Table of Contents
Seville or Granada Overview
Seville and Granada are two of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Both cities have incredible histories but the history of each is very different. They are two of the most visited cities in the south of Spain. If you are trying to decide between Seville or Grenada, here is the ultimate guide to help you decide which city to visit.
Seville
Seville is the 4th largest city in Spain with nearly 700,000 residents. Seville plays a large part in the history of Spanish culture. The city was once an important port before the Guadalquivir River began to fill with silt which led to most of the port’s activities moving to Cadiz. From 711 to 1248, Seville was under Muslim control which influences are still visible in the city today.
Seville was the wealthiest city in Spain during the 16th century because of it made so money off of Spanish colonies. The city has an average temperature of 67 degrees Fahrenheit making it the warmest city in continental Europe. There are many beautiful landmarks in the city, some of which are among the most famous in Spain. Today, the city continues to modernize but yet manages to maintain the rich heritage of the city.
Granada
Granada is the capital of the province of Granada and has a population of just under 250,000 people. It has a unique setting, being 2,421 feet (738m) above sea level and only an hour from the Mediterranean Sea. Since Granada sits at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, there is even skiing within an hour of the city. The city is most well-known for the Alhambra, which is an Arab palace that sits on a hill overlooking the city. It was under Moorish rule from 711 to 1492. Granada is also known as a university city with 82,000 students. Today, Granada is one of the most visited cities in Spain. People come here to see the beautiful setting and the Arab-Spanish architecture throughout the city.
Things to See
Seville
Plaza de España is the most well-known landmark in Seville. It was built in 1828 and is to this day is one of the most recognized sights in all of Spain.
The Seville Cathedral was built in the 16th century and was the largest cathedral in the world at one point.
Royal Alcázar of Seville is one of the oldest structures in Seville, dating back to 913 AD and has been added onto since.
Torre del Oro is an old military watchtower that was built in the 13th century to watch over the river.
Parque de María Luisa is a public park that opened in 1911. The park is home to many famous monuments.
Granada
Alhambra is a fortress and palace that overlooks the city. It is Granada’s most famous landmark.
Generalife is a garden that dates back to the 14th century. It was remodeled since the 14th century.
The Cathedral of Granada is a Roman Catholic cathedral that was completed in 1561.
Palace of Charles V lies within the Alhambra complex.
Plaza Nueva is the main square in Granada and is where the market is held.
Food
Seville
Seville is where the famous tapas originated. Tapas are small plates of food that are typically served as an appetizer or putting multiple together to make a meal. Another classic dish you might try in Seville is cola de toro which is bull tail, slow-roasted and put in a stew. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, you must try Montadito de Pringa which is a small sandwich. Montadito is a small load or bread, like a baguette, with Pringa, stewed or slow-roasted meats, in between the pieces of bread. Sangria is one of the most popular drinks for you to indulge in during your time in Seville.
Granada
Granada was under Moorish rule for more than 800 years which makes the culture and cuisines here quite unique compared to other Spanish cities. One of the classic dishes in Granada is Plato Alpujarreño which is a plate of sausage, pork loin, eggs, and Iberian ham. Jamón de Trevelez, or cured ham, is said to have originated in the small village of Trevelaz which in near Granada and continues to be extremely popular among locals and travelers alike. Tapas are also incredibly popular in Granada.
Getting Around
Most of the main attractions are close enough that you can just walk from place to place. If you want to go to some of the attractions towards the outskirts of the city, like Basílica de la Macarena or Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, you will want to take either the bus system or the metro. The metro only has one line but can be the fastest way to get around but the buses can get just about anywhere you want to go. The bike-sharing system in Seville has around 250 pick up and drop off stations. You can buy a weekly membership for the bike-sharing system for 13.30 Euros.
Granada is still a pretty big city and it has a lot of hills so you will want to explore certain areas on foot and then move to another area via public transportation. You can also rent electric bikes to get around the city. Public transportation consists of a large bus system. Single-ticket bus rides cost 1.20 Euros. You may want to invest in the AlhambraCard which will give you access to the bus system and gives you free entrance to many of the city’s attractions. There is a train station but that is typically used for long-distance travel.
Nightlife
Seville
Seville has the classic Spanish party scene with the bars and clubs staying open until sunrise in many cases. The Alfalfa neighborhood is home to many bars that you can explore. Alameda de Hercules is arguably the best part of the city for nightlife. It has an abundance of bars and nightclubs all within walking distance of each other. If you want to go clubbing, Sala Cosmos is one of the best clubs for you to check out. During the warmer months (most of the year), there are quite a few open-air bars and clubs that are some of the best places to go when they’re open.
Granada
Granada is a university city with about 85,000 students. With so many university students, you can expect the nightlife to be quite lively. The center of the city is full of bars that you can go bar hopping to and the clubs are a little further out of the city center. Mae West is a great place to check out with a large dance floor and an outdoor area for partying. TWOO Club is another nightclub that has a good atmosphere if you want to dance. Depending on the type of scene you are looking for, Granada is a big enough city to have anything you are looking for.
Day Trips
Seville
Cordoba is less than an hour away by train. The city is known for its old mosque La Mezquita.
Ronda is known for its large bridge that crosses a large valley within the city.
Cadiz is a beautiful port city, sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Granada
Sierra Nevada Mountains is a mountain range just outside of Granada that offers gorgeous views as well as a ski resort.
Sacromonte is a city known for its cave houses that are built into the hillside.
Almeria is a coastal city just to the south of Granada, with beautiful vistas of the Mediterranean Sea.
Malaga and Cordoba are two other cities that would make for great trips from Granada or Seville.
Overview
Seville and Granada are two of the best cities to visit in Spain. Both cities have incredible heritage but the two are quite different. Seville is the definition of Spanish culture and played a bigger role in Spain as a whole. Granada has a unique Moorish-European heritage that is shown through the architecture and the cuisines. Granada also has an incredible setting. Because it is so high above sea level, it gets significantly colder in Granada than it will in Seville during the winter months. If you are trying to decide between Seville or Granada, you need to prioritize what you value most in a city.