Hotels near Sevilla, Spain

A little about Sevilla...

Seville is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of Andalusia and of the province of Sevilla. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of 7 meters above sea level. The inhabitants of the city are known as Sevillanos (feminine form: Sevillanas) or "Hispalenses". The population of the city of Seville was 704,414 as of 2006 (INE estimate). The population of the urban area was 1,043,000 as of 2000 estimates. The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,414,827 as of 2006 (INE estimate), ranking as the fourth largest metropolitan area of Spain.

Festival: Holy Week and the Seville Fair, "La Feria de Sevilla" (also Feria de Abril, "April Fair") are the two most well-known of Seville's festivals. Seville is internationally renowned for the solemn but beautiful processions during Semana Santa and the colorful and lively fair held two weeks after. During Feria, families, businesses and organisations set up casetas, marquees, in which they spend the week dancing, drinking, and socializing. Traditionally, the women wear elaborate flamenco dresses and the men dress in their best suits. The marquees are set up on a permanent fairground in which each street is named after a famous bullfighter.

Universities: University of Seville, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, and San Pablo - CEU University - the first private university in Andalusia, situated in the suburb of Aljarafe.

Main City Sights: The Alcázar facing the cathedral has developed from the city's old Moorish Palace; construction was begun in 1181 and continued for over 500 years, mainly in Mudéjar style, but also in Renaissance. Its gardens are a blend of Moorish, Andalusian, and Christian traditions.

The Torre del Oro was built by the Almohad dynasty as watchtower and defensive barrier on the river. A chain was strung through the water from the base of the tower to prevent boats from traveling into the river port.

The Town Hall, built in the 16th century in Plateresque Style by Diego de Riaño. The Façade to Plaza Nueva was built in the 19th century in Neoclassical style.