Southern Spain

Southern Spain is known for its endless sunshine, warm weather, incredible history, and beautiful scenery. The food is delicious, the people are friendly, and we loved how much time we were able to spend outside with the great weather and long days during our late May/early June visit. With sunsets around 9pm, you will have plenty of daylight to explore each city.

Valencia, Spain

We were surprised to find that Valencia has its own language, Valencian. Most signs were in Valencian and Spanish with very little English. Most locals speak English though and seemed to appreciate our efforts to speak a little Spanish. 

Where to Stay and Transportation

We took Cabify from Valencia Airport to our hotel for 17 EUR (approx. 20 USD). Then we took the train from Valencia to Alicante for 25 EUR (approx. 29 USD) each for a first class ticket.

We stayed at One Shot Reina Victoria. We loved the view from our balcony, and the location in Old Town is excellent. The bed was very comfortable, the breakfast was delicious, and the service was wonderful. The cost was 668 EUR (approx. 777 USD) for three nights. 

Top Experiences

Malvarrosa Beach

This is a long, wide beach with soft sand and fairly calm, clear water. It's a 20-30 minute bus ride from the city. The bus is a flat 2 EUR fee and is very easy to use. We walked along the beach one way and then the other way along the paved path. It was very crowded on a Sunday afternoon near the center, but thinned out a bit as we walked further north. You can try to walk from the Old Town to the beach but expect it to take over an hour if you do.

Free Tour Essentials Valencia

We love free walking tours and this one didn't disappoint. Our guide Alejandro told us some fun stories and we learned a lot about the history of Valencia and its culture. He also have us a list of his favorite recommendations around the city. 

Old Town (Ciutat Vella)

We spend hours strolling through the old town. There are tons of pedestrian-only streets lined with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Turia Gardens

The Turia Gardens used to be a riverbed that was turned into nine kilometers of footpaths, bike lanes, and beautiful trees. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy some quiet time or take a long walk or bike ride. We enjoyed walking through the gardens from the Old Town to the City of Arts and Sciences.

The City of Arts and Sciences

This is a futuristic-looking complex. We decided to skip the interior museums, but enjoyed the architecture, reflecting pools, and sculptures.

Mercado Central

One of Europe's largest covered food markets, housed in a 1928 Modernista building with stained glass and tile work. There are lots of food and drink stalls here. We decide to try a horchata and farton here for 3.5 EUR (approx. 4 USD).

Fine Arts Museum

Free to visit. Note that if you have any water, food, or large bags, you'll need to put them in a locker that costs 1 EUR. They have three sections: historic Christian art, and outdoor space, and a rotating modern art exhibit. The museum isn't large so expect a quick visit. 

La Lonja de la Seda

A UNESCO-listed 15th-century silk exchange with twisted stone columns that look like palm trees. Small, fast to visit, and one of the most beautiful Gothic interiors in Spain. It cost 2 EUR (approx. 2.33 USD) per person.

Where to Eat and Drink 

Restaurante Taberna Las Meninas

This was  near our hotel and perfect for a quick, easy, late lunch after arriving. It was in a small, quiet courtyard. We had salmon with veggies and potatoes, tagliatelle bolognese, still water, and cafe con leche for 47 EUR (approx. 55 USD).

Ris8tto Pizzeria

Another cute outdoor spot near our hotel on a pedestrian street named Calle de Ribera with a lot of activity, so great for people watching. There are lots of Italian restaurants in Spain and we really enjoyed our pizza and wine. We ordered 1 water, 2 glasses house wine, and 1 pizza for 24.60 EUR (29 USD).

Los Gomez

It's supposedly difficult to get good paella without a reservation, but our tour guide during our free walking tour suggested Los Gomez, which has great street-side dining. Paella usually takes 25-30 minutes to prepare so make sure you're not in a rush if you order it. It was definitely worth the wait. We had a water and the traditional Valencian paella (with chicken, rabbit, local green beans, large white beans, snails, and artichokes) for two people for 43.50 EUR (approx. 51 USD). We highly recommend.

FINCA Bar de Barra

This is a very cute and photogenic street side kiosk with an Instagramable wall, for those looking for such things. We had 2 Agua de Valencia (gin, vodka, orange juice, cava) for 9 EUR each (approx. 10.5 USD).

Latte and Farina

Excellent Italian restaurant with a great menu right on Placa Redona, which is a small circular plaza with shops and restaurants away from the hustle and bustle. We had 2 beers, lasagna, and pistachio tiramisu for 42 EUR(approx. 49 USD).

La Huertana Horchateria in the Central Market

Horchata is a local drink made from a tuber that's mixed with sugar (tastes a bit like a sweet almond milk). And a farton is like a hot dog bun topped with sugar. You're supposed to dip the bun in the horchata. An interesting combination worth trying during your visit since it is a local treat. A small horchata and farton was 3.50 EUR (approx. 4 USD).

Alicante, Spain

Alicante was a lovely seaside town. It's smaller than Valencia, but just as cute. And one of its biggest perks is that the beach is right next to the old town. 

Where to Stay and Transportation

You can train to Alicante from Madrid. We took the train from Valencia and it took us about 2.5 hours and cost 25 euro each for a first class ticket.

We walked from the train station to our hotel in Old Town when we arrived in about fifteen minutes. When it was time to depart Alicante, we walked fifteen minutes from our hotel to the bus station to meet our BlaBla Car diver to take us to Granada. A BlaBla car was 70 EUR (82 USD) total for two people versus the 80 EUR (93 USD) per person it would have cost for us to take a bus from Alicante to Granada.

As for ride share within the city, we used Cabify once to go from the old town to Parque El Palmeral and it cost 11 EUR (13 USD). Coming back from the park, we took Uber for 15 EUR (17 USD) because Cabify didn't have any cars available. Generally, ride share is available and a good way of getting around in a city, if you prefer not to walk.

We stayed at Luces de Catedral. The location was excellent and the bed was super comfortable. These were apartment-style rooms. They don't have a 24-hour front desk, but the person at reception during business hours was extremely friendly and helpful. The room also has a mini kitchen, separate seating area, and is just all-around cute.  The cost was 658 EUR (approx. 767 USD) for three nights. 

We also had a full service load of laundry done at Clover Laundry in Old Town and they did an excellent job. They washed, dried, and folded our medium size bag in about 3 hours for 12.5 EUR. Full service was only available during 9am and 6pm.

Top Experiences

Playa del Postiguet

The beach has fairly calm, clear water (just a bit of seaweed in some parts) and the sand is nice and soft. We found a shady spot under a bridge near the center of the beach, but you can rent chairs and umbrellas if you like The beach is less than a 5-minute walk from the old town, so it's very convenient. We didn't bring towels, so we stopped by a souvenir shop on the way and picked up two for 9 EUR (10.50 USD) each. 

Free Walking Tour Alicante

We loved this free English language walking tour. It was 2-2.5 hours and starts daily at 11am (10am in July and August). We tipped 20 EUR (23 USD) for two people. It was a great way to learn more about the city's history as well as see some great views that we otherwise might have missed. 

Parque El Palmeral

This was about a 10-15 minutes by car or one-hour walk from the Old Town. We were planning to enjoy the long walk along the water, but it was too hot when we decided to do it so we took a ride share instead. The park has lot of beautiful palm tree-lined paths with a waterfall and streams. Great for photos, as you might see on our Instagram post.

La Esplanada

This is a beautiful, wide walking path with a harbor on one side and restaurants on the other side. It's a great spot for an evening stroll. Just know that the restaurants along La Esplanada will be more overpriced than other parts Alicante or the Old Town.

Parque de Canalejas

If you keep walking when you get to the end of the esplanade, you'll be in this small park with lots of big trees and few statues. The park offers a cute, short stroll.

Alicante Harbor

This is another nice spot for a walk along the water. There are some vendors as well as a restaurant, and parallels La Esplanada. 

Castillo de Santa Barbara

This beautiful castle is amazingly free to visit. It's about a 45-minute walk uphill to get to the top or you can take an elevator for 2.7 EUR (3 USD) per person (free if you're over 65 years old). The ride down the elevator is free for everyone! The views from the top are gorgeous and you can get great panoramic views of the city and beach, but be sure to wear shoes with good traction. Some spots are a bit slippery even when it's completely dry. 

Old Town

Wondering through the streets of the Old Town was one of our favorite activities (as usual). There were plenty of cute spots (restaurants, cafes, bars, and benches) to stop whenever we were ready for a break and the narrow streets were picturesque.

Calle de las Setas (Mushroom Street)

This is a cute street lined with fun mushroom statues. We walked through it several times just because it's colorful and cool to look at. It's only a few blocks long. Go early in the morning if you want photos with fewer people. Otherwise it is crowded during the day.

Barrio Santa Cruz

This is a local neighborhood that reminded us of being in Ia, Greece. It's very nicely decorated by the locals and worth a visit. It sits up the hill on the top of Old Town.

Where to Eat and Drink 

La Esplanada has a number of restaurants along the path which offer great people watching and harbor views, but tends to be the most expensive. The Old Town has a lot of great restaurants along its many streets and that's where we did the most dining. You can find all of the Western chain fast foods along the busy, newer parts of the city as well. If you like spending time at the beach (Playa del Postiguet), there are a number of restaurants overlooking the water there as well.

Hinoki Ramen

We passed this unique restaurant on the way to our hotel from the train station. It's filled with colorful Japanese comic decorations. Fun for kids and adults! A water and 2 ramens cost 24.5 EUR (29 USD).

Kiosko Gomiz

We couldn't pass up this spot right on the boardwalk next to the beach. We ordered 2 beers for 8.5 EUR (10 USD).

La Pericana

This is definitely a tourist spot, but the service was excellent and so was the food. We had been hearing that hake is a good local fish to try and it happened to be their special of the day, do we decided to give it a try. Water, 4 glasses of wine, grilled octopus, and 2 hake specials of the day was 72 EUR (84USD).

El Morralla

This is a short walk from the Central Market (which is where our walking tour ended). The server was very helpful and the food was excellent. We tried several local meats and cheeses along with "pork crackling" that is supposedly very popular in souther Spain. Water with full board (half meat and half cheese) and burrata was 28 EUR (33 USD). Our server also gave us free bread with tomato and pork cracklings.

Raco Alacanti

We stumbled upon this place in an outdoor plaza during one of our walks and it was a great reminder about why you shouldn't alway rely on google reviews. The food, wine, and service were all fabulous. Fortunately we didn't look at their reviews until afterwards. Bread with tomatoes and alioli, tuna with veg, salmon with veg, amazing chocolate coulant, bottle of white wine was 61 EUR (71 USD).

Bombay Palace

We were craving Indian and this place didn't disappoint. It took about 20 minutes to get our food, but it was worth the wait. Chicken vindaloo, palak paneer, naan, rice, and water was 25 EUR (29 USD).

Granada, Spain

Granada has a completely different feel from Spain's coastal towns. It's inland, nestled against the Sierra Nevada mountains, and steeped in Moorish (Arab) history. The Alhambra alone is worth the trip, but you need to book tickets weeks in advance.

Where to Stay and Transportation

Getting around Granada could be easily done by walking. However, it is hilly so you could take a ride share or the city bus if you prefer to avoid walking up hills. The city bus is easy and affordable and we took it to get to the Alhambra entrance because it would have been a steep walk to it from downtown. The 32 or 35 bus costs 1.60 EUR per ride and takes you from the city center directly to Alhambra. Otherwise walking around the Old Town is really easy and there are a lot of cute and narrow streets to explore.

We stayed at Melia Granada. This is a traditional hotel, well appointed, and with great service. The room was extremely comfortable and the breakfast buffet was the most extensive we've had so far in southern Spain. The cost was 495 EUR (approx. 575 USD) for three nights.

Top Experiences

Alhambra

General entry tickets were 22 EUR (26 USD). This is the main attraction in Granada, and unfortunately tickets usually sell out several weeks in advance. We booked our trip last-minute and our odds weren't looking good for seeing the historic site.  

Alhambra is a large complex that includes a castle, gardens, and several other sites. Give yourself a few hours to walk around and see it all. You will take your best Granada photos here. It was tough to get last-minute tickets, but we were glad we kept trying! Here are your best options for getting tickets:

• Book in advance through the direct website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/
• Get a Granada card (a bit more expensive, but also includes other sites in Granada): https://entradas.granadatur.com/en
• Last-minute tickets are often released at 8pm and midnight local time. We checked at 8pm and almost got tickets, but they were gone by the time we finished check out. Luckily Shay's sister was willing to go online at 6pm Eastern US time (midnight in Spain) and got tickets for the next day! If you go with this option, make sure whoever is getting tickets for you has your passport info because the passport info on the tickets will be checked when you arrive at Alhambra. You need your actual passport at entry. Not a copy.

Free Walking Tour — Walk In Granada

This two hour English language walking tour was a great way to get oriented to the Old Town, learn about Granada's history, and discover spots we might have otherwise missed. Our tour guide shared his long list of favorite spots in the city at the end of the tour (which is often the case with these tours), so we were glad we did it on our first full day. We tipped 20 EUR (23 USD) for two people.

Albaicín Neighborhood (Moorish Quarter)

Wandering through the narrow, winding streets of the Albaicín was one of our favorite activities. It involved a lot of steep stairs and climbs, but it was worth it for the incredible views of the Alhambra and city. This historic Moorish quarter sits up on a hill above the city and is full of white-washed houses and hidden plazas. This is where the Moorish population settled in Granada.

Mirador de San Nicolás

This is the most famous viewpoint in Granada, located in the Albaicín, and it's easy to see why. The views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it are absolutely stunning. Get there early if you want a spot without crowds.

La Alcaicería

This is Granada's old Arab silk market, just steps from the cathedral and in the Old Town. It's a great place to browse spices, ceramics, leather goods, and souvenirs. A fun and colorful stop even if you're not planning to buy anything. It has a very Turkish feel to it. 

Calle Calederia Nueva

This is a narrow, uphill street that used to have a lot of the historic Arab spice stores and tea shops, and now has a lot of shopping and some cafes. Worth a stroll, especially since it connects the newer part of the Old Town to the Albaicín.

Calle Navas

This is the go-to street for tapas in Granada. Granada is one of the few cities in Spain where bars still serve a free tapa with every drink, so come hungry and plan to hop between a few spots. You can do this during the standard lunch hours (1-4 pm) and dinner hours (8 pm to close). Just keep in mind that you might need a tap afterwards, since every drink comes with a snack!

Where to Eat and Drink

One of the best things about Granada is the free tapas culture mentioned above. Order a drink at many bars and you'll get a small plate of food with it. Some of the higher end restaurants don't do this, so just be shameless and ask. Calle Navas is the most well-known tapas street, but you'll find great spots throughout the city. We decided to try this for lunch on our last full day in the city. It was fun, but also left us feeling a little sleepy from all the drinks, and not quite as satisfied as other meals since you can't choose what you'll be eating. 

Casa 22

A great example of Granada's tapa culture. This was our first stop on Calle Navas. On We ordered 2 glasses of wine for 6.60 EUR (8 USD), and got two free tapas of bread topped with small pork chop and a side of potato chips.

Casa Angeles 

Our next stop on Calle Navas was another cute spot with outdoor seating. We ordered 2 beers and almonds (came with free chicken liver pâté and bread) for 8.10 EUR (9 USD). 

Hermanos Urquiza

Another great stop on a tapas crawl of Calle Navas. They told us they only offer the free tapas if you're sitting outside, which was perfect since that's where we wanted to sit anyway. We ordered 2 beers that came with free pork and fries for 6 EUR (7 USD).

Ossobuco Ristorante

This spot had great ambiance and people-watching and was on the edge of Albaicin area. And we were in the mood for a break from traditional Spanish food, so splitting a pasta was the way to go. We ordered 2 beers and tagliatelle bolognese for 25 EUR (29 USD).

Taberna Divisa Blanca

Also on Calle Navas, but not a free tapas spot, but delicious local seafood. We generally prefer grilled seafood to fried but we arrived after a long drive from Alicante and were tired and hungry. This was a generous portion of seafood with nice outdoor tables near our hotel. We ordered a large water and a large fried local seafood platter for 35 EUR (41 USD).

Obradoor and Casa Ysla

Don't leave Granada without trying one of these. It's a local specialty that's sweet, gooey, and tastes a bit like a marshmallow toasted over a campfire. Absolutely delicious. We had a pionono for 1.80 EUR (2 USD) at both Obradoor and Casa Ysla and both were equally excellent.

Los Manueles

Delicious regional Andalusian food and one of the nicer restaurants with great service on the main street. This was one of our favorite spots for quality food. The lamb shank and salad were both excellent. This isn't a place that offers a free tapa with each drink, but they do give each table one free tapa of olives, cheese, and crackers. We had 3 wines, 1 beer, free tapa, salad, and lamb shank for 47 EUR (55 USD).

Verde Rama

This was another wonderful Andalusian restaurant with lots of outdoor seating, located very near Granada Cathedral in a courtyard. We ordered a water, grilled squid entree, and pork medallions with grilled apple entree for 47 EUR (55 USD). 

Malaga, Spain

Malaga is another gorgeous coastal city with its own unique culture and history. The Malaga area is known for its local wines so this was our Southern Spain stop where we decided to prioritize local wine sampling. We found Malaga to be a bit less touristy than the other stops on our trip, and we really enjoyed both of our food and wine tours! 

Where to Stay and Transportation

We arrived via train from Granada. It would have been a reasonable 20-minute walk to our hotel, but it was very hot outside so we decided to take Cabify ride share for 14 EUR (16 USD). The train from Granada to Malaga was 23 EUR (17 USD) per person and took just over 90 minutes. It was a basic (no wifi or outlets), but a comfortable train ride.

We stayed at Malaga Premium Hotel. This was a fairly basic hotel, but the bed was comfortable, the location was excellent in the heart of the Historic Center, and the breakfast was wonderful. The breakfast runs from 8-12 and includes unlimited coffee or tea plus several other choices for delicious and freshly-made items. The cost was 738 EUR (approx. 858 USD) for three nights, including breakfast.

We did a load of laundry at Tintoreria Inglesa, which offered full service laundry (drop off, wash, dry, fold) in 24 hours. They did a great job, but for the same amount of laundry we did in Alicante it cost 30 EUR (35 USD) in Malaga vs 12.5 EUR  in Alicante. 

Top Experiences

Explore Malaga Free Walking Tour

This was a great, free walking tour to learn about the city. We did this tour in the evening shortly after arriving in Malaga. We got to see some of the key sights while orienting ourselves in the city and learning about Malaga's history. We tipped 20 EUR (23 USD) for two people.

Malaga Wine & Tapas Small Group Tour

This tour is limited to 8 participants and we really appreciated the small group size. We visited four local spots and had a generous pour of wine at each spot along with local food specialities. We often skip food tours because we feel like we can do them more economically on our own, but we decided to splurge on this one and we were glad we did. We got to learn about the local food and wine from a local and tried a few things we likely wouldn't have picked on our own but ended up really enjoying. The cost was 69 EUR (80 USD) per person.

Malaga Organic Vineyard and Winery Tour

This was another tour splurge that we were glad we decided to do because Malaga is known for wines. We first visited the winery that was about a 30-minute drive from the city and had a gorgeous view. We tasted a special blend wine and two olive oils that are also made at the vineyard. Then we drove 10 minutes to the wine cellar and tasting room where we learned more about how the wine is made and tasted 8 more wines plus a tapas paired with each wine. We've done quite a few wine tours before, so we were surprised by how much we learned, especially about how organic wines are produced in Malaga. 

La Malagueta Beach

La Malagueta Beach is a 20 minute walk from the City Center. We snagged a great shady spot under a palm tree for an afternoon. And while the sand wasn't as soft as Valencia or Alicante and the water was quite a bit colder, we enjoyed the views and had an incredible lunch of salad and espetos (grilled sardines and mackerel) at a beachside restaurant. Malaga beach water is colder than other parts of Southern Spain because Malaga is close to the Atlantic Ocean and gets some of the cold Atlantic current, despite still being on the Mediterranean Sea. We'll share more about the lunch in the food section below. 

Malaga City Park

We walked through the park several times during our visit. It's filled with beautiful flowers, trees, fountains, and statues. It is a flat park so could be good for running or jogging. It the perfect spot to enjoy some quiet time or go for a shady stroll.

Alcazaba

The Alcazaba is a remarkably well-preserved 11th-century Moorish fortress-palace that rises above the city center, offering sweeping views of Málaga’s harbor and the Mediterranean Sea. Built by the Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus, its defensive walls, ornate archways, courtyards, and lush gardens reflect centuries of Islamic architecture and history. We enjoyed our walk through it. It is much smaller than The Alhambra in Granada. Tickets cost 7 EUR (8 USD) per person and you can buy tickets at the door. 

Atarazanas Market

Málaga’s vibrant central market, housed in a striking 19th-century building featuring a beautifully restored Moorish gateway and colorful stained-glass windows. Inside, stalls overflow with fresh seafood, local produce, olives, cheeses, and traditional Andalusian specialties, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. Go in the late morning to experience the full energy of the market. It closes by mid-afternoon.

Malaga Museum

This museum is bargain at 1.5 EUR (2 USD) per person (cash only). The museum showcases fine art and archaeological collections. Its exhibits trace Málaga’s history from neanderthal times to the 20th century, offering a fascinating introduction to the region’s history and cultural heritage. 

Explore Centro Histórico

We spent a lot of time strolling the main streets of Calle Marques de Larios, Calle Granada, Calle Santa Maria, and Calle Cister along with the smaller streets and alleys throughout the old town area. There are shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants everywhere you look. The energy and people watching was really great. Have fun exploring!

Where to Eat and Drink

Malaga is known for its sweet wines and fresh seafood. We tried vermouth and moscatel and they were both better than the versions we've had previously in the US, so even if you think you don't like them, we recommend giving them a try here. And while all the food we had here was delicious, the freshly grilled seafood along the beach was a favorite. 

Viandas

A cute sandwich shop on Calle Marques de Larios features the popular pata negra (Iberican ham). If you want to try the popular Iberican ham at an affordable price, this place is it. We shared a pata negra and manchego cheese sandwich for 8 EUR (9 USD).

Chiringuito Tropicana

This restaurant right on the beach was a highlight of our visit to Malaga. We got to watch them grill our seafood lunch right next to the restaurant on the beach. We had a water, salad, grilled sardines (espetos) and grilled mackerel for 39 EUR (45 USD). 

Casa Aranda

Nearly 100 years in business and known for their churros. Locals and tourists all love this place and there's often a line. We were lucky enough to walk up and get a table immediately. Three churros and cup of warm chocolate for dipping was 4.7 EUR (5.5 USD).

La Cueva de 1900

The best place for Spanish daily lunch specials! We happened to walk by this place and noticed they were offering a great "menu of the day" deal. A bread basket, drink of beer/wine/soda/water, appetizer, entree, dessert, and coffee or tea was only 15 EUR (17 USD) per person. The food featured lots of local pork as well as plenty of other options for people who don't like pork.

Seville, Spain

Our last stop on our five-city tour of Souther Spain was a great way to wind down our trip. Seville is a beautiful city with a maze of narrow shady streets to explore, plenty of culture and history, and lots of delicious food and drinks. Seville is the birthplace of flamenco so be sure to see a show. We did!

Where to Stay and Transportation

We arrived via train from Malaga. It would have been a 30-minute walk from the station to our hotel, but it was very hot outside and our bags were feeling heavy so we decided to take Uber ride share for 9 EUR (10.50 USD). The train from Malaga to Seville was 47 EUR (54 USD) per person and took approximately 2.5 hours. It was a basic (no wifi or outlets), but a comfortable train ride.

We stayed at Sercotel Sevilla Don Luciano. This was a great hotel! Our room was extremely comfortable and the location was excellent. We were extra pleased with having a coffee maker in our room, which is hard to find in Europe. The hotel was walking distance to everything we wanted to see and there were plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops just steps away.  The cost was 778 EUR (approx. 897 USD) for three nights, including breakfast.

Top Experiences

Free Walking Tour Sevilla

We always think a free walking tour with a local is the best introduction to any city, when possible. This company offers several free walking tours, and we chose their Historical tour. It was a nice way to learn about the city's history while getting an orientation to the city. The tour lasted two hours and is a great way to meet other foreigners (if you want to do that).

Tablao Flamenco Las Setas

This flamenco show was a short walk from our hotel and got the best reviews. We got general admission tickets and really enjoyed the show. The venue looked like a fancy bar with great service. Go here if you are looking for a good show, but many might say that venues where there are no fancy lights, speakers, or microphones are more authentic. This place allowed you to take photos and videos, which is not always the case at other locations. You're seated on a first come, first serve basis, so buy your tickets in advance and get to the show about 30 minutes early to get the best seats. Our tickets were 38 EUR (44 USD) each for general admission (which includes one cocktail and a slightly better seating section than the 28 EUR basic tickets). 

Real Alcazar of Sevilla

This palace blends Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Wander through its ornate rooms, peaceful courtyards, and lush gardens to experience more than a thousand years of Andalusian history and culture. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance because they sell out. General entrance tickets are 15.5 EUR (18 USD) each.

Centro Historico

Wander through the historic center and check out the many shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and beautiful sites. The narrow roads are intentional in order to give shade in a hot city. Don't miss Plaza de España which is a grand area and probably the highlight for photos, Plaza del Cabildo which is a cute courtyard that has a collector's market on Sunday mornings,  and Las Setas for a large, modern art structure that is quite unique to see and walk through.

Where to Eat and Drink

Because Seville is the warmest city in Spain, they take their siesta time more seriously than most other cities and they also eat their dinner even later. Many restaurants close from 4-8pm and locals say they usually eat their dinner around 10pm. If you are intent on eating between 4-8pm, don't worry. There will be a number of tourist friendly places open. 

El Rinconcillo

This is Seville's oldest tapas bar, first established about 350 years ago! They keep track of your tab using chalk on the bar. Get there a few minutes before they open to avoid waiting in a long line. We had three tapas and two beers for 21.5 EUR (25 USD).

Cafe-Bar El Commercio

This is a classic 120-year-old bar that is known for its drinks and homemade churros. We had two cups of the house vermouth and three churros with chocolate for 9 EUR (10 USD). 

Robles Laredo

A cute outdoor patio spot along Plaza San Francisco that's open every day. We went for a traditional Spanish brunch on Sunday. One water, salmon and ham toast, and a burrata omelette were 27.5 EUR (32 USD).

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