That Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and, if we hurry up Europe, it is something undeniable. But not only because we say so, but because of its attributes that are well known and praised by everyone who comes to know it. There are plenty of reasons to visit Seville: its climate, gastronomy, history, monumental and artistic heritage, its customs, as well as the friendly character of its people make up an appetizing cocktail that makes everyone who tries it, come back.
And this is demonstrated by the figures: the capital of Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain in terms of population, is one of the most visited in Spain (after Barcelona and Madrid) and also one of the most sought-after destinations for international tourism (as indicated by the increasing number of connections at San Pablo Airport).
We could list endless reasons to visit Seville, but, to make it easier for you to choose in the city of the ‘thousand and one places and plans’, from Singular Apartments we leave you a selection of ten reasons why the capital of Seville should be at the top of your list of next destinations to discover or revisit.
Its climate
That in Seville it is very hot? Yes, it’s true. But only at certain times of the summer and, if you really check it, you will see that it is something bearable. Even so, during the rest of the year the temperatures and light of the city are really enviable and perfect for enjoying outdoor plans, something that has forged the friendly and cheerful character of its people. Although autumn and winter are also perfect for enjoying Seville, during spring the city lives its maximum splendor with an explosion of color and the smell of orange blossom in its streets.
Sus monumentos Patrimonio de la Humanidad
Si visitáis Sevilla hay tres joyas monumentales imprescindibles que no os podéis perder: los Reales Alcázares, la Catedral y su Giralda y el Archivo de indias. Los tres constituyen el llamado ‘triángulo Patrimonio de la Humanidad’, declarados así por la UNESCO en 1987, y los tres están a pocos pasos de nuestros céntricos apartamentos turísticos. Estos monumentos son un magnífico ejemplo de las diferentes etapas de la historia de la ciudad (musulmana, cristiana y su época como puerta al nuevo mundo), por su importante papel en el descubrimiento y colonización de América y como exclusivo puerto comercial durante los siglos XVI y XVII).
Los Reales Alcázares, de visita obligada, es el edificio más antiguo de la ciudad y el palacio en uso más antiguo de Europa (aún sigue siendo residencia real desde el siglo IX). Empezado a construir en la Edad Media, en realidad es un conjunto de palacios y jardines entre los que destacan el Patio de las Doncellas o el Palacio Mudéjar, escenario de la popular serie Juego de Tronos.
La Catedral, otro de los imprescindibles de Sevilla, fue construida en el siglo XV sobre los restos de una mezquita almohade de la que se conservan los restos de su alminar (la Giralda) y el conocido Patio de los Naranjos. En ella podréis encontrar cuadros de Zurbarán, Murillo y la mismísima tumba de Cristóbal Colón.
Por último, el Archivo de Indias. Construido en 1785 tenía la misión de centralizar todos los documentos de los territorios de ultramar de España. Conserva más de 43.000 legajos, con 80 millones de páginas y 8.000 mapas y dibujos.
El resto de su patrimonio histórico y artístico
No faltan motivos para visitar Sevilla. El paso de las diferentes civilizaciones han dejado en Sevilla un extenso y rico patrimonio histórico y artístico, que la ciudad ahora sintetiza, presentándose como un crisol de culturas, fusionando las tradiciones con lo más moderno. Su centro histórico bien merece un paseo pausado y las posibilidades son infinitas.
Apart from the three monuments mentioned above, from Singular Apartments we recommend a visit to the Torre del Oro and the nearby Plaza de Toros and Teatro de la Maestranza; to the Church of the Savior; Basilica of the Macarena; Costurero de la Reina; Castle of San Jorge; Hospital de los Venerables; San Telmo Palace; Royal Tobacco Factory (Rectorate); or by some of its palatial houses among which we can highlight the Casa Pilatos, Casa de las Dueñas, Palace of the Countess of Lebrija, Palace of the Marqueses of La Algaba, Casa de Salinas or Casa de los Pinelo.
Special mention to Plaza de España and María Luisa Park
Other essential images that cannot be missing in your photo album after the visit to Seville are those of the majestic Plaza de España and the María Luisa Park. To walk through the Plaza de España, by the Sevillian architect Aníbal González, is to do so through the most emblematic space of the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929.
Its tiles, arcades, and ponds have inspired and been the setting for many international films. You can look for the tile of your autonomous community if you are from the national territory or take a short boat ride through its canals. Surrounding it is the María Luisa Park, one of the most beautiful in Spain. It was donated to the city in 1893 by the Infanta María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón and opened to the public in 1914. A haven of peace and a green lung in the heart of the city.
A walk along the Guadalquivir River
The Guadalquivir is one of the arteries of the city, it represents another reason to visit Seville. On one side the historic center, on the other the popular neighborhood of Triana, Los Remedios and Isla de la Cartuja, among others. It is the fifth longest river in Spain and has the peculiarity that it is the only navigable river in the country. From Singular Apartments we recommend a walk along either of its two shores (better both) to relax, sunbathe or enjoy its atmosphere, as well as stop by one of the surrounding monuments. There is also the possibility of enjoying it with a boat trip, practicing some water sports, having a picnic or having a snack on some of its terraces and premises.
Triana and the Santa Cruz neighborhood
All the streets, squares and neighborhoods of Seville have their peculiarities, but there are two that are known worldwide: Triana and the neighborhood of Santa Cruz. The first, on the other side of the Guadalquivir, is one of the places in Seville with the most art and tradition. Cradle of artists, flamenco, gypsy and bullfighting, it seems to live at a different pace than the rest of the city. Its entrance, through the Isabel I or Triana bridges, already announces the identity of this area. Its churches, flamenco tablaos and the well-known Betis street stand out.
On its side, the Santa Cruz neighbourhood is the protagonist of some of the most famous images of Seville. It is the primitive Jewish quarter of the city. Strolling through its narrow streets and squares or colourful courtyards is well worth a half day of your stay in the city.
Its museums
Museums cannot be missing from a list of reasons to visit Seville. The capital of Seville is a cultural benchmark both nationally and internationally and its exhibition spaces are a good example of this. There are for all tastes. Ancient, modern and contemporary art or more traditional. These are the essentials for Singular Apartments: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Archaeological, the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs (both located in the María Luisa Park); the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art -CAAC-, the CaixaForum Seville and the Navigation Pavilion in the Cartuja; the Triana Ceramics Centre; the Antiquarium under the Mushrooms of the Incarnation that we will talk about later, or the Bellver Collection.
Its gastronomy
Whoever visits Seville takes away a full and happy stomach. Sevillian tapas are known worldwide. Going out for beers and tapas is a real ritual and there are many areas and bars in the city to do it with a variety of schedules and culinary possibilities. The centre of Seville is one of the usual areas and, again, just a stone’s throw from our tourist accommodation. But Sevillians do not live on tapas and beers alone. There is also a wide variety of restaurants and gastrobars where you can enjoy high-altitude cuisine and exceptional wines and other wines. And if nightlife is your thing, Seville also has a wide range of trendy nightclubs. Eating is always a great reason to visit Seville.
Its parties
Another reason to visit Seville and for which it is known worldwide and visited by people from all corners of the planet is for its spring festivals: Holy Week and the April Fair, very different from each other but with the same number of followers. The first one attracts attention for its devotion and recollection, mixed with art and tradition. A special occasion to visit the most emblematic places in the city center with a different look. You can always rest in one of our Singular Apartments accommodations between brotherhood and brotherhood.
On its side, the April Fair is an explosion of light and color. It’s time to admire or wear flamenco dresses, to go horseback riding, to sing and dance non-stop to the rhythm of sevillanas, to eat and drink with lots of rebujito and manzanilla or to visit the largest itinerant amusement park in the world: Calle del Infierno, the street of the ‘cacharritos’ of a lifetime.
Seville, a city of traditions that looks to the future
As reasons to visit Seville we have told you about the historical and cultural heritage of Seville, its festivals and traditions, gastronomy… The capital of Seville is a melting pot of cultures that is open to the world and also looks to the future. Proof of this are some of its new architectural symbols, such as the Metropol Parasol or Setas de la Encarnación (by Jürgen Mayer) or its Cartuja skyscraper, the Torre Sevilla (César Pelli).
The city also has its coolest and trendiest side with areas such as ‘Soho Benita’ or ‘Regina Market’, in the Encarnación and Alfalfa neighbourhoods (in the centre of Seville) and places for innovation and entrepreneurship such as Isla de la Cartuja. All this, without forgetting its commitment to sustainable mobility, since you can visit all our recommendations by taking pleasant walks or bicycles along its more than 180 kilometers of bike lanes.
Seville is a city to live and enjoy again and again and, if it is with the help of Singular Apartments, it will be an experience you will never forget. Don’t say you have no reason to visit Seville.