Seville is a fantastic city for a luxury apartment holiday at any time of year, but one of the many advantages of planning a springtime trip is its Mediterranean climate and mild winters. Even in February, average temperatures tend to be around 17°C, gradually climbing to 20°C in April and 25°C by June. Seville is also a very walkable city, with such a lot to see and do within a very manageable space – from magnificent palaces, historic buildings, beautiful courtyards and narrow cobbled streets, to flamenco shows and a great choice of tapas bars. Whatever you’re looking to enjoy on a trip to Seville, be it fantastic food, history or culture, you’ll have plenty of options available – as well as choice of stunning apartments, and a new villa, for your stay.
Stroll through Santa CruzA top priority for many, particularly if it’s your first visit to Seville, is to explore the Barrio (or district) of Santa Cruz. Known for being the oldest part of the city, Santa Cruz is surrounded by walls built by the Romans in the 1st century BC, and encompassed within the larger part of the late medieval Jewish quarter. The tall, historic buildings here are stunning, painted in predominantly ochre, yellow and white, and boast intricate wrought iron balconies. Many are set within charming garden squares lined with orange trees, and some showcase beautiful fountains. Particularly pretty is the Plaza Doña Elvira, where you can relax on the terrace just outside the restaurant of the same name.
Cathedral cultureJust a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza Doña Elvira is the famous Seville Cathedral and La Giralda, its adjacent bell tower. Visitors can climb the 104-metre high La Giralda tower, where the wonderful views not only encompass rows of orange trees in the cathedral’s Court of Oranges below, but other famous landmarks, including the Real Alcázar palace and the Plaza de España. The area is spectacular at night and particularly magical just after sunset, when the sky turns a vibrant royal blue colour for around an hour. Just a short walk from the cathedral is Calle Mateos Gago, a street with a great reputation for its tapas bars, including the appropriately named Bar Catedral. Another well-known tapas bar is La Fresquita, known both for its food and its annual Easter decorations which will be charming visitors from the 10th – 17th April 2022.
Recommended apartment: Calle Mateos Gago (4 bedrooms, 8 guests)One of our beautiful new apartments to rent in Seville, Calle Mateos Gago, is also conveniently located just a two-minute walk from the famous La Giralda tower and Seville Cathedral. This four-bedroom apartment is a five-minute walk from the Real Alcázar, and also features large windows with views over Mateos Gago street. The tasteful interiors feature both modern and antique furniture, and each of the bedrooms boasts its own private bathroom. One of the bedrooms opens out onto a sunny furnished terrace, perfect for soaking up the sun throughout the day.
Tapas, wine and flamencoIf you want to learn more about Seville’s culture and enjoy an experience that combines food, wine and local culture, we recommend booking with Devour Tours. We have joined them to experience history and food tours in an array of different European cities and we always have nothing but positive feedback. I loved the Tapas, Taverns and History tour which involves visiting four very traditional tapas bars, over the course of 3 ½ hours. Not only is it an interesting guided walk through historic Seville, the tapas bars you visit along the way, many with inconspicuous doorways, are not ones that you would necessarily be able to find on your own. I also particularly enjoyed the Tapas and Flamenco Tour – perfect for those seeking a wonderful and authentic Spanish evening!
Magical marketsOn the subject of food, it would be impossible to visit Seville without making time for its food markets – even if you’re not planning to cook much, or at all, during your stay. We can highly recommend the Mercado de Trianain Calle San Jorge, just south of the river, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9am-12pm and Sundays from 12pm-5pm. It’s around 15 minutes’ walk from the Cathedral and La Giralda, and 6 minutes’ walk from 5 minutes’ walk from the Cathedral and La Giralda, and 6 minutes’ walk from the bullfighting ring, Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. Rated as one of the most beautiful food markets in Seville, there are also tapas bars you can enjoy within the market. The area of Triana generally has an authentic charm, with its flamenco tavernas and riverfront bars, as well as a nearby Ceramics Museum.
Recommended villa: Villa Arenal (4 bedrooms, 8-9 guests)Another highly recommended property to rent in Seville, a short walk from both the Triana market and the bullring, is the beautiful Villa Arenal. The accommodation is laid out across three floors, which can be accessed via a private lift. Each bedroom has a large-screen Smart TV and the entire house has a high tech Sonos audio system. On the third floor you’ll find a large private terrace furnished with sun loungers, and a dining table and chairs for enjoying meals outside.
Visit the White VillagesAn equally appealing, tried and tested experience in Seville is a wonderful day trip with Andalucia Experiencias to the Pueblos Blancos (White Villages). Explore several historic hill villages, each with its own unique features and fascinating history. You can research in advance which villages you would particularly like to see, or just let your driver decide on the day. We loved all the villages we visited, but can particularly recommend Setenil de las Bodegas, which grew out of a network of caves in the cliffs above the River Trejo, to the north-west of Ronda. Over the centuries, it has developed a unique character, with its white houses built into the rocks. Be sure to visit Andalucia Experiencias website to check out the variety of city tours they offer in Seville.
Recommended apartments:Calle San Jose 1 (3 bedrooms, 6 guests)Calle San Jose 2 (3 bedrooms, 6 guests)Calle San Jose 3 (2 bedrooms, 4 guests)Calle San Jose 4 (1 bedroom, 2 guests)Calle San Jose 5 (2 bedrooms, 4 guests)Among our many properties to rent in Seville, we feature a selection of five beautiful and highly recommended apartments in a 17th Century palace in Calle San José. Situated at the very heart of the city, the palace is just 5 minutes’ walk from the Cathedral and La Giralda, and offers wonderful city views from its vast rooftop terrace. The entrance to the property opens out into a large, arcaded patio with Roman marble columns and fountains, while the interiors feature classical decorative tiling, woodwork, coffered ceilings and a unique collection of furniture and antiques. The apartments range from 1 to 3 bedrooms, which can be rented individually or, for a special occasion, the five apartments can be booked together, sleeping up to 22 guests.
