Less hectic than Madrid or Barcelona, Seville blends big city buzz with small town vibes.
1. Step back in time at the Real Alcazar Palace
A blend of the Renaissance and Mudejar styles, this complex is so strikingly well preserved that it featured in season five of Game of Thrones as the seat of power of the Martell family. If you can’t get to the Alhambra in Granada, this is the next best thing with its intricate cedarwood ceilings, plaster casts of Koranic verses on the wall, exquisite tiling and jacaranda-studded gardens. Give yourself at least half a day to explore the complex and book early. The Catedral de Sevilla is also worth a wander with its spire that once formed the focal point of a mosque.
2. Ham it up at Mercado de Triana
This market has been sating local appetites for 200 years and is the ideal place to delve into the veneration of all things ham. Charcuterie Alfredo will sort you out with a tasting plate of Iberian that’s had a minimum of 85 per cent acorns in its diet for a truffle like flavour and silky texture. Add some slices of sharp sheep’s milk cheese to cut through the marbling and some olive laden pintxo skewers and you have a stellar lunch. For something a bit more atmospheric seek out Bar Las Teresas in the Old Town which has been serving up tapas since 1870. Look for the hanging legs of ageing ham and point to the plates making their way past you to order your own.
3. Take in some flamenco
The Casa de la Memoria not only offers flamenco classes but professional shows in an intimate setting. Three dancers and a band will bring this most passionate and profound dance to life. It was dead set the highlight of our recent trip. There is also a museum upstairs where you can check out the costumes and silk shawls that were originally used to wrap imported tobbaco. An utterly mesmerising, culturally immersive night out.
4. Cheer on Sevilla FC
Make no mistake, this football team is one of the best in Europe but because they don’t have the global cachet of a Barca or Real Madrid, you can actually get tickets to their home games. If you book reasonably early. There is also an excellent stadium tour on offer with pitch access and all manner of add on experiences such as player meet and greets. If you want to mix it with the locals, this is an excellent way to start.
5. Hit the shops
Set the GPS for the following avenues in the Centro and pack a credit card: Sierpes, Tetuan and Regina Y Feria. Fashion, homewares, souvenirs, accessories and vintage finds abound at every labyrinthine turn and you may even find yourself doubling back on alleyways you’ve already been down but that’s part of the fun – especially if you’re second-guessing a purchase. Also be sure to pop into Zara if fashion is your thing – they’re way better stocked than our version.
6. Do a tapas crawl
Food is close to a religion here and most of the hundreds of bars in the city have their own signature tapa – a snack that was originally meant to be placed on top of your glass to stop flies drowning in your sangria. But how to find the best or most distinctive? This tour includes five hand-selected bars, there’s a maximum of 10 people and you get a bonus wander through Santa Catalina, Feria Street, and San Lorenzo.
Take in the view from the Metropol Parasol
This enormous timber lattice structure is affectionately known by locals as Las Setas (the mushrooms) and the elevated walkway reveals the city from a whole new angle. Get a history fix while you’re there at the Museo Antiquarium which showcases the Roman and Moorish ruins which were discovered during the excavations of the plaza. Raised walkways allow for meanders around items like first century fish salting tanks.
Escape Route
The Highlights of Andalucia trip costs from $3326 (excluding flights) covers all your accommodation, daily breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners, all transportation and tours/tickets. Tours are limited to no more than 12 guests.
Flight route:
Writer flew from Sydney to Dubai and onto Lisbon with Emirates and with TAP Airlines to Seville. The homeward leg was from Granada to Barcelona on Vueling Airlines then to Sydney via Dubai on Emirates.
Writer was a guest of Intrepid Travel.
