It is apparently highly recommended to visit Seville when the “Sevillanos” are celebrating the “Semana Santa” (holy week) or during the “Feria de Abril” (their annual fair) as the city gets kinda crazy and very (very) lively. I can agree to a certain extent. However, if you are on a budget (prices tend to be unfortunately higher during those two festivals), need some relaxing time and / or are agoraphobic, run Forrest, run! I would instead recommend you to pick a date in early spring. That said, we had a lovely, interesting and surreal* stay in 2011 and I am very happy this week to take you to Seville (or Sevilla in Spanish).

* Surreal as Ku Klux Klan looking men, religiously called Nazareno wearing capirotes, processed under our balcony at 1 am chanting and it was quite freaky!

About Seville:

• Seville is located in the autonomous community of Andalusia
• The Guadalquivir river runs through and separates Seville into two
• Seville was occupied by Moors for 800 years (the architecturally Moorish influence is still visible)
• It has the third largest old town in Europe
• Hércules, according to the legends, was the founder of Seville

Seville’s random and funny facts:

• Did you know that tapas, small dishes to share with friends, originated in Sevilla?
• One of the most controversial of Seville´s claims is that Christopher Columbus is buried on the cathedral’s premises
• The city has over 14’000 bitter orange trees
• Seville is known as the “frying pan of Spain”
• Part of the ‘Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones’ movie was filmed in Seville!

If you have only 72 hours in Seville, have fun:

• Wandering through the city, visiting the cathedral, checking the Old Town and taking pictures on the Plaza de Espana (you can rent small boats to row in the canal)
• Strolling along the Guadalquivir river with its pleasant promenade
• Visiting the Tower of Gold (Torre de Oro)
• Going up the Metropole Parasol (known as Las Setas) – nice view over the city!
• Having a “people watching” session, sipping a coffee or eating churros (only in the morning tho!) and enjoying the sun in the Alameda de Hercules district, a lively neighbourhood of Seville 
• Relaxing at a spa on the third day. After walking around for hours on Day 1 & 2, you totally deserve it! We had a fantastic time at Air de Sevilla 

Of course, my list is not exhaustive and there are many other gems in Seville. If you have more time and are interested in museums, exhibitions and other monuments, just check the city website and create your own itinerary.

Happy trails and remember: Carpe Diem!

Travelling Sevilla TBT traveling