3 Days in Seville, Spain
Day One
Arrival:
After a hellish 9 AM bus ride from Malaga, I arrived at La Banda hostel. The manager was kind enough to offer me an early check in and show me to the minimal eight-person room I would be residing in for the next three days. I washed my face, tucked away my luggage and then made my way down the street for an espresso and a chocolate croissant.
Exploration:
Plaza de Espana
The Plaza is breathtaking. It wraps around the plaza in a large semi-circle and is surrounded by a moat. In the center of the plaza is an elegant fountain and on the steps of the building I found flamenco. I had recently seen a flamenco show in Malaga but this felt more authentic. The women took turns dancing on a wooden platform so as to not ruin the stone and the band was made up of a singer, drummer and guitarist.
I spent my time roaming the plaza, taking photos, journaling, and sitting on benches and before I knew it, it had been three hours.
Parque de Maria Luisa
I have admittedly seen more expansive and extravagant parks but I have never seen one with so many orange trees. I sat a read my book whilst underneath the orange trees but after hours of drinking water in the heat, I had to use the restroom and it was time for the 30 minute walk back to La Banda.
Eats:
Groceries
The one part of solo travel that I still struggle with is eating alone. It is not the act of eating alone that worries me it is the language barrier and my own awkwardness whilst trying to communicate what I want to eat or drink. So I wandered down the street and found bread, olives, and cheese.
La Banda has a rooftop, so I took my snacks to the top floor and waited for happy hour.
Happy Hour/ Family Dinner
La Banda offers free sangria for Happy Hour and then super cheap drinks from super friendly bartenders. This nights entertainment: a history of flamenco with a live guitarist. We all gathered around a very long table and drank, listened, then ate and played games until it was time for bed.
Day Two
Getting Accustomed:
Travel Ban
I woke up to a text saying that Trump banned travel from Europe to America. I carried on with my morning with caution. There was nothing I could do. The plan was to hope it didn’t apply to Americans (which it didn’t we just were not informed of that at the time) and enjoy the rest of my time in Seville.
Royal Alcazar de Sevilla
The Alcazar is one of the oldest royal palaces that is still in use. It is incredibly large and difficult to navigate. My first mistake was not taking a map on my way in but sometimes getting lost is part of the adventure. I wandered through the buildings and then on to the gardens, where I spent the majority of my time getting lost.
The hedges were being trimmed as I wandered through. Orange and lemon trees lined the walkways and the entire garden was filled with the faintest citrus aroma. The sound of tourists chatting was coated with the buzz of weed whackers and I put in my headphones to live fully by myself in that moment.
I grabbed a sandwich and a water in the garden cafe, did one last walk around and then headed home.
Mercado de Triana
When I arrived back at my hostel, I ran into Scott. I had met him the night before at happy hour and he asked if I wanted to join him on his way to Triana.
Walking to the Triana side of Seville was like walking to a different city. On the other side of the river, it is a more authentic, less tourist-ridden part of the city. There were plenty of tapas bars, tiny buildings and music that poured through the streets.
The market was about to close but was still filled with customers. You could buy fresh fruits, fish, vegetables and nuts, but we still walked out with a strong desire for a nice cold beer.
Scott and I stopped for a beer and a smoke on the way home
Eats:
Happy Hour
We once again joined our hostel for happy hour but with many travelers worried and scrambling about how to get home, we managed to assemble a calmer group of hostel goers to go out for tapas.
Tapas
We decided on Bar Alfalfa. It was a tiny tapas restaurant that had been recommended by many people in the city so we gave it a shot. Upon arrival, there were no tables so we settled for standing at the outside window on our tiptoes in order to eat. It was worth it.
I had Pollo a “La Alfalfa” and Queso de Cabra en Salsa Verde all to myself. The meal cost me only seven euros and kept me full all evening. The goat cheese was warm and flavorful and accompanied by the best toasted bread. And the chicken was impeccably seasoned and incredibly moist. I would recommend Bar Alfalfa to any traveler.
Day Three
Relaxing:
Las Setas
I spent my morning on the roof, eating an apple and basking in the sun but I wanted to make sure I hit all of the sights before I left the city. I attempted to go to the cathedral but the morning was sold out so I made my way to Las Setas and prayed that I could go to the cathedral when it reopened in the afternoon. The building is shaped like a mushroom and you can take an elevator all the way to the top for a few euros. From the top is a unique view of the city. Not the best view of Seville, but the budget friendly one.
Shopping
After Las Setas, I went shopping. No one should ever go anywhere new without taking home a souvenir.
Catedral de Seville
This was the biggest cathedral I have ever seen. Inside are 80 side chapels, Christopher Columbus’ tomb and framed garments. The best part is La Giralda Tower. It is 30 floors up and you have to walk but the trek is worth it.
There are windows on each floor so the view constantly changes and ones you are at the top you have a panoramic view of Seville.
One Last Happy Hour/Family Dinner
Before happy hour, I packed my bags and tucked everything into my locker.
You know the drill. Free sangria, new friends. New travelers came and we welcomed them into our band of misfits. We took shots and drank all evening. We swapped numbers and social media accounts. And then we said goodbye.
