Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Seville

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Spain : Seville - June 2010

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Seville is sizzling at this time of year. Stroll the streets early on, then indulge in a siesta before staying up late hopping between tapas bars and enjoying the legendary nightlife. Flamenco fans can get into castanet-clicking mood by watching the most authentic show in town at Casa de la Memoria, in the heart of gorgeous Barrio de Santa Cruz. Josephine Quintero struts her stuff

Getting around

Seville San Pablo Airport

Bus: Buses leave every half hour on weekdays and every hour at weekends. They start at about 6am and finish around 11pm. Tickets cost €2 and the journey takes about 25 minutes.
Taxi: A journey from the airport to the city centre takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately €20.
Tourist information: The main tourist offices can be found at 28 Calle Arjona (tel. ) and 19 Plaza de San Francisco (tel. , www.turismo.sevilla.org).

EL ARENAL

The commercial heart and soul of town is also one of Seville’s liveliest barrios.

Sleep soundly – Formerly the home of a poet, the plush Taberna del Alabardero (20 Calle Zaragoza, tel. , tabernadelalabardero.es, rooms from €130) is exquisitely designed, with rooms set around a traditional patio.

Culture vultures – After a stroll by the riverfront, stop at the Torre del Oro (Paseo de Colón), an emblematic landmark and museum heralding the city’s days as a major European port.

Must eat – For traditional ambience and food, head for Las Piletas (Calle Marqués de Paradas, tel. ), where dishes include meaty classics such as roast lamb and oxtail. Seafood lovers will want to visit the atmospheric Mercado del Arenal (Calle de Pastor y Landero), where Marisquería Arenal serves wonderful, simply prepared dishes.

Must drink – Enjoy your café solo (espresso) at traditional Confitería La Campana (corner of Calle Sierpes and Martín Villa); a traditional 19th-century cafeteria. Popular Bar Alfalfa (Plaza Alfalfa) is short on elbow room but big on atmosphere, with excellent wine as well as tempting tapas treats.

Dance the night away – Strut your stuff at Babilonia (Avenida García Morato); a cavernous disco with plenty of hip-swinging space.

Shop til you drop – Voguish gals should check out the stylish French chain Sephora (72 Calle Sierpes) for an excellent range of cosmetics.

ALAMEDA DE HÉRCULES

The Alameda is a gritty and appealing area with a hip vibe and lots going on.

Sleep soundly – The charming boutique hotel Sacristía Santa Ana (22 Alameda de Hércules, tel. , hotel sacristia.com, rooms from €69) dates from the 1700s and has been painstakingly restored. The rooms are comfortable and atmospheric.

Culture vultures – Marvel at the city’s most famous Virgin statue – the work of famous sculptor Roldán – who resides at the brightly painted Basilica de la Macarena (1 Calle Bécquer).

Must drink – One of several great watering holes in the area, Café Central (64 Alameda de Hércules) is an established landmark; just look out for the cerveza-quaffing crowd outside.

Shop til you drop – The city’s most colourful street market takes place just east of the Alameda de la Hércules every Thursday morning – a beguiling combo of second-hand trinkets, crafts and antiques.

BARRIO DE SANTA CRUZ

Cobbled streets are interspersed with pretty plazas lined with orange trees and traditionally-tiled benches in this delightful historic quarter.

Sleep soundly – The reasonably priced Patio en Santa Cruz (15 Calle Doncellas, tel. , patiosantacruz.com, rooms from €65) offers simple rooms, a rooftop terrace and complimentary Wi-Fi for guests.

Culture vultures – Wander through the sun-dappled gardens of the Alcázar, (Plaza de Triunfo) before exploring this fascinating fort dating back to the 12th century, when it was built by the prosperous Muslim rulers.

Must eat – Classy Casa Robles (58 Calle Alvarez Quintero, tel. ) dishes up tasty and beautifully presented traditional dishes, while Pizzeria San Marco (6-10 Meson del Moro, tel. ) enjoys an evocative setting in a former Moorish bathhouse and is famed for its inexpensive pizza and pasta.

Must drink – Enjoy a good atmosphere and Guinness on tap at the popular Flaherty (7 Calle Alemanes) next to the Cathedral. Or go upmarket at La Subasta (36 Calle Argote de Molina), a chic watering hole that serves excellent local wine.

Dance the night away – Follow the polka dots to atmospheric La Carbonería (18 Calle Levíes), a converted coal yard with impromptu flamenco and dancing.

Shop til you drop – Peruse the original art work at Rafael Ortiz gallery (12 Calle Mármoles), which showcases the work of exciting contemporary artists.

Compiled by Josephine Quintero