Sevilla

Quick Takeaways

Alcazar a must see - bring a bag lunch to eat in the gardens
Mercado El Postigo - an art market on C Arfe Perfect place to buy gifts
La Brunilda Restaurant - be sure to make a reservation
Bar Alfalfa - tiny restaurant on C. Candilejo with great vibe and good food
You must see a flamenco show while in Seville. We got tickets to a show at La Casa de Flamenco, a 15th-century home-turned flamenco theater
A bike tour is a great way to cover a lot of ground in this big city. We used SEEBYBIKE Tours and our guide was fantastic

We thought the Alcazar in Seville was even more impressive than the one in Granada

The Alcazar is surrounded by this impressive wall.

Once you go through the Puerto del Leon entrance you see this second entrance ahead.

The Patio de las Doncellas looks similar to the one in the Nasrid Palace in Granada

The alcazar is a celebration of Mudejar architecture.

Amazing ornate plaster work

Check out the green Jewish stars in the magnificent tile work - evidence of how Jews and Muslims worked together in the Umayyad Caliphate.

As you enter the gardens hanging wisteria greet you

Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the lush gardens where there are plenty of places to sit. (You can't do this at the Alhambra!)

There is a maze in the gardens!

When we were there a group of 1st graders were visiting and running through the maze…much trickier to find your way out when you are shorter than the hedges!

Right next to the Alcazar is the Santa Cruz area which is the oldest part of the city

Wander the maze of cobblestone streets that is part of the old Jewish quarter.

If you look closely tile work is everywhere!

Evan enjoying Tinto de verano, summer wine

Tinto de verano is red wine mixed with lemon soda and orange and lemon slices. Really refreshing on a hot day!

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world!

At the entrance is this replica of the 4,500 pound bronze weathervane which sits at the top of the Geralda tower. Giraldillo means "she who turns" and that is where the Giralda Tower gets its name

You can climb to the top of the Geralda. There are ramps instead of stairs so that horses could be ridden to the top.No building in Seville is allowed to be taller than the Geralda bell tower.

It was originally built as a minaret for the mosque in 1198 but has gone through many transformations after the Christians took over.

You will see flamenco on the streets but it you should see a show when in Seville!

We got tickets to a show at La Casa de Flamenco in the Bario de Santa Cruz area and would highly recommend it.

Interior shot of the cathedral.

Columbus' tomb is in this cathedral (I forgot to take a pic, lol!)

Exit of cathedral with Moorish architecture

These red marks were discovered when the exterior was cleaned. Archaeogists are still researching its origin but believe it dates from around the 14th century.

Rumor has that the marks were made of blood!

Our Airbnb on Calle Santa Maria la Blanca in the Santa Cruz district of Seville

Interior wasn’t in the best of condition but perfect location for seeing the major sites and the deck was a great place to relax and take in the city.

View from lower roof deck

View from upper roof deck

Façade of our Airbnb. Ours was the top two floors; you can see me waving from one of the balconies.

Restaurant below was yummy too!

Church directly across from us. Couldn’t help but hear church bells, lol!

Calle Mateos Gago is the tree and cafe lined street leading to the Giralda from out Airbnb.

We were in Seville a few days before Semana Santa which is the week leading up to Easter. It is a major holiday where schools are closed and huge statues representing various images from the Passion of Jesus Christ take to the streets in processions that last up to 12 hours. It takes between 20 - 40 men depending on the size of the floats to carry them through the streets. Others in the procession wear robes with conical hoods which bears a striking resemblance to the K.K.K. We were assured that there is no connection, phew!