Copeau

First-time Budget Weekend in Sevilla

Seville, 3 Days

Table of contents:
Guide Description 2
Itinerary Overview 3
Daily Itineraries 4
Seville Snapshot 11

1
Guide Description

AUTHOR NOTE: Sevilla, the capital of Andalucía, is one of the

most visited cities on the Iberian peninsula. Many of its customs
and traditions are what people consider to be some of the most
prominent Spanish traditions. This is where you’ll find flamenco,
Moorish architecture, bullfighting, and a number of popular tapas
bars with a lively nightlife scene.
.
.
If you only have a weekend to visit, these are the most popular
attractions to put on your list, and all of them are free or around
8€ (Cathedral, Reales Alcázares). One of the nice things about
Sevilla is that much of the city can be appreciated just by walking
around. During the day, take note of the azulejo (ceramic tiles)
and the bright colors used in the Moorish architecture throughout
lively, sunny Sevilla, and then go out for tapas at night. If you can
fit it in your budget, we’ve also included a flamenco show for your
second night.

2
 things to do
Itinerary Overview restaurants
hotels
nightlife

Day 1 - Seville Orange

Dance, Chat, Flamenco!
DAY NOTE: Arrive in Sevilla and settle into Hostal Da Vinchi,
a popular spot for backpackers that’s centrally located. Grab
an affordable lunch at La Judería, which serves traditional Reales Alcázares (Los)
Andalusian food, and afterward, make your way to the Cathedral, Arab Palace in the Heart of Seville
which is the third largest church in the world. The Torre del
Oro is another popular monument and an example of Moorish Vineria San Telmo
architecture, and this is a good spot for photos as well, as it is Hot spot for tapas and wine.
located along the river. At night, enjoy superior quality tapas
and a few drinks at popular restaurant and tapas bar, Enrique
Becerra. Plaza de España
Fine Example of Regionalist Architecture

Hostal Da Vinci Parque de María Luisa

40 fully equipped rooms in a central location The Lungs of Seville

Judería (La) Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza

High-quality Ingredients A Temple to Bullfighting

Cathedral El Rinconcillo
Third largest (and largest Gothic) church in the Oldest bar in Seville.
world!!

Torre del Oro Arenal (El)

Arab Architecture on the River Bank Festive Flamenco and fabulous food!

Enrique Becerra
Superior quality tapas, lots of wine.

Day 2 - Seville
DAY NOTE: In the morning, you can stick to your budget by
getting an empanada from any local pastelería, but if you want
a larger breakfast, try Orange—it’s a hip spot that’s open all day,
and they even have flamenco shows at night. Ask about the
schedule and prices to consider it an option for later on. Next,
explore Los Reales Alcázares, an Arab palace built in the 10th
century. For lunch, go to Vineria San Telmo. This restaurant has
delicious tapas at very affordable prices, which make it a hot spot
in the evenings. Since you’re on a schedule, skip the crowds and
go during lunch instead. Take a walk over to Plaza de España
and the Parque de María Luisa, where you won’t have to pay
anything to appreciate the architecture, history, and beauty of
Sevilla. El Rinconcillo, the oldest bar in Sevilla, is your go-to
bar for tapas in the evening. If your budget includes a flamenco
show, choose between Orange and El Arenal for some exciting
entertainment tonight.

3
Day 1 - Seville
QUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: Arrive in Sevilla and settle into Hostal Da Vinchi, a popular spot for backpackers that’s centrally located. Grab an affordable
lunch at La Judería, which serves traditional Andalusian food, and afterward, make your way to the Cathedral, which is the third largest
church in the world. The Torre del Oro is another popular monument and an example of Moorish architecture, and this is a good spot for
photos as well, as it is located along the river. At night, enjoy superior quality tapas and a few drinks at popular restaurant and tapas bar,
Enrique Becerra.

1 Hostal Da Vinci
location:
Avda de la Constutucion 20
Seville 41001
DESCRIPTION: - HOTEL YEAR BUILT - 1986 YEAR REMODELED
- 2008 ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DESCRIPTION - HOSTAL AS
HOTEL. HOSTAL LEONARDO DA VINCI HAS TWO SINGLE ROOMS/
22 DOUBLE AND 5 TRIPLES/ ALL WITH AIR CONDITIONING/
TELEVISION/ COMPLETE BATHROOM WITH HAIR DRYER AND SAFE
DEPOSIT BOX. FROM ITS BALCONIES YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY
A GREAT VIEWS OF SEVILLE.

more photos on
Hotels.com

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Day 1 - continued...

2 Judería (La)
contact:
tel: +34 95 441 2052

location:
DESCRIPTION: Located in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, this typical
Calle Cano y Cueto 13 Andalusian restaurant serves a wide range of regional and national
Seville 41004 specialities using quality, fresh ingredients sourced from all over Spain.
The menu features fish, shellfish and cured hams from Huelva, meats
from Avila, peppered lamb from Castile, anchovies from the north coast
and oxtail stew from Seville. The homemade desserts add a final sweet
touch to your meal. © wcities.com

wcities

contact:
tel: +34 95 421 4971
fax: +34 95 422 8432
http://catedraldesevilla.es/
location:
Avenida de la Constitución
Seville 41004
3 Cathedral
DESCRIPTION: It took almost 400 years to build Spain's
largest church and the third biggest in the Christian world.
Standing on the site of what was Seville's main mosque, one
can still see elements of the Mudéjar style of art and late Gothic
style architecture. Work began in the early 15th century, and
by the time it was finished, it had five naves with a floor space
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measuring 116m x 76m. There is an astounding number of fine
paintings and sculpture inside. © wcities.com

4 Torre del Oro

contact:
tel: +1 34 95 422 2419

location:
DESCRIPTION: The 12-sided Tower of Gold, dating from the 13th century,
Paseo de Cristóbal Colón overlooks the Guadalquivir River. Originally it was covered with gold tiles,
Seville 41001 but someone made off with them long ago. The tower has been restored
and turned into a maritime museum, the Museo Náutico, which displays
hours: drawings and engravings of the port of Seville in its heyday. © Frommer's
Tues-Fri 10am-2pm; Sat-Sun
11am-2pm

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5 Enrique Becerra
contact:
tel: (+34) 95 421 30 49
fax: (+34) 95 422 70 93
http://www.enriquebecerra.co OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:
m
Make this your first stop on a tapas crawl around
location: one of Sevilla's most popular tapas areas.
Calle Gamazo 2
DESCRIPTION: With imagination and top quality ingredients,
Seville Seville 41001
Enrique Becerra takes tapas to another level. Sure, they're a Enrique Becerra
little pricier than your average tavern, but they're significantly
hours:
tastier. Croquetas de rabo de toro (croquettes) are made with
oxtail meat—an upgrade from the usual ham and cheese, and
adding mint to the albóndigas de cordero con hierbabuena
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Day 1 - continued...

Monday-Saturday (lamb meatballs) gives nice new flavor. Cordero a la miel

1:00-4:30pm, 8:00-12.00am; (honeyed lamb) and micuit de foie de pato hecho en casa
Closed Sundays (toasted bread with homemade foie gras and figs) add to
the innovative choices. Regional specialties such as chilled
manzanilla and sherry from Jerez de la Frontera are featured
in an impressive 11,000 bottle wine selection. Ask the polite
bartenders about the tapa of the day and English menu. Just
make sure you arrive early, as the selection could decrease as
the night goes on—this place is really popular. While famous
for its tapas, you can also sit in the adjoining restaurant to enjoy
meals from 40-50€.
© NileGuide

6
Day 2 - Seville
QUICK NOTE

DAY NOTE: In the morning, you can stick to your budget by getting an empanada from any local pastelería, but if you want a larger
breakfast, try Orange—it’s a hip spot that’s open all day, and they even have flamenco shows at night. Ask about the schedule and
prices to consider it an option for later on. Next, explore Los Reales Alcázares, an Arab palace built in the 10th century. For lunch, go to
Vineria San Telmo. This restaurant has delicious tapas at very affordable prices, which make it a hot spot in the evenings. Since you’re
on a schedule, skip the crowds and go during lunch instead. Take a walk over to Plaza de España and the Parque de María Luisa, where
you won’t have to pay anything to appreciate the architecture, history, and beauty of Sevilla. El Rinconcillo, the oldest bar in Sevilla,
is your go-to bar for tapas in the evening. If your budget includes a flamenco show, choose between Orange and El Arenal for some
exciting entertainment tonight.

1 Orange
contact:
tel: +34 95 461 7545

location:
DESCRIPTION: Orange is quite different from the rest of the nightlife in the city. It opens at 8am
Avenida Cardenal Bueno to serve breakfast, and in the afternoon it becomes a very lively café. The walls are painted in
Monreal 58 different eye catching colors and contrast beautifully with baroque-style lamps. There is a room that
Seville 41013 is ideal for chatting with friends, and another where the latest music is played. On Sundays, you
can enjoy Flamenco shows, which take place in the evening. Orange also has a no smoking area;
something that can be very difficult to find in the city. © wcities.com

7
Day 2 - continued...
contact:
tel: +34 95 450 2323
location:
Plaza del Triunfo
Seville 41004
contact:
tel: +34 954 410 600
http://www.vineriasantelmo.c
om/
location:
Paseo Catalina de Ribera, 4
Seville Seville 41004
hours:
Mon-Sun 11am-11:30pm
contact:
tel: (+34) 954239909
location:
Avenida de Isabel la Catolica
Seville Seville 41013
2 Reales Alcázares (Los)
DESCRIPTION: Muslim ruler Abdul Rahman III had this
Mudéjar-style palace built in 913. The variety of tiles,
ornamental arches, crafted wooden ceilings and geometric
designs are a wonderful demonstration of Arabic interior
design. The most impressive rooms are the Patio de Banderas
with the Giralda Tower behind it, the Patio de las Doncellas
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and the Patio de la Montería. The Salón de los Embajadores
(Ambassadors' Hall) is especially ornate. The beautifully
landscaped gardens and fountains outside it create a truly
peaceful atmosphere. Social events, musical and theatrical
performances are held here. © wcities.com
3 Vineria San Telmo
OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:
Don't be fooled by its less than glamorous location
next to a parking garage and a busy street—this
place deserves a visit.
DESCRIPTION: Vineria San Telmo is a popular place to sit Vineria San Telmo
down with good company for tapas and a glass of wine. Fewer
fried foods, a tapas tasting menu, and an extensive wine list
put this local favorite a step above the rest. While slightly
more sophisticated than most tapas bars, Vineria San Telmo
is unexpectedly affordable, with some of its most expensive
tapas at just 4€. On a warm night, relax on the large outdoor
patio; if too distracted by the nearby avenue, ask for a table in
the comfortable, romantically-lit dining room. Delicious tapas
are made from traditional ingredients with modern innovation.
Try the magret de pato con puré de calabaza (duck filet with
pumpkin purée) or atún a la plancha sobre base de ajo blanco
y tempura de cebolla (grilled tuna over a white garlic sauce
and onion tempura). Like most good restaurants, this place
is always full, so if you don't have reservation or time to wait,
come during lunchtime. © NileGuide
4 Plaza de España
OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:
Plaza de España is most beautiful to see as the
sun is setting or illuminated at night. At these times,
you'll avoid groups of tourists that arrive in the late
morning and afternoon, which will also make for wcities
much better photos.
DESCRIPTION: Designed for the 1929 Ibero-american
Exhibition by Aníbal González, Plaza de España is a
memorable site that is worth the twenty-minute walk from
the Cathedral. While influenced by Renaissance and Gothic
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Day 2 - continued...

designs, it is exemplary of Moorish Revival architecture and is

also considered regional architecture, as it features a number
of elements specific to Sevilla, most notably the colorful,
glazed ceramic tile, or azulejo, seen throughout the city. Tiled
alcoves featuring the provinces of Spain decorate the walls,
and four bridges cross a canal that runs along its interior
perimeter. This semicircular monument, 200m in diameter,
symbolizes the ties between Spain and its colonies and opens
facing the Guadalquivir River, indicating the journey toward
America.  As you admire the beauty of the exposed brick,
think back to 1929 when up to 1,000 workmen were finishing
the final touches of the large, central fountain. The refreshing
mist provides a great spot to cool off for those visiting during
the summer.
© NileGuide

5 Parque de María Luisa

contact:
tel: +34 95 422 1404

location:
DESCRIPTION: Sitting in the centre of the city is a huge expanse of
Avenida de la Borbolla parkland planted with a wide variety of trees from all over the world. This
Seville 41013 is the perfect place to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon. It has been
carefully laid out with lots of space to wander among the exotic plants
and numerous areas where you can sit and rest. You can rent bicycles
and even take a horse-drawn carriage ride. It's named after Princess
María Luisa who donated some of the land and plants from her palace
gardens to start the public park. Inside, you'll find examples of all styles of
architecture in the buildings erected as pavilions for Seville's 1929 Ibero-
American Expo. Join one of the free guided tours given by students of the
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tourism school on weekends. Admission: free. © wcities.com

6 Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza

contact:
tel: +34 95 422 4577

location:
DESCRIPTION: Its full name is the Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza
Paseo de Cristóbal Colón 22 de Caballería de Sevilla (Bullring of the Royal Equestrian Society of
Seville 41001 Noblemen), and it is one of the most important bullrings in the world.
Bullfighting critics claim a matador has not really made the grade until he
has triumphed here. All the great bullfighters like Belmonte, Manolete,
Paquirri, Curro Romero and Espartaco have delighted crowds attending
special events during the April Feria and on Easter Sunday. © wcities.com

wcities

7 El Rinconcillo
contact:
tel: 954 223 183
http://www.elrinconcillo.es/

location: OUR LOCAL EXPERT SAYS:

C/ Gerona, 40 The more formal dining room on the first floor offers
Seville Seville 41003 3 to 5 course menus ranging from 27-47€, but the
real highlight of El Rinconcillo is hanging out at the
hours: mahogany tapas bar upstairs to people watch. El Rinconcillo
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Day 2 - continued...

Mon-Sun 1pm-1:30am
DESCRIPTION: Looking for a truly Sevillana experience?
Check out the oldest bar in Sevilla for affordable tapas and
drinks in a casual atmosphere. Hams now hang from the
ceiling of this former convent that was founded in 1670 and
converted into a restaurant in 1860, and the same family still
owns this lively establishment after seven generations. 
Entertaining bartenders move quickly, chalking orders
behind the bar for crowds that are always coming and going.
Specialties include espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with
garbanzo beans) and pavía de bacalao (fried cod). Perhaps
you'd like to try something a little different, like pimientos
asados con huevos de cordoniz (roasted peppers with quail
egg), or stick with Spanish tradition and order jamón serrano
ibérico (dry-cured Spanish ham). The bodega offers a wide
selection of Spanish wines including sherry from nearby Jerez
de la Frontera. © NileGuide

8 Arenal (El)
contact:
tel: +34 95 421 6492
http://www.tablaoelarenal.com
/ DESCRIPTION: The singers clap, the guitars strum, the tension
builds, and the room fills with the ancient and mysterious magic
location: of the flamenco. In the rear of a 17th-century structure, two
Calle Rodo 7 shows are performed nightly at 10pm. Drinks and food are
Seville 41001 served at minuscule tables in a sweltering back room that
evokes Old Andalusia. The location is between Varflora and
hours: Arenal (El)
Dos de Mayo in the vicinity of the Paseo Colón and the bullring.
Mo to Su from 08:30 PM to Cover 36€ ($58), including first drink, or 60€ ($96) for a fixed-
10:30 PM price dinner. © Frommer's

10
Seville Snapshot
Local Info
Universal Seville has entered the 21st
century in great form, adapting her
urban framework to the functionality
and modernity required by the capital
of an autonomous province, but without
comprising the historical city that was for
centuries the gateway to the New World.
Seville today amalgamates the past,
present and future perfectly, uniting modern
business practice with the old ways and
local colour in an inimitable way. Seville is
made up of four major parts: the old part
of the city, the site of the 1929 Exposition,
Triana and the Isla de la Cartuja(Island of la
Cartuja).
Historical Seville
Visitors find this part of the city interesting
because of the artistic and architectural
wealth represented here. You will find
the districts of Santa Cruz and the
Judería(Jewish Quarter), El Arenal,
la Alameda de Hércules, and an area
referred to by some as the Acropolis,
with significant monuments such as the
Catedral(Cathedral) the Giralda, the Reales
Alcázares(Royal Fortresses) and the
Ayuntamiento(Town Hall), all of which are
of immense artistic interest and contain
valuable works of art such as paintings and
sculptures.
The Arco del Postigo del Aceite(Arch
of the Oil Gate) divides the Acropolis
from the district of Arenal, where
you will find the Plaza de Toros de la
Maestranza(Maestranza Bull Ring) and
the Teatro de la Maestranza(Maestranza
Theatre), the Torre de la Plata(Silver Tower)
and the Hospital de la Caridad(Charity
Hospital) and the most famous of them all,
the Torre del Oro(Golden Tower). This is
a busy commercial area with many small
shops, and it is one of the most popular
areas among the'movida juvenil'(young
people) especially in the calle Adriano
in autumn and on the left bank of the
Guadalquivir in spring.
It is beautiful to walk through the narrow
streets of the districts of Santa Cruz and
the Jewish quarter; you catch glimpses
of the Giralda over the rooftops from time
to time. It was here that the Jews and
Hebrews established themselves after the
reconquest of the city by Ferdinand III The
Saint. The churches are outstanding, many
of them crafted in Mudejar style or with
beautiful Gothic ogives(pointed arches or
windows). The Alameda de Hércules is
one of the most popular parks in Seville.
It is said that Hercules founded Seville. It
has a youthful and cultural atmosphere.
During the city's Carnaval this park is
a favourite meeting place. On Sunday
mornings it is the setting for the popular
Mercadillo de la Alameda(Alameda Market)
where you can buy almost anything.
Exposition of 29 site In the 1920s, Seville
experienced a cultural renaissance that has
been called Regionalismo(Regionalism),
because it coincided with the rise of
Andalusian patriotism championed by Blas
Infante. At this time the Iberoamerican
Exposition of 1929 was held, and many
beautiful buildings were built in a lovely
spot in Seville to mark the occasion. The
nerve centre was the Parque de María
Luisa(Maria Louisa Park).
Between the city centre and these buildings
from the beginning of the 20th century
there are beautiful buildings like the
Palacio de San Telmo(San Telmo Palace),
the headquarters of the Universidad
Hispalense(Seville University, formerly
a tobacco factory), the luxurious Hotel
Alfonso XIII, and a few metres away the
Casino de la Exposición and the Teatro
Lope de Vega.
In the Parque de María Luisa are the Plaza
de España and the Plaza de América,
as well as many pavilions built for the
Exposition of 29. Among these are the
Royal Pavilion, and the pavilions of
Mudejar, Domecq, México, Chile and
Uruguay(the two latter are now the head
offices of public institutions).
There are other Latin American pavilions
along the Paseo de las Delicias and
the Avenida de la Palmera, including
those of Guatemala and Cuba. The
latter is one of the most beautiful, and
is the current headquarters for the
Delegación del Gobierno de la Junta
de Andalucía(Andalusia Autonomous
Government Headquarters).
Triana
Triana is located on the other bank of the
Guadalquivir River. It is joined to Seville by
several bridges, including that of Isabel II
also known as the Puente de Triana(Triana
Bridge).
Triana has traditionally been a fishing
district. It was once the site of the Reales
Almonas, a factory that produced the most
famous soap in the world. Pottery making
has also historically been an important
resource of this area.
There are plenty of famous streets in
Triana, among them San Jacinto, Betis,
Pureza and Castilla. Triana is a district that
is thought of independently from Seville, in
fact the locals refer to Triana and Seville
separately, as if they were two different
cities.
Churches and chapels abound in Triana. It
even has its own cathedral Iglesia de Santa
Ana). There is also a great tradition of
religious guilds, such as the brotherhoods
of Semana Santa(Easter) like La Estrella,
San Gonzalo, la Esperanza de Triana, El
Cachorro and La O.
This traditional area has many bars where
you can try pescaíto frito(small, deep-
fried fish), such as in the Kiosco de las
Flores, one of Seville's most characteristic
restaurants.
Triana's atmosphere is more reminiscent
of Seville in the 1930s and 1940s, than of
today's overcrowded cities.
Island of la Cartuja
At the end of the 1980s, the Isla de la
Cartuja was practically virgin territory
containing only the Monasterio de Santa
María de las Cuevas(monastery), casa
de Cartujos(house), and the old ceramics
factory of the Marquis of Pickman.
The site was transformed by the Exposition
of 1992. Roads and buildings were
11
Seville Snapshot continued
constructed, and the Island of la Cartuja
became one of the most modern areas of
Seville, much sought after by companies
wishing to see up offices here. The extra-
modern Escuela Superior de Ingenieros
de la Universidad Hispalense(Engineering
School of Seville University) and some
private faculties are located here.
It is a spacious and well-lit place, although
an inconvenience is that it is so spread
out that it is not easy to walk from place to
place.
Several attractions are located on the
Island of la Cartuja. Among them are the
fairground Isla Mágica(Magic Island), the
El Alamillo park(an ideal place to get in
touch with nature), the Centro de Alto
Rendimiento where you can go rowing
or canoeing, and the majestic Estadio
Olímpico(Olympic Stadium).
Some of the city's most important art
exhibitions take place in the monastery
of Santa Maria de las Cuevas, such as
that which commemorated the 400th
anniversary of the birth of Velázquez.
©
History
Many poets and writers have used the
legend of the origin of Seville in their works.
Two such are the brothers Joaquín and
Serafín Alvarez Quintero in their dramatic
poem Historia de Sevilla(History of Seville)
that begins:
"Mr Hercules, bored on the planet,
was searching for a pretty place to
set up a tavern. As he was passing a
place where today the Alameda stands,
(and it is because of what happened
there that it has the name it has), he
stopped in amazement; breathing hard,
he looked at the ground, then at the
sky, and said,'Brother, what a land."
Contrary to the mythological version,
scientific history verifies 7,000 years of the
dolmens(prehistoric sepulchral chamber)
at Aljarafe and El Gandúl, in the municipal
district of Alcalá de Guadaira, although
the ones at dólmenes de Valencina de
la Concepción are more well known.
Archaeological remains also exist in the
villages of the province, like at Carmona
where the Museo de la Necrópolis(The
Necropolis Museum) is located; Osuna,
or the region of Estepa, has the oldest
Iberian remains from southern Europe.
You can view some of these remains in the
Museo Arqueológico Municipal(Municipal
Archaeology Museum) in Marchena.
The Phoenicians In the year 800 BC,
Phoenician merchants settled in the
valley of the Guadalquivir River, in a city
that may have been Seville: the city's
name, Tartessus, was given to the river
and a kingdom. Biblical quotations and
Greek historians confirm the existence of
treasures such as that of El Carambolo.
The Tartessians must have lived on
the cornice of the Aljarafe, and their
descendants established a city called
Hispalis, or present-day Seville. In 206 BC
the Second Punic War began, and Scipio
reached these lands, defeated Asdrúbal
and established the city of Itálica, the
birthplace of the Roman emperors Hadrian
and Trajan. The Romans Italica fell in
favour of Hispalis(Roman Seville). The
city experienced a period of expansion
and growth. A walled acropolis with
several access doors was built, though
nowadays all that remain are the Arco
de la Macarena(Macarena Arch) and the
Postigo del Aceite(Oil Gate). Hispalis later
moved between Cesar and Pompeyo
who engaged in the battle of Munda in 43
BC(between Osuna and Estepa) in which
Osuna emerged victor. After this, Hispalis
became a Roman colony with the right of
Roman citizenship. Vestiges of Roman
civilisation remain in the city's Museo
Arqueológico(Archaeological Museum).
Hispalis was the true political, economic
and administrative centre of the southern
Iberian Peninsula. In the 4th century
Christianity was legalised, and in the 5th
and 6th centuries the Suevo and Visigothic
invasions occurred. Muslim Seville The
arrival of the Muslims in 711 caused
a radical transformation in the whole
Peninsula, though especially in the south
which they inhabited longest. Isbilia(the
Arabic name for Seville) blossomed with
its Arabic-Andalusian culture mix. Jews,
Christians, Mozarabs(Christians living
under Arab rule) and various Arab ethnic
groups lived together in harmony. Isbilia
was an important city, although Cordoba's
status as capital of Andalusia rankled her
citizens and caused several uprisings
against Cordoba. Seville flourished
culturally under the rule of al-Mutadid(11th
century). In 1085 al-Mutadid was forced to
call on the aid of the Almoravids and was
subsequently exiled. Once again Seville
bloomed culturally under the Almoravids
and their successors the Almohads. The
12th century saw a flourishing economy,
population growth, and extensive building
projects. The Giralda, the minaret of
the mosque, is a splendid example.
The Reconquest In 1248, Ferdinand
III reconquered Isbilia and expelled the
Muslims, and the city was renamed Seville.
It was repopulated by Christians, and a
significant Jewish quarter emerged. The
Alcázar became the residence of the
Christian monarchs. Seville blossomed,
especially under Alfonso X the Wise, son
of Ferdinand III, and Pedro I The Cruel.
You can see the Arabic influence in the
religious buildings of the era, for example
in churches such as Santa Marina, Iglesia
de San Marcos o la torre de la iglesia
de(or the tower of the church of) Iglesia de
Santa Catalina. Gate to America In the
15th century under the Catholic monarchs
Seville became great, despite events such
as the establishment of the Inquisition.
The city became the gateway to the New
World with its discovery by Christopher
Columbus. 18th and 19th centuries
Seville's brilliance declined in the 18th
century, though she retained memories
of having been the most important city in
Spain. The Napoleonic invasion occurred
in the 19th century(1808-1812), and part
of Seville's artistic wealth was transported
to France. After the departure of the
French, Seville became immersed in the
ups and downs of political life that were a
feature of Spain for most of the century.
At the end of the century of Romanticism,
the renowned Spanish Romantic poet
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer emerged. He is
commemorated in a beautiful monument
in the Parque de María Luisa. Republic
12
Seville Snapshot continued
and War The Iberoamerican Exposition
of 1929 in Seville was the first significant
event in the 20th century that began a
new renaissance. Witness to this event
are beautiful monuments such as Plaza
de España. Later came the brief period of
the Second Republic(the first was in the
1870s), and the Franco regime. Queipo
de Llano took La Plaza de Sevilla the day
after the uprising of 18 July 1936, and the
city scarcely felt the effects of the war,
unlike many other parts of Spain, such
as Barcelona and Madrid. The nation-
wide famine of the 1940s hit the country
hard. In the 1950s and 1960s, during the
dictatorship, the country began to recover
somewhat. Democracy
With the arrival of democracy at the end
of the 1970s, and the establishment of the
Statute of Autonomies, Seville became the
provincial capital and headquarters of its
principal autonomous bodies. It retains the
status of one of the most important capitals
of Spain, and among its most beautiful.
The staging of the International Exposition
of 1992 in Seville endowed the city with
an impressive infrastructure, including
communications, accommodation and
restaurants, ensuring many prospects for
progress throughout the 21st century. The
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo(Museum of
Contemporary Art) now administers some
of the Expo pavilions.
© with luxury shops, continues through Calle
Hotel Insights
As a result of the 1992 Universal Exhibition,
Seville underwent great urban and
communications changes that turned it
into a modern city, while keeping intact the
charming Andalusian idiosyncrasy.
Seville offers a wide choice of hotels.
You have luxury, comfort, the basic, the
historical centre and suburban tranquility.
Historical, functional or charming, Seville's
hotels have excellent service.
Within the last few years, the city has
managed to carve a name for itself in the
area of fairs and conferences. If you come
here for such an event, the nearest hotel is
the Hotel Sevilla Congresos, situated just
opposite the exhibition center and one of
the nearest hotels to the airport.
If you prefer more central areas, there
are hotels belonging to the big national
chains, with facilities to make all types of
meeting, convention, symposiums, and
such a resounding success. For example,
the Hotel Occidental Sevilla is highly
recommended for executives arriving
from Madrid at Santa Justa station, as it is
directly opposite.
Right in the heart of the city, the Hotel Meliá
Sevilla is the largest conference centre,
situated opposite the Plaza de España,
though the conference hotel par excellence
is the Hotel Alcora, which has a natural
vantage point over the city in the Aljarafe
district, some five minutes from the centre.
This hotel has lots of famous guests from
the world of television and entertainment,
as it is near the Canal Sur Television
Studios.
If you want to experience all the emotion
of the Isla Mágica amusement park,(on the
Isla de la Cartuja) with your family, one of
the best choices is the Gran Hotel Barceló
Ranacimiento.
Seville is a city to be enjoyed on foot. If
you're looking for the marks of history and
the charm of art, walk through the narrow
streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood
and its nearby Catedral. When the plan is
to enjoy the relics of the past, why not stay
at Las Casas de la Judería, a hotel built in a
17th-century palace. Nearby are Casas del
Rey de Baeza and the Hotel Los Seises,
built on a section of Palacio Arzobispal, at
the foot of the Giralda. If you're looking for
economical but charming lodgings, Seville
offers boarding houses and one-star and
two-star hotels built in typical Sevillian
houses, with their courtyards and flowers,
such as the Hotel Londres or the Hotel
Simón, a short walk from the cathedral.
Also, in the Alameda de Hércules, a busy
nightlife area and Sunday market, the
Apartamentos Patios de Sevilla are highly
recommended for families with children, as
all rooms have a fully equipped kitchen and
the prices are very reasonable.
Seville's most emblematic hotel is the
luxurious Hotel Alfonso XIII, built for the
Iberoamerican Exhibition of 1929 and
opened by the king after whom it is named.
Monarchs and famous actors such as Brad
Pitt have stayed here, along with other
famous people who have visited the city.
The alternative to this hotel might easily be
the Hotel Casa Imperial, next to the Casa
de Pilatos.
If you want to leave the metropolis to
visit the countryside and take in a natural
surrounding, without compromising your
comfort, consider the Hacienda Benazuza,
en Sanlúcar la Mayor, some 20km from
Seville, and the Hotel Casa Carmona, in the
historical city of Carmona, as well as the
typical Sevillian estates, 20 or 25 kms from
town, where you'll discover how well-off
families live in the Andalusian countryside,
in places like Torre de la Reina, the Águila
Real, in the municipality of Guillena, and El
Esparragal, in Gerena.
If bulls are your thing, a hotel with plenty
of bull-fighting tradition is the Meliá Colón
Hotel, where during the bull-fighting season
there is a great sense of anticipation,
because it is here that most of the matadors
stay. It is also very central and has a
kitchen worthy of eulogy. Don't omit a
visit to Seville's refurbished commercial
centre, which begins at the Plaza Nueva,
Sierpes, which is crammed full of shops of
all sorts, and runs into La Campana, where
you'll find Spain's most famous department
store, El Corte Inglés. For this kind of
buying and window shopping, the hotels
Inglaterra and Derby are recommended.
Another very commercial street, in the Los
Remedios neighbourhood now, is Calle
Asunción, and close by is the Hotel Monte
Carmelo. At the end of this street is the site
of the famous Feria de Abril.
©
Restaurants Insights
Seville is a city with such a rich gastronomic
culture that for each hour of the day
there is a special dish to be sampled at
13
Seville Snapshot continued
a particular establishment. The serrano
breakfast(toast with cured ham, olive oil
and tomato) is a real tradition in the city,
and referred to as"pan de pueblo." You
can try it at Emperador Trajano. But the
most characteristic Sevillian gastronomic
feature is, of course, the tapa. Tapas are
a series of small and varied portions of
typical dishes, normally accompanied by
a beer or local wine. Try starting off at Las
Columnas; it could be the beginning of the
day's gastronomic experience, around one
in the afternoon. A dry sherry(vino fino)
or grape juice(mosto), accompanied by a
little cod omelette or Russian salad might
be just the thing to whet your appetite.
This establishment is a five minute walk
from the heart of the historical quarter,
where the visitor can sample tapas of
bread and fried pork in La Andana, next to
the Catedral, or any one of the exquisite
tapas served at the bars of the El Arenal
district, such as Bodegón Torre del Oro.
You are highly recommended to tryrevuelto
in one of its many varieties, as it is one of
Seville's most traditional dishes. Salmorejo,
gazpacho,'pescaíto' frito, giblets, snails,
potato salad, are evidence of the culinary
richness of Hispalis city, to which faithful
testimony is provided by El Copo. The
Triana district, especially Betis y San
Jacinto streets, have the most tapas bars,
where outstanding fried fish can be eaten
at Kiosko de las Flores, orpavías, one of
the specialities of Casa Cuesta. Seville also
has some very good restaurants: Egaña
Oriza, Enrique Becerra, Casa Robles, and
establishments specialising in international
cuisine, like San Marco, where all types
of Italian and Mediterranean dishes are
offered in a lovely setting. Naturally, the
large fast food chains have franchises al
over Seville. Once you have eaten, there
are endless bars and cafeterias where you
can have good coffee, such as Habanilla,
with a varied selection of desserts and
cakes or the Horno del Duque. Also, the
cafeterias Jamaica Coffee Shop and Bar
España are places that, although different,
are two of the most select and interesting.
But, as far as sweets are concerned, it has
to be the confections of the nuns, which
can be purchased at Convento de San
Leandro(specialists inyemas, made with
sugar and egg yolk), or the Convento de
Santa Paula located in the centre of Seville.
The places recommended for lunch are
also good for dinner, but you should be
thinking about this by nightfall because
the tapas bars in particular tend to close
around midnight. For drinks, the city centre
is full of pubs, discos and café terraces.
Nevertheless, between the months of May
and October, the best place to drink in
Seville is the left bank of the Guadalquivir,
which has many terraces at this time of
the year. During the winter, the areas
frequented by the hip are the plaza del
Salvador, with venues like Alcaicería, or the
neighbourhood of Alfalfa, where Sopa de
Ganso is found, as well as places further
away from the historical quarter, like Los
Remedios or Viapol, areas with many pubs
and café terraces like Flaherty and Aduana,
that offer music and all kinds of drinks into
the early hours of the morning.
©
Nightlife Insights
Seville is a city where leisure and
culture mix with tradition and modernity,
the specifically Andalusian and the
cosmopolitan, maintaining roots without
renouncing the present or the future. In
Seville you can visit the most famous
monuments, eat out on a terrace while
you soak up the southern sun and
hear concerts by the most outstanding
musicians.
Art: Seville has a wide variety of salons
and galleries for art exhibitions, among
which the following stand out: Juana de
Aizpuru, specialists in new movements;
Félix Gómez and Rafael Ortiz, two of the
city's classics; and Cavecanem, a space in
which to see the best artists.
The city itself is a museum that has to be
discovered by walking through its streets
or by taking a ride in a horse and carriage,
but without forgetting the obligatory sights
of the cathedral, the Giralda, the Reales
Alcázares and the Torre del Oro, which
houses the Museo Naval. Among the
most interesting spaces is the Museo de
Bellas Artes, with pictures by Pacheco,
Roelas and, above all, Murillo. The Museo
Arqueológico,(Archaeological Museum) in
the Parque de María Luisa contains pieces
from the old Roman town of Itálica, and the
Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares
takes you on a trip through the traditions of
Andalusian culture. In the Plaza de Toros
is the Museo Taurino, and two centres
occupied with the new movements are the
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and the
Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, in
the isla de Cartuja.
Cinema: Seville has plenty to offer the
filmgoer, with lots of cinemas(most of them
multiplexes) so that it is easy to find the
film that suits you. For their spaciousness,
these cinemas stand out: the Nervión
Plaza, with 20 screens and Los Arcos
Multicines, with 12. If you like traditional
cinemas with just one large screen, there is
only one choice: Cervantes, with beautiful
interior architecture. If you prefer original
language cinema, visit the five studios of
Avenida Multicines.
Besides the commercial cinemas, there
are other ways to see films, such as classic
cinema in the Pabellón de Uruguay and
theme seasons at the Cinemateca UGT,
all in the original versions with Spanish
subtitles.
Music: For opera and classical music
concerts in Seville there is the Teatro de
la Maestranza, but you can also see live
rock and pop in the studios of Fun Club
and Salamandra, or in late night bars like
La Carbonería, which dedicates one day a
week to Blues.
Flamenco: One of the cradles of flamenco
is a propitious place for this art. That's
why performances and festivals take
place throughout the year in Seville and
its province. Every night you can listen to
flamenco while having dinner or a drink in
the Palacio Andaluz, or El Arenal.
Theatres: There are theatres dedicated
to the classics, such as the Teatro Lope
de Vega, theatres specialising in new
movements, like the Teatro Central,
and children's theatres, like the Teatro
de la Alameda. Of the private theatres,
14
Seville Snapshot continued
there is the Teatro Imperial and, for
alternative productions, there are the Sala
La Imperdible, the Sala Cero, and the Sala
Talía.
ZONES
El Arenal: One of the city's traditional
districts, it is right next to the Plaza de
Toros and is a good place to have a drink,
either inside or outside one of the many
bars that line the streets. Among them is
Arenal(El), which offers a nice atmosphere
and good music. In the same area there are
gay bars like the Isbili ya.
The river: There are places to drink and
enjoy the pleasant summer evenings on
either side of the Guadalquivir river. On
the'sevillana' bank, El Capote is one of
the busiest bars, and La Torre is another.
In Calle Torneo, there are also live music
venues like Salamandra. In the Triana area,
especially calle Betis, try Sala Boss.
Alameda de Hércules: This is one of the
liveliest areas, though you should take
care here because it is a little dangerous.
However, you can enjoy the action in
the city's most bohemian atmosphere in
El Habanilla or the Bulebar, live music
venues like Fun Club, gay bars like El
Baron Rampante, Naima or the Cuban
atmosphere of Sandunguera.
Centro y Alfalfa: There are plenty of good
drinking places in the old part of town.
The best thing to do is first drink a few
beers in the middle of the street in Plaza
del Salvador. Then you could move on to
Bestiario or to the Cathedral disco. There
are also classic"in" places like Sopa de
ganso.
Santa Cruz: Las juderias also has plenty
of drinking and tapas bars in its narrow
winding streets, though it is advisable to
move towards the Cathedral as the night
gets on. Among them, all more or less in
the same area, is Las Columnas.
© Once there, the next step is Sierpes, the
Things to Do Insights
Santa Cruz y La Judería Districts:
Los Jardines de Murillo is a very convenient
point of departure for a tour around the
Santa Cruz and la Judería districts, two of
Seville's most interesting areas for history
and legend. They are also called Jardines
de Catalina de Ribera and from there you
can see part of the walls of the Reales
Alcázares, covered in vines and creepers
up to the battlements, and encircled by
dense and varied vegetation and ancient
trees.
Your first steps take you to the callejón del
Agua, at the edge of the Santa Cruz district.
In this small street you can contemplate
some of the prettiest Sevillian patios,
adorned with flowers and fountains, until
coming to the Hospital de los Venerables,
the first stop on the tour.
You continue on a delightful walk through
the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz
district, which has pretty squares with
orange trees and small bars where you
can stop for a refreshment. At the calle
Mateos Gago you come to Iglesia de Santa
Cruz, very near the Plaza de la Alfalfa, the
starting point for a beautiful walk through
the narrow and labyrinthine streets of the
Judería district.
On the way, you can pass through calle
Cabeza del Rey Don Pedro. There, in
a niche in the wall, is a piece of marble
representing the head of King Pedro I(The
Cruel), or the Avenger. Legend has it that
the king promised to place the head of
someone responsible for a murder there.
A local claimed that the author of the crime
was the king himself who, keeping his word,
put his own head there; it was taken from
the marble statue representing him in the
gardens of his palace.
In this area, near the Ronda Histórica,
are the streets Navarros, Santiago, and
Águilas, near the gates of la Carne y
Osario, an area of churches, like that of
San Esteban, with gothic ogives well that
are well worth a visit, next to the Casa de
Pilatos.
The streets of the Judería, where the jews
and Hebrews came after the expulsion of
the Arabs after the reconquest of the city
by Fernando III the Saint, bring you to calle
Sol, with the churches Santa Catalina, Los
Terceros and San Román.
San Luis street, where the church of San
Luis is, is the main thoroughfare that comes
out onto the Arco and the Basílica de la
Macarena.
Historical quarter and El Arenal:
From the Santa Cruz district you arrive
in just a few minutes at the Plaza del
Triunfo, with the Reales Alcázares on your
left, Archivo de Indias opposite, and the
Catedral and the Giralda, on the right.
You should really visit, or at least
contemplate, these monuments, as they are
emblems of Sevilla, along with the Plaza de
Toros de la Maestranza(bullring), just five
minutes away.
From the Plaza del Triunfo you can go
towards the Arenal district, passing under
the arch of Postigo del Aceite, one of the
old gates of the wall that encircled Seville,
and so called because the city's oil(aceite)
arrived there.
When you get to the corner of calle Dos de
Mayo con Temprado, you'll find the Hospital
de la Caridad, the work of the benefactor
Mañara, and the Teatro de la Maestranza,
very near the"catedral del toreo", in the
Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, with a small
chapel in calle Adriano, where the Virgins
of Pity and Charity are venerated. And just
fifty metres away is the Torre del Oro, a
monument which is, along with the Giralda,
is a symbol of the city.
On coming out of calle Adriano, a small
labyrinth of narrow and very commercial
streets, full of hotels and restaurants, you
come to the Plaza Nueva, the centre of
Seville. The Ayuntamiento is a majestic
building if seen from this side, and truly
colossal if contempalted from the Plaza de
San Francisco.
most famous street in Seville, known for its
own special charm and atmosphere, where
everyhting happens. Plaza del Salvador is
just a few metres away and worth a visit,
as is the Capilla de San José(San Jose
15
Seville Snapshot continued
Chapel) that goes practically unnoticed
because of its smallness but has one of the
most spectacular baroque altarpieces in the
city.
La Campana is a good place to rest a while
in any of the cafeterias there. Higher up
are the church Iglesia de la Anunciación,
the Plaza de la Encarnación and Cuna,
Puente y Pellón and Franco streets. Now is
the moment to visit the Iglesia del Salvador
and contemplate the sculptures of Cristo
del Amor, Juan de Mesa, and Jesús de
Pasión, by Martínez Montañés, the two
great masters of Baroque art. The plaza
del Salvador has a magnificent atmosphere
at any hour of the day and any time of the
year. Have a beer and a tapa in any one
of its bodegas and finish off your tour of
Seville in style.
Barrio de Triana:
Once, coming to Triana meant taking a boat
across the wonderful river Guadalquivir.
Today, you just have to get to Puente de
Isabel II, the Triana bridge that takes you
over the waters to Altozano, next to the
Abastos market, where this incomparable
district starts: at Plaza de Triana.
You shouldn't go on without taking a look
back in order to contemplate Seville from its
other bank and discover new perspectives
on the city, through the quiet gaze of the
statue of Juan Belmonte.
If you turn to the left to go into the calle
Pureza, in its impressive narrowness
you can imagine the glories of
innumerablemadrugás, next to the Capilla
de los Marineros(Sailor's Chapel), where
the queen of Triana, her glorious Hope,
lets out impassioned cries on beholding
her apparition during Holy Week, known as
Semana Santa. Only then, having greeted
the Señora, can you go on your way again
towards the bridge, in order now to pass
through la calle San Jacinto, but don't forget
to have something to drink first at Mariscos
Emilio. A walk through the numerous
shops of the area and you can satisfy the
children's desire in Juguetes Barreiro, and
purchase some lovely local tiles to decorate
the house.
Retrace your steps and this time, before
coming to the bridge, walk to the left and
cross the Plaza de San Jorge, towards
Calle Castilla.
If you're thirsty, a glass of wine at Casa
Cuesta and, further on, Paco Álvarez might
even get you a taste of flamenco. If you've
had enough of walking by now, you can
bring your tour to an end by going back to
the bridge and walking along the river bank
through famous Calle Betis.
Along the way enjoy some typical fried fish
at the Kiosco de las Flores, after a look
through the newspapers at the Café de la
Prensa; the pathway will take you from the
Argentinian beef pampas La María, to a
most elegant Italy in the form of San Marco.
And, if you like bar terraces Río Grande has
the largest.
At the end of the street, you are coming
out of Triana and into the district of Seville
called Los Remedios that runs into Plaza
de Cuba.
Barrio de la Macarena:
This walk begins by skirting around the
wall, historical symbol of this district. As
you're walking you pass the Basílica de
la Macarena. Here the treaure best loved
by Sevillians, the image of the Virgin for
whom the devout sigh each Good Friday,
is kept. La Esperanza Macarena is a late
17th-century statue whose passage causes
the populace to break out into applause in
the Alameda de Hércules.
On a level with the church, with the
Arco—the only Almoravid gate that
survives—and crossing the avenue, is the
majestic Hospital de las Cinco Llagas, a
Renaissance building that has been the
headquarters of the Andalusian Parliament
since 1992.
Above all, La Macarena is a popular
district, with a number of paved streets,
churches and tall buildings. It is in this
area of the university Hospital, filling the
neighbourhood with medical students.
On one side are the streets León XIII,
and Ronda de Capuchinos, as well as
Avenida de la Cruz Rioja, and on the
other, the framework of the little San Gil
roads, with its iglesia(church), as well as
Plaza del Pumarejo, Pasaje Mallol and the
Convento de Santa Paula, now en route to
the centre. If you choose Calle San Luis,
you'll find one of the most beautiful baroque
churches in the city, San Luis de los
Franceses, impressive for its dimensions
and sculptures. It is an example of the
baroque art that prevails still in the city.
The walk ends coming into the old quarter
through the Plaza de San Román y Los
Terceros, or going out through Resolana to
Calle Torneo, in which direction you'll find
yourself facing the Barqueta bridge which
takes you to la Cartuja and Isla Mágica, the
amusement park.
Parque de María:
It was once a gift from Seville to the Infanta
María Luisa Fernanda de Orleans, in 1893,
and then the scene of the Iberoamerican
Exhibition celebrated in Seville in 1929.
Today the Parque de María Luisa(Maria
Luisa Park) is the city's main green area
and of the most important parks in the
country, much to the pride of Sevillians,
who remember playing in the gardens as
children, and also a recreational area for
tourists.
But let's start at the beginning. The
entrance through the Plaza de España
will dazzle you. If you have chosen a
sunny day(not hard to do here) it will be
perfect: a large building, semi-circular in
shape, including an artificial lake, fountain
and two towers, one to the north and
one to the south, from which you can
get a view of the park. This building,
which housed the Spanish Pavilion in
1929, was built by the architect Aníbal
González and is refurbished in ceramic
tiles with representations of all the Spanish
provinces. The tiles are beautiful, and this is
a lovely spot for photos; you will often see
Spanish tourists going to snap themselves
in front of the tiles of their province.
Quite inside the park now, you can walk
along the Avenue of the Swans to the
lake where you can feed these gorgeous
animals. The grassy areas are ideal for
resting a while and soaking up the sun,
16
Seville Snapshot continued
but there are also café terraces in the
area if you prefer to take a coffee as you
contemplate the scene.
The central point of the park is in the
Plaza de América, where the real
stars are the pigeons. From here three
pavilions rise majestically: the Real, the
Bellas Artes and the Mudéjar. These
latter two are home to museums: the
Arqueológico(Archaeological) and the Artes
y Costumbres Populares(Popular Arts and
Customs).
Another of the avenues, Hernán Cortés,
guarded by high poplars, pays homage
to the Alvarez Quintero brothers. And if
you fancy a touch of romance, you can
go through the Avenida de Pizarro to the
monument dedicated to someone who was
the greatest poet of these parts, Gustavo
Adolfo Bécquer. There you can sit down to
read verse, declare your love, or just rest,
because there is still a lot of Seville to see.
Also, The Sevilla Official Tour Guides is a
great way to explore the city.
Outside the City
Classic Journeys offers a guided tour of
Andalucia departing from Seville.
© Hertz(+1 800 654 3131/http://
Travel Tips
Getting There:
By Air: Seville is served by 2 airports:
Seville Airport(+34 95 444 9000)
(for European travelers) and Malaga
International Airport(AGP)(+34 95 204
8484). Please call for airline information.
International travelers typically arrive in
Madrid or Barcelona, then transfer to
Malaga. The Madrid Barajas International
Airport(MAD):(http://www2.aena.es/
aeropuertos/barajas/index.htm/+34 91
305 6000) Located nine miles east of
downtown, Madrid handles 25 million
passengers a year. Its three terminals,
which are connected by free shuttle buses,
are loaded with restaurants, cafes, and
retail outlets. Major airlines serving the
airport include:
Aero Mexico(+ 1 800 237 6639/http://
www.aeromexico.com) Air Berlin( +45
30 41 47 75 10/http://www.airberlin.com)
Air Europa(+1 888 238 7585/http://
www.air-europa.com) Air France(+1
800 871 1366/http://www.airfrance.com)
American Airline(+1 800 433 7300/http://
www.aa.com) British Airways(+1 800 247
9297/http://www.british-airways.com)
Continental(+1 800 525 0280/http://
www.continental.com) Delta(+1 800 221
1212/http://www.delta.com) Iberia(+1 800
772 4642/http://www.iberia.com) Iberworld
Airlines( http://www.iberworld.com)
United(+1 800 241 6522/http://
www.ual.com) US Airways(+1 800
428 4322/http://www.usairways.com)
Vueling( +34 93 378 78 78/http://
www.vueling.com)
The Barcelona Airport:(+34 932 983
838;http://www.barcelona-airport.com/)
Taxis are easy to locate outside the
terminals. Only board taxis that operate
via meter for the others are notorious for
overcharging.
Rental Car Companies:
Avis(+1 800 831 2847/http://www.avis.com)
www.hertz.com) Carjet.com(http://
www.carjet.com/)
Local rental prices are high, so it is best to
book in advance. Remember, in Spain cars
drive on the right-hand side of the road. For
more Seville driving tips, check outhttp://
www.seville.world-guides.com/travel.html.
By Train: RENEFE(+34 93 490 1122/http://
www.renfe.es) is Spain's largest train line
station, catering to the towns and cities
in southern and eastern Spain including
Seville and Valencia.
By Bus: Estacion de Autobuses Plaza de
Armas(+34 954 908 040) and Estacion de
Autobuses Prado de San Sebastian serve
as Seville's main bus stations. National
Express(http://www.nationalexpress.com/)
serves all of Europe. Eurolines(http://
www.eurolines.com/) also serves Europe.
Getting Around:
By Bus: Transportes Urbanos de
Sevilla(TUSSAM)(+34 954 420 011;http://
www.tussam.es/)
By Metro: Metro de Sevilla(+34 902 364
985;http://www.metrodesevilla.net/)
By Taxi: Unless it is during a main fiesta,
it is easy to hail a cab on the street. Be
aware that most taxi drivers do not speak
good English, so it is helpful to know a few
key Spanish phrases. Look for taxis with
a green light; it is important to ensure they
are metered. Companies include: Radio
Taxi Giralda(+34 954 675 555) Radio-
Taxi(+34 954 580 000) Tele-Taxi(+34 954
622 222)
By Horse Carriage: For a unique way to
tour the city, take a ride on a horse carriage.
They are waiting in line at the Cathedral
and at the Plaza de España in the Maria
Luisa Park. The cost is EUR30 for 40
minutes.
By Foot: It is easy to travel as a
pedestrian in the city, especially as a tourist.
Most of the major attractions are within
walking distance of Seville's main hotels.
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Fun Facts
Seville Country: Spain
Seville by the Numbers: Population:
710,000 Elevation: 102 feet Average
number of days with precipitation: 80
Average January Temperature: 52 degrees
F Average July Temperature: 81 degrees F
Quick Facts: Major Industries: Tourism,
manufacture of tobacco, armaments,
explosives, perfume, porcelain,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, and
machinery Electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz;
standard two-pin plug Time Zone: GMT+ 1
Country Dialing Code: 34 Area Code: 95
Did You Know? In the 17th century,
Seville was home to a flourishing school of
painting including world-famous artists such
as Diego Velasquez, Bartolome Murillo(both
natives of the city) and Francisco Pacheo.
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Seville Snapshot continued

Orientation: Located in southwest Spain,

Seville is on the Guadalquivir River north-
northeast of Cadiz.
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