Day 6: Seville

It was an early start as we left Lisbon, crossing the border from Portugal back into Spain — a scenic six-hour drive through rolling hills and golden plains. Our first stop in Spain was Badajoz, where we had lunch at a restaurant in a hotel. Spaniards usually have lunch later in the afternoon, around 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, so throughout the trip our tour manager had to carefully coordinate with restaurants that could accommodate our group for earlier meals — usually around 12:30 PM for lunch and 6:00 PM for dinner, as we Malaysians tend to eat earlier than the locals.

I especially enjoyed the rich and velvety crema de legumbres — a warm, creamy soup made from blended legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, or beans.

In Spain, the day moves at a different pace — people generally rise later, start work later, and dine much later. The main meal, la comida, is typically between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM, while dinner (la cena) often doesn’t begin until 9:00 PM or later. Because of this long gap between lunch and dinner, Spaniards developed the custom of enjoying tapas — small plates or snacks usually shared over drinks in the early evening. Tapas aren’t a full dinner but a social way to bridge the hours until the late meal, reflecting the country’s relaxed rhythm and love of conversation. Interestingly, our guide told us there’s even a story behind the word itself. The word tapa means “lid” in Spanish, and it’s said that bartenders once covered glasses of wine with a slice of bread or ham to keep the flies out. Over time, those simple “lids” evolved into the delicious small plates we now know as tapas.

After our lunch stop, we continued on to Seville, ready to soak up the vibrant rhythm and warmth of Andalusia.

Snapshots of Seville

This building is a typical example of Andalusian architecture, featuring Gothic, *Mudéjar, and Renaissance elements.

*Mudéjar elements are Islamic decorative features—such as geometric patterns, brickwork, tiles, and carved wood—integrated into Christian-era buildings in Spain after the Reconquista.

The Seville Cathedral

We took so many photos of Seville Cathedral, but I don’t want to inundate you with them all at once. So here’s just one glimpse — I’ll save the rest for an upcoming post, because this masterpiece, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, deserves a post all to itself.

Stumbled upon this beautiful azulejo panel on my stroll towards Plaza de España — a little narrative embedded in Seville’s tile traditions. Azulejos are hand-painted ceramic tiles, a centuries-old art form brought to Spain by the Moors and now an iconic feature of Andalusian architecture.

From Seville Cathedral, we made our way to Plaza de España, and nothing quite prepares you for it. The sheer size is astonishing, and the sense of grandeur unfolds slowly as you take it all in — the sweep of the buildings, the openness, the presence of the square.

Plaza de España

Plaza de España was created for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, a world’s fair meant to showcase Spain’s history, culture, and its ties with Latin America. Rather than temporary pavilions, Seville built something monumental and lasting.

This  ornate ceiling sits quietly above one of the arches.

Everywhere in Spain and Portugal, even the most practical things — maps, street names, house numbers, shop signs — are turned into azulejos. Directions don’t just tell you where to go; they pause you for a moment. Cool to the touch, sun-washed, slightly imperfect, these tiled signs feel both functional and poetic. I kept stopping, not because I was lost, but because I didn’t want to walk past them.

One of the most captivating spots in Plaza de España is the long curve lined with 49 tiled benches, each one representing a different province of Spain. Every alcove is a work of art — adorned with colourful azulejos that depict historical scenes, coats of arms, and even a map of the province on the floor

We ended the day with a flamenco dinner show — a mesmerizing blend of music, dance, and Andalusian flavor all in one evening. 

As we enjoyed our meal, the stage came alive with rhythmic footwork, soulful guitar, and the raw passion that makes flamenco so unforgettable. You feel every stomp, every note, every emotion.

Flamenco is a traditional Spanish art form that combines singing (cante), guitar playing (toque), dance (baile), and rhythmic handclaps (palmas). It originated in Andalusia in southern Spain, influenced by the region’s diverse cultural roots — including Moorish, Jewish, and Gypsy traditions. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, flamenco is known for its emotional intensity, intricate footwork, and expressive movements.

                          

Another city, another day carefully folded into memory.