Enjoying a Weekend Holiday in Seville, Spain: Sights, Sounds, and More
The busier modern life gets, the more popular weekend holidays become among travellers looking for a quick escape from work and personal responsibilities. Among the major European cities, Porto, Portugal, has made its mark as a tourist favourite. Besides visiting the famous Porto Cathedral, tourists also get their dose of Porto’s culture and history from its newest cultural district, the World of Wine.
It’s also worth noting that sun-soaked Spain has a number of cities worth exploring over a weekend, one of which is Seville. As the capital of the Andalusian region, Seville’s rich art, culture, history, and cuisine are sure to satisfy all your senses. Here’s a guide to enjoying this captivating destination in just one weekend.
Explore heritage sites
Besides being easy to fit into your hectic schedule, city breaks or short trips to tourist cities like Seville are also highly accessible and convenient. Low-cost airline easyJet offers the best deals for flights, transfers, and accommodation in Seville, along with the option to soak up the city’s heritage by wandering around its architectural landmarks. There’s no need to worry about not having enough time to see the majestic Seville Cathedral, the magnificent Giralda bell tower, and the highly regarded royal palace of Alcázar, either. You can opt for guided tours and skip-the-line passes to maximise your brief stay.
Immerse yourself in the art and design scene
Another way to give your eyes a feast is to immerse yourself in Seville’s burgeoning art and design scene. To complement the traditional influences of the previously mentioned churches and palaces, several museums and galleries house contemporary pieces from both local and international artists. These include the Delimbo Gallery, which specialisesin art rooted in graffiti and serves as a residency for artists involved in unique works and installations. Galería Rafael Oritz is another prestigious art space whose exhibition hall hosts a selection of paintings from established artists like Jaime Burguillos and Carmen Laffon.
Watch a live flamenco show
If you miss the chance to attend the annual Feria de Sevilla held around April or May, there’s still a way to see and hear the flamenco that Seville is widely known for. Stop by the Museo del Baile Flamenco to get acquainted with the background and history of the art form, then combine the visit with a live flamenco show after 5 p.m. You can also catch performances at other venues around the city, such as the world-famous Tablao Flamenco Los Gallos that opened in 1966 and the smaller, more intimate Casa LaTeatro located in an indoor market.
Taste local favourites
Walking around Seville’s cobbled alleys will most definitely work up your appetite, so remember to make room for local favourites while you’re there. One of the best restaurants in the city is Espacio Eslava, located in the historical neighbourhood of San Lorenzo. Here, you can indulge in affordable tapas and raciones, ranging from ribs and carrillada (braised pork cheek) to fried sea anemones and boquerones (anchovies). Meanwhile, Casa Morales can be found near the cathedral and is another Sevillian institution that serves superior cerveza and tapas.
Clearly, a weekend spent in Seville is nothing short of a feast for your eyes, ears, and mouth. If you ever get tired of getting around on foot, you can also consider cycling along the city’s riverside bike lanes to lose yourself in its vibrant tapestry of Gothic and Moorish architecture.
