How about a day trip to sensational Seville? Located just one hour from Kukutana, this beautiful city is bathed in sunshine for most of the year and bursts with energy, passion and culture.
With a colourful history dating back to Roman times, vibrant Seville is a feast for the senses, home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, magnificent architecture and a vibrant culinary scene. The city lays claim to being the birthplace of tapas and is packed with excellent bars and eateries.
Festival City
Seville is highly skilled at celebrations. The city marks Holy Week between Palm Sunday until Easter in the form of Semana Santa, arguably the most spectacular festival of its kind in Spain and a tradition that dates back to the 16th Century. The streets of Seville come alive with music and drums, floats and processions, parades of religious sculptures, seas of flowers and flamenco dancers.
Two weeks later, the lavish fiesta of Feria de Abril arrives. Famed for its giant fairground, food and drink, flamenco and fireworks, this is the country’s largest annual party and it draws immense crowds. There are parades and processions in carriages and on horseback and daily bullfights.
Seville is a delight at any time of year
We offer a choice of fully guided excursions to Seville from Kukutana, during which you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable city guide. If you are returning home on an evening flight, we often recommend a daytime trip to Seville before being transferred directly to the airport later in the afternoon.
Monumental Tour
- Duration: 4 hours, including one hour’s transfer time from Kukutana
Recommended timing: 10.00-13.00/ 14.30-17.30 - Duration: 4 hours, including one hour’s transfer time from Kukutana
Recommended timing: 10.00-13.00/ 14.30-17.30
Explore the rich history of Seville with this impressive tour of the major monuments of the city.
Barrio Santa Cruz
The first stop is the fascinating former Jewish quarter of the city, a maze of narrow streets and alleys, most of which are impassable by car. Discover hidden squares, ancient palaces and churches and marvel at the exquisite architecture of the area. Understand how the city has evolved over the centuries, before exploring two of Seville’s most significant historical buildings.
The Alcázar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville is the oldest royal palace in use in Europe. The upper storeys of the building are still occupied by the Spanish royal family when they visit the city. Dating back to the 11th century and protected by a wall, the palace was erected as a fortress in this strategic area of Seville in order to protect the Muslim authorities. This striking Moorish palace is a fine example of Mudéjar architecture, a product of a combination of Islamic and Christian culture. The Alcázar showcases elements of Muslim, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic art and is home to some impressive botanical gardens, providing a tranquil sanctuary in the heart of the bustling city, which can be explored as part of the tour.
The Cathedral of Seville
The Cathedral of Seville is a treasure of the Roman Catholic world and the largest Gothic cathedral on earth, covering a vast area of 11,520m2. With four facades and fifteen monumental doors, it was originally built as a mosque by Muslims in the 12th Century and later converted to a cathedral. The Giralda of Seville was part of the old mosque and served as a minaret. It was later adapted into a bell tower and remains today. The Cathedral is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Please note that entrance fees to monuments are not included.
Please note that entrance fees to monuments are not included.
A walk through Seville
- Duration: 4 hours, including one hour’s transfer time from Kukutana
Recommended timing: 10.00-13.00/ 14.30-17.30 - Recommended timing: 10.00-13.00/ 14.30-17.30
This walking tour offers an excellent introduction to the city of Seville. Your dedicated guide will walk you through the key areas and major monuments of the city while making sure you have time to relax with a drink or cup of coffee. For those feeling a little peckish, there are plenty of tapas bars and cafes to enjoy along the way.
In addition to being shown the exterior of The Cathedral of Seville and The Alcázar of Seville, depending how energetic you are feeling, there will be the opportunity to visit some or all of the following:
- Archivo de Indias – 10 km of bookshelves housing documents spanning the 16th to the 19th centuries
- Avenida de la Constitución – this avenue became significant in the city from the Middle Ages
- City Hall of Seville – a spectacular example of Plateresque architecture
- Plaza de San Francisco – a well-known square in the heart of the city
- Calle Sierpes – a long, narrow, pedestrianised shopping street
- Guadalquivir River – the only navigable river in Spain and central to the city’s history
- Palace of San Telmo –an impressive building and the seat of the Andalucían Government
- Old Tobacco Factory – formerly the setting for Bidet’s opera ‘Carmen’, now home to the University
- Plaza de España – Spanish Renaissance style square, with elegant bridges crossing ornamental ponds
- Prado de San Sebastián – one of two of the city’s bus stations, a classic example of Seville architecture
- Puerta de Jerez – one of the main pedestrian squares in Seville
Full Day Tour
- Duration: 6 hours
- Recommended timing: 10.00-13.00/ 14.30-17.30
This comprehensive, full day tour of Seville combines elements of the Monumental Tour and Walking Tours above and can be adapted to suit your needs.
While exploring the sights of the city, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for ubiquitous signs of the city’s logo “NO8DO“. Reportedly dating back to the 13th-century, the symbol was bestowed to the people of Seville by King Alfonso X in response to the support he received during the battles against his son, Sancho IV of Castile, who attempted to seize the throne during the Reconquista. The logo means: the city has not abandoned me.
Please note that entrance fees to monuments are not included.
Kukutana
This fully serviced Andalusian family house is available for exclusive hire. Comfortably sleeping 12 in six double bedrooms, you will have full use of the house and grounds. You will be hosted by the wonderfully hospitable owners in order to experience first-hand the culture, traditions and gastronomy of this magical corner of Andalusia.
Kukutana nestles on the edge of a national park that is bursting with diverse flora and fauna. There are tranquil gardens, ancient woodland, a collection of horses and an ancient bull fighting ring onsite, in addition to a peacefully positioned swimming pool.
Four delicious home-cooked meals are prepared daily by experienced cook Isabel using fresh local ingredients. All food, drinks, activities and excursions are included in the price, giving you the opportunity to explore the beauty of Doñana National Park and beyond on foot, horseback, bicycle or 4X4.
