Seville - Moorish Palaces And Moreish Tapas

The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it - Christopher Columbus

Seville sums up Andalusia- hot, stunning and with a rich Arabic heritage. This romantic, medieval city has some of the best food in the country. It's streets are lined with orange trees and with hidden plazas tucked away in the maze of cobbled alleys, this extraordinarily charming city has heaps to offer. 

A relaxed and fun loving city, this is the place to enjoy good food, good nightlife and more culture than you can shake a stick at. 

After nearby Cordoba, Seville is the hottest city in Europe. Personally, I would not recommend to go in summer as the heat can be overwhelming. The weather in spring and autumn is hot yet pleasant and really allows you to make the most of what the city has to offer. 

With so many tapas bars to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to eat. My only rule is to avoid anywhere where the menu is in English and seems full of tourists. Try find somewhere more discreet and full of locals. Order a range of tapas and some sangria, sit back and watch the world go by. Paella is of course a must- from tiny tapas sized portions to giant batches cooked on open paelleras, there is plenty to choose from. 

The cathedral

The largest in Spain and one of largest in the world, this gothic cathedral is simply huge. This vast and ornate religious edifice boasts the wealth of the city.

The Alcazar

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alcazar is a Moorish royal palace in the heart of the city, one of the oldest palaces in Europe. 

I am completely in love with the Alcazar.

Peacocks roam its lush and intricate gardens. This tropical expanse is dotted with water fountains, fruit trees, undergrounds passages and palm trees. 

This palace is a testament and a living memory of the arabic rule in Spain. As soon as you walk into the  palace you feel transported to North Africa. The sheer opulence and scale of the building is awe inspiring. You can spend hours getting lost in its extravagant rooms and exotic gardens.

The markets

We were lucky enough to visit when there was a market and international food fair on. With everything from German beers to Argentinian steaks, there was an impressive array of international cuisine on offer at the various food stalls. Seville is fantastic for organised cultural events, food, music, theatre...

Plaza de Espana

Built in 1928 in the Maria Luisa Park, this huge half circle is decorated with numerous tiled alcoves representing the various kingdoms in Spain. With it's painted ceramic benches, mini canals, boats, fountains and bridges, plaza de Espana is an idyllic place to sit and relax. 

I have a bit of a love affair with this city. Seville is my favourite place in Spain. I have been back again and again and every time I discover something new.