night of the Fair have been declared Fiestas of
­alumbrao (light up), when the fair- International Tourist Interest of Spain.

19
 SEVILLE

THE HIDDEN
CITY
If you still have time and want to see
other interesting, different and less
well-known places in the city, here are
some options.

PARKS AND GARDENS

SEVILLE A visit to La Buhaira Gardens will trans-
port you to the city's times of Moorish
FOR CHILDREN splendour. There you stroll among olive
trees, palm trees, vines and fruit trees,
The little ones can also have their say
and see the ruins of the old palace.
here. Take the chance to go to the thea-
Today it is a civic centre which in the
tre, visit a museum, take a walk along the
summer hosts a season of theatre and
Guadalquivir River, go on a nature excur-
opera.
sion or visit a theme park with your family.
You can also rest on a tiled bench
The attractions at Isla Mágica, for exam-
under the shade of the orange trees
ple, are one of the main things children
in the charming Plaza de Doña Elvira
want to enjoy in Seville. There are attrac-
square, in the Santa Cruz neighbour-
tions for all sizes and abilities, but the
hood. Have a drink at one of its lively
most amazing of all is the thirty-two me-
terraces and relax as you look at the
tre high roller coaster.
fountain in the centre.
The Seville Aquarium is another great
place to go with the children. It has tanks
up to nine metres deep and a huge variety SECRET MUSEUMS
of aquatic fauna, such as sharks and many Seville's cultural heritage is vast, as
other species of fish, as well as turtles and made evident in its many museums.
various types of reptile. Some are very little known, but very
And from the sea to the sky. Visit the interesting, such as the San Jorge
Science Museum, with exhibitions and Castle Museum. Standing facing the
activities related to the world of science Monument to Tolerance, by the sculp-
and a planetarium not to be missed. tor Eduardo Chillida, this centre docu-
ments the religious, social and cultural
LLFor further information go to oppression exercised by the Tribunal of
www.islamagica.es the Inquisition.
www.acuariosevilla.es
www.casadelaciencia.csic.es Visit the pavilion of Navigation, on the
island of La Cartuja. Located on the

20
 THE HIDDEN CITY
Photo: Seville Tourist Board

aa NAVIGATION PAVILION

bb TORRE SEVILLA TOWER

banks of the Guadalquivir River, near

Photo: Seville Tourist Board

the city's historic centre, it explains
how Seville was a port for the explora-
tion and conquest of America.
Another place worth visiting is the
Mudéjar Museum, which gives a very
didactic view of the Hispanic mixture
that gave rise to this art.

THE ROOFTOPS
OF SEVILLE
Seville has vantage points with en-
chanting views. Look out from the
heights of Torre Sevilla, Seville's first
skyscraper, and, standing at 180 me-
tres, the tallest in Andalusia. Or visit
Torre Schindler tower, which stands by
the Guadalquivir River and offers in-
credible panoramic views.

21
 SEVILLE

Torre de los Perdigones tower, an old TERRACES WITH

foundry, is one Seville's few industrial
monuments. Inside there is a viewpoint VIEWS OF THE
and one of the world's few camera GIRALDA TOWER
­obscuras, allowing you to observe live Feast your eyes and your senses on
­images of Seville in a unique way. one of the terraces with the best
The cathedral's rooftops offer unique views of Seville. In the city's histor-
panoramic views of Seville from differ- ic centre and the Triana district there
ent heights. To walk on its roofs you are several establishments with at-
have to go through its passageways tic terraces, offering the best in
and climb its spiral staircases. You can Andalusian cuisine, shows and live
book a guided tour on the internet music, with the sky of Seville as a
or purchase tickets directly at the tick- backdrop. Enjoy the atmosphere, the
et office. unforgettable panoramic views of
the city and wonderful sunsets over
the Guadalquivir River.

bb TERRACE WITH VIEWS OF THE GIRALDA TOWER

22
 THE HIDDEN CITY

23

POSTIGO DEL ACEITE GATEWAY

SEVILLE

ENJOY SEVILLE'S NIGHTLIFE

If you enjoy nightlife, Seville has everything for a good night out. Rock and elec-
tronic music bars, sophisticated terraces, jazz clubs, etc. Each area has its own
atmosphere. Discover them all and fall under the spell of Seville at night.

BARS AND TERRACES

The people of Seville's favourite party- fantastic place for a drink outdoors, as
ing area is the historic centre. This area most of the bars have terraces in the
has many hotel terraces serving cock- square. If you also like live music, you
tails in a sophisticated atmosphere. can enjoy great evenings of concerts
Visit Plaza del Salvador square and try for all tastes.
some of its many nightspots. El Arenal is another neighbourhood
If you have more alternative tastes you that has a lively nightlife, with cocktail
must take in the atmosphere of the lounges and nightclubs for people who
Alameda de Hércules square. This is a love to party. You can enjoy views of

24
 ENJOY SEVILLE’S NIGHTLIFE

the beautiful district surrounding the River opposite monuments such as the
Bullring from one of its exclusive roof- Torre del Oro tower and wonderful
top terraces. Calle Arfe is a street with views. Soak up its character at flamen-
a great many places to dance and have co shows featuring the best artists.
a good time with friends. Stroll along the Muelle de Nueva York
If you cross the river, you'll come to riverside walkway, which, especially in
Triana. Calle Betis is the street that summer, is a great place to lay in a ham-
takes pride of place in this district, with mock while drinking a delicious fruit
pavement cafés by the Guadalquivir cocktail.

bb HOTEL DOÑA MARÍA'S TERRACE

Photo: Seville Tourist Board

25
SEVILLE

TOURS AND
WALKS AROUND
THE CITY
A good way to explore Seville is to
take a tour of its most emblematic
areas.

The Roman route will show you the im-

print left by this ancient civilization on
the Santa Cruz and La Alfalfa district.
Don't miss the Hercules and Caesar
columns, which belonged to a temple
dedicated to Mars, the god of war. Take
a look at the Caños de Carmona. These
are the remains of a Roman aqueduct
that once had 400 arches and that, for
centuries, with successive reconstruc-
tions, was the main provider of drinking
water to the city. From this majestic en-
gineering work, which stretched several
kilometres, only three small stretches
can now be seen running along a street
called Luis Montoto.
There are also defensive walls from
the same period, that of Julius Caesar,
which can be seen from close up.
You can also discover the settings of
writings by Miguel de Cervantes on the
Cervantes route. It is around six kilo-
metres long and also includes places that
inspired other writers such as Gustavo
Adolfo Bécquer and the Generation of
'27 poets.
Thousands of stories and mysteries
await you in Seville. Go on routes of
legends such as that of Bella Susona
26

__ HERCULES AND CAESAR COLUMNS

ALAMEDA DE HÉRCULES BOULEVARD
 TOURS AND WALKS AROUDN THE CITY

and see the wall tile with a painted skull

on Muerte (Death) street.
Or perhaps you'd like to know why
there is a crocodile in Seville Cathedral's
orange tree courtyard. The best way is
to find out for yourself.
You can also immerse yourself in Seville's
Moorish tradition, as it was a Muslim city
called Isbiliya for more than five centu-
ries. The Islamic heritage route takes
you to mosques, palaces and Moorish
aa CHURCH OF SANTA MARÍA LA BLANCA
SEVILLE
baths. Design your own tour and relive
that period.

WHAT CAN YOU VISIT NEAR SEVILLE?

If you have time, take the opportuni-
ty to explore several destinations near
Seville, such as Carmona, a historical,
monumental city, with a great agricul-
tural tradition and excellent cuisine.
Halfway between Seville and the prov-
ince of Córdoba you will find Écija, a
beautiful city located in the countryside
of Seville Province, on the banks of the
Genil River. This town is worthy of its
prestige as a breeding place for Spanish
horses. Of course, it offers routes on
horseback, in a carriage and even horse
riding classes.
Let yourself be dazzled by the beauty
of Osuna. With thousands of years of
history, this town stands out for its ol-
ive groves, its great historical, artistic
and cultural heritage and its rich land-
scape. Calle San Pedro, an artistic av-
enue lined with very imposing palaces
and stately houses, is one of the most CARMONA
beautiful streets in Europe.

27
 SEVILLE

Photo: philipus/123rf.com
Seville opens out to both
the sea and the mountains,
and so has outstanding
aa ITÁLICA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
SANTIPONCE natural areas with much
to offer.
Marchena is a city famous for its his-
toric architecture, particularly San Juan
Bautista Church and the Arco de la
Rosa gateway. It also has interesting c­ arriola (a little house on wheels) is an
Easter Week celebrations and is one of experience you will never forget.
the cradles of Andalusian flamenco. You can also go bird watching in the
If you want to explore the province's Dehesa de Abajo nature reserve or go
Roman past, visit the Itálica archaeo- through the rice fields of Isla Mínima
logical site in Santiponce. Walk around and Isla Mayor. This is the largest rice
the amphitheatre and the Adriano production area in Europe, and has a
neighbourhood, with its beautiful mo- unique landscape.
saics and sculptures. If you are interested in geology, take
Follow a country pilgrimage route a look at the natural monument of
in the Guadiamar green corridor, in Cerro del Hierro, a karst terrain ideal
Aznalcázar. An excursion here in a for climbing.

28
HOW TO
GET THERE
AVE
The high-speed train (AVE) runs twen-
ty times a day between Seville and
Madrid. It also connects with other cit-
ies in Andalusia and with the rest of the
Spanish national rail network, including
other high-speed lines. Santa Justa sta-
tion is very close to the historic quarter.

AIRPORT
It is ten kilometres to the north of the
city centre and offers numerous con-
nections to European cities such as
London, Paris and Rome.

ROAD
Seville has very good motorway con-
nections with Madrid (the A-4) and
with other cities in Andalusia and the
rest of Spain.
bb SANTA JUSTA STATION

29
SEVILLE

HOW TO
GET AROUND
IN SEVILLE
UNDERGROUND
The Seville metro has a line connecting
the metropolitan area (Aljarafe) with
the centre (Puerta Jerez).
LLFor further information go to:
www.metro-sevilla.es

BUS
This is a good way to get around as long
you avoid rush hours. One way tickets
can be purchased on the bus. The tour-
ist card allows you to make as many
trips as you like during its validity period
(one or three days). aa SEVILLE

COMMUTER TRAIN
You can reach nearby places on the
medium-distance trains. There are two OTHER
commuter trains connecting with the The city has introduced a service of
towns near to Seville. electric motorcycles for hire, with a rate
per minute and no time limits or man-
datory parking spaces. This is a way of
BIKE getting around fast, without polluting
The capital of Andalusia is perfect for and avoiding traffic jams.
cycling, as it has a sunny climate, short LLFor further information go to:
distances and a flat terrain. What's www.muving.com
more, it has an extensive network of Tourist buses offer a convenient way to
bike lanes protected from the traffic. see the city. Taxis are easily recognisa-
There is a rental service (SEVIci) with ble: white with a yellow diagonal strip
short-term passes. on the side.

30
FURTHER INFORMATION
SEVILLE TOURIST OFFICE SPAIN TOURISM
Paseo Marqués de Contadero, s/n OFFICIAL WEBSITE
41001 Sevilla www.spain.info
www.visitasevilla.es
visitasevilla@visitasevilla.es

31
SEVILLE

MINISTERIO
DE INDUSTRIA, COMERCIO TURESPAÑA
Y TURISMO

32

@spain @spain Spain.info /spain