Our Big Summer Adventure Part V: Wandering in the Queen of Andalusia at the crack of dawn

Hey there friends!

Continuing from my previous post, our first day in Seville had left such a strong impression on me that I decided to wake up ridiculously early the next morning and explore as much of the Queen of Andalusia as possible before the merciless July heat took over the city.

So, I set my alarm for 6 a.m.

Yes, dear readers.

I actually did it.

To my own surprise, I woke up happy and excited. I took a shower and slowly enjoyed an espresso while the rest of the family slept peacefully. One of the many things I loved about our apartment was the fully equipped kitchen, which even included a coffee machine and capsules.

A perfect start to the day.

My husband and the boys had absolutely no interest in waking up at dawn to wander around Seville.

My daughter, however, was immediately on board.

So my little princess and I quietly got ready and stepped outside by 7 a.m.

Why Early Mornings Are Pure Magic

Before continuing, let me share one of my favorite travel tips.

The best way to truly feel a city is by walking.

And the best time to walk is early in the morning.

Those peaceful hours just after sunrise have a special magic. Streets are quieter, landmarks are almost empty, and local life slowly starts unfolding around you.

The city belongs to you for a little while.

And nowhere did this feel truer than in Seville.

Our destination was Plaza de España, often described as one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

I had been dreaming about seeing it.

But instead of rushing there, we took our time.

Starting from Calle Rivero, we walked along Avenida de la Constitución, admiring elegant façades, hidden courtyards, orange trees, and the magnificent historic buildings that seemed to appear around every corner.

The city still felt sleepy.

Like a queen slowly waking up and revealing her beauty.

Meeting the Most Beautiful Square in the World

After roughly forty minutes of walking, we finally reached Plaza de España just as it opened.

And let me tell you something.

If you ever visit Seville, go early.

Very early.

At that hour, the square was almost empty.

No crowds.

No waiting in line for photos.

No noise.

Just beauty.

And what beauty it was!

The square is enormous and semi-circular, surrounding a canal crossed by elegant bridges. Intricate ceramic tiles, towers, arches, fountains, and colonnades combine to create something that feels halfway

between a royal palace and a movie set.

In fact, several films have been shot there, including scenes from Star Wars.

The famous tiled benches representing Spain's provinces are works of art in themselves.

My daughter and I wandered across bridges, explored archways, admired every detail, and occasionally sat on the beautiful blue-and-white ceramic benches simply to absorb the atmosphere.

There truly is a reason why people call it one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

It may very well be.

Eventually, feeling happy, peaceful, and completely satisfied, we left with a promise to return later with the boys and their father.

A Walk Through María Luisa Park

Next, we wandered into María Luisa Park.

The park felt like a green oasis in the heart of Seville.

Palm trees, fountains, hidden pathways, birds singing, and surprisingly exotic vegetation made it feel worlds away from the city streets.

One thing that particularly fascinated us were the enormous trees.

Some had gigantic trunks and spectacular exposed roots that looked almost unreal.

Like something from a fantasy novel.

But they were completely real.

My daughter and I spent quite a while exploring and taking photos before continuing our adventure.

Breakfast Like Royalty

By then, hunger was becoming impossible to ignore.

And let's be honest.

Knowing me, that shouldn't surprise anyone.

We had been walking for hours.

A reward was in order.

And what better reward than breakfast at the legendary Hotel Alfonso XIII?

Often considered one of the most luxurious hotels in Spain, the historic property was originally built to host royal guests for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

The moment you step inside, you feel it.

The architecture.

The courtyards.

The ceramics.

The atmosphere.

Everything whispers elegance.

Yet somehow it still feels warm and welcoming.

My daughter and I explored every accessible corner before settling down in the beautiful courtyard for a leisurely breakfast.

It felt absolutely royal.

And delicious.

Shopping, Wandering and 41°C

Eventually, we made our way back toward the apartment, where we found the rest of the family enjoying breakfast at a nearby café.

After a second coffee and everybody's batteries recharged, we decided to enjoy another favorite vacation activity:

Shopping.

The summer sales had already begun.

But to be honest, what we enjoyed even more was simply wandering.

Seville is one of those cities where the journey is often more enjoyable than the destination.

We hopped in and out of traditional jamón shops, local specialty stores, boutiques, shoe stores, and charming little businesses.

Soon enough, our feet naturally carried us back to Barrio Santa Cruz.

Again.

The Giralda and the Cathedral looked absolutely magnificent under the blazing midday sun.

And yes.

Despite the 41°C heat, we still found ourselves wandering around them one more time.

A Hidden Little Gem

Eventually, even we had to admit defeat.

Forty-one degrees is no joke.

We decided to stop for lunch and retreat to the air-conditioned comfort of our apartment for a well-deserved break.

But before reaching it, we stumbled upon one more surprise.

Plaza del Cabildo.

Hidden only a few steps from the Cathedral, this small, semi-circular square feels like a secret.

Many visitors never find it.

Tucked away behind shops and passageways, it looks almost like a tiny stage set from another century.

Charming.

Peaceful.

Absolutely enchanting.

One more reason to love Seville!

A Golden-Hour Carriage Ride

After our afternoon rest, we got dressed and headed out again.

It was around 7 p.m.

And somehow, the temperature was still close to 40°C.

I insisted on taking the family back to Plaza de España.

Everyone deserved to see it.

Walking was out of the question, so we took taxis.

Unfortunately, upon arrival we learned the square was about to close due to preparations for a concert scheduled later that evening.

I was genuinely disappointed.

But only for a moment.

Because my husband had a wonderful alternative idea.

A horse-drawn carriage ride.

And honestly?

There may not be a better way to experience Seville.

The kids loved the horses.

We loved the views.

And the golden evening light made everything feel magical.

We crossed María Luisa Park, admired wedding photoshoots taking place among the gardens, and then continued toward the city's historic center.

Passing through beautiful avenues and elegant districts, we eventually arrived near the Guadalquivir River.

We admired the Torre del Oro and the lively waterfront promenade while debating whether to spend the evening in the Arenal district, famous for its nightlife and atmosphere.

Back Where We Belonged

But in the end, there was only one place our hearts wanted to return to.

The Giralda.

Again.

And Barrio Santa Cruz.

Again.

The illuminated Giralda rising into the deep blue evening sky looked almost golden.

I couldn't stop staring at it.

No photograph could do it justice.

We wandered through narrow streets, charming plazas, and hidden corners until late into the evening.

Once again, Seville had completely captured us.

We still had half a day left before leaving for our next destination.

But where would that destination be?

Would it be able to compete with Seville?

Or would it leave us disappointed after such an extraordinary experience?

Stay tuned! 💙

Love, Katerina

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