Elyssa's Guide to Sevilla

Hace un año embarqué en lo que terminó siendo una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida, mi semestre en Sevilla, España. Eran cuatro meses de exploración, crecimiento y aventura, trabajando con niños y viajando. Hablé en el español durante la mayoría de mis días y ahora puedo hablar mas o menos con fluidez. Tuve clases increíbles (solo en español) e hice muchas amistades tanto con Americanos y con Españoles. Recuerdo uno de mis últimas semanas en Sevilla, jugando juegos como Pictionary, Taboo, y Charades. Tuve algunas dificultades en jugar estos juegos en español, pero esto me permitió mejorar mi lenguaje y unos meses antes, no habría tenido la capacidad de jugar estos juegos solo español. Siempre pienso en ese semestre que pasé y el tiempo allá recordando con un gratitud, nostalgia y orgullo. Esos cuatro meses fortalecieron mi conocimiento, comprensión del mundo y apreciación hacia otras culturas. Me convertí en una persona más independiente y aprendí a estar conmigo misma. Tengo muchos amigos que acaban de empezar o están por realizar sus semestres. La mayoría de ellos estudiarán en España. Estoy muy celosa, porque recuerdo el tiempo increíble que yo tuve allá. Cuando regresé a los Estados Unidos en Mayo, escribí una guía de viaje de España para mis tíos que iban a viajar allá, ahora voy a compartirlo con vosotros. Espero que lo disfrutes y que la guía sea útil para vos.


Almost a year ago I was about to embark upon what would end up being one of the greatest experiences of my life-- my semester abroad in Spain.  It was four months of exploration, growth, adventure, working with children and traveling.  I spoke Spanish for the majority of my day and mastered fluency in a second language (for the most part.  I have my moments.)  I had amazing classes and made a ton of new friends, both American and Spanish.  I remember one of my last weeks there, playing a board game with a name I forget that included Pictionary, Taboo, and Charades.  I had little trouble playing it in Spanish and thought about how much I had improved in the language.  A few months earlier I wouldn't have been able to play an entire game like that in Spanish.  I am always thinking about that semester and the time I had there.  I look back with a sense of gratitude, nostalgia and pride.  Those four months enhanced my knowledge of the world and appreciation for other cultures, and as I ventured out of my comfort zone I became a more independent person.  For the first time, I understood how to be on my own.  I have many friends who either just began or are about to set out on their semesters abroad.  Many of them are going to Spain, and I am insanely jealous as I look back and remember my time there.  When I first got home back in May I made a guide to Spain for my Aunt and Uncle who were going to travel there, and now, I will post it and share it here with you.  I hope that you enjoy it and find it helpful.

Guide to Seville

Sight-Seeing:

The Cathedral and the Giraldo Tower- the Cathedral in Seville is the biggest in all of Europe and it is absolutely stunning.  You can see 1/3 of Christopher Columbus’s remains there!  The Giraldo Tower is right next to it and if you walk up the 33 ramps you get beautiful view of the whole city on the top.  It’s a workout, but it’s worth it.

Real Alcazar/Las Gardines:  Beautiful medieval Islamic palace and gardens.

You can get a tour or walk around yourself but it is one of the most beautiful areas in Seville and has a very rich history so I definitely recommend it!

Plaza de Toros/Toro de Oro:  This is the bullring and the bullfighting museum.  The bullring is open to the public just to see and take photos and the museum is really cool.  I loved it because it wasn’t too big and I learned so much about the history of bullfighting there.

Plaza de Espana-   A must see.  In Maria Luisa park, it was the Spain pavilion for the 1929 world's fair, and it's one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It has hand painted tiles that depict all of the provinces in Spain.  It doesn’t take long to walk around, you can just go for a half an hour.  You can also rent a boat for just 5 euros on the small river there.

Parque de Maria Luisa:  This is the biggest park in Seville and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Europe.  It’s nice to walk around.  It looks like a jungle.

La Arenal:  This is the best place to see a Flamenco show in Sevilla, though there are other places to go as well.  I went with my parents and we had a blast.

Rio de Guadalvivir- This is the river.  It’s a great place to just go and walk around.  They also do boat tours, or you can rent your own paddle boat or kayak.

Mueso de Bellas Artes:  This is the contemporary art museum in Seville.  I don’t know what sort of art you like but that’s my favorite type and the architecture of the museum is to die for!

Las Setas (The Mushrooms):  This is in Plaza Mayor and it is also a place where you can get a beautiful view of the whole city.  First there is an elevator and then you walk up a little farther.  When my parents went they said they had a great lunch.

Food: 

The two restaurants that I HIGHLY recommend are Taberna Coloniales and Costa Nostra.

Taberna Coloniales:  Considered one of the best restaurants in Sevilla and extremely reasonable.  The tapa portions are really big so unless you’re sharing something, it isn’t necessary to get the media or the racion.  There are two locations.  I’ve only ever been to the one near the cathedral but the other one is supposedly just as good.

My recommendations are:  Patatas Bravas, (Potatoes in a white garlic sauce and a red, slightly spicier sauce)

Pechuga de Pollo en Salsa de Almendras:  Chicken in an almond sauce.

Croquetas de Espinicas:  Spinach croquettes

Berenjenas en Salmorejo o Miel:  Fried eggplant in a salmorejo sauce or a honey sauce and it comes with vegetables on the side.  I only ever got it with the honey but the salmorejo sauce is supposedly really good.

There is also a stuffed eggplant dish that I never got because I don’t eat shellfish but it has shrimp and a bunch of vegetables in it and I’ve heard it’s great.

I’ve also never had the steak in Whiskey sauce but my Mom got it when I brought my parents and she loved it!

Costa Nostra:  This is an Italian place on Calle Betis which is in Triana.   I don’t know what sort of Italian food you like but they have everything you could possibly want!  That was my parents’ favorite place when they came to visit.  We went twice!

If you are craving American food there is a really great diner near the Corte Ingles in Nervion called Tommy Mels.  It’s a very cute sort of 50’s-style diner.  Everyone speaks English there.

New York Pizza:  Also by the Cathedral.  Maybe you won’t be so interested in getting pizza when you’re in Spain but it’s really yummy and since I was away for so long I was craving it!  The only downside to this place is that there are no seats inside.  The guy who works there is actually from New York.  He speaks English too and he’s very personable.

If you need wifi, Café y Te is the place to go and they have every type of coffee you can imagine!  Also delicious Tortilla de Patatas which is also called a Spanish Omelet.  It’s potatoes and onions in an omelet.

Also, I highly recommend paella!  The seafood one is supposed to be the best but my favorite is vegetable paella. 

Sevilla is very small and you can basically walk anywhere, but there is a metro.  There’s just one line so it’s really easy.  Also there are cabs everywhere so if you want one you never have to wait more than a couple of minutes to get one.

Sevilla is the most beautiful city I've ever been to, and that's saying a lot because I've been to both Paris and Florence!  Buen viaje, I hope you have the most amazing time!