One of my favourite cities in sunny Spain has always been Seville. It’s known for its flamenco dancing and other artistic endeavours – but culture isn’t all you’ll find in the capital of Andalusia. If you like a bit of tangible history with your holiday, there’s no better place in the world.
Below are three of my favourite historical sites… I always seem to come back to them whenever I’m visiting Seville!
Plaza de Espana
One of Seville’s biggest attractions is Plaza de Espana, a square that is located in Maria Luisa Park – and it’s not difficult to see why it’s so popular. The plaza is imposing and spectacularly beautiful, filled with striking buildings, delightful bridges and colourful tiles which are meant to represent the provinces of Spain.
It was designed by Anibal Gonzalez for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 with the goal of showing off Spain’s accomplishments in architecture and industry to the world. It’s done just that – in fact, many believe that Plaza de Espana has succeeded in capturing and displaying the essence of all of Spain.
Aside from marvelling at the plaza’s grandeur, there are many leisure activities on offer here, including boat trips along the canal, carriage rides and picturesque strolls around the museums, towers and other buildings that surround the square.
Triana Bridge
Before construction on the Triana Bridge began in 1845, there had been no enduring connection between Seville’s Triana neighbourhood and the centre of the city (the two parts were separated by a river). The Romans had completely rejected the thought of a stable bridge, while the Arabs had decided to make a non-permanent one, dubbed the Bridge of Boats, that used thirteen moored boats to link the two banks of the River Guadalquivir together.
The construction of the Triana was overseen by French engineers Fernando Bernadet and Gustavo Steinacher. It was completed in 1852, making it the oldest bridge in all of Seville.
Fun Fact: No wood was used in this bridge – just stone and iron pillars.
Plaza Nueva
Plaza Nueva, which was completed in 1856, is another of Seville’s squares. It is located is the heart of the city, right by the main shopping area. With its orange and palm trees and plethora of benches, it’s a lovely spot for tourists and locals alike to relax during their spare time.
History buffs will love this area as there are lots of important buildings and monuments here. Some of the most notable are:
- A statue of Fernando III, who conquered Seville in 1248. He was granted sainthood in 1671.
- The City Hall.
- The San Ofre Chapel, the only enduring part of the convent that once stood here.
Where to Stay
Hesperia Sevilla – This lovely hotel is a fantastic base for anyone interested in history due to its central location; it’s just a five-minute walk to Seville’s historic city centre. The accommodation itself is the ideal mix of modern and traditional, so staying here will give you a taste of typical Andalusian charm while still meeting all your creature comforts (Wi-Fi and air conditioning are a must).
It offers a healthy breakfast, a coffee shop and a snack bar so you can easily up your energy for a long day of sightseeing. Wind down in the evenings with a drink from the cocktail or garden lounge bars or a massage at their health club. Hesperia Sevilla has everything you could want from a hotel!
Casa de Mariana – If any of the attractions from this blog post caught your eye, I’m thinking this guest house will as well… after all, it’s located no more than 1,000 yards away from all three. It is set in Seville’s Old Town, which gives it a central location filled with a fantastic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, historical sites and, of course, some of the best tapas restaurants around!
How to Get There
Getting to Seville Airport (SVQ) from London is easy – flights are inexpensive and take just under three hours, and there are multiple airlines that fly there directly. Once you’ve bought your ticket (but before you get on your plane!), I recommend pre-booking a transfer to take you from the airport to your accommodation in Seville. That way, you don’t have to mess around with public transportation, which can be especially tricky if you don’t speak Spanish!
My favourite airport shuttle provider is Shuttle Direct. They offer a range of vehicle options including private and shared transfers, so you can choose what fits you and your travel companions best. I always use them when travelling abroad as they’re reliable, efficient and the drivers often live in the area and speak English, which means I can get some local knowledge about wherever I’m travelling.
Overview
- UK to SVQ Flight Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- SVQ to Seville Distance: 14 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 26 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct provide some of the top airport transfers in all of Europe and North Africa. Our experienced and dedicated team has been helping customers such as yourself get from point A to point B for years now – and have loved every second of it. In need of transport during your next holiday? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to have all your questions answered and book your affordable airport shuttle.
