Getting in a selfie at the Setas de Sevilla or Las Setas, initially titled Metropol Parasol. It is a large, predominantly wood structure located at La Encarnación square in the old quarter of Seville surrounding by restaurants. We met our food walking tour group here.
Seville is truly one of my favorite cities in Spain. And, no matter how many times I visit this city, it is really never enough time to settle in to see and do the things I want to do. It is the heart of Andalucia with its beautiful architectural mix of Christian and Islamic styles.
And, on this trip, I got to share one of my favorite cities with my cousin Gerri who only had a day and a half to get a good feel for the city.
We arrived early from Cadiz where we spent four nights in a lovely apartment enjoying the city and some down time to arrive in Seville with a packed schedule. After checking into our wonderful little hotel, the Hotel Tayko Sevilla, we want out for a late breakfast. Then Gerri did some shopping while I came back to the hotel to chill out (it was an incredibly hot day) and get some writing done before our food walking tour.
As I’ve mentioned many times before, I really love taking food walking tours and this one, with Spain Food Sherpas, was one of the best. This company knows how to ply you with good food and adult beverages. We also did a little exploring before and after our food tour including taking an evening horse drawn carriage ride.
Let’s see Seville and eat some really good food.
Before we began stuffing our faces during our Spain Food Sherpas walking tour, we did our own walking around in Seville. Here Gerri and I are at the Los Soportales Bodega, trying out the Montadito de pringá tapa, a sandwich of mixed meats including beef, chicken, pork and chorizo. (Aug. 24, 2024)Our wonderful hotel in Seville, the Hotel Tayko Sevilla, which let us check in early, and is in a prime location. (Aug. 24, 2024)My small but incredibly cute room at the Hotel Tayko Sevilla. (Aug. 24, 2024)My small but incredibly cute room at the Hotel Tayko Sevilla. (Aug. 24, 2024)Love a walk in shower at My small but incredibly cute room at the Hotel Tayko Sevilla. (Aug. 24, 2024)Getting out and exploring Seville before meeting up with our food walking tour group. (Aug. 24, 2024)Views of Seville on our way to meet up with our food walking tour group. (Aug. 24, 2024)Views of Seville on our way to meet up with our food walking tour group. (Aug. 24, 2024)Views of Seville on our way to meet up with our food walking tour group. (Aug. 24, 2024)Views of Seville on our way to meet up with our food walking tour group. (Aug. 24, 2024)Getting in a walk around Seville before our food walking tour. (Aug. 24, 2024)The Flamenco dresses in a shop during our walk around Seville before the start of our food walking tour. The dresses are worn by locals mainly during the city’s big fair in April. (Aug. 24, 2024)A shop dedicated to beautiful fans during our walk around Seville before the start of our food walking tour. (Aug. 24, 2024)Getting in a walk around Seville before our food walking tour. (Aug. 24, 2024)Getting in a walk around Seville before our food walking tour with a view of the Setas de Sevilla or Las Setas, initially titled Metropol Parasol, in the distance. (Aug. 24, 2024)Getting in a selfie at the Setas de Sevilla or Las Setas, initially titled Metropol Parasol. It is a large, predominantly wood structure located at La Encarnación square in the old quarter of Seville surrounding by restaurants. We met our food walking tour group here. (Aug. 24, 2024)The open-air public plaza of the Setas de Sevilla (“Mushrooms of Seville”) or Las Setas (“The Mushrooms”), initially titled Metropol Parasol, a large, predominantly wooden structure in Seville. Construction began in June 2005, with an estimated cost of 50 million euros with a completion date of June 2007, but design issues increased both the amount and the date of completion of 2009. (Aug. 24, 2024)The open-air public plaza of the Setas de Sevilla (“Mushrooms of Seville”) or Las Setas (“The Mushrooms”), initially titled Metropol Parasol, a large, predominantly wooden structure in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)The open-air public plaza of the Setas de Sevilla (“Mushrooms of Seville”) or Las Setas (“The Mushrooms”), initially titled Metropol Parasol, a large, predominantly wooden structure in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)The open-air public plaza of the Setas de Sevilla (“Mushrooms of Seville”) or Las Setas (“The Mushrooms”), initially titled Metropol Parasol, a large, predominantly wooden structure in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)The 1st stop of our Spain Food Sherpas walking tour, Los Soportales Bodega in Seville’s El Salvador Square. A good food walking tour, like this one, is the best way to get an introduction to the local cuisine. And, where our guide, Carolina, let us know that the locals don’t drink Sangria. Instead, it’s Tinto de verano con blanca o con limón (less sweet, sweeter). (Aug. 24, 2024)We started with these Chocho beans, a type of Lupin bean that’s a low-calorie, low-carb food that’s also high in protein, fiber and calcium, during the first stop of our Spain Food Sherpas walking tour at Los Soportales Bodega in Seville’s El Salvador Square. A little salty but you bite off the skin and eat the bean inside. (Aug. 24, 2024)The delicious pork slices, Chicharrón de Cádiz, was our second of three tapas at Los Soportales Bodega in Seville’s El Salvador Square on our food walking tour. These tender pork slices were salted with olive oil and quite tasty. (Aug. 24, 2024)And, our deliciously third tapa at Los Soportales Bodega were these delicious mixed meat sandwiches, the Montadito de Pringá, of beef, chicken, pork and chorizo. Had a little spicy kick but it was delicious. (Aug. 24, 2024)The El Salvador Square where we stopped for our 1st tapas tasting at Los Soportales Bodega during our Spain Food Sherpa food tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)The El Salvador Square where we stopped for our 1st tapas tasting at Los Soportales Bodega during our Spain Food Sherpa food tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Walking to the 2nd stop of our Spain Food Sherpa walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)The 2nd stop, la Escaloná in the La Alfalfa Square, of our Spain Food Sherpa walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Tuna mojama with olive oil and an almond was our first tapa at la Escaloná on our food walking tour. Made in Southern Spain, the tuna loins are hung dry after being salted and cut into thin slices. This was delicious. (Aug. 24, 2024)Lightly fried squid or calamari, our second tapa, at la Escaloná during our food walking tour in Seville. I’m not a fan of calamari but I did try a small piece. I’m not a fan of the chewy texture. (Aug. 24, 2024)The Cazón en adobo or dogfish, our third tapa, at la Escaloná at our second tapas stop during our Spain Food Sherpa food walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Walking to the 3rd location of our food walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Walking to the 3rd location of our food walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Me standing at the entrance of our 3rd tapas stop, a small local bar, Ajoy Agua in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Some initial bites at the Ajoy Agua bar started with Queso payoyo (cheese) and Sardina Ahumada en mermelada de tomate. The sardine was raw and although I don’t make a habit of eating raw food, this was delicious. (Aug. 24, 2024)And, then we had this tasty and slightly spicy chorizo on toast with caramelized onions and chipotle mayonnaise at our 3rd stop of the small local bar, Ajoy Agua in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Something I haven’t mentioned are the drinks. From wines to sherries to beers, we had our choice of adult beverages. Here the wines are lined up for us at the Ajoy Agua small local bar in Seville. (Aug. 24 2024)Walking to the 4th location of our food walking tour in Seville. (Aug. 24, 2024)Our 4th and final stop on our Spain Food Sherpa walking tour was La Decana. (Aug. 24, 2024)More wine at La Decana, our last stop of the food tour. This is a red wine from Ribera del Duero area and white wine from Rueda. That’s our wonderful guide Carolina looking over to make sure all is well. She was a delight. (Aug. 24, 2024)For our 4th and final tapas stop at La Decana we had this pretty tasty Espinacas con garbanzos (spinach) with a piece of bread. (Aug. 24, 2024)And, the last tapa of the evening at our 4th and final stop, La Decana, was this tender Carrillada (pork) and fries. By this time, I was quite full and ate as much as I could. (Aug. 24, 2024)Even though it’s almost 10:00 at night, people are out walking through this garden path in Seville. It’s the best time for people to come out for a stroll because the weather is perfect. (Aug. 24, 2024)And, we continued to take advantage of the perfect weather by ending our evening and Gerri’s first and last night in Seville with a horse-drawn carriage ride. (Aug. 24, 2024)Night views of the Plaza de España on our evening horse-drawn carriage ride in Seville. The Plaza Plaza de España is a semi-circular brick building of Renaissance/neo-Moorish style. (Aug. 24, 2024)Night views of the Torre del Oro on our evening horse-drawn carriage ride in Seville. The Torre del Oro or Golden Tower is a remnant of the Moorish fortified walls. (Aug. 24, 2024)Night views of the Hotel Alfonso XIII on our evening horse-drawn carriage ride in Seville. A luxury hotel, it was commissioned by the King of Spain to play host to international dignitaries during the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. (Aug. 24, 2024)
For me, Seville blends its history and traditions seamlessly with its modernity and is simply just a beautiful city to explore.
It’s a city where one of these days, I would love to spend a few weeks taking my time to really enjoy Seville’s nooks and crannies.
With my cousin Gerri having limited time in Seville, we booked a tour of Seville’s notable attractions, the Real Alcázar Palace and the Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus or parts of him are supposed buried.
Seville has a long, rich and fascinating history. The Romans governed the whole of Spain for more than six centuries as Hispalis and changed the face of the countryside and towns by building aqueducts and long straight roads to link the major towns. But it was the Muslim civilization that had the most lasting impact with a reign that lasted for more than 500 years (711 -1248) until King Fernando III reconquered the city.
The fortified palace of the Real Alcázar of Seville, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built incorporatingdifferent historical styles from Islamic to Christian. And, the Cathedral of Seville, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered the biggest Gothic temple in the world dates back to the 15th century and this now Catholic church was built over a former mosque.
With a long day of sightseeing and Gerri needing to get to the train station, to get to Madrid for her flight home in the morning, we stopped to eat and met up with Rosie,
Here’s to enjoying the historical landmarks of Seville and saying goodbye to Gerri.
Gerri and I having a delicious late breakfast/early lunch at the Gusto restaurant before our afternoon tour group of the Alcázar and the Cathedral. Getting to see as much as possible because Gerri leaves this evening for Madrid to head back to Colorado on an early morning flight. (Aug. 25, 2024)Our first stop was at the Puerta del León or Gate of the Lion of the Alcázar of Seville. The Lion’s Gate is located on the outer wall of the Alcázar complex and is the main access to the enclosure. (Aug. 25, 2024)Inside the Patio del León courtyard and the 12th century triple arch Ancient Moorish wall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The 12th century triple arch Ancient Moorish wall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. The central arch was opened in the 14th century during the construction of Peter I’s Palace. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Patio de la Montería Courtyard or Courtyard of Hunting and the Pedro I Palace at the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Palace of Peter to the left and the Casa de Contratación to the right of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Palace of Pedro I of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Entering the Admiral’s Hall next to the Palace of Pedro I of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. The Admiral’s Hall was founded in Seville in 1504 by Queen Isabella I of Castile who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World. (Aug. 25, 2024)Inside the Admiral’s Hall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. This is where Christopher Columbus met Queen Isabella I after his second voyage to the Americas in the hope of getting funding for his future expeditions. The Admiral’s Hall, now a conference room, is decorated with historical theme paintings from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (Aug. 25, 2024)The altarpiece of the Virgin of the Navigators, made by Alejo Fernández between 1531 and 1536, inside the Admiral’s Hall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. The Virgin Mary is up in the clouds looking down at the ships floating in the sea. Her mantle covers many famous seafarers, including Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci, and indigenous people of the Americas. Flanking the central painting are the portraits of St. Sebastian, St. James the Great, St. Elmo, and St. John the Evangelist. (Aug. 25, 2024)The altarpiece of the Virgin of the Navigators, made by Alejo Fernández between 1531 and 1536, inside the Admiral’s Hall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. The Virgin Mary is up in the clouds looking down at the ships floating in the sea. Her mantle covers many famous seafarers, including Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci, and indigenous people of the Americas. Flanking the central painting are the portraits of St. Sebastian, St. James the Great, St. Elmo, and St. John the Evangelist. (Aug. 25, 2024)A close-up of the altarpiece of the Virgin of the Navigators, made by Alejo Fernández between 1531 and 1536, inside the Admiral’s Hall of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. The Virgin Mary is up in the clouds looking down at the ships floating in the sea. Her mantle covers many famous seafarers, including Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci, and indigenous people of the Americas. Flanking the central painting are the portraits of St. Sebastian, St. James the Great, St. Elmo, and St. John the Evangelist. (Aug. 25, 2024)The decorative walls and doors inside the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Inside the impressive and crowded Courtyard of the Dolls inside the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The impressive Courtyard of the Dolls inside the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The impressive Courtyard of the Dolls inside the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The dome ceiling in the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The dome ceiling in the Hall of Ambassadors of the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)A close-up of the dome in the ceiling of the Hall of Ambassadors in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Gerri and me inside the Maidens Courtyard at the center of the public area of the King Peter I Palace at the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Gerri and me inside the Maidens Courtyard at the center of the public area of the King Peter I Palace at the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Gerri and me inside the Maidens Courtyard at the center of the public area of the King Peter I Palace at the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Halls of Charles V, also known as Vaults Hall or the Sala de las Bóvedas in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. It is a large hall with a notable vaulted ceiling that is historically significant as the site where the wedding banquet of King Charles V and Isabella of Portugal was held in 1526, and is therefore often referred to as a “Celebration Room”. The room also includes intricate colorful azulejo tile work done specifically for the royal wedding celebration. (Aug. 25, 2024)A Madonna and Child painting inside the Halls of Charles V, also known as Vaults Hall or the Sala de las Bóvedas in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The intricate colorful azulejo tile work inside the Halls of Charles V, also known as Vaults Hall or the Sala de las Bóvedas in the Royal Alcázar of Seville created to commemorate the royal wedding of King Charles V and Isabella of Portugal held in 1526. (Aug. 25, 2024)A tapestry on the walls of the Tapestry Hall inside the Halls of Charles V, also known as Vaults Hall or the Sala de las Bóvedas in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)A tapestry on the walls of the Tapestry Hall inside the Halls of Charles V, also known as Vaults Hall or the Sala de las Bóvedas in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)A view of the Giralda bell tower of the Seville Cathedral on our walk to the cathedral. (Aug. 25, 2024)Walking to the entrance of the Cathedral of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Cathedral of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Courtyard of the Oranges of the Seville Cathedral is a grove of bitter orange trees called the Patio de los Naranjos. Originally palm trees were planted but as the love for oranges, used for medicinal purposes by the Moors took hold, they were replaced by orange trees in the 15th century. The oranges were even used as a perfume, and to make sweets. Bitter oranges could also be used for liqueurs and marmalade. The trees are set up in a grid, linked by stone channels for irrigation. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Courtyard of the Oranges, a courtyard or patio called the Patio de los Naranjos with the Giralda bell tower and the Seville Cathedral. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Giralda bell tower of the Seville Cathedral, from inside the Courtyard of the Oranges, was built as the minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville in al-Andalus during the reign of the Almohad dynasty. But a Renaissance belfry was added by the Catholics after the expulsion of the Muslims from the area. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Giralda bell tower of the Seville Cathedral. (Aug. 25, 2024)A close-up of the top of the Giralda bell tower of the Seville Cathedral. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as Seville Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral and former mosque in Seville. The cathedral was built to demonstrate the city’s wealth, as it had become a major trading center in the years after the Reconquista in 1248. In July 1401, city leaders decided to build a new cathedral to replace the grand mosque that served as the cathedral until then. Most of it was constructed from 1402 to 1506. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Door of the Conception, the entrance to the Seville Cathedral opens to the Courtyard of the Oranges. (Aug. 25, 2024)Inside the Seville Cathedral with views of the tomb of Cristóbal Colón or Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer and navigator who completed four Spanish-based voyages across the Atlantic Ocean sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His remains, or should I say, a portion of his remains are buried here and/or other burial sites like the Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; Havana, Cuba, and a monastery near Seville.(Aug. 25, 2024)The Tomb of Christopher Columbus in the Seville Cathedral since 1899. Previously, the Italian navigator’s remains were first buried in Valladolid, Spain; then the Monastery of the Cartuja de Sevilla; in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and in Havana, Cuba. The explorer died May 20, 1506 while on his voyage in Spain. The tomb is supported by four allegorical figures that represent the four kingdoms of Spain during Columbus’ life: Castille, Aragon, Navarre, and Leon. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Tomb of Christopher Columbus in the Seville Cathedral was designed by sculptor by Arturo Mélida. It was installed in 1899 and was one of the last additions to the cathedral. It was originally intended for Havana, but was moved to Seville after Spain lost control of Cuba. The tomb is supported by four allegorical figures that represent the four kingdoms of Spain during Columbus’ life: Castille, Aragon, Navarre, and Leon. Columbus died in Castille in 1506, but his remains were moved to the Dominican Republic, then Cuba, and then back to Seville. DNA analysis confirmed that the remains in the Seville Cathedral belong to Columbus. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Trascoro or Retro choir is definitely one of the beautiful sights inside the Seville Cathedral. Built by Miguel de Zumárraga in the 17th century, this retro choir was constructed with precious materials like jasper, showing off the opulence of that era. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Trascoro or Retro choir is definitely one of the beautiful sights inside the Seville Cathedral. Built by Miguel de Zumárraga in the 17th century, this retro choir was constructed with precious materials like jasper, showing off the opulence of that era. (Aug. 25, 2024)At the center of the Trascoro or Retro choir in the Seville Cathedra is this beautiful painting depicting the Virgen de los Remedios or Virgin of the Remedies. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Flagellated Christ inside the Seville Cathedral is a polychrome wood sculpture from 1688 by Francisco Antonio Ruiz. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Flagellated Christ inside the Seville Cathedral is a polychrome wood sculpture from 1688 by Francisco Antonio Ruiz. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Flagellated Christ inside the Seville Cathedral is a polychrome wood sculpture from 1688 by Francisco Antonio Ruiz. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Silver Altar in the central part of the Seville Cathedral is mostly made of silver by the famous silversmiths of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Silver Altar in the central part of the Seville Cathedral is mostly made of silver by the famous silversmiths of Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Retablo Mayor is the altarpiece of the main chapel inside the Seville Cathedral. Considered the largest altarpiece in the world, this massive and intricately-carved wood altar decorated with gold leaf and polychromy is 66 feet tall and 60 feet wide with over 44 reliefs and 200 figures of saints. The construction of this altarpiece took place between 1481 and 1565 and depicts the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as scenes from the New Testament and his disciples. (Aug. 25, 2024)The Retablo Mayor is the altarpiece of the main chapel inside the Seville Cathedral.The Retablo Mayor is the altarpiece of the main chapel inside the Seville Cathedral.Gerri and me in the Courtyard of the Oranges of the Seville Cathedral on another gorgeous and definitely hot day in Spain. (Aug. 25, 2024)This Door of Forgiveness or Puerta del Perdón which provides access to the Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of the Oranges) at the Seville Cathedral. This is not really a door of the cathedral instead it belonged to the ancient mosque and retains its horseshoe arch shape from that time. (Aug. 25, 2024)In search of food, we passed this Door of Forgiveness or Puerta del Perdón which provides access to the Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of the Oranges) at the Seville Cathedral from Calle Alemanes and therefore is not really a door of the cathedral. It belonged to the ancient mosque and retains its horseshoe arch shape from that time. (Aug. 25, 2024)That’s when we came across this wonderful little place, the Maestro Marcelino, a small cozy place with small good tapa and wine in Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Gerri and me enjoying our last drinks and meal together at the the Maestro Marcelino in Seville before she takes the train to Madrid to head back home to Colorado in the morning. (Aug. 25, 2024)Look who joined us…Rosie! She was in Seville as part of her travels in Europe. So glad we were able to meet up here at the Maestro Marcelino. (Aug. 25, 2024)Spicy chorizo sandwiches at the Maestro Marcelino in Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Our goodies at the Maestro Marcelino in Seville. (Aug. 25, 2024)Cuz! It’s been so much fun hanging out with you in one of my favorite countries. Here’s to more traveling together! (Aug. 25, 2024)
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