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Sevilla Sights and Landmarks Guide, Spain

Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and, according to the myth, the city was founded by Hercules himself.

Like many of Spain’s most significant cities, Seville is remarkable for its museums and monuments that highlight the history of the great and ancient Roman civilization. A Sevilla Pass is useful if you plan to visit historical sites, since it gets you entry into most of the museums and tourist hotspots.

Seville’s famous Cathedral has been determined to be the largest church in the world in terms of volume. Built in the fifteenth century over the remains of an ancient mosque, it is home to Christopher Columbus’ tomb. The minaret of the original mosque remains as the bell tower of the cathedral and is one of Seville’s most famous architectural icons. One of the oldest structures in the city is the Torre de Oro, a tower that is surrounded by myth like much of Seville’s history, and it is believed to have originally been constructed of pure gold. It now houses a museum of maritime history that bears many remnants of the Spanish Empire. The Museo de Bellas Artes is one of Spain’s most famous museums, and contains many masterpieces of art. There is an art market outside the museum that showcases local talent as well.

Nightlife in Seville is quite fast paced, and like several other Spanish cities, bars remain open all night and well into the morning. At restaurants, try the Andalusian tapas, or half serving, or dishes such as tortillas, papas or ham. The Isla Cartuja and Plaza Alfalfa districts are well known for their popular bar and open air discotheques. Among the city’s traditional entertainments are horse carriage rides and bull fights, but these are increasingly being criticized for violating the rights of animals. Open air markets and flea markets are popular sources of great bargains and souvenirs. Tiles and pottery are specialties of Seville. For great t-shirts with local themes, try the Toro de Fuego boutique. The Santa Cruz district is also a likely choice for clothing such as t-shirts and even flamenco outfits.

Buses are a cheap and fun way to see the city. You can opt for either single rides at a time or a Bonobus ticket, which gets you ten discounted rides. There are several guided tours as well as walking tours of the city managed by local travel agencies and tour operators. Bike rides are also a great way to explore the city.