Take a bit of Andalusia home with you

Culture Foodie History Apr 20. 2024

After a stay at Kukutana, spend some time browsing the winding streets of Seville to stock up on all this enchanting city has to offer

The Kukutana Team

Ceramics, art, leather goods, jewellery, Andalusian fashion and delicious jamón iberico and olive oil – Seville has a wonderful selection of shops, galleries and workshops so you can take a bit of Andalusia home with you

Combined with a relaxing and restorative stay at Kukutana, many guests also choose to spend some time in Seville.

Whether it is a day trip organised from Kukutana itself or a few days in its own right, the beguiling Andalusian city, famous for its winding pedestrianised streets, mouth-watering tapas culture and stunning architecture is well worth a visit; after all, the city hosts over 5,000 tapas bars, and is home to one of the largest cathedrals in the world, along with countless other historical and architectural wonders such as the renowned Plaza de España.

As the capital of Andalusia, Seville is also the perfect spot to browse shops, galleries and workshops to your heart’s content. The area is famous for ceramics, leather goods, clothes and jewellery – not to mention delicious food – so if you want to stock up before the flight home, this is the place!

With hundreds of places to choose from, we thought we would help our guests with a few choice suggestions from the Kukutana team to narrow things down.

Ceramics

Andalusia is world-famous for its azulejos, or hand painted tiles. These are seen all over Southern Spain and Portugal, used to decorate the grandest palaces and cathedrals (the Alhambra in Granada, and Seville’s very own Alcázar are great examples), as well as restaurants, schools, universities and private houses – including Kukutana itself. Often with colourful, geometric patterns, or depictions of animals, azulejos were introduced by the Moors in the 13th Century, quickly becoming a ubiquitous element of Andalusian interior design.

For a great selection of handmade azulejos, as well as other ceramics – plates, jugs, vases and serving dishes – try Ceramica Triana, located in Seville’s charming Triana district. Famous for producing some of the city’s finest bullfighters and flamenco dancers, in addition to its renowned pottery scene, Triana is also well worth a visit for its markets, churches and flamenco shows.

Alternatively, Populart, in Seville’s historical centre, is a lovely boutique with a great handpicked selection of tiles, plates and serving bowls.

Leather goods

Here at Kukutana our horse-riding excursions, whether a ride to El Rocio, a gallop along the long, sandy beaches of Doñana, or exploring the towering pine forests on our doorstep, are some of the absolute highlights for guests.

Inspired by the riding at Kukutana, if you want to pick up any equestrian gear before heading home Dorantes Harness is the place to go. Specialising in both tailor-made design and production, as well as the restoration of antique leather goods, the Dorantes Harness team’s craftmanship, skill and dedication is second to none.

Visit their store in central Seville, just metres from the cathedral, or the workshop in the small town of Lebrija to the South, for a wide range of goods, including equestrian equipment, belts, bags and other accessories.

Jewellery

The Andalusian cities of Granada, Cordoba and Seville produce over half of all of Spain’s jewellery, largely in a vast network of boutique workshops that each have their own unique designs and techniques.

Whether it is gold, silver, precious or semi-precious stones, there’s plenty to choose from wandering the narrow streets that wind their way out from Seville’s famous cathedral – ideal for a souvenir to celebrate your time at Kukutana!

A personal favourite of the Kukutana team is Artesania El Jardín, a small, unassuming boutique that specialises in handmade jewellery, but also sells a selection of ceramics and other artisan goods.

Flamenco dresses

If a Flamenco show at Kukutana has inspired you to don your own traje de gitana, you are in luck! There are plenty of options to choose from, with a fantastic range of colours, styles and patterns that are sure to catch the eye back home.

Traditionally, there are two types of flamenco dress; one is the day dress, body-hugging to mid-thigh before flaring out with plenty of layers down to the ankle. The other, the dancer’s version, tends to flare out from higher on the hip, allowing for more ease of movement.

Both tend to be made with bright, eye-catching colours – pinks and reds, offset against dark or white backgrounds, often adorned with polka dots – with lots of ruffles at the sleeves and skirt; this is an outfit for someone wanting to make an entrance!

Rocio Peralta, born in Seville and daughter of a famous Spanish bullfighter, founded her own shop and workshop dedicated to flamenco fashion. With a brilliant range of dresses, as well as shoes and accessories, look no further for your very own flamenco outfit.

Fans and shawls

Crucial to complete your flamenco outfit, or as a memorable keepsake all of its own, you can never go wrong with a shawl or a fan to remind yourself of a trip to Andalusia.

Draped elegantly over shoulders, shawls or mantones de manila are the traditional complement to a flamenco dress. Traditionally square pieces of silk with intricate embroidered motifs, these shawls come originally from the Philippines, from where they spread to Latin America and Spain before quickly being adopted in to Flamenco culture.

A fantastic collection is available from Angeles Espinar in nearby Villamanrique de la Condesa.

Fans, known as abanicos, are another vital accessory to complete your Andalusian outfit and an iconic symbol of the region.

Another foreign import, it is thought that hand fans were introduced to Spain from North Africa when Seville was under Moorish control, before being adopted by upper-class women. Their use quickly spread more widely, including Flamenco choreographers and dancers.

Now, fans are commonly associated with Andalusia, with plenty of options in Seville.

Try Abanicos Airearte, another boutique in the heart of the historic centre only steps from the cathedral, with a large range of intricately designed and decorated fans to choose from.

Hats

Whether it is elegant riding hats, straw hats, panamas, or flat caps, for both men and women, Sombreros Antonio Garcia is sure to have something for you. The centrally located stores also have a wide range of accessories, including ponchos

With made-to-measure options available and crafted from the finest ingredients, the superior headwear available will surely have you turning heads in turn back home.

Art

A fantastic way to stir memories of trips of old, there is nothing better than a painting or print on the wall to remind you of a holiday.

Fortunately, the Andalusian countryside and Seville city-scape, bursting as they are with iconic architecture, eye-catching buildings such as the Plaza de Espana and Giralda (the cathedral bell-tower), and plenty of picturesque street scenes and rural tableaus, has plenty to offer the region’s talented artists.

Tucked down a quiet street in the shadow of the walls of the Alcázar in central Seville, Espacio Sacáis has a delightful selection of watercolours, pastels, prints, sketches and photos capturing evocative and atmospheric scenes of Seville and Andalusia.

Take your time to browse the selection and you are sure to find the perfect piece. What’s more, it is only metres from the pictureseque Plaza de la Alianza, ringed with tapas bars; plenty of watering holes around after a morning shopping in Seville!

Olive oil, ham, wine and other tasty treats

Jamón ibérico, the melt in the mouth delicacy that is as sumptuous as it is more-ish, is surely one of the Spain’s greatest contributions to world gastronomy, whilst fresh white bread dunked in a fine olive oil is one of life’s simple pleasures.

From a tasty tortilla española to a rich, velvety rioja, plump juicy olives to sweet delicate pastries, there are plenty of delicious treats that travel well and can be enjoyed once you are back home.

Seville’s tapas bar scene is second to none, but for packaged food ready to travel, we would suggest the Gourmet Experience on the rooftop bar of El Corte Ingles in Plaza del Duque.

Browse the gourmet shop to stock up on goodies, before enjoying one last tasty meal with a bottle of rioja or sherry, overlooking the Seville cityscape as the sun goes down. Whilst not your typical Sevillian tapas bar, this rooftop spot has some of the finest views in the city.

For details, directions, and to incorporate some time in Seville in to your stay with us at Kukutana, please feel free to contact the team and we’d be delighted to help!

Image credit to:

Ceramica Triana, Populart, Dorantes Harness, Artesania El Jardin, Rocio Peralta, Angeles Espinar, Abanicos Airearte, Sombreros Antonio Garcia, Espacio Sacais, El Corte Ingles, abc.es, therooftopguide.com

I’m struggling to put into words everything that we have experienced these past days, from the very first moment it has all been exceptional. The team and the hosts are marvellous, the experiences unforgettable - we will cherish these days forever.

Guest, Madrid

A unique experience surrounded by friends and hosted by this wonderful family who have poured their dreams and love into this project. The most memorable G&T in history! We will be back soon.

V.U. Madrid

The magic of southern Spain and the warmth with which we have been received have made these days unforgettable. What an incredible project you have created!

A.L. Germany

Thank you for the most magical few days in this piece of Paradise! It was the most memorable time and holiday that we have ever had. The food was delicious, the horses were beautiful and cannot believe that we saw a Lynx! We cannot thank you enough for all you have done. Hope to see you again soon and best luck for the creation and adventures that you plan.