What Is Seville Famous For?

 

"Plaza del Pan"

Seville is the largest city in Andalusia with its metropolitan area comprising a population of about 1.5 million. This vibrant city is known for its relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle and quaint, historical city center in Arabesque style.

One of the main cultural exploits is to visit some of Seville's tapas bars to enjoy a taste of Andalusia's finest cuisine. 

Another cultural attraction not to miss is flamenco. No other art form epitomizes Andalusia's cultural blend as well as flamenco. Whereas the sung poetry and music are believed to date back to the time of Al-Andalus, the lyrics are distinctly Roma. Of Spain's 750,000 Roma, half of them are believed to live in Andalusia. Often carving out an existence on the fringe of societal acceptance, the discriminated Andalusian Roma resorted to Flamenco as an emotive catharsis. Venues to watch flamenco song, dance, and music are traditionally called tablaos. Seville's tablaos offer some of the best and most passionate flamenco shows in the world.   

Andalusian passion also comes to show in another cultural cornerstone of the region, football. Seville has two football clubs appearing in Spain's top-flight division, LaLiga, FC Sevilla, and Betis Balompie. Whereas FC Sevilla has been the most successful in recent years, as record title holders of the UEFA Europa League, Betis has a huge and passionate following inside the city. 

Giralda Bell Tower

Along with the Alcázar, the Giralda is another UNESCO World Heritage Site not to miss. Originally built as a minaret for the Almohad Mosque, it became a bell tower when the mosque was converted into a Cathedral after the Christian reconquest of Seville in 1248.  The adjoining Cathedral of Seville has one the longest naves of any Cathedral in Spain, and is the largest religious building of Gothic design in the world.   

Torre del Oro

Seville is situated on the banks of the Quadalquivir, Spain's only navigable river. Indeed many visitors come via the fluvial route from Cádiz to visit Andalusia's capital. The Gold Tower, Torre de Oro,  is visible from the river. The tower was erected as a military watchtower during the Almohad Caliphate in the 13th century. 

When to visit Seville

It is worth noting that The Quadalquivir Valley is the hottest area in Spain, and temperatures in the summer months of July and August can soar well over 40ºC (104ºF). The best times to visit are in November when the weather is cooler, or in spring when the city is bustling during the Easter Processions, and the Seville Fair. This festival begins on Saturday at midnight two weeks after Easter and runs until the following Saturday. The festival days begin with a parade of horse carriages leading Seville's prominent citizens into the bullfighting arena. During the festival a number of pole tents are raised along the fairground area of the Quadalquivir river where people dance the traditional folk dance sevillanas, and are served sherry and tapas galore. 

Where to stay in Seville

There are plenty of hotels in Seville for any budget.