Seville, Spain has been on my bucket list for a while now, and I am so glad it was because I really enjoyed my visit. Every tour guide said that Sevillans love their city and I can sure see why they are so prideful. There was such a strong sense of culture here, and it stood out to me.
Now that I am in Spain, the very first thing I did was run to find some authentic tapas! I read about El Rinconcillo and decided this would be the perfect spot since it is the oldest bar in Seville. I wanted to feel like I was a local in 1670, when the establishment opened, so I asked the waiter to pick two of his favorite tapas for me. He returned with queso manchego (manchego cheese) and ensalada rusa (russian potato salad). To drink, I decided on tindo de verano to round out this typical Spanish afternoon.
To officially start our visit in Seville, we signed up for two historical free walking tours: the monumental sites and the old Jewish quarter. On each of these tours, we learned about the city’s rich history dating back to the 8th century BC. Growing up in the United States, a new country, it is truly incredible to see how these old cities maintain their culture and have been restored over so many years of history.
The most well-known site in Seville is the Plaza de España. As I am sure any visitor, this was at the top of my “must see” list. Is it the first place that comes up when researching the city and the most recognizable photo representing Seville.
An insider tip from our tour guide was to check out the Hotel Alfonso XIII and I would recommend anyone to do the same. Opened in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition, it is now the hotel for all royalty and A-List celebrities who come to the city. Every part of this hotel was beautiful, and it is located right in the heart of Seville, making it worth it to at least wander though.
If I had more time in Seville, I would have loved to tour the Plaza de Toros bullfighting area and rented a stand-up paddle board to enjoy the Guadalquivir River that runs along the city… I guess I will just have to go back!
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