Seville, the fourth-largest citySeville(Sevilla) was named the #1 Best Travel City of 2018 by Lonely Planet!* Maybe you're not too familiar with Seville yet, but travelers really ought to get to know it. The city boasts epic sights so stunning that they've been featured in "Game of Thrones" and "Star Wars", and it's close to both the Costa del Sol — a summer hotspot for Europeans — and picture-perfect white mountain towns that’ll max out your camera’s shutter. Before the trip, I (the editor) didn’t know much about Seville (blush), but after actually visiting, I immediately added it to my list of must-return cities for my next trip to Spain. That’s why I wholeheartedly agree with its #1 ranking — here’s a roundup of all the travel highlights that have everyone around the world raving. Let’s go~
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She’s the #1 Best Travel City of 2018!* Seville boasts epic sights that have been featured in both "Game of Thrones" and "Star Wars", along with fairytale-like charming alleyways. It's also a beautifully blended cultural melting pot — fall in love the moment you see it.
A Mashup of Exotic Cultures and Epic Sights?
source:?visitasevilla
Thanks to rule by theRoman Empire,Visigoths,North African Moors, Seville’s architecture presents a vibrant cultural mashup. You can see styles influenced by Islamic, Jewish, and Catholic traditions — and Seville pulls off this blend beautifully. There are Venetian-style canals with gondolas and arched bridges, flowing Islamic gardens with arches, domes, and colorful tilework, as well as soaring Gothic churches, horse-drawn carriages, old gas lamps... It’s richly diverse, layered, and full of delightful surprises, without feeling chaotic or clashing (mix-and-match master 4ni).
? Come appreciate the beauty of Spain’s exotic cultures~
Plaza de España (Spain Square)
Spain SquareKnown as the most beautiful square in all of Spain, it features Moorish influences and was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Though not very old, it has become one of Spain’s most iconic attractions. The editor feels that Spain Square is like a queen — both majestic and graceful, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
source:?wikia
Even the movie "Star Wars(STAR WARS) even chose Plaza de España for its beauty, using it as the filming location for Naboo's Royal Palace — proof that Plaza de España has interstellar-level aesthetic credentials (or so they say)!
?If you’re going to Spain, you absolutely must visit Plaza de España — it’s super iconic!
Royal Alcázar of Seville
Royal AlcázarThis palace was originally built by the Moors starting in 1181. This North African people brought an oasis of gardens from the desert to Spain. The Royal Alcázar of Seville offers cool shade and flowing water. Beyond the magnificent palace, rows of orange trees fill the air with fragrance and bear golden, abundant fruit. The surroundings are dreamy enough, and the palace itself is also a visual feast. From the floors and columns to every single tile, everything is exquisitely beautiful and worth admiring in detail. Despite the dry and hot climate of southern Spain, the Royal Alcázar remains cool and soothing. Even now, you can still feel the relaxed leisure of the Moorish royalty who once spent their days here.
source:?unamammaperguida
The TV seriesGame of Thronesalso used the Royal Alcázar of Seville as the filming location for Dorne’s Water Gardens. When I (the editor) first watched Game of Thrones, I was completely captivated by this exotic and beautiful garden. Visiting in person brought not only overwhelming emotion but even more astonishment, as there are so many wonderful details throughout the palace to discover. The Royal Alcázar is one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe and has been in continuous use for over 500 years. Although I may not have been born into the Moorish royal family (which is a bit of a bummer), being able to visit such an ancient and magnificent palace now just makes me want to shed tears of gratitude to the heavens — (sending a thank-you note to the universe)
source:visitasevilla
Other representative attractions in Seville include:Seville Cathedral,University of Seville,Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza,Torre del Oro,Metropol Parasol. I mean, with such great value in Seville, don’t you owe it to yourself to come and explore?
?A noble garden that fans of the TV seriesGame of Thronesmust visit — the Royal Alcázar of Seville (Alcázar Palace)
Santa Cruz neighborhood gives you that full vacation vibe
Santa Cruz(Barrio Santa Cruz) is also an ultra-popular, highly recommended district that’s a must for anyone with a love for all things cute and whimsical. Santa Cruz is the old Jewish quarter, known for its whitewashed houses and courtyards. Over the generations, the houses in Santa Cruz have also started to be painted in bright colors like yellow, blue, and pink. Strolling through Santa Cruz, you’ll weave through expanses of white and splashes of color. Your eyes will be met with balcony-fronted houses, local shops, and outdoor cafés — everywhere radiates a laid-back holiday atmosphere. The naturally adorable, fairy-tale-like charm makes the editor unable to tear herself away and clicking the shutter non-stop. The winding alleys of Santa Cruz not only offer shade under Seville’s sunny skies but also hold delightful surprises around every corner.
?An ancient Jewish quarter that bursts with girlish charm: Santa Cruz
?What else is there to do in the beautiful and magnificent Europe?
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Passionate Bullfighting & Flamenco Dancing
source:?wikipedia
Andalusia Autonomous Region isthe birthplace ofbullfightingandFlamenco dancing. Its capital, Seville, boasts Spain’s oldest bullring, Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, as well as many restaurants and performance venues where you can watch Flamenco up close. If you’re in Spain and want to experience the most authentic bullfighting and Flamenco performances, Seville is your best bet !
source:?flamenco
At live Flamenco shows, you’ll see sizzling-hot male and female dancers (I won’t admit I spent most of the time staring at those rock-hard butts) (no jiggle at all despite the high-speed shaking ???) (no photos allowed during the show, so go see it live yourself hehe). The high-tension footwork, powerful vocals from deep within the diaphragm, and the explosive energy created by the musicians are truly unforgettable. Bullfighting is a controversial tradition, but every custom has its geographical and historical roots— even if you don’t agree with it, please respect the local culture !
? Experience Spain’s most traditional cultural performance: bullfighting
The Pinnacle of Spanish Glamour and Revelry: Join the Festivities !
source:?visitasevilla
Andalusia holds two of the grandest annual festivals:Semana Santa (Holy Week)andthe April Fair (Feria de Abril).
source:?sevillasecreta
Held annually from March to April (dates vary), Spain celebrates Semana Santa (also known as Easter) for an entire week, with Seville’s celebration being the most grand and famous. The highlight of the festival is the procession of statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ, held in remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion. Dozens of church groups carry ornate floats through the city, while local women wear black veils. The figures wearing pointed hats and capes in the parade are penitents; legend has it that in ancient times, those who went to church to confess their sins would wear this outfit so they wouldn’t be recognized. Many devout Spaniards cry throughout the procession and remain completely silent until it ends.
The April Fair (Feria de Abril), usually held one or two weeks after Semana Santa, originated from a livestock fair first held in Seville in 1948. It began as a celebration after successful livestock trades, but eventually the animals became an afterthought (livestock says: ＿＿). Nowadays, during the April Fair, people gather to set up thousands of tents, ride out in carriages, and everyone—from children to elders—dresses in traditional attire, eats, drinks, dances, and has a blast ~
? Come and appreciate the beauty of Spain’s exotic culture ~
Take a Train to Visit Seville’s Good Neighbor
One of my favorite things about trip planning is adding side trips—and good news, the cities near Seville are also worth a visit:Málaga, home to the Costa del Sol,Ronda, the white mountain town,andCórdoba (Córdoba), which boasts attractions like the Flower Alley and the mosque,are all close to Seville ! It’s recommended to spend a few extra days in Seville, then take the train to nearby cities for fun (discount code from Taiwan’s official Eurail agent is provided at the end of the article), and make the most out of southern Spain !(Córdoba) are all close to Seville too. It’s recommended to stay in Seville a few more days and then take the train to explore nearby cities (a discount code from Taiwan’s official Eurail agent is provided at the end of the article) to make the most out of your trip to southern Spain.
Hans Christian Andersen: No other Spanish city makes me feel as happy and comfortable as Málaga.
Located on the Mediterranean coast, Málaga (Málaga) is the hometown of Picasso and is home to the world-famous Costa del Sol. It’s a super-popular destination for sun-loving Europeans who flock here every summer for vacation ! Just how popular is it ? So popular that many wealthy Europeans choose to retire here, which means the coastal area is dotted with luxury villas—you might just bump into a European millionaire while strolling along the shore. Málaga is also a transportation hub in southern Spain, located nearGranada(Granda), the European BalconyNerjaNerja, as well asthe White VillagesFrigiliana, Manilva, Casares, and Ronda.
? Come and appreciate the beauty of Spain’s exotic culture~
The travel-loving writerHans Christian Andersenalso fell in love with Málaga’s sunshine, sea, and scenery, writing in his travelogue about Spain that no other Spanish city made him feel as happy and comfortable as Málaga. In 2004, on the 200th anniversary of Andersen’s birth, the Málaga government erected a bronze statue of him at the harbor, ensuring that Andersen’s presence remains forever in his beloved Málaga.
Ancient Córdoba: The World’s Second-Largest Mosque & the Romantic Flower Alley
source:?tripadvisor
Córdoba was once the capital of the Islamic Caliphate kingdom and is home to the Mezquita, the world’s second-largest mosque and now a cathedral, which blends Islamic and Catholic architectural styles—it’s the top must-visit attraction in Córdoba !
source:?TurismoCordoba
Nearby lies the Jewish Quarter, where early Jewish residents once lived. Its winding alleys and colorful houses still retain traces of the lives of former inhabitants, and the most famous spot is the Flower Alley (Calleja de las Flores), where white houses adorned with cascading floral walls are a delight to the eye. A gardening festival is also held here annually, competing for the most beautifully decorated garden !
? Come and appreciate the beauty of Spain’s exotic culture~
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Located in southern Spain, Seville has a uniquely charming vibe, with fewer tourists than Spain’s top two cities, Madrid and Barcelona. The pace is more relaxed, and the city boasts an excellent bicycle system that lets you slowly soak in the scenic beauty of this top-ranked travel destination. I highly recommend Seville and the surrounding southern Spanish cities—stunning sights and fewer crowds mean you’re sure to fall in love with this sun-drenched gem !
? Want to see more Spanish attractions? Don’t wait—go now !
(Photos in this article are courtesy of: Niu Editor Dingding/Niu News)