Spain with kids: What not to miss in Seville

Seville is a region in Spain that has something for just about anybody. From the great Catholic and Moorish monuments and buildings to the iconic historic bullring, delicious tapas bars and enchanting old towns and neighborhoods plus giant wooden mushrooms, the Andalusian capital has plenty for any tourist to enjoy. If you’re considering visiting Seville, read on for some of the most gorgeous sights that will surely make you want to visit as soon as possible. 

The Most Gorgeous Sights That Will Make You Want to Visit Seville:

Royal Alcazar Palace:

Alongside the famous cathedral, the Royal Alcazar Palace is the key architectural attraction in Seville and it’s been around since work began on it all the way back in the tenth century, when a Moorish fortress was built attached to the Roman city walls by the Umayyads. But, it wasn’t until two centuries later when the first royal palace was constructed on the site by the Almohad Dynasty who ruled at the time. The palace was renovated and added to all the way until the 19th century. Today it is a gorgeous combination of Moorish, Mudejar and Renaissance architecture and the oldest continually used palace in Europe. Make sure to include the palace if you’re using this customized trip planner for your Seville itinerary. 

The Cathedral:

The greatest Catholic monument in Seville; you’ll be in awe at the sheer size of the cathedral. It is the largest Gothic building in the world and houses eighty chapels along with Spain’s longest central nave. Work began in the 1400’s on this former mosque site and continued for over one hundred years. The cathedral was finally completed in 1507 and certainly achieved the design team’s goal of creating something so magnificent and beautiful that anyone who sees it ‘will think we are mad’. If you’re visiting Spain and want to make sure that you see this cathedral before you leave, why not get from Malaga to Seville by high-speed train?

Casa de Pilatos:

One of the many hidden treasures in Seville, this stunning 15-16th century mansion comes complete with beautifully exquisite gardens that match everything you can see in the Alcazar but on a smaller scale. Begun in the late 1400’s by the then Mayor of Andalucia, it’s one of the major Mudejar structures in the region and is built around a central courtyard in traditional Andalusian style. And the amazing scenery at this palace has earned it starring movie roles – you will see it in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Knight and Day (2010). 

Bullring:

The Real Maestranza bullring is one of the most important and attractive plazas in the entire country. It was built in 1761 on the city’s old rectangular plaza de toros site with construction taking over one hundred years. The main entrance, known as the Prince’s Gate, is a particularly attractive feature of the bullring, along with the ornate black iron gates which once belonged to a convent. For matadors, being carried through these gates on the shoulders of the public and fellow matadors is a symbol of great triumph and one of the highest honors attainable. For tourists, the excellent museum is a must-visit if you want to learn all about the rich history of bullfighting. 

Maria Luisa Park:

In 1929, the southern part of Seville was in need of a costly facelift in order to prepare to host the Iberian-American Expo, and the Maria Luisa Park was at the center of this redevelopment. Today it is a stunning botanical garden that’s proudly the largest, most attractive green area in the region. If you’re visiting in the spring or summer it’s a gorgeous place to stroll with many beautiful species of plants in bloom. 

These are just some of the most stunning must-see attractions for anybody visiting Seville. 

Road Trip Through Spain: Madrid to Barcelona

Ask GoogleMaps how to get from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be taken in a direct shot along the E-90. But take the road less traveled on a road trip from Madrid to Barcelona, and you’ll be rewarded with fewer tourists and a more authentic local scene. Starting in Madrid, take the E-901 from Madrid through Cuenca and Aragon before meeting up again with the E-90 or A-2 into the seaside city of Barcelona.

madrid-spain

Rent a car in Madrid, then set out from the city by mid-morning. You’ll want to budget at least an overnight for this road trip, but you could certainly stretch it to two nights if you really want to linger.

Cuenca:

The medieval town of Cuenca is less than two hours from Madrid, on E-901. Cuenca’s famous ‘hanging houses’ are located here; the walled town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built by the Moors, Cuenca has Spain’s first Gothic cathedral, thanks to the Castilians who conquered the city in the 12th century. With kids, stop at the Parque Natural de la Serrania de Cuenca, where everyone can get out of the car for some hiking in this beautiful and visually interesting countryside. The narrow roads are steep in some parts of the park, but this just adds to the thrill for kids.

hanging-houses

Before driving on, see the Casas Colgadas for a lesson in unique architecture; these houses seem to hover over the cliffs, with layers of balconies and gables. You can see them best from the old town, past the Puente de San Paulo footbridge.

Teruel:

Continuing on from Cuenca, head toward Teruel on the N-320 (connecting to the N-420). This section of the drive is about two hours and 45 minutes, but I recommend continuing on to Aragon for an overnight stop. Stop in Teruel for a break, however, taking in the gorges rising up from the Rio Turia in this industrial city. During this part of the drive, you’ll enter the mountain valleys and vineyards of the Aragon region. The villages tucked away between earth-colored hills are ancient, and look sunk into their surroundings. When I went through, I had to remind myself I was still in modern-day Spain.

Aragon:

Approximately six hours’ drive time from Madrid (but more like eight hours after a few stops en route), you’ll arrive in Aragon. Stay the night, then get up with the sun so you have time to explore this city before getting back on the road. Start with the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the baroque cathedral where Catholic believers say Santiago saw the Virgin Mary. It opens at 7 am, so this makes for a nice pre-breakfast sight if you have early risers.

aragon-spain

About 30 minutes drive away, in Zaragoza, is the Museo Pablo Gargallo, as well as rafting trips and float trips down the Ebro River. Spending most the day in the area to combine a bit of culture with some outdoor adventure is a great way to go; head out toward Barcelona in the mid-afternoon.

The remaining drive is just over three hours. Arrive in Barcelona as the sun is setting!

This post was written in partnership with Enterprise rental cars. Itinerary is my own.

Photo credit: Felipe GabaldónAndrew GouldJorge Correa