There is so much to love about Seville, like many places we have visited we decided to go on a walking tour of this beautiful city with the firm Free Walking Tours Sevilla.

The tour starts at the Plaza de Espana where we meet up with the group being led by the enthusiastic local Miguel. The Plaza de Espana was built for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929 along with pavilions that are scattered around the place.

It is very impressive; a large semi circular building , Renaissance and Moorish in style. It is fantastic having been in Morocco before this trip that we can see the Moroccan influence in buildings in Spain (and of course Portugal beforehand).

You can even rent boats in the front of the Plaza – how Venetian 💕, and you can even catch a couple of Flamenco dancers showing their wares on the steps of the Plaza.

From the Plaza we headed to the Universided de Sevilla (the University of Seville). The University was founded in 1551 and was initially a tobacco factory. It is a truly beautiful building and I’m not sure how the students attending cope with the constant tourists trampling through the campus. It is a beautiful University.

After we walked through the University we headed toward El Arenal the old quarter of Seville going past the Cathedral, Barrio Santa Cruz (the Jewish quarter) and The Alcazar of Sevilla (the Royal Palace).

We also went to the Plaza de Toros de Sevilla which is the largest bullfighting arena in Spain. I had thought that all bullfighting had stopped but they still occur in Madrid and in Seville. A bit sad really as a bullfight almost always ends with the death of the bull after protracted torment both physically and mentally which does seem very cruel.

The thing I love so much about walking tours is that they are a great way of getting oriented in a place but also they are heavily influenced by the guide and their relationship with the city. Miguel is a passionate Sevillanas, who also happens to be a vegetarian and has the art of being able to get away with “dad jokes” and when he spoke with us it truly felt that he wanted us to love Seville as much as he did. This is not uncommon for the walking tour, in fact I’d have to say it’s pretty critical and is why if there is there is a walking tour I’d always do one.

Oh and yes before I forget.. we heard a lot about Hercules again today (he was also mentioned in Marrakech) because of the six great pillars – I will talk more about these in a later post. Today as well as talking about the six great pillars Miguel talked about the founder of Seville and explained that in 1270 Alfonso X wrote that in fact it wasn’t Hercules that had founded Seville it was Julius Caesar, so there you go. Such a tapestry of history – don’t you love it, I do.

After a couple of hours walking through the city and saying a fond farewell to Miguel, a lunch of tapas is just what we needed at yet another gorgeous looking establishment.

While Pip, Dave, Steve and I were wandering the streets with Miguel Vic and Robyn went off on their own adventure, as Robyn has already been to Seville unlike the rest of us. As well as a trip to the Centro Andalusia de Arte Contemporaneo (the Contemporary Art Museum) which had some beautiful artworks they also took a horse and carriage ride through Seville and as you will see from the photos friendships were formed.

For the rest of us a quick dash back to the apartment and then an hour well spent at Musee del baiLe flamenco for Vic, Robyn, Pip and I watching an exhibition of Flamenco dancing. It was sensational with three dancers, a couple of singers and a guitarist keeping us entertained. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take any photos, but I can provide a picture of the pre show drinks (see below). I had a blast and so would highly recommend going to one of the many advertised Flamenco shows, the dancers are incredibly fit and keep those Flamenco faces – frowning, smiling and oh so serious going throughout the dances, I guess that’s why “they” say that Flamenco is the art of emotions.

Vic and Robyn enjoying a sangria before the Flamenco show.

Dinner at Bar Pelayo another restaurant recommended to us. It was again lovely tapas in the middle of town and very popular. We got there at the right time to get a good table, and then a stroll home over the river trying to avoid the football crowds who were in Seville for games.

A fantastic day in this eclectic city which has been influenced by many of its inhabitants from the Romans, through the Visigothic Kingdom and the Muslim cultures it is truly beautiful.