Learn Spanish and explore Seville: 14 highlights

Wednesday November 03, 2021 | Spanish Language | Posted by studyspanishinspain

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Learn Spanish and explore Seville

If you are in Seville to learn Spanish, you will enjoy this unique city full of history, culture, art, colour and sun. Some of Spain’s main tourist sights, mythical neighbourhoods, beautiful squares and museums, are actually located in Seville. In addition, you will love the great atmosphere that will make your Spanish Immersion Program even more special. So what are the best sights to see in Seville while learning Spanish and living here for a few weeks or months? Learn Spanish and explore Seville!

1. Real Alcázar & Gardens, an important place to see in Seville

The Spanish course in Seville provides everything you need to learn a language. The staff is great, the services are great, and the level of teaching is excellent. It is nicely located in the centre of Sevilla, and it has a pleasant atmosphere. Furthermore, they organise cultural activities to get to know the city. I really recommend going here to improve your language skills in the beautiful city of Sevilla!

The Real Alcázar is a palace – one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the 11th century – with rooms that could be the setting for Thousands of Nights. Is it worth a visit? Yes, it is. It’s located right in the city centre. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds the city’s evolution here in its walls, from the Arabic period and Middle Ages to the Renaissance and Baroque period.

Don’t forget to visit the gardens of the Real Alcázar. Pay special attention to Mercury’s pool, from Garden of Dance to Garden of the Ladies. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’ll have another reason to come: The Real Alcázar and its gardens used to be scenes from Dorne (place of the Martell house).

Did you know that the Alcázar is still a Royal Residence? When he comes to Seville, the King of Spain still lives here and it is the oldest royal palace in Europe.

2. The Cathedral

Another emblem of Seville is the Cathedral. It is one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in Europe (and the world, of course) built over the remnants of a Moorish mosque. Take your time exploring the church as there is something to see everywhere, from the patterned floors to the spectacular ceilings and everything in between. And don’t forget to check out Christopher Columbus’ tomb.

Cathedral Seville Spain

3. Go up la Giralda

If you Learn Spanish and explore Seville, the Giralda is one of the most emblematic monuments. You can can climb the tower for far-reaching views; you’ll reach the top by climbing 34 wide sloping ramps and 17 steps.

There are 25 bells in the Giralda; they are rung on essential holidays, and the sound is spectacular. The name of the Giralda comes from the weathervane, the giraldillo, a Spanish word that means: “weathervane on a tower with a human or animal figure”. This giraldillo was added to the top in the 16th century to represent the triumph of the Christian religion over the Muslim.

4. Plaza de España, the most beautiful place in Sevilla

Learning Spanish in Sevilla is a fantastic experience! The Spanish school was great; the staff are very friendly and helpful. This summer was the second time I took Spanish classes in Seville. Both times were delightful and productive. As a bonus, they have a lovely building.

Built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exhibition, Seville’s famous 50,000-square-meter plaza is easily one of the city’s most beautiful and iconic landmarks. You can see the banks and tiles of 48 Spanish provinces. According to history, when Alfonso XIII saw the Plaza de España for the first time, he declared: “Gentlemen, I knew this was beautiful… But not this beautiful”.

The Plaza de España is a unique cultural, artistic, and relaxing experience that no one should miss when visiting Seville. The plaza is surrounded by the balustraded balconies of a Renaissance Neo-Moorish-style building, which curves around following the canal’s shape running through the square.

Plaza Espana Seville

5. Marvel at Parque Maria Luisa

If you want to have a chill afternoon after Spanish classes and rest after the daily hustle and bustle in this beautiful city, come to Parque María Luisa, the green lung of the city. As you walk around, you will come across Plaza América, nicknamed the “Pigeon Square” by the locals because of the numerous birds enjoying the food leftovers.
Tip: combine your visit to Parque María Luisa with Plaza de España.

Sevilla Parque Maria Luisa

6. Take a short walk to the Guadalquivir and the Torre del Oro

if you Learn Spanish and explore Seville, we recommend you take a short walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir to the Torre del Oro, better at sunset. It’s not far from downtown Seville. The tower was where the gold warehouses were located, and it is said to be the gateway for gold arriving from the New World. Admission to the Tower costs €3 (free on Mondays).

Torre de Oro Sevilla

7. Explore Barrio de Triana

I have spent nine weeks in this great school located downtown Sevilla. The Spanish classes have been excellent, as well as all the teachers I met! My teacher’s enthusiasm, patience and humour made the lessons very productive and fun. I would definitely recommend this school to everyone who is thinking about studying Spanish!

A trip to Seville is not quite complete without visiting Triana, the most authentic and flamenco district. What distinguishes the ‘Barrio de Triana’ is its heritage as a traditional potters’ Quarter, as well as its Gypsy community. For centuries, the people of this neighbourhood have used the clay from the banks of the Guadalquivir River to create authentic Andalusian ceramics.

There is a lot to explore in this market, including a wide range of fruit and vegetable stalls, authentic cured meats and cheeses, freshly caught fish and plenty more!

Other recommended stops are Plaza del Altozano, Calle Betis, Capilla del Carmen, Castillo de San Jorge, and of course, when the sun goes down, go to a flamenco stage.

8. Do something different: go to the Metropol Parasol (las Setas)

Another fun visit for an afternoon after Spanish classes: visit the Metropol Parasol (aka “las setas”). This building breaks with the classic Sevillian style and gives the city a modern touch. The Metropol Parasol is relatively new (2011) and is one of the world’s most significant wooden structures. You can go up there are have a great view from its vantage point. The entrance is €3.

Spanish Students in Sevilla

9. Palace of Seville

I followed Spanish lessons in Seville and online. Good price-quality. Great teacher, I learned a lot. Hope to be back any time soon.

If you like architecture, Seville is a paradise: the city is full of the most beautiful buildings. How lucky are you to walk to the Spanish school passing stunning buildings, for instance, the Town Hall (seat of the Town Hall), the Palace of San Telmo, the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija, the House of Pilatos, the Palace of the Dueñas, the Hotel Alfonso XIII, or the Royal Tobacco Factory?

10. Take pictures of the Basilica of the Macarena

One of the typical quarters of Seville is the la Macarena quarter, where some of the host families of the Spanish school live. Do a quick visit to the Basilica de la Macarena, one of the most important religious temples of Sevilla. The yellow and white colours give it a unique charm.

Seville destinations to Learn Spanish

11. Dive into history at Archivo de Indias

I highly recommend this Spanish course in Sevilla for anyone wanting to grow in their Spanish, at whatever level.

You have a mandatory stop at the Archivo de Indias in the historical centre if you like history. It was founded in 1785 to collect all documentation related to the Spanish colonies in one place. You can visit it for free, Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30 am to 4.45 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

12. Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz

Fantastic school with great staff; they made learning Spanish in Seville fun and not a chore. The cultural programs were very good. Getting to see parts of Seville which I would not have normally done on my own was worth it.

Seville points of interest include Barrio Santa Cruz! Santa Cruz was the old Jewish Quarter in the thirteenth century, and it will amaze you. The medieval neighbourhood is characterized by its labyrinth of cobblestone pedestrian lanes (too narrow for cars), whitewashed houses with attractive patios, and picturesque plazas with outdoor cafés.

Get lost in the Santa Cruz district, one of the most beautiful corners of Seville Some of the highlights of Santa Cruz: Mateos Gago Street, the Parroquia de Santa Cruz, the Palacio de los Pinelo, the Callejón del Agua, and the Plaza de Santa Cruz.

Barrio de Santa Cruz Seville

13. Visit the Plaza de Toros

‘Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza’ is the largest bullfighting arena in Spain. Located in the impressive 18th-century bullfighting arena Plaza de Toros de Sevilla is the ‘Museo Taurino’, a museum on the history of bullfighting in Seville. Whether for or against it, the bullfighting tradition is solid in Andalusia, and bullfights are a significant event in the Andalusian life.

Seville Spain Plaza de Toros

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Spanish course in Sevilla

Typical Expressions in Spanish from Seville

To get you going before arriving in Spain for your Spanish course, here are three typical local phrases in Spanish from Seville. You will certainly hear them while you Learn Spanish and explore Seville.

1. Mi arma / Miarma (literally: my soul).

This expression is used in everyday conversation by the local people of Sevilla, and it actually should be: mi alma. But with the local pronunciation, the ‘l’ is replaced with an ‘r’. Mi arma (Miarma) is a familiar expression that means affection and caring. Qué te ha pasado, Miarma? What happened to you, my dear (my love)?

2. No no ná (as in nada)

This is a triple-negative, and you can use it when someone is telling something that is obviously not true, and you want to all their attention. As mi arma/ alma, this Spanish expression comes with the typical pronunciation from Andalucia: nada is the shorted version of ‘nada’ (nothing)

3. Si no sabes torear, para que te metes.

This is as typical as you can get it when you Learn Spanish and explore Seville.  Do you want more proof that bullfighting is part of daily life in Andalucia? This phrase means: if you don’t know how to do it, you better don’t it at all (or: you should be prepared for failure).

Would you like to learn more about Andalusian Spanish? You will discover more during your Spanish course in Seville.

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