Seville

Capital of Andalusia and a city of warmth, with the Alcázar, the Cathedral and Plaza de España, flamenco and tapas, plus nearby Roman ruins and sherry country.

Seville is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia, set on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and the city most closely associated with Moorish architecture, flamenco, bullfighting and tapas culture. The Royal Alcázar, the Cathedral with the Giralda tower, and the Archivo General de Indias are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The main areas to explore are: the old-town core of the Cathedral, the Alcázar and the Santa Cruz quarter; to the north, the Metropol Parasol, the Fine Arts Museum and the Macarena district; to the south, Plaza de España, María Luisa Park and the Royal Tobacco Factory; and across the river, Triana, known for its ceramics and flamenco. Day trips include the Roman ruins of Itálica to the north, the old towns of Carmona and Osuna to the east, sherry and horsemanship in Jerez to the south, the seaside city of Cádiz, and the Doñana wetlands to the southwest. Córdoba, Granada, Ronda and the White Villages have their own destination pages. Climate: March–May is the best time to visit; Holy Week and the April Fair are the most distinctive events, but accommodation is expensive then; July–August often tops 40°C, so stick to early mornings and evenings; winters are mild. Getting there: the AVE high-speed train from Madrid takes about 2.5 hours, and San Pablo Airport has European flights; the old town is best explored on foot, while nearby destinations can be reached by coach, train or car. Allow 3–4 days. Tips: book timed-entry tickets for the Alcázar and Cathedral on the official websites in advance; locals eat lunch at around 14:00 and dinner after 21:00; in the old town, watch out for pickpockets and for people who press sprigs of rosemary on you.

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