Sevilla Travel Highlights
I just got back from my two weeks in Spain, and I feel so rejuvenated and energized. This trip was exactly what I needed to kickstart this new chapter in my life. I learned a lot about myself on this trip to Sevilla. More specifically, I learned how to be comfortable with being on my own. For a while now, I have been dependent on the company of others. My dependency on others largely stems from my fear of being alone. Solo travelling to Sevilla helped me realize that I am okay with being by myself. I am not all that bad to be around. Having company is nice, but there are also a lot of great things that can come from exploring the world on your own.
As I mentioned in my last post about Madrid, I came to Spain with no plan. I had an inkling of an idea of some of the places that I wanted to visit, but I was really open to pretty much anything. My friend Katia convinced me to travel to the South of Spain, saying that it would give me the “Spanish vibes” that I was looking for. I decided to go for it. I downloaded BlaBla car (a rideshare app), booked a ride and a hostel, and packed my bags for Sevilla. The very next day, I left Madrid for Sevilla. It was a terrifying and thrilling feeling.
As soon as I arrived at the city center, I set off to explore the different parts of Sevilla that I had heard and learned about. It was nice to be on my own because I got to explore and do things on my own time. Sevilla is the cutest city — filled with colorful buildings and lots of warm sunshine. It was my favorite city out of the three that I visited in Spain. Although I wasn’t there for long, there are several places in Sevilla that I wanted to share with you all on this blog. If you ever find yourself in Sevilla, make sure to visit these spots!
1. Royal Palace of Alcazar
I know I keep using the word “breathtaking” to describe all of these different places in Europe, but I truly can’t find another way to describe it. Truly. The Royal Palace of Alcazar was just one of the many breathtaking spaces. I marveled at the beautiful and intricate tiles that decorated the space. Since Sevilla is so close to Morrocco, there is a lot of Arabic influence in this palace. The tiles resemble the colorful tiles that you would find in the country of Morrocco. After visiting the Palace of Alcazar, I have Morrocco listed at the top of my list for places that I hope to visit.
While the palace itself is very beautiful, I loved the garden the most. The garden of the palace is filled with orange trees brimming with fruit and beautiful gazebos. It’s lush and green and evokes a peaceful feeling when you enter it. Out all of the tourist attractions that I visited, the Royal Palace of Alcazar was my favorite. It is a must-see. If you are a college student, I would recommend bringing your passport and student ID to get a student discount. It is a really good discount for admission into the palace. Fun fact: A scene of Game of Thrones was shot in the gardens of the Royal Palace of Alcazar! Isn’t that so cool?
2. Flamenco Show at Plaza de España
I was going to pay to watch a flamenco show when I stumbled across a free one at the center of Plaza de España. As I was walking around the plaza, I heard some faint cheering in the background and gravitated towards the noise. When I got to the center, I found the crowd of people huddled to watch the flamenco dancers. Flamenco is a beautiful art form. The uniform/style of dress exaggerates the movement of the dancers. As they spin around to the rhythm of the music, I was captivated by their dramatic facial expressions. It was such a beautiful performance to watch. The flamenco music was live as well which made the show all the more fun. If you happen to go to Plaza de España, make sure to bring some cash with you to tip the flamenco dancers and musicians!
3. La Banda Rooftop Hostel
My first hostel experience was a very pleasant one. La Banda Hostel is extremely close to the city center. I was just steps away from the cathedral and my favorite gelato place (see below). The staff at La Banda were really friendly too. At night, there are family dinners where you can meet the other guests that are staying at the hostel. Upon arrival, I received a free drink ticket that I redeemed at the rooftop bar upstairs. Hanging out at the bar was the easiest way to start conversation and make some new friends.
I befriended one of the girls there, and we made plans to explore Sevilla together the following day. It had been a very long time since I interacted with a bunch of new people, so it was definitely a refreshing experience. Everyone who stayed at La Banda were fairly young, and we all had one common interest (a love for traveling). If you plan on visiting Sevilla and are in need of affordable accommodations, I highly recommend booking this hostel.
4. Bar El Comercio
Bar El Comercio in Madrid has the best churros and hot chocolate. Churros and hot chocolate are a Spanish breakfast favorite. You’re probably thinking of the hot chocolate that you brew at home with powder. But no. Spanish hot chocolate is a whole different ball game. It is a rich, thick, and creamy drink. When you dip the churro into the hot chocolate, it is thick enough to coat the churro. The churros that are served at Bar El Comercio are freshly made, super crispy, and piping hot. It was certainly the best churros and hot chocolate I had in Spain. I would recommend ordering half a portion (media ración) of churros because this is a pretty heavy breakfast item. But trust me, when you pair the churros with the hot chocolate, you’ll understand why it’s so popular.
5. Helados La Abuela
I am a shameless sucker for icecream. More specifically, gelato. And in Spain, there is an abundance of affordable gelato to eat. Spain definitely delivered when it came to satisfying my icecream addiction. In Sevilla, Helados La Abuela is a hot spot for gelato. Their sizes are affordably priced, and they have a wide selection of flavors. I got cream custard and toasted yolk (which is the equivalent of Crème brûlée). It was so good. Every day that I was in Sevilla, I allotted time to go to La Abuela for a cup of gelato. It’s the best!
I hope you enjoyed reading some of my travel highlights in Sevilla, Spain. Stay tuned for my final posts on my European adventure! I’ll be sharing my adventures in Portugal very soon. Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my travel posts! You can find more life-related posts here.
Emily
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