Here’s a quick guide on what to see and do whilst in Seville and a few Spanish words and phrases to hep you blend in with the locals.
The prime tourist sites are in a very small area but the secondary ones are quite widespread and if you have time, these are better seen using public transport
The Guadalquivir River runs through Seville with the most interesting places on the river’s eastern side. A network of small plazas and winding streets make up the city centre. The main city monuments including the cathedral, the Giralda and the Alcázar are east of the broad Avenida Constitución. Further east is the Barrio de Santa Cruz an appealing area of winding streets where you will find most of Seville’s budget accommodation
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Seville has a comprehensive and punctual transport system. Buses are frequent and cover most of the city within their routes. Cards can be purchased at kiosks and news stands. Single tickets are €1.20 or you can get a bonobus, a 10-trip travel card without transfers costs €6 or with transfers costs €7. Buses run from 6am to 11pm except on Sunday when they start at 7am. Local buses are orange or red in colour.
The main bus services Englandfans may be interested in are:
- C3/C4 bus line circles the outside of the old town with stops along the main entry points to the historic centre. C3 runs clockwise and C4 runs anti-clockwise.
- C5 circles within the old town with stops at many of the major monuments including the cathedral and Plaza de Toros .
- EA is the airport bus line and connects the airport with the city centre. The bus stops close to the Santa Justa train station, the Prado de San Sebastian bus station and the tram stop adjacent to the Prado.
The first section of the new tram Metro Centro system has recently opened and runs from Plaza Nueva to the Prado de San Sebastian. The system works on the same ticket system as the buses.
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Local public transport showing this symbol means it offers access for people with reduced mobility...
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This logo means that the whole bus route is disable-friendly...
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This logo means that only part of the route is disable-friendly...
Driving in the city centre isn’t a good idea as you’re almost certain to get lost and parking can also be a nightmare.
Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced. They are easy to spot with a green light on the roof. Normally you can find a taxi parked at the ranks in the main Plazas around the city.
If you can’t find a taxi you can always call one. Keep in mind though that the meter begins when the company gets your call not when the cab arrives for you!
Local Taxi companies:
Radio Taxi - (+34) 954 580 000
Tele Taxi - (+34) 954 622 222
MAIN TOURIST SIGHTS
The Cathedral and Giralda Tower are Seville’s most famous landmarks dates back to 1184. The exterior is decorated with typical sebka design work, whilst the interior has a series of 35 gently rising ramps, (originally designed for horses to climb) leading to the observation platform which offers brilliant panoramic views of the city
The Patio de los Naranjos (the court of the Orange Trees) is the ceremonial courtyard of the old mosque with its original fountains.
On the banks of the river, is another of Seville’s icons, the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) which is named after the gold-coloured tiles that once covered the walls of this 13th-century tower.
If you have time, try to take in a bullfight or try your hand at flamenco dancing!
Useful words/phrases:
Hello – Hola!
Goodbye – Adiós
Yes – Si
No – No
Please - Por Favor
Thank You – Gracias
Help! – Socorro!
Call a doctor! – Llame a un doctor
Call the police! – Llame a la policia
Do you speak English? – Habla inglés
Entrance – Entrada
Exit – Salida
Open – Abierto
Closed – Cerrado
Information – Información
Toilets – Servicios
Men – Hombres
Women - Mujeres
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation is difficult to come by in Seville unless pre-booked. Prices also tend to be slightly higher than the rest of Andalucía
If you are counting the Euros there are several hostels close to the city worth looking at:
If camping is more to your liking then there are several camping sites all around 12km outside the town centre. No websites are available so you will have to call them to make a reservation:
- Camping Sevilla, Centra Madrid-Cadiz 534. Tel: (+34) 954 51 4379 - close to the airport
- Dos Hermanas: Club de Campo, Avenida de la Libertad 13. Tel: (+34) 954 72 0250
- Camping Villsom, Centra Seville-Cadiz 554. Tel: (+34) 954 72 0828
If you have not yet booked accommodation, you can do it through these websites:
www.sol.com/seville/hotels www.travelres.es www.malagaholidays.com
www.hotelopia.co.uk www.booking.com
Hotel Santa Lucia is a disable-friendly 3* hotel and 500 metres away from Santa Justa train station. Plaza Santa Lucia 33. Tel: (+34) 954 27 5442
