Welcome to Backpacker’s Boutique. Every Sunday, this spot will feature a new travel blogger. Some weeks it will be a really fun interview about packing, fashion, and fitness so you can snoop inside their bags & lives a little bit and other weeks it’ll be a detailed luxury guide to a city the featured blogger/expat knows very well. E-mail me if you’d like to be featured.
A Luxury Guide to Seville
Tell us a little about yourself and tell us why you’re an expert on luxury travel in Seville.
I’m a copywriter, digital strategist, and founder of the self-improvement website Globe of Love. Whilst I was on my year abroad, I lived and studied in Seville for 4 months. Although I was (technically) a student at the time, I would say that I had my fair share of exuberant treats and outings, and I got to know the city pretty well in the process!
What makes Seville a perfect destination for travelers seeking a glamorous trip?
Seville is simply a gorgeous, gorgeous city. It is the perfect mix of the relaxed, laid-back Spanish lifestyle, combined with boutique experiences and treats. If you want to have a beautiful time in Seville, there are so many places to go and indulge in some beautiful Spanish dancing, delicious drinks and food, or some really fun activities.
What 5 star hotel is the best in Seville?
I would say that Hotel Alfonso XIII is hands down the most stunning hotel in Seville. It is right in the centre of the city, boasts a gorgeous, palatial building, and is just incredibly relaxing, even if you’re just going for a drink or a meal. Click here for rates and availability.
What about boutique hotels in Seville, of them all, which would you send your friends or family to stay at?
I would recommend either the Melia, Alfonso (of course!), or the Alcoba hotel, which offers a slightly cheaper alternative but is still a 4 star hotel!
Are there any fun activities for the adventurous traveler in Seville?
In Seville it’s fairly straightforward to hire a canoe and go canoeing along the main river. There are also some tennis courts near Plaza de Cuba, and near the bull ring you can hire bikes and go cycling around the city. Another favourite is to buy tickets to a Flamenco evening. Tickets include a meal and drinks, and are a fabulous way to spend an evening with family and friends.
Where are the best hang outs during the day in Seville?
There is a park a bit further along from the Plaza de Cuba which is tranquil and quite far from the bustle of the city. I would say it’s one of the best places to go for a picnic, or to read a book. Aside from that, you can also go to the famous Parque Maria Luisa, which is right in the middle of the city and filled with beautiful places to sit and relax. During the summer, there are often festivals held in the park, which means plenty of street food and games! La Una de Delicias, near Puerta de Jerez, is also a really nice restaurant to go to for lunch or an early dinner.
If you have a big date night, what are the most delicious restaurants in Seville and what are their best dishes?
There is a really good Mexican restaurant called Las Iguanas Ranas, right near the cathedral. L’oca Guiliva is also a really good Italian restaurant in one of the central parts of town. If you’re looking for an authentic Spanish experience, however, Los Coloniales is one of the oldest and most sought after tapas bars in Seville! You can also head to the beautiful and luxurious Rio Grande: right by the river next to the Plaza de Cuba, this place is a must see for delicious dining and unforgettable views!
Let’s talk desserts in Seville- what place makes the best?
There’s an ice cream place in Alfalfa that has the best, most creamiest ice cream in Seville. There are plenty of places you can go to get desserts and ice cream in the centre, but this one is the best!
Tell us all the hot shopping spots; who’s carrying the trendy local designers in Seville?
Seville is generally quite good for shopping. The main shopping area is not very far away from Las Cetas, (a mushroom-like structure in the very heart of the city), and area surrounding the football stadium is filled with designer stores. Unfortunately, many of the Seville-based designers specialise in making plates and tiles, so you may not be able to find many locally made clothing, but there are a range of very good designer brands along the main streets. Seville is also very good for boutique, artisanal jewellery.
What are a couple of the best salons and spas in Seville?
I would say that the best spa in Seville would have to be Aire de Sevilla. It is absolutely stunning, extremely relaxing, and just the perfect place to plan a mini-retreat. Another option would be the H20 Spa Balnearios, which is right next to the Plaza de Espana (you could even get a horse and carriage ride there if you wanted), and has a very Moroccan feel to it!
Time for a great sunset view in Seville… where would you go?
Now this one is quite special. It’s a Sevillian tradition to buy a bottle of wine and head for a riverside walk, and you will often find people siting by the river drinking in the early evening. That’s where I would go.
Now that the sun’s gone down, fill us on the best places to go for some evening drinks or a great pre-gaming spot.
I was once taken on a date to this gorgeous bar just by the river, at water level. It’s on the Calle Betis, just after the Plaza De Cuba, and it offers a really intimate, romantic atmosphere. Not many people know about it either, so you’re always left in peace!
If you don’t want something quite as datey, Fabiola is a good flamenco bar and Groucho is really good for pre-drinks and has a very strong family atmosphere!
If you end the night at a fancy club, which one do you head towards?
I would say the best ones to go to all-year round are Bhudda, Tokyo, or Antique Theatro, which is huge but very fun! It’s usually best to go to Tokyo on Tuesdays and Alfalfa, Seville’s prime drinking area, on Thursdays, as that’s where everyone goes to party. In the summer, Babilonia is also a really fun outdoor club to head to, they hire dancers to dance on the podiums and the atmosphere is always incredible!
Rashina Gajjar is a copywriter, digital strategist, and editor-in-chief of Globe Of Love, a website she founded in 2014. She speaks three and a half languages (English, French, Spanish, and a dash of Italian) and is extremely fond of travelling, socialising, and writing about self-improvement. You can contact her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
I’ve lived in Seville for the past few years and agree that it’s one of the most romantic destinations in the worldwide. I can’t agree completely with the writer’s eating tastes, however: Iguanas Ranas is a pricey chain restaurant (and who goes to Seville to eat Mexican?). I’d recommend Blanca Paloma, El Contenador or Perro Viejo for a much more authentic experience any day!
P.S It’s Las Setas ;)
Hi Danika, thanks for adding to her guide :)
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It’s the first of it’s kind in the sense that it gives users a real life picture of the places they’re looking to stay. The reason I’m appealing to you in particular is because, in terms of location, the site allows you to be as specific or as vague as you like.
If this is something you could be interested in, please get in touch – my email is attached. :)
I’m gong to Sevilla in September and haven’t booked a place to stay yet! This guide is super helpful – would love to stay at one of the luxury hotels you mentioned. SO excited to experience the romance that is Seville :)