Seville

The capital of Andalusia is one of Spain's most historic cities and also one of its most attractive for tourists. Its historic centre is home to numerous monuments of great historical and artistic interest. The first of these is the cathedral. This temple, erected on the foundations of Seville's main mosque and under the invocation of Santa María de la Sede, is the largest Gothic-style temple in the world. Of its Muslim origin, the temple retains the ancient minaret, the Giralda, the cathedral's bell tower. The Church of the Divine Saviour, in Baroque style, is the largest in Seville after the cathedral.

Next to the cathedral is the General Archive of the Indies. This building houses very important documentation related to the discovery and governance of America. Although generally intended for research, it often hosts several temporary exhibitions throughout the year that are highly interesting.

The Casa de Pilatos is one of the finest examples of Andalusian civil architecture. It is a building in which Renaissance and Mudejar styles are combined, resulting in this beautiful palace. The Palace of Las Dueñas, heritage of the House of Alba, is currently open to visitors and its construction, which combines various architectural styles, brings together different elements that characterise the building as typical of Andalusian culture. The Santa Paula Convent was designed in the style of the Catholic Monarchs and is Plateresque in style. The Metropol Parasol, better known as 'Las Setas de Sevilla' is a modern design with five levels, including a viewpoint and an archaeological museum.

The Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the old Jewish quarter, is one of the most emblematic districts of the Andalusian capital. At its entrance is the Hospital de los Venerables, a Baroque monumental complex that currently houses the Velázquez Centre.

The Royal Alcazar of Seville is one of the must-visit sites in the city. It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. The Royal Alcazar has undergone various modifications since its construction in the 11th century. The complex has several spaces from different eras which, together with the extraordinary gardens, have served as a filming location for famous television series.

The María Luisa Park consists of extensive, romantically styled gardens donated by the Duchess of Montpellier to the city of Seville in 1893. The Plaza de España, on the other hand, was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exhibition and its design symbolises the union of Spain and America.

Before crossing the San Telmo Bridge and entering the most traditional neighbourhood of Seville, we can visit the Murillo Gardens, the Torre del Oro, an emblematic monument of the city currently housing the Naval Museum; and the San Telmo Palace. On the other side of the river, in Triana, it is possible to enjoy delicious tapas in emblematic places such as Betis Street.

Seville is a great city that boasts an important cultural and leisure offer including museums like CaixaForum Seville, the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art or the Museum of Fine Arts. On the other hand, in Seville you can have fun at the Isla Mágica theme park or at the Seville Aquarium.

One of the best times to visit Seville is in spring, when the streets are filled with the scent of orange blossom and its Holy Week is celebrated; or during the April Fair, when the city is filled with art, joy, and colour.