Sevilla

Sevilla is the capital of Andalucía, the autonomous community of southern Spain, and its biggest city with 685,000 people.  

This picturesque river city is situated alongside the River Guadalquivir, about 60 miles from Spain’s Atlantic Coast. Despite the proximity, Sevilla’s inland position means it gets much hotter summers than on the coast, with highs of 95°F. This is the hottest major metropolitan area in Europe.  

Sevilla has a rich history that dates back 2,200 years. Its 4-square-kilometer old town—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is a warren of narrow streets that contain jaw dropping historical sites, as well as a high concentration restaurants, bars, cafés, and boutiques.  

The most noteworthy landmarks are the Alcázar palace complex (originally a Muslim palace that was converted into a Christian accommodation for Spanish royalty), the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies (a repository for important documents during the heyday of the Spanish Empire).  

This city boasts a lively cultural scene and plays host festivals dedicated to everything from flamenco to livestock, religion to maritime culture. It’s a place of live music, including big-name artists, theater productions, opera, art, and more. Gastronomy is a major cultural attraction, particularly for tapas—the small, traditionally free portions of food that are served alongside beverages.  

Sevilla is a great choice if you’re looking for a mix of cosmopolitan environment and neighborhood feel, as this is a relatively small, manageable city.