【Spain】Sevilla The Dorne palance of Game of thrones and the splandid spanish square you cannot missed
Seville (or Sevilla in Spanish, pronounced “seh-vee-ya”) is the fourth-largest city in Spain and is a center for art, culture, and finance in the south of the country. The Seville Royal Palace, the Cathedral of Seville, and the General Archive of the Indies, which are all located in Seville, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. During the 15th century, when the New World was discovered, Seville was an important port in Spain because it served as a transfer point for transporting goods from the Americas to various parts of Europe. Christopher Columbus, the explorer who discovered the New World, was buried in the Cathedral of Seville.
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Transportation
Seville Airport is located about 15 minutes by taxi from the city center and there are also buses available that go directly to the central train station. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes, and the one-way fare for the direct bus is 4 euros, while a round-trip ticket costs 6 euros (which can be stored on the rechargeable card introduced below).
Taking a local ride-sharing car from the airport to the city center costs around 17 euros (prices may change).
Transportation in town
Most of the attractions are concentrated in the city center, within a 30-minute walk.
There are trams, buses, and metro in the city, and transportation tickets are available for single trips, rechargeable cards, and 1-3 day passes.
Single journey ticket: 1.4 euros, available for purchase at ticket machines at each station.
Rechargeable card: Deposit of 1.5 euros, 0.69 euros per ride, can be purchased at service points. Minimum recharge of 7 euros, maximum recharge of 50 euros can be repeatedly used, and a special version rechargeable card requires a deposit of 2 euros.
1-3 day ticket: Deposit of 1.5 euros (standard version) or 2 euros (special version), unlimited rides on trams and buses, can be topped up online. Can only be purchased at the following specific locations: Prado San Sebastián, Plaza Ponce de León and Avda. Andalucía, 11.
If you have any questions about tickets or cards, you can find someone to help you at TUSSAM Service Points on Google Maps.
Accommondation
Our accommodation choice for this trip is the 4-star Hotel Pasarela located near Plaza de España in Seville.
The price for one night is around 70 euros. The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable, and the windows face Plaza de España. The only downside is that the internet connection is a bit unstable. It takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach the city center, making it a good choice for those who prefer a quieter location.
Restaurant
Taberna Mármol
Address:
Av. de la Borbolla, 3, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
This small restaurant next to our accommodation is an authentic Spanish TAPAS place with an English menu. The food is delicious, especially the braised meat dishes which are tender, juicy, and flavorful.
Attractions
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
Opening time:
09:30 ~ 18:30
Address:
Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, 西班牙
Tickets：
The Seville Royal Palace can be purchased online or by queuing up on site, but there will definately be a lot of people on site, so it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. An audio guide can be purchased for an additional 6.5 euros.
Here is the link to the official website for ticket purchase: https://realalcazarsevilla.cliqueo.es/en/
Free admission is available every Monday between 1/1 to 6/30, but advance reservation is still required.
Full ticket: 13.5 euros
Reduced ticket (for EU citizens aged 65 or over, or between 14 and 30 years old with a student ID): 6 euros
Free admission for children under 13 (registration required in advance)
How to get the ticket online
The website displays the following options after clicking the link above:
The option on the left is for tickets to visit only the palace, the middle option is for registering for the free admission day, and the option on the right is for visiting the palace and the exclusive upper floor (with a 20-minute guided tour for an additional 5.5 euros, with limited availability and no photography allowed inside, and accompanied by a guide and a guard).
After selecting the options, you will see the following image.
First, select the date in section 1.
Then, choose the time you want to enter in section 2, and select the ticket type in section 3.
After making your selection, you will be asked to provide your contact information and email.
The purchased ticket will be sent to this email, so be sure to provide accurate information. You will also need to provide personal information, which will be used to verify your identity at the entrance. However, on the day we visited, they did not check our identity.
After filling out the required information, click on the PAY button to complete the payment.
Shortly after completing the payment, you will receive an email in Spanish containing a PDF file of your ticket. It is important to note that you must arrive one hour before your scheduled entry time to queue for entry on the day of your visit. If you are more than one hour late, you will not be allowed to enter.
Originally built as a fortress by the Moors (the Islamic conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula), the Alcázar was expanded and transformed by subsequent monarchs into the palace it is today, with the upper levels still used by the royal family. The palace was also used as a filming location for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the fifth and sixth seasons of Game of Thrones. The main courtyard is primarily planted with citrus trees, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms in the spring. In addition to citrus trees, there are a variety of exotic plants such as wisteria, and the different plants divide the entire courtyard into distinct areas. There is also a small maze made of a hedge, which is quite interesting. Furthermore, there are many peacocks roaming freely in the courtyard, providing an additional attraction for visitors.
Comparsion with the film scene
The following scenes from the show were also filmed in this garden, but we either couldn’t find them or forgot to take photos.
Plaza de España
opening time:
08:00 ~ 22:00
There is a gate with guard that cannot be entered after closing time.
Address:
Av. Isabel la Católica, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Ticket:
don’t need ticket to visit the square
The semi-circular canal, combined with the magnificent architecture, creates a completely different style from the palace. From every angle, the square gives a completely different feeling, making people feel the versatility of the square. The circular plaza is surrounded by government agencies and museums. Small, beautiful arch bridges span the canal, serving as a connection between the square and the outside world. Under the arches of the square, street performers dance to flamenco, attracting a large number of tourists. This square was also a filming location for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
Film scene comparasion
