Eat: El Rinconcillo
For traditional food and true Spanish atmosphere, this is the perfect spot. El Rinconcillo is the oldest tapas bar in Spain, dating back to 1670 and still manages to hold onto its historic charm. They have more formal tables upstairs in their restaurant, but if you’re looking for something a little more casual, a seat downstairs at the bar might be more your style.
Image by Oliver Pilcher for Conde Nast Traveller.
Visit: Royal Alcazaar
This is a tourist trap indeed, but for very good reason. The Unesco-listed palace is something you truly can’t miss whilst visiting Seville. The site has been revamped many times over the eleven centuries of its existence, and the Mudéjar architecture is really something to behold. Book tickets ahead to avoid the queue though, otherwise you could be waiting for hours in the heat.
Image by Hand Luggae Only.
Drink: La Carboneria
After you’ve had your fill of tapas for the evening, head to La Carboneria to watch free authentic flamenco (a must whilst visiting Seville). Shows start at 9pm and 10.30pm most nights and are always busy. Arrive early to get a good seat or be prepared to stand to watch the show. It gets extremely hot at any time of year, so we’d recommend taking a fan with you for ultimate comfort.
Image by The Coconut Route.
Eat: La Brunilda
In the centre of Seville, not far from the river, you’ll find the tapas restaurant La Brunilda. With modern interiors, inventive dishes and an impressive wine list, it’s not hard to see why there’s a queue out of the building from 1pm onwards. Try visiting for a late lunch around 3pm and you should get seated within a reasonable time frame – it will be well worth the wait.
Image by Almost Landing.
Visit: Metropol Parasol
A relatively modern addition to the architecture of Seville, this huge wooden structure was completed in 2011 and was designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer H. The beautiful honeycomb pattern of Metropol Parasol is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world and acts as a giant sunshade for the square below, but take a trip to the top and see this vibrant city from all angles. The queues might be long at sunset, but it’s worth it to watch the light leave the city.