Seville, gardens with history
Walking around the city of Seville in Andalusia is one of the most wonderful experiences to be had in southern Spain. Here you'll find a magical city in which restoration has made it more beautiful than ever. And if your walk includes a stroll among the flowers and fountains –accompanied by the distinctive scent of orange blossom– in the historic gardens of one of the city's most emblematic monuments, the Real Alcázar Palace, it will be truly sublime.
Among the most special are the gardens of Seville's Real Alcázar palace, located in the heart of the city and holder of the UNESCO World Heritage award.
Here are a few reasons not to miss them:
Before entering the gardens you'll be able to look around the rooms of Seville's Real Alcázar, an ensemble of palaces with more than 1,000 years of history and one of the city's most visited monuments. This is a chance to explore its courtyards and halls and admire its tapestries and the wide variety of artistic styles: Islamic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical…
Although you'll have caught sight of the lovely gardens from the palace balconies, make sure you go outside and take a walk through them. They are unique, and reflect the passing of various historical periods. Which is your favourite? The Cross Garden, dating from the 12th-century, and with Muslim origins? Or perhaps the more modern gardens such as the English Garden, the Poets' Garden or the Garden of the Marquis of Vega-Inclán? In all of them you'll be free to luxuriate in the beauty of your surroundings, take photos, daydream… Leave your hurries behind and let your gaze linger on the palm trees, cypresses, pomegranate trees, orange trees, oaks…
In addition to the 170 plant species to be found in the 60,000 square metres of gardens, you can also see the Grutesco Gallery (a perfect viewing point over the gardens), ponds, sculptures, colourful tiles, canals and fountains such as the Neptune Fountain in the Ladies' Garden. Spanish kings such as Alfonso X, Peter I or Charles V have walked through these grounds, and you'll be able to discover the legends that accompany each garden.
Did you know that the Prince's Garden became so called when Queen Isabella gave birth to Prince John in a room whose window overlooked this garden? And that the El Cenador Garden is home to the Charles V Pavilion, where the Spanish Emperor used to have dinner in the summer?
And don't miss the concert series that takes place in the gardens on summer nights. You'll have the chance to enjoy exceptional music under the stars.
A thousand ways to discover Seville
In addition to the Real Alcázar, the Andalusian capital has many parks and gardens that reveal a truly beautiful side of the city.
The most famous include the gardens of the Casa de Pilatos house, Las Delicias and especially the gardens in the María Luisa Park, Seville's main city park located beside Plaza de España square, and which can be visited in a horse-drawn carriage.
Seville has special charm and unique monuments. For example, close to the Real Alcázar you'll find the Cathedral with its Giralda tower.
Not to be missed either is the city's emblematic Guadalquivir River. You can take a boat trip along for an exceptional view of the Torre del Oro tower and the Triana neighbourhood, which is famous for its tapas bars.
