Grand, great buildings that stand the test of time and some that seem to just sneak under the radar for years and years. For us, this was Italica. Situated just out of Seville, Spain, it is a place that so many have no idea exists… unless they are die-hard Game of Thrones fans, of course.
Season 8 filmed here as well. Italica is the birthplace of two Roman emperors and the best-preserved Roman ruins in Spain. The giant Colosseum could hold nearly 25, people during its heyday but now lies in ruins. The ruins of the town are magnificent. The gardens just inside the entrance gate are beautiful and a picture into what the town must have looked like. The foundations of some of the houses are still there as well as the mosaic-tiled floors that the Romans are famous for.
And at one stage, we were the only people wandering the site. I am sure that is a rare thing in any historic site like this one. A cab ride to Italica takes about 15 minutes and costs around 15 Euro. How long you spend there is up to you. We took about 1. There is also a little museum that has some information about how the site was found and how it is now being preserved for future generations.
Italica is a great place for a guided tour to get the most out of the experience. The origins of the palace date back to the 16th century, and it has been considered a national monument since It opened to the public in , and has since been enchanting travelers from all around the globe. Every year, Seville has a few every special days or weeks where they remember or celebrate events.
Seville is famous for its elaborate processions through the streets. Semana Santa in Seville is one of the biggest and most famous in Spain, which means it attracts many Spanish tourists as well as visitors from around the world. The processions take place all week long. Each procession meanders through the cathedral at one point during their route.
You can find the routes and times in the guide you can pick up at the tourist office, but also by downloading the free app Paso a Paso. Open every day but Monday, the museum is a gorgeous but manageable collection of mainly Spanish art from Medieval times through the 20 th century. Famous artists from Seville are prominently featured, particularly the painter Murillo, whose dreamy and ethereal paintings of the Madonna and Child are rapturous in their use of light and color.
Built in a former convent, the most beautiful parts of the museum are housed in the chapel, where you can view art amidst the remnants of a domed and beautifully painted ceiling. The museum is small enough that you can walk through almost every room in 60 to 90 minutes, with enough time to admire favorite paintings at length. Best of all? Cate Sacred Wanderings. The Isla Magica is a theme park based on the Spanish discoveries during the 16th and 17th centuries.
Besides, Isla Magica is also a water park, making it the ideal spot to escape from the hot sun of the Andalusia province of Spain. The South of Spain is very hot, especially the interior of Andalusia, so spending a day or an afternoon in the water park offers an excellent respite. The park offers a wide array of rides and games, water activities, 4D cinema, and live shows.
Plus, it has plenty of restaurants to grab a quick bite. The Isla Magica is very close to the historic city center of Seville so you can easily walk there. Located in the historical center of Seville, Casa de Pilatos is characterized by its fusion of Italian Renaissance, Gothic and Mudejar architecture.
Marble gates, ornate arches and colorful tiles are just a few of the striking features to look out for, not to mention the beautifully kept gardens that add to its charm.
Every wall of the palace is different, with intricate mosaics, carvings, and memorials to Spanish kings and Roman Emperors. But the real showstopper attraction is the traditional Andalusian courtyard, at the center of the palace, with its grand columns, statues, and beautiful fountain. Jules Part-Time Passport. As the capital of Andalusia southern Spain , Seville is where the gypsy art of Flamenco was born.
Consider a food tour here! If you live in Seville, entrance to the Real Alcazar is free! Handcrafted Cartuja ceramics, exceptional olive oil, cookies and pastries made by convent nuns try Convento San Leandro , hand-painted foldable fans, and orange blossom perfume.
Or pick up a hand-embroidered mantilla Spanish shawl , sherry, and anisette a well-loved, clear liqueur that tastes like licorice. Spaniards eat and drink late! Consider road tripping beautiful Andalusia from Seville! You can check out this road trip itinerary here. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Of all the Seville things to do on this list, the Alcazar was my favorite!
Game of Thrones fans may even recognize the Alcazar from season 5. Although the castle was built for the Christian King, Peter of Castile, it was built on the site of a former Muslim fortress. Altogether, the combination is stunning! The Alcazar gardens are also not-to-be-missed. Stroll the walkways, stopping at the intricately tiled benches to sit and enjoy the fragrance of the flowers radiating from every direction. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at the Real Alcazar.
After getting in when the doors opened, I spent just under 3 hours exploring the palace and the gardens. If you can, get your ticket in advance from the official website. The website can be glitchy, though. I tried to buy them several times but could never get the website to accept any of my U. Apparently, this is a recurring problem with foreign credit cards.
If you run into problems with the official site, be sure to try a Visa and a MasterCard. Change the currency from Euros to U. You might also want to check with your bank to see if the charge is being refused on their end. However, the bank might not even see any charge showing up, either. First, consider the timing of your visit. Are you visiting in the off-season? When I visited at the end of March, the Alcazar opened at a.
Once the doors opened, we got right in. It rightfully tops mosts lists of what to see in Seville. Today, it functions as a Catholic Cathedral. However, its mixed history reflects in the architecture. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the structure was a grand Mosque, whose outer walls and tall tower are still standing today.
Once Seville was reconquered in the mids by the Christians, it was turned into a Christian place of worship with Mosque-like features, before eventually becoming a Gothic Cathedral in the mids. Inside is divided into altars and mini-chapels to explore and rooms where historic relics are on display.
The remains of Christopher Columbus and his son are said to be here, as well despite the controversy over whether his remains may actually be resting in the Dominican Republic. Get your skip-the-line Cathedral tickets in advance. Or go to the Iglesia del Salvador first, which usually has much smaller crowds, and purchase a combined ticket with the Cathedral.
After seeing the baroque Church that was once a Mosque, visit the Cathedral with the same ticket and avoid the line. Be sure to follow the signs for the correct entrance depending on your ticket type because the Cathedral of Seville has several different lines for people with tickets and those still needing to buy them.
The Seville Cathedral hours are mainly 11 am — 5 pm Tuesday-Saturday. These hours are extended slightly in the summer months and much more limited on Sundays because of morning Mass times. The Cathedral is open on Mondays but it closes earlier at pm for much of the year.
This tower is now part of the Cathedral of Seville but stands as a piece of the past from the Mosque that was originally on this site. The tower is a series of ramps up to the top. Along the way, there are tiny windows giving a sneak peek of the city views to keep you motivated on your climb. Begin your way up the tower from inside the Cathedral. Tower access is included with your Cathedral entry ticket. This wide-open plaza is not only the most spectacular in Seville but also one of the most picture-perfect throughout all of Europe.
Plaza de Espana sits along the edge of Maria Luisa Park. It has a semi-circle of buildings flanking the perimeter on one side and a moat with arched bridges running parallel alongside them. At the center, a grand fountain completes the striking plaza view. Plaza de Espana was built in with a blend of Renaissance and Moorish revival styles. The walls of the plaza are covered with beautiful tilework representing the different regions of Spain.
Even the banisters of the bridges crossing over the moat are decorated with blue, white, and yellow tiles cut to precision for every curve and spiral. Go later in the day and perhaps time your visit to see the plaza both in the daylight and as night falls when the plaza lights up. Need a break from Seville sightseeing? Parque de Maria Luisa is just alongside Plaza de Espana and has meandering paths for a stroll and shady nooks perfect to escape the city hustle for a rest. The grounds are actually the former gardens of a palace and come complete with fountains and monuments.
Situated in and around the Cathedral and Real Alcazar, the Barrio Santa Cruz is a maze of narrow, medieval streets and alleyways. Visitors can climb to the top for scenic views over the river and city. ProTip: Mercado Lonja del Barranco is a modern market along the riverfront where you can grab a bite or sit outside with a drink. There are certainly more authentic places to eat just over the bridge in Triana or back in Barrio Santa Cruz.
Be sure to stop and take some photos overlooking the river as you cross! Triana is known for its authentic Mercado de Triana, a local vibe, as well as its famous tile shops, tapas, and nightlife. The Mercado is open from 9 am — 3 pm and sells fresh produce, meats, and fish. Triana is the heart of azulejo or glazed tile making. Southern Spain is known for its vibrant tiles and mosaics seen throughout the region on everything from architecture to dinner plates.
Browse the shops in the neighborhood, along the way coming across an old church. Better yet, plan an evening out with a Flamenco show first and then joining the locals for a traditional late dinner. Flamenco has a strong connection to the city. But, its roots are firmly established in the Andalucia region stemming from when the area was ruled by the Moors in between the 8th and 15th centuries. The storytelling-dance art form has morphed throughout history and has been adapted by different cultures around the world.
Source: wikipedia. This enormous structure is like a little world on its own, and you will lose hours staring in awe at the beautiful architectural flourishes, relics and historical curios. There are also hints of the mosque that once stood on this spot, especially in the Court of the Orange trees on the north side, where Muslims once performed ablutions.
Source: flickr. An enduring emblem for Seville, the Giralda is the bell-tower right next-door to the Cathedral, and you can purchase a ticket for both attractions.
This was so that Muezzin who led the call to prayer could ride his horse up the tower instead of walking. This is a marvellous UNESCO-listed palace complex that is still in use by the Spanish royal family: their chambers, state rooms and halls are on the upper level and can be viewed if you pay a little extra.
Using typical Sevillian azulejos painted tiles these displays showcase details like the local food and famous monuments in each part of the country. The largest green space in central Seville originally belonged to the nearby San Telmo Palace, dating to the s.
In the lateth century the grounds were donated to the city by Infanta Luisa Fernanda and took their present shape after a remodel in This is an earth part of the city, credited for many of the things people associate with Sevillian culture, like painted ceramics and flamenco.
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