We arrived in Sevilla one fine afternoon after a great stay in London. Upon settling in our cozy Airbnb home Tess and I went out to get some groceries. The streets and nearby square were awfully quiet. ‘We must have chosen a less central part of town,’ we thought. But a couple of hours later the tapas bars were open and filled with people. Sevilla has come alive.
Every nook and cranny of this city is filled with wonderful things – food, sights, and friendly people to mention a few. Its pace and atmosphere is perfect for visitors who want a balance between busy and laidback.
In every city we visited me and Tess would be on breakfast duty. It’s always fun to go to grocery stores and markets to see what we can find and also to unintentionally test our language skills.
Near our home was a quaint Flamenco shop where we bought tickets to a Flamenco show. It was filled with clothes, shoes, and accessories. We even chanced upon a dancer doing her fitting.
A few minutes away is the Basilica dela Macarena, the famous landmark of the area known as La Macarena. Elaborate decor covers practically every space in this old church.
Everywhere you go magnificent architecture is sure to capture your eye. To cover as much ground as possible (and since we had two senior citizens with us :D) we took the hop-on hop-off city bus. It’s a quick and efficient way to get your bearings.
In Reales Alcazares alone, you can easily spend a day just wandering and looking at all the magnificent structures. This ancient Moorish palace is jaw-dropping, and it really takes you back to how the royals lived. The amount of detail in the decorations is impressive.
The gilded altar of the Grand Catedral de Sevilla was a man’s lifetime work
Still, the best way to explore any city is by walking. Most of the Sevillan charm lies in the quaint little streets where a surprise awaits with every turn. We can never walk too far because we get easily distracted by a monument, a painting, a grand door, or a good old bakery! An appetizing snack is always a good excuse to take an unscheduled break.
Of course we were bound to get hungry multiple times a day! And Seville is the best place to let loose foodies like us. The food is always delicious wherever you go and affordable as well.
You cannot leave Seville without watching a Flamenco show. You’ll be amazed at the exceptional precision, grace, and fluidity the dancers and musicians possess. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you should not miss.
We were really sad to leave Seville but we had to go onwards and forwards to our next destination. I can say that we’d definitely go back if given the chance to do so. Spanish culture is easy to relate to because of the Philippines’ history with Spain and that could be one of the reasons we enjoyed our stay. Putting that aside the mouthwatering food, unique sights, and warm people clearly made Seville one of the most unforgettable destinations on this leg of our holiday.
Hasta luego!
