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Rick Steves
SNAPSHOT
Sevilla, Granada & Andalucía
CONTENTS
Introduction
Sevilla
Granada
Córdoba
Andalucía’s White Hill Towns
Arcos de la Frontera
Ronda
Zahara & Grazalema
Jerez de la Frontera
Near the Hill Towns
Spain’s South Coast
Nerja
Frigiliana
Coastal Towns
Gibraltar
Tarifa
Morocco
Tangier
Morocco Beyond Tangier
Practicalities
Money
Staying Connected
Sleeping
Eating
Transportation
Helpful Hints
Resources from Rick Steves
Additional Resources
How Was Your Trip?
Spanish Survival Phrases
Index
Post-Pandemic Travels: Expect a Warm Welcome…
and a Few Changes
Research for this guidebook was limited by the COVID-19
outbreak, and the long-term impact of the crisis on our
recommended destinations is unclear. Some details in this book
will change for post-pandemic travelers. Now more than ever, it’s
smart to reconfirm specifics as you plan and travel. As always, you
can find major updates at RickSteves.com/update.
INTRODUCTION
This Snapshot guide, excerpted from my guidebook Rick Steves
Spain, introduces you to southern Spain’s two top cities—Sevilla and
Granada—and the surrounding Spanish heartland. When Americans
think of Spain, they often picture this region, with its massive
cathedrals, Moorish palaces, vibrant folk life, whitewashed villages,
bright sunshine, and captivating rat-a-tat-tat of flamenco.
Sevilla is the soulful cultural heart of southern Spain, with an
atmospheric old quarter and riveting flamenco shows. Granada,
formerly the Moorish capital, is home to the magnificent Alhambra
palace. Córdoba features Spain’s top surviving Moorish mosque, the
Mezquita. Make time to delve into Andalucía’s sleepy, whitewashed
hill towns: Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, and Grazalema. Spain’s
south coast, the Costa del Sol, is a palm-tree jungle of beach resorts
and concrete, but has some appealing destinations—Nerja, Tarifa,
and Gibraltar—beyond the traffic jams. And since it’s so easy,
consider an eye-opening side-trip to another continent by hopping
the ferry to Tangier, the revitalized gateway to Morocco (and to
Africa).
To help you have the best trip possible, I’ve included the following
topics in this book:
• Planning Your Time, with advice on how to make the most of
your limited time
• Orientation, including tourist information offices (abbreviated
as TI), tips on public transportation, local tour options, and helpful
hints
• Sights with ratings and strategies for meaningful and efficient
visits
• Sleeping and Eating, with good-value recommendations in
every price range
• Connections, with tips on trains, buses, and driving
Practicalities, near the end of this book, has information on
money, staying connected, hotel reservations, transportation, and
other helpful hints, plus Spanish survival phrases.
To travel smartly, read this little book in its entirety before you go.
It’s my hope that this guide will make your trip more meaningful and
rewarding. Traveling like a temporary local, you’ll get the absolute
most out of every mile, minute, and dollar.
You could spend a second day touring Sevilla’s other sights. Stroll
along the bank of the Guadalquivir River and cross Isabel II Bridge
to explore the Triana neighborhood and to savor views of the
cathedral and Torre del Oro. An evening in Sevilla is essential for the
paseo and a flamenco show. Stay out late to appreciate Sevilla on a
warm night—one of its major charms.
Córdoba (see later chapter) is the most convenient and
worthwhile side-trip from Sevilla, or a handy stopover if you’re taking
the AVE to or from Madrid or Granada. Other side-trip possibilities
include Arcos or Jerez.
Orientation to Sevilla
For the tourist, this big city is small. The bull’s-eye on your map
should be the cathedral and its Giralda bell tower, which can be seen
from all over town. Nearby are Sevilla’s other major sights, the
Alcázar (palace and gardens) and the lively Barrio Santa Cruz
district. The central north-south pedestrian boulevard, Avenida de la
Constitución, stretches north a few blocks to Plaza Nueva, gateway
to the shopping district. A few blocks west of the cathedral are the
bullring and the Guadalquivir River, while Plaza de España is a few
blocks south. The colorful Triana neighborhood, on the west bank of
the Guadalquivir River, has a thriving market and plenty of tapas
bars, but no major tourist sights. While most sights are within
walking distance, don’t hesitate to hop in a taxi to avoid a long, hot
walk (they are plentiful and cheap).
TOURIST INFORMATION
Sevilla has tourist offices at the airport (Mon-Fri 9:00-19:30, Sat-
Sun 9:30-15:00, +34 954 782 035), at Santa Justa train station
(just inside the main entrance, same hours as airport TI, +34 954
782 002), and near the cathedral on Plaza del Triunfo (Mon-Fri
9:00-19:30, Sat-Sun from 9:30, +34 954 210 005).
At any TI, ask for the English-language magazine The Tourist
(also available at www.thetouristsevilla.com) and a current listing of
sights with opening times. The free monthly events guide—El
Giraldillo, written in Spanish basic enough to be understood by
travelers—covers cultural events throughout Andalucía, with a focus
on Sevilla. You can also ask for information you might need for
elsewhere in the region (for example, if heading south, pick up the
free Route of the White Towns brochure and a Jerez map). Helpful
websites are www.turismosevilla.org and www.andalucia.org.
Steer clear of the “visitors centers” on Avenida de la Constitución
(near the Archivo General de Indias) and at Santa Justa train station
(overlooking tracks 6-7), which are private enterprises.
ARRIVAL IN SEVILLA
By Train: All long-distance trains arrive at modern Santa Justa
station, with banks, ATMs, and a TI. Baggage storage is below track
1 (follow signs to consigna, security checkpoint open 6:00-24:00).
The easy-to-miss TI sits by the sliding doors at the main entrance, to
the left before you exit. The plush little AVE Sala Club, designed for
business travelers, welcomes those with a first-class AVE ticket and
reservation (across the main hall from track 1). The town center is
marked by the ornate Giralda bell tower, peeking above the
apartment flats (visible from the front of the station—with your back
to the tracks, it’s at 1 o’clock). To get into the center, it’s a flat and
boring 25-minute walk or about an €8 taxi ride. By city bus, it’s a
short ride on #C1 or #21 to the El Prado de San Sebastián bus
station (find bus stop 100 yards in front of the train station, €1.40,
pay driver), then a 10-minute walk or short tram ride (see “Getting
Around Sevilla,” later).
Regional trains use San Bernardo station, linked to the center
by a tram (see “Getting Around Sevilla,” later).
By Bus: Sevilla’s two major bus stations—El Prado de San
Sebastián and Plaza de Armas—both have information offices, basic
eateries, and baggage storage.
The El Prado de San Sebastián bus station, or simply “El
Prado,” covers most of Andalucía (information desk, daily 8:00-
20:00, +34 955 479 290, generally no English spoken; baggage
lockers/consigna at the far end of station, same hours). From the
bus station to downtown (and Barrio Santa Cruz hotels), it’s about a
15-minute walk: Exit the station straight ahead. When you reach the
busy avenue (Menéndez Pelayo) turn right to find a crosswalk and
cross the avenue. Enter the Murillo Gardens through the iron gate,
emerging on the other side in the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz.
Sevilla’s tram connects the El Prado station with the city center (and
many of my recommended hotels): Turn left as you exit the bus
station and walk to Avenida de Carlos V (€1.40, buy ticket at
machine before boarding; ride it two stops to Archivo General de
Indias to reach the cathedral area, or three stops to Plaza Nueva).
The Plaza de Armas bus station (near the river, opposite the
Expo ’92 site) serves long-distance destinations such as Madrid,
Barcelona, Lagos, and Lisbon. Ticket counters line one wall, an
information kiosk is in the center, and at the end of the hall are pay
luggage lockers (buy tokens at info kiosk). Taxis to downtown cost
around €7. Or, to take the bus, exit onto the main road (Calle
Arjona) to find bus #C4 into the center (stop is to the left, in front of
the taxi stand; €1.40, pay driver, get off at Puerta de Jerez).
By Car: To drive into Sevilla, follow Centro Ciudad (city center)
signs. The city is no fun to drive in and parking can be frustrating. If
your hotel lacks parking or a recommended plan, I’d pay for a
garage (€24/day) and grab a taxi to your hotel from there. For
hotels in the Barrio Santa Cruz area, the handiest parking is the
Cano y Cueto garage near the corner of Calle Santa María la Blanca
and Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo (open daily 24 hours, at edge of
big park, underground).
By Plane: Sevilla’s San Pablo Airport sits about six miles east of
downtown and has several car rental agencies in the arrivals hall
(airport code: SVQ, +34 954 449 000, www.aena.es). The Especial
Aeropuerto (EA) bus connects the airport with Santa Justa and San
Bernardo train stations, both bus stations, and several stops in the
town center (4/hour, less in off-peak hours, runs 4:30-24:00, 40
minutes, €4, pay driver). The two most convenient stops downtown
are south of the Murillo gardens on Avenida de Carlos V, near El
Prado de San Sebastián bus station (close to my recommended
Barrio Santa Cruz hotels); and on the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, near
the Torre del Oro. Look for the small EA sign at bus stops. If you’re
going from downtown Sevilla to the airport, the bus stop is on the
side of the street closest to Plaza de España. To taxi into town, go to
an airport taxi stands to ensure a fixed rate (€23 by day, €27 at
night and on weekends, luggage extra, confirm price with driver
before your journey).
HELPFUL HINTS
Festivals: Sevilla’s peak season is April and May, and it has two
one-week spring festival periods when the city is packed: Holy
Week and April Fair.
While Holy Week (Semana Santa) is big all over Spain, it’s
biggest in Sevilla. Held the week between Palm Sunday and
Easter Sunday, locals prepare for the big event starting up to a
year in advance. What would normally be a five-minute walk can
take an hour if a religious procession crosses your path, and
many restaurants stop serving meat during this time. But any
hassles become totally worthwhile as you listen to the saetas
(spontaneous devotional songs) and give in to the spirit of the
festival.
Then, after taking two weeks off to catch its communal breath,
Sevilla holds its April Fair (April 18-24 in 2021). This is a
celebration of all things Andalusian, with plenty of eating,
drinking, singing, and merrymaking (though most of the revelry
takes place in private parties at a large fairground).
Book rooms well in advance for these festival times. Prices can
be sky-high and many hotels have four-night minimums.
Rosemary Scam: In the city center, and especially near the
cathedral, you may encounter women thrusting sprigs of
rosemary into the hands of passersby, grunting, “Toma! Es un
regalo!” (“Take it! It’s a gift!”). The twig is free...but then they
grab your hand and read your fortune for a tip. Coins are “bad
luck,” so the minimum payment they’ll accept is €5. They can be
very aggressive, but you don’t need to take their demands
seriously—don’t make eye contact, don’t accept a sprig, and say
firmly but politely, “No, gracias.”
Laundry: Lavandería Tintorería Roma offers quick and
economical drop-off service (Mon-Fri 10:00-14:00 & 17:30-20:30,
Sat 10:00-14:00, closed Sun, a few blocks west of the cathedral
at Calle Arfe 22, +34 954 210 535). Near the recommended
Barrio Santa Cruz hotels, La Segunda Vera Tintorería has two
self-service machines (Mon-Fri 9:30-14:00 & 17:30-20:30, Sat
10:00-13:30, closed Sun, about a block from the eastern edge of
Barrio Santa Cruz at Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo 11, +34 954
536 376). For locations, see the “Sevilla Hotels” map, later.
Bike Rental: This biker-friendly city has designated bike lanes and
a public bike-sharing program (€14 one-week subscription, first
30 minutes of each ride free, €2 for each subsequent hour,
www.sevici.es). Ask the TI about this and other bicycle-rental
options.
Sevilla at a Glance
▲▲▲Flamenco Flamboyant, riveting music-and-dance
performances, offered at clubs throughout town.
Tours in Sevilla
To sightsee on your own, download my free Sevilla City Walk
audio tour.
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