Adiós España, but not before Seville! ☀️

Seville was our final stop in Spain, and while we couldn’t decide which city was our favourite, it was definitely full of charm, history, and energy. We spent three nights in Seville, this time at a one-star hotel; yup, Rob was at it again, determined to find the perfect place with character and a great location. And guess what?! He nailed it! More on our adorable little find below.

Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral, officially known as the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate altarpieces, and La Giralda—a former minaret turned bell tower offering panoramic city views. The cathedral is also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, adding to its historical significance and kinda cool! But beyond all that, it’s simply massive and architecturally stunning. You’re awestruck the moment you lay eyes on it.

Christopher Columbus’ tomb is seriously impressive—carried by four massive statues representing different Spanish kingdoms. And then you have the cathedral itself. Those vaulted ceilings stretch so high it’s almost dizzying…

The Alcázar of Seville

After visiting the Alhambra in Granada, it was hard to imagine anything as beautiful. Well, the Real Alcázar won us over, especially on a gorgeous sunny day. A mix of Moorish and Spanish influences, every turn revealed another stunning detail—arched doorways, carved ceilings, exotic gardens, and the soft trickle of fountains. Gotta love those fountains! And fun fact—it’s still a working royal residence. Game of Thrones fans might also recognize it as the setting for Dorne.

Those tiles are seriously stunning—mental note: potential inspo for a future bathroom makeover back home!

Plaza de España

Plaza de España is easily one of Seville’s grandest landmarks—set within a sprawling park; this massive semi-circular complex is a beautiful blend of Renaissance and Moorish styles. Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, it’s lined with colourful ceramic-tiled alcoves representing each of Spain’s provinces. A canal winds through the plaza, perfect for a little rowboat ride… though we passed on that.

Metropol Parasol

Do we love it? I’m still undecided; it’s certainly different, I’ll give it that. It’s most likely what everyone once said about the Eiffel Tower or even I.M. Pei’s pyramid, and now they’re among the world’s most iconic landmarks.

Metropol Parasol, known locally as “Las Setas” (The Mushrooms), is a striking wooden structure in Seville’s Plaza de la Encarnación. Designed by architect Jürgen Mayer, it’s one of the largest wooden constructions in the world, offering city views from its rooftop walkway. Beneath it, you’ll find a lively market, more tapas bars, and even Roman ruins in the Antiquarium.

The Casa de Salinas

We literally stumbled across this beautiful mansion-palace while trying to find something else. Casa de Salinas is one of Seville’s hidden gems—a privately owned 16th-century palace that still functions as a family home. Incredible! Stepping inside feels like travelling back in time, with its mix of Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance details. The intricate tile-work (loved the colours), arched courtyards, and quiet elegance make it a beautiful (and less crowded) alternative to the grander palaces in the city. What made it even more interesting was seeing it decorated with modern touches—16th-century architecture as the backdrop for contemporary furnishings was absolute perfection. “Rob, I found us a house!”

Wandering Seville

The buildings are all painted in warm, sunset shades—pinks, oranges, and soft umbers that make the whole city glow. There’s an energy that’s hard to describe, but I love it—just wandering through Seville’s narrow streets feels so effortless and alive. And those orange trees? I can only imagine how incredible they must smell earlier in the year.

Where We Stayed

La Casa del Maestro, a one-star. Yes! This hotel was a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e. Well done, Rob! Tucked away on a quiet side street, it had everything we needed… except an elevator! Travelling with a year’s worth of luggage to the third floor meant some serious heavy lifting.

Good Food

Let’s just say the food is pretty consistent wherever you go, but we definitely lucked out with a few memorable meals. I’m officially tapas-ed out, but I must mention two spots that stood out for us.

Bodega Belmonte Everything that whisked by us looked delicious, and the restaurant was buzzing with fun energy. The servers were eager to help with our order, offering a few recommendations when we couldn’t decide—there’s a lot to choose from! Our artichoke dish was to die for; we definitely should’ve gone for the larger portion. I couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious with all those bull heads hanging around, though.

Ajo & Agua Taberna We stumbled upon this tiny bar just a few blocks from our hotel on our last evening. It was pouring rain, and we weren’t thrilled about wandering around looking for a place to eat. This spot was super cozy, with maybe four tables and a couple of bar stools. The menu offered tapas, but not the usual kind—like Ensalada (potato salad with kimchi mayo, vegetables, and prawns), Artichoke, yes, more delicious artichokes (with egg yolk cured in mirin and paprika mayo), and the standout (unfortunately not photographed) Bao Bread, stuffed with duck, hoisin mayo, leeks, and cucumber. It was exactly what I was craving—traditional food with a twist.

Seville certainly left its mark on us. Three nights were just enough to visit most sights; we soaked in every moment—from the vibrant streets to the stunning landmarks. We were charmed by the blend of old and new and the energy of the place. I would absolutely go back, if only to enjoy more delicious food from Ajo & Agua (that good!)