Here comes the summer and with it the desired holidays. You would like to travel and to know new worlds, but you’re still not sure where to go. How about Spain? Great food, better weather, an enviable culture… But Spain also has many possibilities in where to go! Which is the better city? Many people would opt for the big capitals like Madrid and Barcelona, but the fact is that in the summer months they are brimming with tourists and they are much more expensive than other cities. What is the best choice? Do not despair! Seville is the best option!

And you will ask… Why Seville? Seville is the capital of Andalusia, and therefore it has much to offer. Not only for its monuments and its beautiful landscapes, but also for its charming people, who are the nicest people of the whole country and probably of the whole of Europe. In Spain it is said that the Sevillian inhabitants have the “salero andaluz” or the wittiness of the Andalusian people: friendliness, humour, grace, wit, or spark. There is not one person who could resist their warmth! Sevillian people are the perfect hosts and they make tourists feel as at home. Their melodious and cute accent and their natural gift with people make them endearing people. Seville will host you with open arms.

If there is a word that defines the Sevillian people that word is “friendly”. Their folklore and their costumes are famous worldwide: the flamenco, the sevillanas, the bullfights, the tapas… To have a drink or to eat some tapas on the Guadalquivir river banks is a real pleasure. The tapeo (the act of eating tapas) is a popular act that brings together many people.

It’s quite possible that the warm climate that Seville enjoys has made its citizens some of the most open and friendly in the world. In the stifling summer nights, the neighbours meet in the streets with stools and talk and play cards and other games together for hours. Do not be surprised to find rows of elderly people sitting out in the fresh air at night with their chairs.

The Andalusian friendliness will captivate you, and the city will not leave you indifferent! Monuments such as the Torre Del Oro, the Giralda and the Cathedral are so impressive. Their rich and varied cuisine will make your mouth water: do not forget to taste the gazpacho, the salmorejo and the tapas! Its festivals and customs such as the April Fair and the Holy Week are two of the most famous traditions in Spain, you’ll love them!

Seville has it all! What other reasons do you need to visit it? Rent the best Apartments in Seville to find cheap and comfortable accommodation in the Andalusian capital. Enjoy your trip!

You think you already know it all about Seville, the art of flamenco, the delicious tapas, the gypsy music… but do you know that the capital of Andalucía hides some amazing treasures of architecture from all over the centuries? The city is unique in Spain and its architecture reflects all the richness of its history, starting with the influence of the Arabs. Seville was one of the first cities to fall into the hands of the Moors in 712, and was even from 1170 to 1212 the capital of the Moorish empire.

After the discovery of America, its harbor became the largest in Europe. Numerous goods were traded there and a mixture of cultures and populations invaded the city.

Come and discover with us the treasures of the city. We’ll begin our visit with:

The Giralda Tower

This magnificent tower is the former minaret of the Great Mosque of Seville.
When the Muslims were driven out of Spain, the mosque became a cathedral, and the minaret became…. a bell tower! The Arabs were so proud of their tower that they were considering destroying it before the arrival of the Christians. It is considered to be the twin sister of the Kutubia tower of Marrakech and of the great tower of the mosque of Al-Hassan in Rabat, Morocco.
At the top you can see a weathercock, “the Giraldillo”, which symbolizes the victory of the Christian Faith, a piece created by Bartolome Morel between 1566 and 1568.

The tower has been converted since the Arab time into the symbol of the city, and is adored by the population; it is even forbidden to build something that would be higher than the famous tower! You can even climb to the top which is an amazing 82 metres high, and enjoy a scenic view over the city.

The Cathedral

Next to the tower of the Giralda is the cathedral of Seville, built on the site of the former mosque. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the largest building ever built in medieval times. In 1928 it was declared a National Monument and classified by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Its appearance has evolved over the centuries; the only evidence of the ancient mosque is the famous Patio of the Orange trees. The cathedral houses many works of art, for instance the altar piece, one of the largest in the world (27metres high and 18 metres wide). In the Sacristy of Calices you could admire paintings of great value, such as the Santa Justa and Santa Rufina, both painted by Goya. You can also see the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

The Alcázar

Not far from the cathedral is another pearl of the architecture of Seville:
The Alcazar, the oldest royal palace in Europe. It is not a single palace but a series of buildings constructed by the monarchs since the Islamic time. Different styles come together, Islamic, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance. In the tenth century, Abdurrahman III built the first building, which was referred to as Dar al-Imara or “house of the Governor.” Only the ramparts remain. From the period of the Almohads remain the Patio del Yeso and a section of wall. The ornamentation of the patio has served as an inspiration for the great Alhambra in Granada. The architectural beauty of these palaces is so grand that you could spend a whole day contemplating it and trying to decipher from which centuries each part belongs to!

You must admire the great doors (1366), the dome, which was built in 1427, the rich decoration of the wall tiles, the large number of rooms that have kept their original furniture, and the chapel where the Virgin of the Sailors painted by Alejo Fernández is kept. It is also the first representation in Europe of the discovery of America!

The gardens of the Alcazar are amazingly beautiful and reflect the different styles of gardening used throughout the centuries. Over the years the gardens have been enriched with plants from all over the world.

Aren’t you convinced yet? Hurry up and book your trip and rent Apartments in Seville to enjoy the good weather and discover a wonderful and unique Spanish architecture. Andalucía is waiting for you!

Holy Week is a religious and cultural event of great tradition in Spain. It is held in every city in the country, but it is lived with special devotion in Andalusia, which is one of the most important celebrations, together with the April Fair. There are thousands of tourists who travel to Andalusia to experience Holy Week, which is celebrated during the week of the first full moon of spring.

This Christian festival commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as The Passion of Christ. This way, the church is sanctified and renewed. The week includes from the end of Lent (from Palm Sunday up to Holy Wednesday) until Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection Sunday). Throughout these seven days, more than 60 fraternities or confraternities carry images of the Passion of Christ and of the Virgin in beautiful processions that delight both the locals and tourists alike.

The processions are organized parades flanked by lanterns and followed by rows of penitents or Nazarenes with candles. The processions are often accompanied by music, except when they are silent. The bands who march along with the penitential brotherhoods are always instrumental bands that remain sombre and play in time according to the spirit of the procession.

The Seville Holy Week is one of the most important in Spain. This has a great international reputation in the Catholic world. So much so that it has been declared a public holiday of International Tourist Interest.

In Seville, images such as the “Virgen de la Macarena y la Esperanza de Triana”, the “Señor de Sevilla”, the “Cristo del Gran Poder” and the “Cristo de la Expiración (Cachorro)” are venerated with a special fervour.

But the Holy Week is considered much more than a religious festival. This is a highly valued cultural period. In Spain, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are public holidays, but many people enjoy a free whole week.

Do you want to discover one of the most deep-rooted traditions of the country? Travel to Andalusia and discover why the Sevillian Holy Week is the favourite one in Spain. Rent Apartments in Seville and enjoy an unforgettable stay.

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Sevillian cuisine is based on simple but high quality recipes, especially when it comes to home cooking, and housewives’ dishes. Its gastronomy is a clear reflection of its history, which is intimately linked to the Arabic culture and to the Mediterranean civilizations.

The Muslim influence provides the Sevillian food with the use of spice like fennel, mint, garlic, coriander, parsley… On the other hand, olive oil is a regular ingredient in every single Sevillian (and Spanish) dishes.

Typical recipes include “gazpacho” (a cold tomato soup), flamenco eggs (eggs poached in tomato sauce), tiny fried fish, stuffed artichokes, “cocido andaluz” (a thick stew made of meat, chickpeas and vegetables), “menudo” (Andalusian styled tripe), bull’s tail and “ensaladilla sevillana” (variation of potato salad).

Although there are excellent dishes in Seville, the true identity of Sevillian cuisine lies in “tapeo” (going from bar to bar to eat the typical Sevillian “tapas” or snacks). This tradition allows the visitor to try a great variety of dishes in a single meal. There is an ample assortment of “tapas” to try; among the most popular “tapas” there are: Spanish ham and cheese, “boquerones en vinagre” (small marinated fish in vinegar), “salmorejo” (a thick “gazpacho”), “picadillo” (minced meat) or “aliño” (various seasoned meats), “ensaladilla” (a version of a Russian potato salad), “papas aliñás” (seasoned potatoes), “tortilla de patatas” (Spanish potato omelet) and “lomo mechado” (loin strips). Other important “tapas” consist of “pucheros” (stews), “montaditos” (a type of small toasted rolls or sandwiches usually filled with sausage or other ingredients), “flamenquín” (ham stuffed breaded/fried meat rolls) and “soldaditos de pavía” (hake or cod breaded with flour). But “tapeo” is much more than going out and eating something. It is a social act, where most Sevillians meet together in bars and terraces to have a pleasant time.
The Santa Cruz quarter is known for having the most delicious “tapas” in Seville. Alfalfa neighbourhood offers a wide number of open-air bars. Arenal quarter provides more traditional establishments, offering a fine selection of fresh fish and in Triana you can have a pleasant meal with the best views of the Guadalquivir River.

This tasty, wonderful cuisine should be washed down with any of the local wines: the Manzanilla or the Montilla (from nearby regions), the Jerez (sherry) or a cold lager beer.

The traditional Sevillian sweets are mostly of Moorish influences and are prepared often with honey or wine. The most well known are “tortas de aceite” (thin large rounded pastries made with olive oil) or “polvorones” (sweet traditional pastries eaten especially during Christmas). However, the most exquisite Sevillian pastries can be traced to the city’s enclosed convents. The most popular are: “torrijas” (similar to a French toast), the “San Leandro Yemas” (sweet egg yolk cakes), “borrachuelos” (a sweet made with honey, sweet wine, aniseed and bitter oranges), homemade marmalades, cider pastries, “alfajores” (almond and nut pastries) and the “tocinos de cielo” (a pudding made with egg yolk and syrup).

Are you hungry? Taste the most delicious Sevillian “tapas”, wines or sweets. For the best accommodation rent Apartments in Seville and have a pleasant stay in the city.

Seville is an old, beautiful city: it is about 2,000 years old! Their inhabitants are friendly, joyous people and they all have a witty personality. Seville is the Andalusian capital. It is a big and cosmopolitan town located at the south of Spain and it has a huge historic quarter, the largest in Europe. Seville is the home of flamenco, the famous Spanish tapas, bullfighting and sevillanas. They also celebrate an amazing April Fair and a passionate Easter Week. Both traditions are celebrated in springtime, with pleasant temperatures. Avoid Seville in summer, because there are scorching temperatures that can reach 50°C. Everyone that goes to Seville repeats the experience, don’t miss it!

Both festivals, Easter Week and April Fair, are very famous in Spain, and especially in Andalusia. The Easter Week is a religious festival with over five centuries of history. People celebrate the Passion of the Christ with beautiful processions. Thousands of tourists leave Seville deeply moved by these spectacular marches.

The April Fair is the perfect moment to have a great and fun time. People set up what they call casetas or tents – booths in which to dance, drink and socialize. Everything is decorated with hanging lanterns. Women wear their best flamenco dresses and men parade around on their horses.
But Seville is much more than their festivals! It is one of the most beautiful Spanish cities and a must for any tourist! The city lays on the Guadalquivir river banks and has an important historical heritage, buildings and monuments, such as the cathedral. Seville’s gothic cathedral is the third largest in the world and has a worldwide famous minaret, la Giralda. The royal Mudéjar palace (known as the Alcázar) and the Gold Tower are two important examples of its fascinating architecture.
There are also some neighbourhoods such as Santa Cruz, Triana, la Macarena or San Bartolomé that you shouldn’t miss. There, you’ll discover the great Andalusian spirit and taste their delicious food. Las Sierpes street, María Luisa Park and la Maestranza bullring are a must too, because they are all representative images of the city.
And now take the first flight to Seville and discover what’s on there! Rent Apartments Seville to have the best accommodation

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