Few places encapsulate the story of Spain as well as Seville. And where better to tell that story than the vast Gothic Cathedral which was built on the site of a Moorish mosque and contains the remains of Christopher Columbus. Next to the Cathedral is it's bell tower, La Giralda, the former minaret of the mosque which you can climb for great views.
Nearby is the Real Alcázar, the former Moorish fort and now a royal palace. In the summer you can visit at night for less heat and more atmosphere. The Alcázar, Cathedral and Archivo de Indias (archive of the colonies in the Americas), have been listed by UNESCO as a 'remarkable monumental complex' which perfectly epitomise the Spanish 'Golden Age'.
The Museo de Bellas Artes offers some of the finest religious works of art with paintings by El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, but also some more down to earth every day pictures about Seville like Gonzalo Bilbao’s Las cigarreras (The Cigarette Makers). For another place with masterpieces in a building that's also a masterpice in its own right, try the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes.
And if Seville is getting too steamy for you, you could always try cooling off in the Parque de María Luisa.
Tapas is everywhere and while here, why not try marinated ‘pescaíto’ (fish) or snails accompanied by a fino or manzanilla? And if you want some more direction, here's a guide to some of the finest.
For flamenco try Casa de la Memoria or Casa de la Guitarra and if you are looking for festivals then Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Abril (Spring Fair) should do the trick.
Highlights
Visit the immense Cathedral (world's largest Gothic structure) and its bell tower, La Giralda
Stroll around the beautiful Real Alcázar palace complex which marries Moorish and Christian architecture - good idea to pre-purchase your ticket to cut waiting in a long queue
Look at Spanish and Sevillan masterpieces in the Museo de Bellas Artes including paintings by El Greco, Velázquez, Goya and Murillo.
Check out Semana Santa (Holy Week at Easter in which berobed religious brotherhoods lead a series of processions with floats of lifelike wooden sculptures) and Feria de Abril (week long festival which takes place two weeks after Easter Sunday and starts with a spectacle of lights (and fried fish) and ends with a firework display)
Station stroll ideas
Tourist info have provided a set of downloadable maps and guides here.
Guided tours
If you would like a personal guided tour, Tourist info have provided this list of private guides.
Luggage
If you want to stroll without a care in the world, including your luggage, you could try using the nannybag app to find a place that will take your bags.
Getting there
If you are coming from the Barcelona then trains take 5 1⁄2 hours.
More locally, Cordoba is 50 minutes away and Madrid 2 1⁄2 hours.
It is also 2 hours from Malaga
Useful links
Tourist information: http://www.visitasevilla.es/
Where next?
How about Malaga?