Top 5 Discoveries in Seville Through the Eyes of our Interns
1. Chilling in Plaza de España. Ten out of our twelve interns said that it is one of their favorite places in Seville. Plaza de España is huge - the size of five football pitches! It is a Renaissance/ Neo-Moorish style semi-circular building, located in Maria Luisa park, near the Teatro Lope de Vega and the Tobacco Factory. There are 48 alcoves with benches, one for each province of Spain, all designed with painted ceramic tiles.
These balconies are the prime spot for taking photos and a place to enjoy sunny afternoons during the winter months (as it is a circular building, it is protected from the wind). There is a fountain in the middle and a canal running along the square, so you can rent a rowboat and experience the "Venice of Seville". It was also used as a filming location in movies such as Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia. Our intern Jasmine who works in EBD said: 'Plaza de España not only is a beautiful place to visit, but it is also a suntrap, a great place to people watch and just relax with a book (providing of course you don't sit at a bench where everyone wants to take a picture of the mural behind you).'
2. Sunset in Las Setas de Sevilla- Metropol Parasol
Giant wooden structures that look like mushrooms located in Plaza de La Encarnación, designed by a German architect Jürgen Mayer and opened in 2011. Seville claims that it is the largest wooden structure in the world. If it is or not, we are not sure, so let us know. But what matters is the roof terrace! Faye who does her internship at Cooperación Internacional shared: 'View from the Metropol parasol at sunset - so so nice!!!' Listen to her advice and go check it out in the early evening to see the setting sun and all the buildings light up in orange, red and yellow colors. The entry ticket to the roof terrace costs 3 euros and you also get a free drink voucher that can be used in a nearby restaurant Mala Vida. Not too bad.
3. 'Alameda de Hércules for the ambience' says John who works as an English teacher assistant in Tomares. Alameda de Hércules is known as one of the best nightlife areas of the city (even though we love to spend sunny afternoons there as well!). It has many alternative, bohemian cafe-bars, independent boutique shops and markets in the area, making it a perfect spot to meet up with friends, enjoy the sun, read a book and go on a tapas discovery tours. Our top favorite restaurants in Alameda are 'Café Piola' for breakfast and 'Arte y Sabor' for veggie tapas and wine in the evening. 'Prices are really good in Alameda Square and the array of food available is fantastic!' says Marie who works in EBD. There are two Roman pillars at each end of the Alameda square. Julius Caesar and Hércules are standing proudly on top of two of those pillars and according to the legend they are the founding and guarding fathers of Seville.
4. CAAC - Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo/ Museum of Andalusian Contemporary Art
The CAAC is constantly changing and evolving. It was a monastery in the 15th century, then it became a ceramics and porcelain factory in the 19th century. In 1997 it became a museum of contemporary and ceramic art. There are many exhibitions and open air music festivals (usually for free!) happening every week. From jazz concerts to reggae jam sessions and 'amazing exhibitions on really cool stuff - perfect rainy day activity!' says Faye.
5. Game of Thrones in The Alcázar de Sevilla
You may have heard that Game of Thrones was filmed in Seville. For example, the Water Gardens of Dorne were filmed here, in the majestic palace of the Alcázar. The Moorish architecture, the extensive Alcázar gardens full of water fountains, pavilions, ceramic tiles... You will feel transported back in time, to another reality. Marie who works in Estación Biológica de Doñana shares that 'The Alcázar is the essence of Moorish Spain! For those wanting to find out about how Seville came to be, how the culture of Spain has been influenced by northern African culture, then the royal palace is the definitive guide. With typically Moroccan archways, Arab pools and stunning gardens, this place resembles some forgotten temple in India rather than a city in Andalusia, well worth a visit.'
Free entry- Monday from 18:00 to 19:00 (from April to September) and from 16:00 to 17:00 (from October to March). It might be crowded, but oh my, well worth it!
