The capital of the Spanish province of Seville, the city of Seville is located in the southeastern part of Spain. The city itself is home to about 700,000 residents. Seville’s surrounding metro area has a population of about 1.5 million people, making it the fourth-largest urban area in Spain.
Founded by the ancient Romans in the 8th century, Seville has a long and colorful history. The city has been under the rule of several governments, including that of the Umayyad Muslim Arabs after Spain’s Islamic conquest early in the 8th century. Muslim rule of Seville lasted through the early 13th century when the city became part of the Spanish Empire under King Ferdinand III.
Flights to Seville arrive at San Pablo International Airport (SVQ ), also sometimes called Seville Airport. San Pablo Airport serves about 8 million passengers each year, making it the second-largest airport in Spain’s Andalusia region. The airport is a hub for the European carriers Ryanair and Vueling. It also sees a large amount of traffic from San Francisco (SFO) to Seville.
Ground transportation options for travelers who book tickets to Seville, Spain, include Seville’s Urban Transport Line bus service, which takes passengers to the Plaza de Armas station located in the center of the city. For travelers whose final destinations are outside of Seville, the Urban Transport Line also provides transportation from San Pablo Airport to the Seville Santa Justa railway station. At Santa Justa, passengers can book travel on Spain’s high-speed bullet train service, Alta Velocidad Espanola, to other locations in the country.
Because of its long history, Seville is home to many interesting historic sites and cultural attractions, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the city’s most recognizable landmarks is the Seville Cathedral, or Saint Mary of the See Cathedral, which was built on the former site of a Muslim mosque in the early 16th century shortly after the Iberian Peninsula came back under Christian control.
Many of the tourists who take flights to Seville, Spain, also make it a point to visit the Torre del Oro, or Golden Tower, a former military watchtower. The twelve-sided tower, which appears round from a distance, was constructed in the early 13th century when the city was ruled by the Berber North African Muslim Empire. The Torre del Oro tower, which is situated on the Guadalquivir River, was also once used as a prison.
Both Saint Mary of the See and the Torre del Oro are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In addition to Seville’s many historic buildings, the city is also home to several museums. Travelers who book plane tickets to Seville, Spain, will find that there is a museum for practically every interest, and most visitors make time to see at least a few. Among the more well-known museums in Seville is the Museum of Fine Arts Seville, which houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists.
Other museums popular with visitors who book cheap flights to Seville, Spain, include the Bullfighting Museum, the Flamenco Art Museum, and the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija, which features a large collection of mosaics.
Visitors and Seville locals alike often enjoy spending an afternoon at one of the city’s many parks and public gardens. One of the most popular is the scenic Maria Luisa Park, which is located on the city’s river. Maria Luisa Park was built as an exhibit for the 1929 World Fair, also known as the Ibero-American Exhibition.
Religious tourists from locations around the globe book plane tickets to Seville, Spain, each year to attend the city’s Holy Week, or Semana Santa, festivities. It is one of the world’s most well-known Holy Week celebrations and is considered to be a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest. The festival’s several parades feature elaborate floats made by local religious organizations. Traditional music, costumes, and art are also featured.
Seville’s cuisine is also popular among visitors. The city is home to dozens of tapas bars that serve small plates featuring grilled fish and Iberian ham as well as vegetarian dishes.
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