Seville

With a rich and textured history, bags of character and a sensational bar and restaurant scene, Seville is a vibrant, colourful city with timeless appeal.

Located on the lower stretches of the River Guadalquivir in Southwest Spain, Seville is the capital and largest city of Andalusia. Notable as Europe’s warmest city and the birthplace of flamenco, it is a diverse, culturally rich destination which merits the attention of travellers looking for an authentic Spanish experience.

Amongst the many sights for which Seville is famous, its Gothic cathedral - the world’s largest - and Giralda bell tower are perhaps the most well known. Built between 1401 and 1506 on the site of a former mosque, the cathedral is renowned not only for its size but also for its beauty. Tourists here can visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus and ascend the wide slopes of the Giralda for superb views of the city. Other highlights not to be missed include the Alcázar Real de Sevilla, the Plaza de España and the Torre del Oro, but the real magic of this city lies in ambling through its maze of narrow streets and colourful neighbourhoods, breathing air infused with the scent of orange blossom and stopping by one of the many bars and restaurants to sample regional specialties and sip coffee or wine with the locals.

Accommodation in Seville is plentiful and largely good value compared with other well-known Spanish destinations such as Barcelona and Madrid. Amongst the many properties here Casa del Poeta - a beautifully restored 17th century mansion house in the picturesque Santa Cruz district - and Corral del Ray - a gorgeous boutique hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace where guests can chose from a fine selection of Spanish wines and premium sherries - both stand out for delivering high quality, Sevillian style accommodation at an affordable price point. The luxury sector is headed by Hotel Alfonso XIII; steeped in history, its distinguished architecture and elegant décor have made this famous hotel a landmark of the city. But these are just a sample of the vast array of accommodation available in Seville; there are numerous other appealing options both at the high end of the market and across the entire spectrum of budget and style.

Spanish food and wine culture is world renowned and few cities are more synonymous with the nation’s tapas traditions than Seville. Like flamenco and bullfighting, Tapeo - a kind of pub crawl in which people hop from bar to bar having a drink and a snack in each - originated here, and despite the city’s multiple fine dining and Michelin rated restaurants, it is the tapas bars that serve up the most authentic local food experience. For old school tapas in the heart of the city, Bodeguita Romero is unparalleled. Their extensive menu includes classic Sevillian dishes such as Caña de Lomo Ibérico Bellota (cured pork loin), Carrillera Ibérica (stewed Iberian pork cheek) and Bacalao en Aceite (salt cod in olive oil) as well as vegetarian options and a selection of wines from the best known Spanish designations. Other great venues to try include El Rinconcillo - the oldest tapas bar in Seville, and Casa Cuesta in the Triana district which has an excellent wine cellar focusing on the most famous Spanish regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero and La Mancha, as well as local wines from Granada, Sierras de Málaga and Jerez.

If you are looking for creative Michelin rated cuisine in the city, Abantel - a starred establishment serving contemporary Andalusian cuisine alongside a carefully curated wine card, and Ispal which showcases the best local ingredients through its modern tasting menu and boasts an extensive wine list with some 400 plus references, are amongst the best.

With its fabulous Moorish architecture, rich cultural heritage and reputation for culinary creativity, Seville is unsurprisingly a popular destination for both a weekend break and as a base for a longer trip exploring the region. Day trips to Córdoba and Granada are favourites with tourists here, as are wine tours to Jerez. And if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, visit during spring time when the city is filled with the scents of orange blossom and jasmine, and the Feria de Abril - a colourful festival of food, drink, flamenco and age-old traditions - creates a very special atmosphere.