Solo Journey in Seville: My recs on what to see and eat

One of many first cities I visited in Spain was Seville manner again in 2007, and immediately I used to be entranced by the colorful Southern Spanish tradition, from the intricate Moorish-inspired structure of its outdated buildings to the staccato beats and fluttery clothes of its flamenco scene. Since then I’ve visited many different elements of Spain and it took me a complete 15 years to return to this metropolis – the primary cease in these COVID instances after 2+ years in Singapore and the place I celebrated my birthday abroad after a very long time! I put collectively this information on my solo journey in Seville together with what to see, do and eat on this beautiful Andalucian metropolis.

You possibly can learn a little bit bit about my Spain pre-trip planning, however this put up will element extra about travelling in Seville solo particularly.

Methods to get to Seville

Take a look at this put up for extra particulars about my journey planning to Spain

For Singaporeans, notice that there are not any direct flights from Singapore to Seville. The Seville airport (San Pablo Airport SVQ) is definitely fairly small, so what I did was take a Singapore Airways flight from Singapore’s Changi Airport to Barcelona’s El Prat Airport (which transits by way of Milan), after which switch to low-cost Vueling‘s flight from Barcelona to Seville.

SIA was working a promotion on Singapore-Barcelona flights, so I scored tickets for about $1k together with checked baggage – this can be a fairly first rate worth for typical Singapore-Europe flight promos pre-pandemic. MVueling

Flight or Excessive Velocity Rail?

From Barcelona to Seville, you’ll be able to take the excessive velocity rail between the cities which takes about 6 hours when you take the quickest possibility with no modifications. Contemplating the trouble of air journey with baggage restrictions and liquids and many others, it was one thing I thought-about doing as a result of when you ebook fairly a bit prematurely (a couple of month), it appears like you may get 1-way Renfe tickets for one thing below 90 Euro, which is corresponding to what I paid for my aircraft tickets.

I needed to go straight to Seville so it didn’t make sense for me as a result of you would need to take a bus to the prepare station to transit (and likewise the timing of my flight was too late for the quickest prepare), but when I didn’t purchase the spherical ticket flights, I’d have thought-about taking the prepare again from Cordoba on to Barcelona as a substitute as a substitute of going again to Seville after which discovering my method to the airport to get to Barcelona. Would have saved the trouble of going by way of customs and squeezing on a packed aircraft!

In the event you’re reserving prepare tickets, I like to recommend shopping for them early on-line when you’ve already discovered your itinerary particularly for longer distances to get good seats and good costs. The Renfe web site is infamous for being a bit not user-friendly about taking international bank cards, I made a decision to simply use the Rail Europe as a substitute.

Transport in Seville

Seville Airport to Metropolis Centre (Casco Antiguo)

Bus: For solo travellers, the best method to get from Seville Airport to the town centre is to take the Airport EA bus line. I took the EA bus line from Seville Airport to the ultimate cease Plaza de Armas which takes about 35 minutes, and it stops at just a few locations alongside the best way together with the Santa Justa Prepare Station.

Purchase your ticket from simply inside the doorway of the airport – Search for Tussam/Bus indicators. A 1-way ticket prices 4 Euro (the spherical journey 6 Euro ticket is for journey in the identical day, so not relevant to most travellers). On the return journey from Santa Justa Prepare Station, I paid for my ticket on the bus (the bus cease is in entrance of the primary entrance to the prepare station)

Taxi: Taxis are usually not that costly in Seville and doubtless extra worthwhile in case you are in a bunch or carrying a number of baggage. I didn’t take any taxis as a result of I used to be travelling solo, however when you take a taxi from the airport to metropolis centre, there’s a flat price of about 22-25 Euros relying on the time you arrive. Additionally, on particular holidays charges go as much as 30 Euros.

Getting Round Seville

Stroll: I walked to most locations in Seville – the longest stroll I had was between the Bus Station in Plaza de Armas and my resort in Las Setas, in addition to the Santa Justa Prepare Station (luck would have that it’s about equidistant between the 2) and that took me about 20 minutes.

A lot of the must-see sights are down in Casco Antiguo which is sort of walkable, and also you’ll need to spend time wandering across the slim alleyways notably within the Santa Cruz space. Simply put on good strolling sneakers that may deal with the cobblestone streets!

Bus: In the event you plan to go additional or see extra of the sights up in Macarena/San Julian, think about taking the Tussam buses at 1.40 Euro per ticket, or you may purchase a vacationer transport cross for five euros/1-day or 10 euros/3-days. For information the stroll from Macarena to the Cathedral is about half-hour.

Bicycle: You possibly can think about renting the pink Sevici bicycles across the metropolis. The Quick Time period plan (7 days) prices 13-14 Euros (pay 1 euro extra for the insurance coverage) and also you get the primary half-hour free, after which they cost you 1.03 Euros for the subsequent half-hour, and a pair of.04 Euros for the next hours. You’ll additionally have to put down a deposit of 150 Euros in case of damages, so personally don’t assume this can be a nice possibility for a brief journey. Some outlets do hire bicycles so you’ll be able to think about that as a substitute.

Issues to do in Seville

Map

Right here’s a map of all of the issues listed on this information that I made on Wanderlog, which can be the journey planning platform I used to handle this journey to Spain.

Basic Vacationer Ideas

Purchase your tickets on-line if potential, particularly for main points of interest: You usually want to order a time slot for entry which you are able to do on-line, and reserving your tickets on-line means you don’t should queue on the door and save a number of queuing time, so I extremely advocate this. You normally don’t should print tickets both, simply present the QR/bar code in your telephone while you enter the attraction.

Carry earphones: A few of these excursions supply free on-line audio guides or these audio gadgets to make it simpler to listen to your information speaking. Carry your individual earphones so that you is usually a little extra hands-free and also you don’t find yourself figuring what to do with the additional low-cost ones that they hand out.

Seville Cathedral + Giralda Tower

One of many essential sights in Seville, Seville Cathedral is named the largest gothic cathedral on the earth and one of many metropolis’s UNESCO heritage websites. Like many southern Spanish buildings, it started life as a mosque constructed in the course of the Moorish rule and was transformed right into a cathedral when the Christians took over.

Probably the most important half is the Giralda tower that constructed a bell tower upon the previous minaret which you’ll climb up – it has ramps as a substitute of steps as a result of the muezzin used to make use of donkeys to climb up for the prayer calls. Seville Cathedral in the present day is dwelling to many treasures and artwork by Spanish masters, in addition to the tomb which will maintain (a few of) Christopher Columbus’ stays, which is a complete story in itself.

I positively advocate at the least getting the common ticket that offers you entry to the cathedral and the tower, however a guided tour is likely to be helpful to offer you overview to each Seville’s historical past in addition to the myriad treasures within the compound. I bear in mind being distinctly awed by the sheer quantity of gold and silver you discover on show the very first time I visited.

As a result of I did go to earlier than, this time round I opted to do the Rooftop tour the place we climbed up slim staircases to the rooftop and loved aerial views of the town and a greater take a look at among the greater up options just like the stained glass home windows.

You possibly can pop into the cathedral at no cost within the mornings solely in case you are attending service, so you’ll be able to’t be all touristy taking pix throughout that point or they’ll chase you out. There may be additionally apparently free entry on Thursday afternoons – test the web site to ebook your slot.

E-book your tickets on the Seville Cathedral Web site. Basic tickets price 11 Euros whereas the Guided Tour prices 20 Euros. The Rooftop Tour that I did additionally prices 20 Euros and there are usually not many English classes in comparison with Spanish ones so don’t depart your bookings too late, and notice that in contrast to what others have stated, it doesn’t offer you entrance into the cathedral itself after the tour. There’s a 1 Euro reserving charge for on-line bookings however belief me, it’s price it to not queue on the door.

Actual Alcazar de Sevilla (Seville Royal Palace)

It’d shock you to know that the Actual Alcazar of Seville aka the Royal Palace is technically nonetheless a functioning palace so far for the Spanish Royals (the oldest functioning palace in Europe!), although I doubt they’d truly need to dwell in a historic UNESCO website the place a zillion individuals now stroll by way of on daily basis!

You’ll be greeted by an actual blended bag of architectural kinds right here. First constructed by the Moors, the Mudejar design right here options very strongly and there are some completely fabulous tile work and ceilings that I spent a number of time observing, although the Christians once more got here alongside, appreciated it sufficient to maintain the primary options who added to or adjusted the unique design after they took over – this can be a recurring theme you’ll see all through a number of the most important Andalusian landmarks.

The Actual Alcazar is situated proper subsequent to the Cathedral so normally individuals do these excursions in the identical day. I’ve seen guided excursions on-line that give you each locations on the identical day. I headed over after visiting the cathedral and opted to simply stroll across the palace grounds alone as a substitute of doing a tour, which is healthier for navigating the crowds however once more, you would possibly get extra attention-grabbing tales on a tour as a result of there’s not a number of studying materials on website. It might take you minimally about an hour to see the primary palace options, and positively longer if you wish to discover the gardens as nicely.

In the event you go to the Alhambra in Granada earlier than seeing the Actual Alcazar of Seville you would possibly discover the latter much less spectacular, however it is likely one of the grander buildings to be present in Seville. I positively think about this one of many must-sees to see in Seville when you’re brief on time.

E-book your tickets on the Actual Alcazar web site. Aside from the overall tour ticket at 14.50 Euros (additionally provides you entry to the Antiquarium, Bellver Museum, Triana Ceramic Museum and San Jorge Museum), you can too choose to do a tour that offers you entry to the Quarto Actual Alto (Higher Palace Rooms) for 20 Euros. Free entry on Mondays normally about 1-1.5 hours earlier than closing time (4/430pm in Winter, 6/630pm in summer season) the place you pay 1 Euro to order a spot on-line.

Archivo Basic de Indias (Basic Archive of the Indies)

The third part that makes up Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage website is between the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. The Archivo de Indias was initially the consulate for retailers in Seville and afterward was became an archive documenting every part associated tot the invention of the New World (aka the Americas).

The excellent news is that it’s free to go in and that the constructing is seemingly an important instance of Spanish Renaissance structure. The much less excellent news is that frankly isn’t that a lot to see. Maybe it was as a result of there was an ongoing exhibition a couple of shipwreck after I visited so perhaps that’s why I didn’t see to see the rows of information as I had anticipated (however even these are replicas, apparently the true information are saved someplace secure). They did have a small nook with replicas of the Doc of the Month however once more, not notably wow when you’re not a fan of detailed historical past.

The Archivo Basic de Indias is free to enter after a safety scan, however when you’re very brief on time I believe you’ll be able to admire the constructing from exterior and skip this with out lacking out an excessive amount of. The web archive is likely to be attention-grabbing in case you are actually into Spanish historical past!

Plaza de España (Spain Sq.)

To me, Plaza España is mainly Naboo in Star Wars, however this beautiful grand constructing complicated is definitely part of the Parque de Maria Luisa and was constructed for the 1929 Ibero-American Expo by a Sevillian architect. It’s a kind of locations that’s surprisingly expansive, 50,000 sqm in whole space and stretching 170m throughout the diameter of this semi-circle. The buildings had been restored in 2010 and presently home authorities establishment places of work in the present day.

I didn’t spend an excessive amount of time right here as I had visited beforehand, however the structure is basically fairly beautiful and grand – plenty of Renaissance fashion structure in addition to beautiful tile work. Of notice is the 500m+ canal within the centre which has 4 bridges (representing the 4 historical kingdoms of Spain throughout it) – you’ll be able to hire a ship and take a paddle although there actually isn’t very far to go for my part. The plaza was fairly energetic, with a busking flamenco efficiency taking place whereas I used to be there in addition to a small vogue shoot together with all of the vacationers.

The opposite characteristic are the 48 tiled alcoves all alongside the curve of the buildings, 1 for every province of Spain with a consultant tableau and map displaying you the placement. It’s additionally organized alphabetically so it’s enjoyable to see the totally different tableaus and depend what number of areas you’ve visited. There are technically 50 provinces in whole (I’ve been to 11!), however Seville itself will not be included, and the Canary Islands had 1 province when this was constructed in comparison with 2 now (data: Mapping Spain)

The Plaza de España is free to go to and a 20-min stroll away from the Cathedral space. If I had a bit extra time, I’d pop as much as the 2nd stage balcony to soak up the view of the Plaza de España from greater up, or head to Parque de Maria Luisa which is basically fairly giant proper subsequent door simply to relax out for a bit. The Southern finish of the park is the place yow will discover the much less well-known Plaza de America and another beautiful pavilions constructed for a similar world honest because the Plaza de España, now dwelling to the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Arts and Fashionable Customs of Seville.

Las Setas de Seville (The Mushrooms of Seville)

Las Setas / Metropol Parasol is a reasonably cool trendy picket artwork sculpture with 6 picket parasol or mushroom shapes constructed by a German architect in 2011. Positioned at Plaza de Encarnacion, the resort I stayed in (extra on that beneath) was proper throughout from it so whereas I can’t say whether or not it’s price paying to go up as a result of I spent a number of time observing it from my balcony (sundown is seemingly a well-liked time), it’s a fairly cool sight and a break from the outdated fashion structure you in all probability have seen to this point. 

Fascinating reality: The official identify Metropol Parasol was apparently emblems by the architect and he needed to cost the town to make use of that identify, so that they ended up going with Las Setas which was what the native individuals had nicknamed it anyway.

You’re free to wander round the primary plaza of Las Setas de Seville, however if you wish to climb as much as the highest, it prices 10 Euros for a common day ticket, 12 Euros for a sundown ticket and 15 Euros when you go up at night time when it’s all lit up. You will get meals from the Mercado de la Encarnacion on the bottom ground or go to the Antiquarium (free entry together with your Actual Alcazar ticket) and see stays of the traditional Roman, and Visigoth civilisations in Seville.

Triana

Triana is the previous gypsy/Jewish quarter of Seville and simply throughout the Guadalquivir River from the world the place the Cathedral/Palace are situated. It’s change into one of many hipper neighbourhoods to take a look at and apparently one of many extra genuine flamenco locations as nicely (disclaimer that I didn’t watch my present right here). I largely explored Triana on a free strolling tour that I took, however whereas I discovered that tour informative I believed it was fairly boring so I wouldn’t advocate it personally, however I’ll simply level out just a few issues to look out for when you stroll round by yourself.

The waterfront stretch of Calle Betis between Triana Bridge and San Telmo bridge is sort of a picturesque stroll with many vibrant homes. Plenty of eateries and bars right here as nicely so it makes for a pleasant place to relax out as you get an important view of the

Calle Pureza is the road proper behind Calle Betis that runs parallel to it. additionally fairly taking place and the place you’ll be able to see the small however stunning Santa Ana Church.

There’s a pedestrianised and extra touristy stretch with al fresco eating and outlets alongside Calle San Jacinto. Or head to Mercado de Triana proper subsequent to the Triana Bridge to get some contemporary meals, although there are some tapas and eateries in the direction of the western finish of the market.

Seville’s structure is legendary for its ceramics much like that of Portugal‘s Azulejos, and apparently a lot of the workshops and factories was once present in Triana, so it is strongly recommended because the place to get genuine ceramic items. I did obtained into the Centro Ceramica Triana (A museum you’ll be able to enter free you probably have a Actual Alcazar ticket), however it’s fairly small and consists of ruins of the outdated kilns and a few exhibitions. The ceramic outlets round listed below are price testing when you want souvenirs, and I really feel that costs are cheaper right here in comparison with the vacationer outlets on the downtown Seville aspect. 

Different issues to do in Seville

I spent 3 nights in Seville and it nonetheless looks like I’ve much more left to do! I believe 2-3 days is sufficient to see the ‘essential sights’ however having further days will provide you with some room to stroll across the metropolis extra. Listed here are another issues you’ll be able to think about.

• There’s this factor about cloistered nuns promoting sweets by way of the doorways in Spain. when you wanna test that out right here, my tapas information stated the nuns at Monasterio de Santa Paula have the very best stuff, although it is likely to be a little bit extra out the best way within the San Julian neighbourhood in the direction of the north. You understand their sweets are good as a result of they even have an internet net retailer promoting their jams and nougat! Take a look at extra pix on the World Monument Fund web site.
• One other barely out of the primary centre space factor to take a look at is Basilica de la Macarena – if that made you consider that earworm Macarena music, the duo Los del Rio had been initially from Seville! Based on my tapas tour information, individuals prefer to file themselves dancing to the music on this neighbourhood, and the churros con chocolate on the street cart in that sq. can be alleged to be superior 
• The bullring constructing La Maestranza is fairly cool wanting and you’ll go watch a bullfight (Season normally round April to October) or simply see the constructing itself as it’s historic. I’ve seen bullfights earlier than and assume they’re a bit gory so determined to skip this.
• In the event you actually like fancy southern Spanish structure, Casa de Pilatos is a small sixteenth century civil palace that can be very fairly with Renaissance and Mudejar structure and has an in depth azulejos tile assortment. I skipped it on this journey as a result of I noticed it final time however I bear in mind it being fairly fairly. One other palace you’ll be able to think about is the Palacio de las Duenas which I haven’t seen, although each these choices are a little bit bit additional North from the Cathedral space. I’d advocate doing these on separate days from the Actual Alcazar so that you don’t begin feeling prefer it all blends collectively.
• There are free strolling excursions round Seville and they’re normally a fast straightforward method to study concerning the metropolis’s essential sights and historical past fairly shortly. Mine with New Europe Excursions that I believed was attention-grabbing as a result of it lined Triana together with total Seville, however I believe it might be a lot better if it simply centered on both path to be higher.

Flamenco in Seville: Centro Cultural Flamenco

I watched a flamenco present at Centro Cultural Flamenco aka Casa de la Memoria. It was fairly handy to ebook on-line and likewise the placement was close to my resort at Las Setas.

The venue is a small room with simply 2 rows of seats across the stage that are first come first serve so don’t be late when you don’t wanna sit on the aspect like I did, besides it’s such a small room you continue to get an honest view.

General it was a beautiful efficiency with the Flamenco guitarist, singers and dancers – you actually don’t want to grasp the phrases to understand the rhythm and dance. Each the singer and guitarist had been males, as was one of many dancers who carried out with a cane. The girl dancer was in fact decked out in a wonderful costume. They allow you to movie simply the final act for socials – you’ll be able to see what the efficiency was like on my IG tales Spotlight for Seville.

There are different flamenco choices round Seville the place you’ll be able to have a information to let you know extra concerning the historical past or have dinner together with your present so as to add to your expertise.

E-book your flamenco tickets at Casa de la Memoria’s web site. My ticket price 22 Euros and there are normally present instances at 6pm and 730pm (There could also be later present instances throughout summer season months, test the schedule). Every present normally lasts an hour and you’ve got free cancellation till 24 hours earlier than the present.

Tapas in Seville

If it appears that I didn’t see that many sights, it’s in all probability as a result of I spent the remainder of that point consuming tapas. This part consolidates among the eating places and eateries I loved in addition to some tips about Spanish consuming habits.

Spanish mealtimes

It is best to know that Spanish individuals eat lunch and dinner very late. Surprisingly even within the touristy areas, Seville doesn’t actually cater to vacationer timing lots (in comparison with Barcelona the place there have been far more tourist-time choices for meals), so typically you’re going to get lunch at about 2pm and dinner from 8pm at earliest. I normally pop in to a spot about 10-15 minutes earlier than this timing to get a seat earlier than it will get crowded. In the event you miss breakfast at round 8-11am, a number of locations solely have drinks and no meals in that in between time.

While you order tapas, you usually can be supplied a basket of bread or a packet of plain biscuits/breadsticks (picos) to go together with your tapas. Typically that is free, however generally they cost 1-2 Euro for this so simply take notice and reject it when you don’t need to pay for it.

On the menu you’ll usually see a number of costs – tapas is normally for 1 particular person and fairly small, 1/2 Raciones is a half portion and the total portion is normally for a bunch. For tapas sized stuff I can typically eat about 3 menu gadgets, and a pair of for 1/2 raciones, however it additionally is dependent upon what the meals is.

Tapas is supposed to be savoured slowly, so while you enter a bar, typically you discover an empty nook/desk/bar counter to tug up at, after which order a drink to get began. You don’t normally order all of your tapas directly, however dish by dish alongside the best way.

Devour Excursions: Seville Tapas, Taverns & Historical past Evaluation

The very very first thing I did after I reached Seville within the late afternoon was embark on a Seville Tapas, Taverns & Historical past Tour with Devour Excursions [affiliate links*]. At US$99, it was positively pricier than a number of different excursions however it was a birthday deal with to myself and I extremely advocate doing excursions like this proper initially of your journey so you understand what to look out for throughout the remainder of your keep in Seville.

*A notice that whereas that is an affiliate hyperlink, I discovered this tour and paid for it alone accord, it’s not sponsored.

There have been 7 different individuals on my tour all from the US, and our information was a neighborhood Spanish man named Mario who was actually ince and gave us plenty of nice data about Seville, but in addition as a result of he was born in Cordoba, gave me a reasonably good listing of issues to see there as nicely. We visited 4 locations in whole on this tour – 3 tapas bars and 1 sit-down restaurant on the finish, and alongside the best way he talked concerning the historical past of Seville and confirmed us among the sights as nicely, so there was a little bit of a strolling tour aspect inbuilt.

Typically we had at the least 1 drink and a pair of tapas in every tapas bar, and on the finish there have been 4 dishes and a pair of drinks. Contemplating I used to be fairly jet-lagged having been awake for >24 hours at that time, I used to be fairly dazed by the tip haha so I’m sorry if I misremember any particulars. I additionally made some pals on the tour that I ended up assembly within the later a part of my journey too.

You would additionally think about Azahar Sevilla for personal tapas excursions (I used to be solo and he or she doesn’t do group excursions) and he or she has some nice Seville restaurant suggestions listed on her web site regardless – I discovered about Las Golondrinas from her website.

Seville tapas suggestions

This listing consolidates among the tapas bars that I visited in Seville in addition to these locations that had been on the tapas tour. In the event you do the tour, you may not find yourself in the identical locations, however I did get pleasure from all of the areas and advocate you test them out too.

If you’re within the Cathedral space, you’ll in all probability discover a number of meals choices alongside Calle Mateos Gago. I ended up consuming at quite a few spots round right here however it does get crowded at mealtimes.

Taberna Alvaro Peregil

Taberna Alvaro Peregil alongside this stretch was one of many stops on our tapas tour. It’s a cute family-run bar that has been round for a very long time and named for the son of the person who owned this bar Jose Perez Blanco aka Pepe Peregil, a well-known flamenco singer in Seville. Most individuals sit exterior to get pleasure from al fresco, however the inside is sort of cute and conventional too. The Vino de Naranja (Orange wine) is considered one of their specialty drinks to attempt (like a candy port), and we washed it down with some chicharrones and cheese. [Taberna Alvaro Peregil location on Google Maps]

Taberna Belmonte

Additional up the highway is Taberna Belmonte, a vineyard named for a well-known Sevillian bullfighter. They do serve tapas right here however I popped in for breakfast – a typical Seville breakfast entails open confronted toast with jamon (ham) and drizzled with olive oil. I washed that down with some yummy ColaCao. [Taberna Belmonte location on Google Maps]

Los Claveles

One other of the tapas excursions locations, we tried the vermouth on this family-run bar near Las Setas – vermouth is a fortified wine that’s fairly candy much like port, and historically an old-man drink in Spain, has seen a revival and change into the hipster alcohol of selection. Completely different locations have their very own recipe, and our information beneficial this one. Right here we additionally ate two tapas – Pimientos Rellenos (peppers soaked in olive oil) and this superb Carne Mechada, which is mainly pork slathered in lard on a bit of toast. Kinda oily however tremendous yummy. It’s additionally proper subsequent to El Rinconcillo which is the oldest bar in Seville and fairly well-liked with vacationers too. [Los Claveles location on Google Maps]

Casa Morales

Casa Morales was one other tour cease near the cathedral however this place is seemingly tremendous well-liked even with the locals – our information made positive we had been there early, and actually minutes inside opening all the inside seats had been taken up! Relationship again to 1850, this bar has a very nice environment with these outdated wine barrels across the room and jamon hanging on the bar and a few nice meals. We had a reasonably conventional Manzanilla, a really dry sherry typical to this area, some bomb Jamon Iberico Bellota (that’s the very best grade of Jamon Iberico) and this tapas of bacalao (cod?) topped with a splash of salmorejo (chilly tomato soup) [Casa Morales location on Google Maps]

Las Teresas

On the final night time of the journey, I met up with some pals I made on the tapas tour and we walked across the Santa Cruz space and determined to checked out Las Teresas because it appeared fairly conventional and fairly taking place. Based in 1870, we sat within the annex space throughout the primary bar space and had numerous meals. A few of my favourites for the night time can be the Cazon en Adobo – fried dogfish that has some superb flavour while you chew into it and the Solomillo al Whisky (Pork Loin). [Las Teresas location on Google Maps]

Las Golondrinas

Whereas wandering round Triana, I used to be looking for some choices to eat and headed to Las Golondrinas, which is a cute little tapas restaurant – that is the extra conventional one as they’ve one other outlet a brief distance away. I used to be a little bit drained so I headed upstairs to sit down down – plenty of beautiful painted tiled typical of Triana right here! The Punta solomillo pork loin was delightfully salty and the mushrooms had been really easy to pop into your mouth. [Las Golondrinas (Antillano Campos) location on Google Maps]

The place to remain in Seville: Welldone Metropol

Seville was the place I may have a good time my birthday, and due to COVID measures I used to be trying to have my very own non-public room and toilet, so I used to be ready to splurge a bit greater than ordinary. I picked the Welldone Metropol [affliate link], a boutique resort which is true subsequent to Las Setas and Plaza de Encarnacion.

Location: The resort is about 10 minutes stroll from the primary monuments space (aka the place the cathedral is) and on the northern finish of El Centro’s essential procuring streets. It’s equidistant from the Bus Station at Plaza de Armas and Santa Justa Prepare Station, about 20 minutes stroll to each these transport hubs. It’s fairly okay strolling this distance usually however is usually a bit arduous with a heavy backpack! In the event you plan to see extra of the points of interest in the direction of Macarena/San Julian within the North, that is truly not a foul possibility.

Provided that Plaza Encarnacion is a essential sq., anticipate some avenue/crowd noise in the course of the day and evenings, which is one thing that comes up within the evaluations lots. The sound proofing of the home windows is fairly first rate so that you do block a number of it out with the home windows closed. Perhaps it wasn’t peak season after I visited, however I didn’t actually thoughts the noise, and it positively quieted down in the direction of sleep time in order that was positive.

Room: I had the penthouse suite (Atico) which is on the 2nd ground (third ground when you’re Singaporean and think about the bottom stage 1), however there’s a carry in order that makes issues fairly handy. The room is a mini studio condo, with a big mattress, small kitchenette, connected rest room and a pair of small balconies overlooking the sq..

What I actually loved about this explicit room is that it had a non-public rooftop patio with an ideal view of Las Setas 24/7. This non-public patio is accessed simply exterior the room by way of a door main up a slim spiral staircase to the rooftop (all of the doorways are accessed by a quantity code). There may be an outside bathe there (it was too chilly to bathe in March, and actually manner too open to get bare, so perhaps when you needed to chill off after sunbathing on a sizzling summer season day however not an actual bathe spot) and two chairs + deckchairs, so it was good for late afternoon drinks and chilling.

Service: I truly by no means noticed any resort workers as a result of the reception is manned remotely. The workers communicated with me by way of whatsapp earlier than the journey to refill the check-in varieties and gave me the resort/room entry pin codes earlier than arrival so I may let myself in. They left me a kind that I bodily signed and left for the cleansing crew to choose up. General although they had been nonetheless attentive – I may shoot them questions on my water heater appearing up or ask for suggestions on locations to eat close by they usually typically would reply by way of Whatsapp fairly shortly.

Additionally, they gave me a complimentary bottle of champagne on my birthday, so kudos to that!

Welldone Metropol

15 Plaza de la Encarnacion, Sevilla 41003, Spain [Google Maps]

Different lodging choices

Most of Seville’s main vacationer points of interest are situated within the metropolis centre aka Casco Antiguo, so I believe when you keep anyplace in El Centro or Barrio Santa Cruz close to the cathedral, it’s best to capable of stroll to most issues fairly simply. Triana is an possibility when you don’t thoughts a little bit of a stroll.

This explicit resort was positively costlier than what I’d sometimes spend on lodging, however I splurged a bit extra for my birthday and likewise I actually needed a non-public room/rest room due to COVID issues. Another lodging choices I used to be contemplating:

Did I miss out something cool in Seville? Let me know within the feedback!

Keep tuned for extra posts about my first journey to Southern Spain! Within the meantime, try a few of my outdated Spain posts