Seville
Solo Weekend in Seville
I arrived in Seville late Friday, right after the sun had set. The whole train ride I was excited to get there and start exploring this new city. My night started off on a good note as the front desk lady told me my Spanish was good, even though all I said to her was “Hola.”
Before the day ended I wanted to go check out the Plaza de España. This Friday night there was no one there except for a few wanders and some kids playing soccer. It was the perfect time to enjoy the architecture and all its details.
Day II:
My day started with a very loud alarm that I am sure my other dormmates weren’t happy about. I quietly roll out of bed and made my way to the river just as the was sun rising. There was a pink hue in the sky with wispy clouds. During my morning run, I followed the path along the river along with the other runners and enjoyed the sights from the river. An older man cheered me on saying “vamos, vamos” as I ran past him, making me smile to myself.
I made my way to the Gold Tower, “La Torre del Oro,” the military watch tower in Seville. I climb to the top of the tower to overlook the river. I explored the military museum as I climbed back down. I learned the history of the navy and the expedition to discover America. Christopher Columbus set sail from the port of Seville, making him a hot commodity here.
After the Gold Tower I walked along the river to the Maria Luisa Park and the Plaza de España to see it again during the day. It was almost unrecognizable, as it was filled with people. A big contrast from my quiet time earlier. People enjoyed riding in horse drawn carriages or slowly rowing through the canal in boats. The park has many hidden ponds and fountains that are great to wander through and take a break in.
For lunch I walked a short distance from the park to Bar Casa de La Moneda, a tapas restaurant that was recommended to me. People were waiting outside but as a party of one I walked right in. They had a full menu of all classic tapas as well as some I had never seen before. I enjoyed a crispy Coca-Cola Zero, served to me in a glass bottle with a cup of ice and a lemon slice. I settled on croquetas de calabaza asada (pumpkin croquettes) and garbanzos con langostinos (garbanzo with shrimp). I left with a happy stomach.
I made my way to the Real Alcázar, the historic royal palace in Seville. The design and architecture of the place show off all different people that have used the space. Its appearance is derived from the ancient Romans, Arabs and the crown of Castile. The garden is maze filled with flowers, palm trees, disco balls and peacocks just name a few things.
As the sunset I made my way to the Setas de Seville. The nickname of this structure was given by the Sevillians because it looks like a mushroom. After taking the elevator to the top, I took in the sights of Seville above and watched the Setas change different colors.
Fun Fact: The name of the Setas is Metropol Parasol and was designed by Jürgen Mayer. It is the largest wooden structure in the world with micro-laminated finished pine and for every tree that was cutt down three were planted in its place.
For dinner I found myself sitting as the bar of a tapas restaurant. Solo dinner is my least favorite thing about solo traveling, but spent my time watching the bartender prepare different tapas and while people watching. Some people may consider this a dinner and a show.
Day III
I took my morning run again through Maria Luisa Park. This experience was a mix between my first and second experience, as the sun was out but there were no crowds. I walked through the Callejón del Agua, an old aqueduct of Seville, to reach the Santa Cruz neighborhood. At the end of the aqueduct the Jardines de Murillo can be explored as well.
The first church I came to was Iglesia de Santa Cruz, it was not open yet, but as I was taking photos of the outside a man swung over the doors and launched a loogie into the street. I guess it was opening time. I hoped to make a stop at Convento de Santa Ines to buy cookies made by nuns, but unfortunately it was closed on a Sunday.
I continued my walk from the Santa Cruz neighborhood to Mercado de Triana, a huge stall market located in the Triana neighborhood across the river. I love how walkable the city of Seville is and my favorite part was crossing the Puente Isabel II. Since it was a Sunday most of the stalls were closed except for a few serving lunch. I continued to explore the Triana neighborhood going wherever my feet took me. I stumbled upon a Sunday market, filled with different boutiques and vendors. Then I crossed back over the bridge and sat on the edge of the river for a brief time before the smell had me second guessing what I was sitting on…
End of the day
On Sundays the Catedral de Sevilla does not open till 14:30. I made my way over to the area about 45 minutes before opening and there was already a line starting to form. I joined the others in line to waited till it opened. Inside the cathedral, I was surprised how dark it was as the only light was coming from the stained glass windows. Located inside the cathedral one of the main attractions is the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, which is very hard to miss.
To end my time in Sevilla I met up with a girl I know who is living in Seville. We went to a restaurant called Bar Baratillo and finished the night at Cinco Jotas with a plate of sliced jamón and a glass of red wine. Two great places to end my time in Seville.
