One of my favorite parts of long-term travel is discovering those tiny details that you might have missed the first time around. And one of the best places in Spain to look for such details is the Alcázar of Sevilla, the oldest royal palace in Europe that’s still used. 

sevilla-alcazar-details

It’s no wonder the Alcázar ranks among my absolute favorite sights in Spain – the whole place glitters with golden surfaces, and each room is more intricately decorated than the last.  Just about every inch is covered with an elegant detail, quite literally. When I studied abroad in Sevilla, I often had my lunch in the gardens because entry was free for students at the time (it’s a couple of euros now). I don’t have too many fond memories of my time in Sevilla, but that’s definitely one of them.

The city’s most famous sight may be the cathedral and its Giralda tower, but if you’re short on time I’d suggest skipping the inside of the cathedral and instead enjoy the much more extensive and unusual Alcázar. There are lots of cathedrals in Europe, but there are very few buildings like the Alcázar.

Besos!

-Jess