Sevilla, Spain: It Just Might Be the Prettiest City in Europe

Last year we spent a full month in glorious Sevilla, Spain, and above is a slideshow with a collection of images from our time there.

We had heard that Sevilla was a beautiful and livable city, but we really didn’t know what to expect when we decided to spend a month there. To make a long story short - after a month - neither of us wanted to leave. The people were friendly, the city was beautiful, and the streets were vibrant and full of joy. We walked around every day and were constantly amazed by the beauty of this city and by its wonderful parks, tapas restaurants, and amazing sights.

At one point, we were sitting outdoors at a cafe and a couple sat down next to us. We started talking and, after a bit, I asked the woman if she was enjoying her stay in Sevilla. Without hesitation, she replied, “through my work, I have lived in and visited some of the most highly regarded cities in the world - Paris, Rome, London, San Francisco, and New York - and easily, Sevilla is the most beautiful city I have been to.” After spending over 10 days walking the streets of this gorgeous city, all I could say in response was, “I absolutely agree!”

It is truly a joy to walk the streets of Sevilla. Its “old town” is the largest in Spain and one of the largest in all of Europe. At every turn there is a new winding street

. . . a new point of discovery.

My philosophy when traveling through Europe is that the streets tell the story of a city. When you wander the streets and alleyways, you begin to feel like a local. As you enter lesser-known neighborhoods, you begin to experience the authenticity of a place.

One of the big reasons we enjoy visiting European cities is that their old towns often have central pedestrian-only streets that are closed off to cars. Restaurant seating and shops can open their doors and spill onto the sidewalks, people congregate with friends, there are squares with fountains and benches, and street artists performing on the corners. It’s a festive and very livable environment. After being in Sevilla, it’s fair to say that it really is the gold standard for a pedestrianized city. It’s large but accessible. It’s safe, friendly, beautiful, and incredibly walkable . . .

I could go on and on about the streets of Sevilla, but better than that, I will just share photos with you from my morning walks around town. My words pale in comparison to what these images will convey. Enjoy the visual feast.