Barcelona is the most popular tourist destination in Spain, but for my first trip to the Iberian country, I opted to visit Seville. Photos got me excited about the wonderful art and history of Andalusia and its primary city. I have to say that I heard some negative things about Spain but they were all wrong. I had an amazing time in Seville!
The History of Seville
Like many Spanish cities, Seville started out as a Roman one – called Italica. The area has more ancient origins but a lot of Seville’s celebrated history comes from the Roman era onward. However Seville, like its region of Andalusia, is more notable for the Islamic influences in its architecture and history. The Arabs took control in the early 8th century. It even became the capital in 1147, however, this didn’t last long. The city was conquered by Ferdinand III in 1248 and converted to Christianity. Muslims still lived in the city under Christian leadership and the blend of styles, called mudejar, also made its mark on the city. The layers of cultural eras are incredibly prevalent in Seville.
More famously, it’s from a nearby town of Huelva that Christopher Columbus left to find the “New World.” As Seville was an important city for royalty and political figures at this time, the wealth from colonisation made Seville a very rich city. You may have also heard of Velazquez, one of Spain’s most famous painters. He was born in Seville. Even though many sites are much older, the 16th century is known as Seville’s Golden Age. After that, Spain fell into political conflicts. They did host the 1929 Latin-American Exposition (also referred to as Ibero-American) to help boost the economy, and I’ll explain its importance subsequently.
Things to Do in Seville
There are so many gems in Seville. Exploring the city’s architecture alone can take an entire day just to scratch the surface. The main place you’re probably looking to explore is Plaza de Espana, which was built for the 1929 Latin-American Expo. The building looks much older. The place is absolutely huge. Even after looking at photos, I was not prepared for the great scale of this place. It’s also incredibly detailed and absolutely beautiful. There are alcoves all along the crescent depicting Spanish cities in tile. The work and artistic craftsmanship that went into it is astonishing. You can spend so much time walking along each alcove, deciding which one is your favourite. Really, you can spend a whole half-day here.
My experience is a lesson in vanity tourism. You’ll probably enter the plaza from the west because that’s where most of Seville city is. It’s packed. When you keep walking east towards the centre and the opposite side of the crescent, crowds diminish. I mean, it was me and a handful of others. People literally just snap a pic for the Gram and leave! But that’s good for us who want to explore the building as there aren’t many people. Also be sure to go up on the balconies to get some different views of the plaza.
Nearby you can see the Plaza America, which is also beautiful but on a smaller scale. It’s here that you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. You’ll pass through Maria Luisa Park to get there, which is a huge park. There are decorative structures located here and there so be sure to look out for those. I can’t stress enough how huge this place is, even though it looks so small on a map. I had to catch a bus so I rushed from one end of the park to the other, gave up and called a cab after 45 minutes. It’s a big area.
Plaza America
Of course you must also visit the Cathedral of Seville and the tower La Giralda. The cathedral’s incredibly ornate with its gothic architecture but the size and grandeur is what blew me away about the cathedral. Christopher Columbus’s Tomb is the most famous treasure in the cathedral. If you want views over the city, you can climb to the top of La Giralda. I’d recommend buying tickets online because the line for the cathedral is substantial.
Another must-see in the area is the Real Alcazar, which is the royal palace. It’s been altered over the years but has been around for about a millennia. Get your tickets online! I waited about 1-2 hours in the heat during the shoulder season to enter this place. It was worth it but could’ve been easier. The palace isn’t furnished but the architecture has magnificent detail and the gardens are expansive and well catered. There’s no route to get through the palace and gardens so make sure to get a map so you don’t miss an inch of this exquisite masterpiece.
However, I have to admit that I enjoyed Casa de Pilatos just a little bit more. It was built circa the 15th century and was later fashioned by Don Fadrique in around 1520. It was a home – imagine living there! The building is clearly mudejar in style but it was largely influenced by the Italian Renaissance, which makes for an exquisitely interesting outcome. The downstairs has a courtyard, several rooms and a small garden and they all have incredible decoration from the floor to the ceiling. There’s tiles everywhere and amazing carving. It’s also partially furnished and has classical sculptures.
If you use the audioguide, I don’t think a tour of the upstairs is necessary. It’s much more plain in style and doesn’t add much to the visit. But make sure you go up the stairs because the stairway is gorgeous.
Another great house museum is the Palacio de Lebrija. It is much smaller but so beautifully decorated in carvings and mosaics. It’s also heavily furnished and houses the Lebrija Countess’s art collection so there’s a lot to see. However I highly recommend joining the upstairs tour for this palace because there are so many rooms and treasures you can see. The tour also contains fascinating details about the Countess’s life and her collections. Other house museums you can visit are Las Duenas and Casa de Salinas.
Some other monuments you need to stop by are the Torre del Oro, of which you can go to the top. You should also go to one of Seville’s most famous landmarks, Las Setas. You can go to the top to get some city views and underneath the structure for a glimpse of the city’s Roman ruins.
There are many other great places to explore in Seville, as well. You should visit the Fine Arts Museum of Seville for, you guessed it, art. It’s a rather small museum but all of the art is local. You can also visit Hospital de los Venerables for the art of Seville-born Diego Velazquez. Seville also hosts a contemporary art museum called CAAC and a ceramic center. This is located in Triana, which is the area across the river from most of Seville’s attractions.
A cultural event I highly recommend in Seville is a Flamenco Show. I went to La Casa del Flamenco, which has a limited crowd with no food or drinks allowed. It makes for a more intimate experience. There are also lists of other places to visit online, and many of them serve dinner with the show. There’s also a museum on Flamenco but aside from one exhibit, I felt there wasn’t any real information on the dance.
I spent two and a half days exploring Seville and I got to see a lot but it was rushed. I’d recommend giving yourself more time to explore the city if it’s an option. Be sure to expand into Seville’s different neighbourhoods like Triana, to see beyond the tourist areas. And if you do have an extra day, Italica is an easy day trip. I haven’t been but the site is the well preserved Roman remains of ancient Seville. There are many buses to Santiponce and back, which is where the archaeological site is located.
I also had amazing food in Seville. I was worried because I heard Spain isn’t veggie-friendly but I eating vegetarian was easy. Tapa culture makes for easier veggie dining. Plus, I found several vegan restaurants. I don’t normally recommend restaurants but I loved Fargo, which is almost all vegan. I’m recommending it because you probably won’t find this place on a list of vegan Seville restaurants and it was so good.
If Seville isn’t on your Spain bucket list or isn’t high up there, perhaps it should be. It’s a magical city that’s rich with history and culture, and one of my favourite places in the world. I loved my time there and cannot recommend a visit to Seville and Andalusia highly enough.
Have you ever been to Seville? What did you think?
Even though I love travelling, I’ve lived in the Washington, DC area my entire life. It’s changed so much over the past few years but one thing remains the same: there’s a tonne to see and do in the nation’s capital. To help you plan your trip, here’s all the advice I have on visiting Washington, DC.
Best Things to Do in Washington, DC
I think a lot of people who visit DC concentrate their trip on the downtown area. I would if I didn’t know better. Downtown DC outside the museums is soooooo boring. I cannot stress enough that if you visit DC, you need to branch out and see what the city actually has to offer before making any judgments. My first word of advice is to make time to explore the locals’ most popular areas. These are Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U St, and Southwest Waterfront. Dupont, Adams Morgan, and U St are all known for their nightlife. Adams Morgan is also known for its international influence and U St for being a historically Black area. Both have more historical buildings than the other two. Southwest Waterfront is a very new addition but its appeal is clearly the waterfront. Most DC locals would recommend these areas and they’re all charming in their own way.
My personal recommendations and favourite areas are Georgetown, Chinatown, and Capitol Hill. Georgetown is touristy and a bit posh but it’s all colonial era buildings and it’s so beautiful. Chinatown is one of the saddest places in terms of Chinese influence but it’s always so filled with life and there’s a lot of food and activities around this area. It’s extremely popular with locals and walkable to the DC Mall. Capitol Hill has changed a lot but it’s a protected historical area so it’s nice to walk around. It’s a lot more chill than some other places in DC but very close to, you know, the capitol building.
I recommend a lot of these places to stay and dine in.
Alright, so what to do? Honestly, DC has ruined me. We have some of the world’s best museums and most of them are free. FREE! Growing up, museums were always public and free spaces for me. Obviously that’s not true of other places but that is the best thing, I think, of DC.
Rule of thumb is if it costs money, it’s probably not worth it. Strange but convenient!
You need to take a walk around the National Mall and memorials. Be sure to see the Capitol Building and round the Washington Monument. The most disappointing thing to see in DC is the White House because it’s not nearly as grand as people expect. However, it’s there so you may as well stop by and take a photo. You can go inside all three, and in that regard, the White House is the most exciting and something locals do at least once in their lifetime. The Capitol is also beautiful inside and worth it if you’re into politics. This is where it all happens. My favourite part of the columns with tobacco leaves and corn – such an interesting architectural detail to celebrate our history. I’ve never been to the top of the Washington Monument, honestly.
The Lincoln Memorial is a popular place to go to see the sunset and at night. The World War II Memorial is popular to take a photo with the market for your state/country. I definitely recommend this and a walk around the Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin is where the cherry blossoms come each year but it’s great anytime. The MLK, JR Memorial, FDR Memorial, and Thomas Jefferson Memorial are all around the tidal basin and you can see them on a walk (to go around leisurely takes about an hour). Touristy? Absolutely, but still one of my favourite places in DC.
Since the area gets so dark and the monuments light up at night, it’s beautiful to return after sunset. It’s so romantic and a must-see. As I said, the Lincoln Memorial is the most popular place to visit after dark.
My must-visit museums are the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African-American History (free but advanced tickets are recommended), and National Museum of the American Indian. These are filled to the brim with artefacts that span American history. They’re huge and informative so I’d recommend two days to see these three thoroughly. You can learn so much about the United States whether you’re from abroad or have lived here your whole life. If you’re not a museum person, they’re still free for you to browse and see things like Dorothy’s red slippers and Emmitt Till’s casket. All three museums have a strong cultural perspective rather than a political one.
The National Archives Museum is also great and has the nation’s founding documents, which is huge. However it’s more political history so if you’re not into that, it may bore you. That being said, you can stop in for free to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is one of my lifetime favourites. Exhibits range from dinosaurs to a huge mammal hall to human evolution to gemstones. It’s a very large museum that I’d recommend for kids and adults alike. Another popular one with kids and adults is the National Air and Space Museum. Not my favourite but I’m not into air and space. For others, this place is amazing.
Check online before going to the Smithsonian museums! Timed tickets are now required for certain museums at certain times of the years. The admission is still free but you need to reserve a time.
For art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery (which is popular but small) and National Portrait Gallery (same building) are the best bets for viewing art and learning of American history at the same time. The Presidential Portraits in the NPG are iconic. If you love art, you should also stop by the National Gallery of Art, which has Renaissance to modern European and American art. It’s a great museum but for a national gallery, it doesn’t have a wide range of art. There are a few other smaller art galleries but I wouldn’t prioritise them.
You should also stop by Ford’s Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was shot) because it’s downtown and one of the oldest remaining buildings in the area. There’s a museum inside if you’re interested in Lincoln and the assassination, and you can also head across the street to Petersen House, where Lincoln died. If you’re not interested, a stop-by is fine. Lincoln’s assassination is one of the most significant events of American history and it happened here.
There’s not a lot of food around the Mall area so I’d recommend going up to Chinatown or eating at the African-American/American Indian museums. Their food is decent and close.
The above should be enough to fill 4 days easily and I’d definitely recommend more time if you travel at a more leisurely pace. Allow half a day for each museum if you’re quicker and one museum a day if you like to stop and read everything. It doesn’t sound like a lot but again, these are huge museums. Prioritising what you want to see is key to planning your time in DC.
Can you spend a weekend in DC? Absolutely. I’d pick a walk around the Mall, 2-3 museums and 2-3 areas to explore in the evenings. This will fill 2 full days. It will be quick but you’ll get a glimpse of the nation’s capitol.
Other Things to Do in Washington, DC
Time is definitely an issue with visiting DC because there’s just so much to see!
The National Geographic Museum is a hidden gem that even many locals don’t know about. It’s an exception to the “paid isn’t great” rule. It’s exhibition based but their exhibits are incredibly well done and super interesting. For example, I’ve gotten to see the Terra Cotta Warriors and an interactive Ancient Egypt exhibit here that are some of my favourites ever. If you see an exhibit you like, it’s probably worth it to visit.
Embassy Row is also a place to explore, even after the embassies are closed. You generally can’t just walk into an embassy but you can admire the range of architecture from the outside. Insider tip: embassies are always throwing ticket-required events, so check out their websites before going to see if there’s something to do! Events range from free to hundreds of dollars.
If you venture out from the city centre, you can see the National Cathedral and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, both beautiful and unique pieces of religious architecture. The National Cathedral and the surrounding area is one of my favourite spots in DC – absolutely serene and gorgeous. Arlington National Cemetery is also a popular trip because of the famous graves.
Are you interested in the Lincoln assassination? My family are experts on one of America’s most altering events. Please email me or DM me on Twitter for niche recommendations. Blog post coming in the future.
All of the above are my personal recommendations with consideration for what I know is popular. Definitely plan out what you want to do in advance so you can figure out roughly how much time to spend in DC.
Washington, DC Events
Of course, protests are popular Washington, DC events. Grab a cardboard sign and join in history! (Please don’t leave your sign on the ground when you’re done.)
As I mentioned, the embassies are constantly having events. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in your home or other cultures and it’s so specific to DC.
Profs and Pints is another local and personal favourite. You grab a beer and listen to an expert talk about a topic like the economy or witchcraft or Black history. They hold these lectures all the time on week days and weekends.
Museums (particularly the Smithsonians) also hold events all the time, so check their calendars to see what’s happening.
The Kennedy Centre has amazing performances and also holds weekly free performances at their Millennium Stage. If you like theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre Company is renowned and does Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare plays. There’s also The Anthem, a venue in one of DC’s newest neighbourhood, the Wharf.
What about nightlife? Disclaimer: I’m not a huge nightlife person. There’s the Black Cat, an alternative club. Because it’s alternative (goth, punk, 80s, etc), it’s often a lot less crowded. I also go to shows at 9:30 Club, which isn’t a club but a concert venue.
I’ve never been to Decades, which is a nightclub with decade-themed rooms (90s, 80s, etc). However I’d love to go one day.
Be sure to bring your ID! Other cities may not card people but DC clubs will card even the elderly.
If you happen to be in town, the Cherry Blossom Festival can get really crowded but there’s cherry blossoms everywhere! It’s quite beautiful. There’s also a Japanese Street Festival around the same time.
The lighting of the National Christmas Tree is a popular highlight in winter. It’s so nice to see the tree and the Mall area around Christmastime.
Where should I eat in DC?
There are so many restaurants in DC and a lot of them are expensive (keep that in mind). So I haven’t been to even half or a quarter of places to eat. You will find the best food in Adams Morgan, known for its international fare, and DuPont Circle, along with Georgetown. Chinatown has some good food which is not limited to Chinese, and can be a bit cheaper. Capitol Hill places can be a bit cheaper, as well.
Of course, an iconic place to eat is Ben’s Chili Bowl, which does have vegetarian chili. Everyone recommends Founding Farmers for some reason, but I’ve been there several times and it’s just so mediocre. You’ll need a reservation several weeks in advance anyway so I’d go somewhere else. Another DC staple is Busboys and Poets which is one of my favourite restaurants. You’ll probably need a reservation for them too but they do have multiple locations around the area.
I asked what my friends’ favourite restaurants in DC were and this is the list I got:
There’s also the restaurant Wok n Roll, which has decent food and I’ve yet to try their karaoke. But what makes it stand out is that the Lincoln assassination was actually planned here.
At the end of the day, you can find great food around DC. Most of it will be in the $15-20 range per meal sans tax, drinks, and appetizers, and tax is 10% on dining. Don’t forget to tip 20%. It will come to a lot of money so be prepared for that.
Where should I stay in Washington, DC?
I definitely recommend staying near a metro station. Some popular areas with nightlife are Adams Morgan, U St, DuPont Circle, Chinatown and Georgetown. Some more city places that are a bit less wild are Capitol Hill, Woodley Park and Southwest Waterfront. For escaping the city within district lines, some of my favourite places are Spring Town, Foxhall, Cathedral Heights and Cleveland Park. These places are more accessible by bus than metro.
If I had to stay anywhere in DC, it would be Chinatown because it’s close to the museums and main sites of DC but a more local area. There’s also a metro station with a few color lines to get on.
Staying outside the city, a lot of people flock to the National Harbor, which is a very new complex. Everything is overpriced and closes early, and you can’t even view DC from the harbor, so I have no idea why it’s popular. Alexandria is so much cuter and more accessible. I’d much rather stay there. Places near the Bethesda Metro and Pentagon City Metro are also more bustling and might be a bit cheaper.
Getting Around Washington, DC
DC has a metro system that works fairly well. Expect a lot of delays but you can definitely use the metro trains to get around the city and out into the suburbs. A lot of people here use Uber and other ride-sharing apps but I advise against it since that whole phenomenon has congested the city to unbearable degrees. DC has a public transit system so unless it’s urgent, please use it. You can also accumulate complaints about the DC metro like a true DC local!
DC is also a very walkable city and you should expect to do some walking. A lot of people use bikes to get around the city and there is a bikeshare program that’s quite popular. Please be mindful to use the roads and, if applicable, bike lanes. A lot of tourists use the sidewalks for biking, which is actually not what you’re supposed to do here. Since there are a lot of people walking around, it’s probably not efficient anyways, and if I hear another biker yelling at me to get out of the way on the sidewalk (which I said, is not the law here), I am going to lose it! Don’t be that person.
I highly advise against driving in DC since it’s so congested (again, ride-sharing) and parking is expensive and sparse. If you’re driving to DC or plan to rent a car to explore the greater area, I’d advise getting a hotel with a parking garage and leaving your car there to explore DC city.
In short, the transit infrastructure is not great here, so I’d highly advise using the metro and walking to get around. DC is a small city and you get to see a lot by walking anyway.
Is Washington, DC Safe?
For the most part, yes. Southeast DC beyond Capitol Hill is known for being a lot sketchier and I can confirm that (I grew up there). I’ve lived in the area for my entire life and I haven’t had any issues outside of Southeast. As always, be careful but don’t stress about safety because you probably won’t be bothered.
When to Visit Washington, DC
The weather here can be frustratingly unpredictable. Early spring and fall are probably the best times to visit in terms of weather, and festivals are usually held between these times. My words of advice are:
Bring layers because one day can be really hot and the next really cold. We’ve had 80 degree days here and have had snow the next day.
Don’t plan around the cherry blossoms because they rarely bloom when they’re expected to. I feel sorry for the tourists who come every year during cherry blossom weeks and miss the cherry blossoms, so just don’t have your trip revolve around them.
Avoid the summer unless you don’t mind really hot and humid weather. It can get really gross out.
The Best Day Trips from Washington, DC
There’s so much to see in DC but if you have some extra time, there’s room to venture outside the city lines. I recommend that everyone who can visit Alexandria, Virginia – just a metro ride away from the city (Duke St Station). It is a very large and charming federal-era town on the waterfront and it is just so beautiful to even walk around. You don’t need a whole day but even an evening to explore and get dinner is worth it. My blog post on Alexandria is coming soon.
Another precious small town you can visit is Annapolis, Maryland (click here to read my blog post). It’s the capitol of Maryland and is a wonderful town on the Chesapeake Bay. There are commuter busses to Annapolis if you’re desperate to get there but ultimately, you’ll need a car. Parking in Annapolis is not as bad as DC.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland so obviously, I do love this city. If you have kids, it’s a great day trip to see the Science Centre, National Aquarium, and Port Discovery. If you love art, the Walters Art Museum is one of the best in the world and it’s worth the trip just to see it. My blog post on Baltimore is coming soon, which will outline the best places and things to do in Baltimore. However I’d say you should only do the day trip if there’s something specific you’d like to do. There are frequent DC-Baltimore trains and then you can use busses (which are free!) to get around Baltimore. If you want to drive, parking is relatively easy in Bmore. Don’t park in the Inner Harbour because it can be super expensive. Little Italy is close and much cheaper.
This is all of the advice I can think of to give you for your trip to Washington, DC. Even though it’s rapidly changing, DC is a wonderful city to explore. If you have any questions big or small, feel free to ask me in the comments.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Washington, DC!
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Hey! Welcome to I Travel for the Stars, an art and history travel blog. My name is Lilly and I'm a part-time female (mostly solo) budget traveller with a world of a bucket a list! Follow my stories and advice as I travel the globe, following the stars. ★
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