Seville holidays

Seville is pitched inland, which puts your closest beach around an hour’s drive from the centre of the city. But, as long as you’re up for travelling, you’ve got a bucketload of beaches within driving distance.

Matalascanas is an hour’s drive from the city. It’s got more than three miles of sun-drenched sand and its huge sand dunes create a postcard-worthy backdrop. It sits next door to Donana National Park which is home to migrating birds from far and wide, and a flamboyance of flamingos.

If you’re on the hunt for a lesser-trodden swathe, you’ll need to travel a little further. Cala del Aceite is around a 90-minute drive from the centre of Seville. Its short stretch of sand is framed by toffee-coloured cliffs and pine trees.

Seville’s main market takes place on Feria Street every Thursday. It’s the oldest market in Seville and takes its place next door to the 13th-century Omnium Sanctorum Church. It’s a great place to head for hand-crafted souvenirs, and market-fresh food. There’s a seafood tapas place that serves up a low-cost lunch here, too.

Sierpes Street is the city’s central shopping hub. It’s lined with shops on both sides, and it’s the place to go for everything from high street brands to local shops selling authentic flamenco dresses.

Tetuan Street runs parallel to Sierpes Street and it’s known as one of the most expensive streets in Spain. Local and international designers have outlets here, and it’s a great spot to pick up exclusive jewellery and one-of-a-kind accessories.

The neighbourhood of Alameda is the glamourous face of Seville. And, nights here come in the shape of classy rooftop bars and terraces which serve up first-rate views of the city.

Seville doesn’t sleep after dark, so there are plenty of places to head to for a big night out. One of the city’s best spots, though, is along Betis Street. It’s in Triana, so you can expect a flamenco show or two to keep you entertained.

Seville is a short drive from Huelva, an area known for being one of the best producers of Iberian ham. This dish has got a certified spot on tapas menus all over the city.

Salmorejo is a thicker and creamier version of gazpacho – a cold tomato soup. It’s usually eaten as a starter at dinner time, particularly in the summer months.

Montaditos, or small sandwiches, come in a variety of different flavours and they’re a big hit in tapas restaurants. A pringá sandwich is made up of slow-cooked pork, chorizo and morcilla – which is similar to black pudding.

These are a popular choice for anyone with a sweet tooth at breakfast time. Or, as a tasty treat for dessert. They’re sticks of deep-fried sweet batter served alongside a thick hot chocolate for dunking.

Seville’s love for oranges is no secret, but this drink takes things a step further. The city’s version of orange wine isn’t like the one you’d get elsewhere, which is usually a specific type of white wine. But, in Seville, orange wine is a sweet fortified tipple, flavoured using the peel of Seville-grown oranges. It’s best as a dessert wine, or paired up with cheese.