Places like Seville are hard to come by, but this city of history and romance is alive and well in Andalucía, Spain. The home of flamenco, there are plenty of spots for the enamored tourist to catch some Spanish guitar as background music to a dreamy night on the town. Technically known as sevillanas, flamenco dance performances can be found on stages and in tablaos all over the map.
Local bars and grand theaters host these shows that every visitor must see at least once.
Attractions in Seville are limitless. Taking a trip through time by touring the Alcazar is one of the town’s best experiences. An old Moorish fort, this collection of palaces, courtyards, gardens, and baths is everything you envision when contemplating a trip to Spain. The Seville Cathedral is another essential stop, and admission includes a climb up the ramps to the top of the bell tower, La Giralda. After a day of exciting Seville excursions, lounging around the ornate Plaza de España is a welcome retreat.
While the venue still holds actual bullfights, the Plaza de Toros is a fascinating place to learn the history of the matadors during non-event days. Full of memorabilia from the fighters along with the bulls, the atmosphere becomes solemn when you set foot in the actual bullring. Tours are offered in English and Spanish, usually concurrently. Nearby, Seville tours by boat are available along the Guadalquivir River. These last about an hour and allow lots of picture-taking opportunities. From the water, you can also catch a glimpse of other Seville activities you may want to pursue later.
After dark, head across the river to the neighborhood of Triana. Here, you can enjoy more authentic flamenco while shopping and dining on the riverside. Strolling back to your hotel at any hour is a delight as the surreal scenes do not die down. There is no shortage of things to do in Seville, so skip the rushing and, instead, bask in Spain’s traditional, everlasting beauty.
