Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain / Northern Andalucia / Andalucia - Seville / Seville
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| | | Birthplace of flamenco |  | Why go on holiday to Seville?
Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and, like the dance, the city exudes passion, mystery and romance. It has great depth to its culture and is home to some of Spain's finest cooking.
How much does it cost?
More expensive than other Spanish cities, especially in fiesta time. As a rough guide, a three-night break in September costs from £350 including flights. Flights are available from £160 including taxes. Off-peak double room in a two-star hotel from £40 (Nov - March).
When should I go?
The big festival in Seville is the Semana Santa (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday). This also means that prices are higher and accommodation harder to find. July and August are very hot and roaming around can be very tiring.
*Feeling inspired? Book a break to Spain.
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| | | Visit the Alcazar |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Visit the old city. The Alcazar was built originally as a fort in 913AD. It was adapted and enlarged over the past millennium and today is more of a palace than a fort.
It displays a unique merging of Iberian and Moorish styles; there are numerous courtyards and gardens (invariably devoted to the sweetheart of one king or another) which offer beautiful shady spots in which to relax.
The doors, ceilings and plasterwork of the Palacio de Don Pedro are as fine as those of the Alhambra in Granada. The Alcazar is open 9.30am to 7pm in summer and 9.30am to 5pm in autumn and winter. At time of writing, entry is about £2.50, free to students.
Isn't Christopher Columbus buried there?
It's not known for sure that the great man's bones didn't get mixed up in the Caribbean. But his tomb can be found inside the south door of the magnificent and massive cathedral.
The Archivo de Indias on the west side of the Plaza del Triunfo has, since 1785, been the main archive on the conquest and colonisation of Spain's American empire.
It houses more than 80 million documents dating from 1492 to the end of the empire, as well as many fascinating maps. It's open Monday-Friday from 10am to 1pm and is free.
So, can Sevillans really dance?
Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and sevillanas, a complex dance of many movements that is taut with passion and hidden desires and underpinned by proud, ostentatious guitar playing.
But despite being the home of this most seductive art form, it can be difficult to find the real thing. The best thing to do is visit Seville in an even-numbered year for the Feria de Abril or the Bienal de Flamenco in September.
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| | | Mouthwatering tapas | | Where's good for nightlife?
Los Gallos, Plaza de Santa Gruz, offers some of the most authentic and atmospheric flamenco. It costs about £12 (which includes one drink) and there are two two-hour performances an evening.
Bars stay busy late into the night and in summer you will find plenty of terrazas de verano or open-air bars, many with live music.
If you're looking for a traditional bodega then Hijos de E Morales on Calle Garcia de Vinuesa serves wine and sherry from the barrel.
What's the food like?
Seville's speciality is the hundreds of mouthwatering bar snacks collectively called tapas.
A few favourites are cana de lomo (pork loin), puntillitas (baby squid), espinicas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas) and cazen en adobo (white fish marinated in vinegar, lemon and spices, then deep fried).
More olive oil is made in Andalucia than anywhere else in the world and olives are served up everywhere. Sherry is another classic Andalucian product.
What should I buy?
The main shopping area is on and around Calle Sierpes. There's a Corte Ingles department store on Plaza del Duque de la Victoria, and the flea market on Thursday mornings on Calle de la Feria in the Barrio de la Macarena is well worth a visit.
Look out for excellent local pottery in the tourist shops in the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
What is there for children to do?
Take them to Isla Magica, an amusement park with a 16th-century Spanish colonial adventure theme near the Puente de la Barqueta (open March-October). Seville also has some good green parks near the city centre.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel. 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Seville |
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| |  | | Casa Jazmin
1 of 3 detached villas set in private gated grounds, with a large swimming pool and communal Summerhouse with kitchen, bar and games facilities.
|  | | Villa Laurel
Comfortable, well equipped villa with private pool and garden only 15 minutes from Seville
|  | | Villa los Azahares
Beautufil villa vith private pool in an Andalusian garden of 1200 sq m only 15 minutes from Seville
|  | | Stylish bright Loft appartment with pool
The apartment is part of our Award winning Villa but with enough privacy to relax in the garden or pool. It is ideally located, walking distance to bu
|  | | Cervantes 18
The perfect place to visit Sevilla, Huelva, Coto de Doñana, costa de la luz and even the portuguese algarve. A newly built house in the town center of a quiet "real spain" village.
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