The Essentials of Seville

As a study abroad student in Seville, my days are jam packed full of school, work, hanging out with friends, and exploring the city. In my time here, I’ve gotten to know the city pretty well and would love to share, what I consider, the essentials of Seville. 

If you’re anything like me, food is one of the most important things about your day. I love trying new places and eating what the locals eat. When I first got to Seville, the first thing I wanted to try was paella. I didn’t want just any ordinary paella, but I wanted an authentic paella experience that would give me a true taste of Seville. In my search, I came across a company called “La Terraza del Cristina” which offered a Paella Show Cooking experience. I happily attended and am so glad I did. During this experience, I got to watch a Spanish chef cook authentic paella and learn more about the history and culture of Seville. The chef listed out the ingredients and explained the best way to make paella. This was such a fun experience I got to enjoy while I was in Seville. The best part? He will send you the recipe after if you just email and ask for it! I highly recommend this experience if you are looking for paella that is both delicious and authentic.   

Because I’m a sweets person, I knew I had to find a good ice cream place during my time abroad. I’m sure you will notice that there are gelato shops on almost every street here in Seville, but it can be hard to weed out the bad ones sometimes. I wanted something that had a plethora of flavors but that was also a bit different from your typical gelato shop. A classmate of mine suggested a place called “Bolas.” Located close to Las Setas (which I would also highly recommend by the way), Bolas offers a variety of flavors that are all made from scratch. This is simply the best ice cream place in Seville and such a fun place to go with friends and family. 

Last, but certainly not least, sangria! This is something that you truly cannot miss out on if you come to Spain. Before I got here, I had a very basic knowledge of sangria and had read things from locals saying that they actually do not ever order sangria if they are at a bar or restaurant. The reason for this is because there are many different ways to make it and everyone has their own preference. That being said, I was a little hesitant to try it at first because I didn’t want to be disappointed. I came across a company called “Local Food Experiences” that offered a rooftop sangria tasting and let me tell you- I absolutely was not disappointed. During this experience, I got to try 4 different kinds of sangria and a sample of sherry wine. This was such a fun way to experience authentic sangria while enjoying the amazing views of Seville from a rooftop.