Seville

A royal palace still used by the Spanish royal family, built mostly in the fourteenth century by Christian kings in the Mudéjar style, by craftsmen trained in Moorish traditions. Its courtyards, such as the Patio de las Doncellas, are covered in intricate tiles, carved stucco and wooden ceilings, and its gardens are a paradise of fountains, palms and orange trees.

TipBook a timed ticket online, and go first thing in the morning or late in the day.

The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built on the site of the city's great mosque. Inside are a vast gilded altarpiece and the tomb of Christopher Columbus, carried by four figures. The Giralda, the former minaret, became its bell tower; climb its thirty-five ramps, built for horses, for views over the city.

A sweeping semicircular building with towers, bridges and a canal, built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Along its walls, tiled alcoves represent each of Spain's provinces. It's surrounded by the María Luisa Park, with shady avenues, fountains and pavilions.

TipVisit in the late afternoon, when the light is warm, and rent a rowing boat on the canal.

The old Jewish quarter, a maze of narrow whitewashed lanes, flower-filled patios and tiny squares shaded by orange trees, between the cathedral and the Alcázar gardens. It's one of the most romantic places in Spain to get lost.

A giant modern wooden structure shaped like a canopy of mushrooms over the Plaza de la Encarnación, opened in 2011. A walkway on top offers panoramic views of the old town, especially at sunset, and Roman remains are displayed in the museum beneath it.

Across the Guadalquivir River, the traditional neighbourhood of sailors, potters and flamenco artists, reached by the Triana Bridge. Visit the Triana Market, the ceramic workshops and tile shops on Calle San Jorge, and the riverside bars of Calle Betis, with views back to the city.

A thirteenth-century Almohad watchtower on the river, once part of the city walls, now a small maritime museum. The riverbank promenade leads past it to the bullring of the Real Maestranza.

A sixteenth-century palace that mixes Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance styles, with tiled courtyards, gardens and classical sculptures. It's a quieter alternative to the Alcázar and still the home of a noble family.

Seville is one of the heartlands of flamenco. Small venues, known as tablaos and peñas, offer intimate performances of song, guitar and dance; the Museo del Baile Flamenco also has nightly shows. Triana's bars sometimes host spontaneous performances.