Seville has a varied and electric gay scene..and hot guys in beards are everywhere!
The city is a unique mix of Spanish and Moorish architecture, one of the country’s prettiest cities.
Tucked inside a southern region of Spain, just across the strait from Morocco, exists Seville, a gorgeous city of Moorish architecture, where flamenco was born and cute waiters serve tapas at bustling eateries until the early hours of the morning. Off of Spain’s well-trodden tourist path, Seville hides medieval streets alongside world-renowned avant-garde architecture and an intimate gay nightlife.
From the grand gothic Catedral de Santa Maria to the Reales Alcazares palace, the city’s 2000-year history is literally carved in stone. But the beauty of Seville isn’t confined to the relics of bygone eras. The Santiago Calatrava-designed bridge and the Museo de Bellas Artes, Spain’s second largest art museum after the Prado in Madrid exeplify the dynamic nature of this southern capital.
Located in Andalucia, the southern Spanish state famous for its tapas and oranges, Seville is the capital and is also Spain’s 4th largest city. It is a large city with a “small-town” feel! The heart of the city’s gay life is located close to trendy Alameda de Hércules and from here most of the city is a short walk away.
The city has a large bear population, and every fall the population swells even more for a hirsute festival called GuadalkiBear The name’s a play on the Guadalquivir River that runs alongside town. There’s also a developing gay presence at the carnival-like Feria, a citywide festival held each year in April or May.
Seville’s gay scene comes alive during the Summer season with many visiting circuit parties from Madrid and beyond!
Seville has very distinct areas, or barrios, from the historic Barrio Santa Cruz, to bohemian Alameda, and down-to-earth Triana
Santa Cruz
Surrounding the central plaza on which Seville’s mighty cathedral squats is the charming old Jewish neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, one of Andalusia’s most iconic barrios. This is the colourful, characterful centre of old Seville, and although it’s always packed with tourists, it hasn’t lost the small-town ambiance that has defined it for centuries. In this maze of narrow cobbled streets and achingly romantic squares are to be found some of the city’s best tapas bars and flamenco joints, but just to wander around Santa Cruz (and almost certainly getting lost, if it’s your first time) is an experience in itself. Particularly beautiful is Calle Agua (‘Water Street’), which runs along side the wall of the Alcazar, and the square it leads onto, Plaza Alfaro; on the latter can be found the building said to have inspired the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.
Triana
Alongside Santa Cruz, the Andalusian capital’s most famous barrio is Triana, the former Gypsy quarter that sits across the Guadalquivir river from the city’s main tourist attractions. From its pretty, myth-laden streets have come some of the most influential flamenco artists and bullfighters of the last couple of centuries. Its deep association with these two Gypsy art forms is reflected in the wealth of old-style tapas bars, the walls of which are often plastered with old bullfighting posters and photos of flamenco artists (and the odd weeping Virgin Mary). It is also known for lovely handmade ceramics, which attractively adorn the walls of its old, whitewashed houses, and one of Seville’s best and most lively markets, the Mercado de Triana.
Feria – The Gay District Alameda de Hércules
A barrio whose name means ‘party’ couldn’t fail to make it onto a list of Seville’s coolest neighbourhoods. Comprised of several streets clustered around Calle Feria, the barrio’s central artery, this lively, attractive part of town stretches from north to south alongside the vast Alameda de Hércules, one of the city’s most popular nightspots, and brings you out in a bar-packed area of central Seville. Feria’s principal street, the shabby Calle Feria, hosts Seville’s best flea market every Thursday, where you can buy all manner of treasures from its noisy, hectic vendors.
Seville’s Gay Scene can be found dotted around Alameda de Hércules. This plaza attracts a mix of local gays, tourists and hipster students. The busiest gay bars, bear bars and nightclubs are just a stone’s throw from ‘el Alameda’. The district is home to some of the best tapas bars serving world class food, mixing old favourites with a twist. The nightlife and food scene is constantly evolving and the city’s bars and restaurants are very gay-friendly. Compared to Spanish hotspots such as Madrid and Barcelona, Seville is a relative bargain with low priced drinks and great value dining options.
Seville has a bar for all tastes, from large terrace bars for pre-tapas drinks to friendly bear bars! Party late into the night at Itaca or Man to Man or hit one of the Summer circuit parties at Lux! The gay scene is compact and all of the main bars are close together in the area known as Alameda de Hércules.
Don’t let the locked door at the entrance deceive you, men to Men is one of the busiest weekend clubs in Seville.
Jewel’s large outdoor terrace fills up every evening during Summer and at weekends offseason!
Lux Seville is the place to be during the Summer season with guest DJS and Madrid circuit parties.
Bohemia is your friendly neighborhood bear bar with great music and drinks promotions.
Our top Seville hotels are in or close to the impressive Old Town and Seville’s three UNESCO world heritage sites. The nearby streets are home to great designer stores, tapas restaurants, cafes and bars. Hotels in this area are within easy reach of Seville’s gay nightlife in and around Alameda de Hércules.
Luxury and Location!
Directly opposite the famed Gothic Seville Cathedral, the EME Catedral Hotel is a luxe whitewashed hotel with sixty rooms, four restaurants, event rooms, terrace, and spa. Rooms feature exposed sinks, in-room tubs, or upgrade to their bespoke suite includes a Jacuzzi on a private terrace. Complete your day in Seville with a relaxing wellness spa session, enjoy their hammam or just indulge in the lux terrace bar. Check rates.
4 Star – Stylish Design
Housed in a mansion built in 1864, this luxurious hotel offers stately rooms include fresh flowers, minibars, Egyptian cotton towels, free Wi-Fi and plenty of original features. If you want to upgrade, the suites even have private terraces with outdoor Jacuzzis. Great value-for-money with a complimentary afternoon tea and a terrace with panoramic views over Gay Seville. Check Rates.
Highly Recommended – Great Location
Tucked down a narrow alley in central Seville, this quaint hotel near all of the top gay Seville attractions, offers refined rooms – many with balconies – overlooking the interior colorful courtyard, outfitted with a fountain and neoclassical statues. Check Rates.
Seville is home to 3 UNESCO world heritage sites, some of the finest architectural treasures in all of Spain and home to the larges art gallery outside of Madrid! This is a city that has culture all wrapped up!
The Moorish-style Alcázar, the old palace, is a stunning sight.
The Catedral de Sevilla dominates the center of the city.
The Metropol Parasol. shows that Seville is a city that never sits still!
The Seville Fine Arts Museum , features sculptures, decorative arts and famous ceramics.
The Moorish-style Alcázar, the old palace, is a stunning sight. Make sure to take a stroll through the formal gardens in the rear. The Catedral de Sevilla dominates the center of the city — not surprising, as it’s one of the largest cathedrals in the world. The bell tower, called the Giralda, is built in an obviously different style because it was the minaret of the mosque at this site. Don’t miss the neighborhood of Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter until the Jews were expelled in 1483.
Don’t miss the views from the world’s largest wooden structure in the old quarter of Seville, The Metropol Parasol. Controversial at first, it was designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer and finished in 2011. The bizarre waffle-like structure rejuvenated a down-trodden neighborhood while offering city panorama from above and a view of Roman and Moorish ruins underneath.
The Seville Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes), features sculptures, decorative arts, ceramics, religious icons, and paintings by 17th century Golden Age of Seville artists, such as Murillo, Zurbarán, Francisco de Herrera the younger, and Valdés Leal. The Seville Archeological Museum collection includes articles from the El Carambolo gold treasure, along with Roman mosaics, busts and statues excavated from the nearby site of the ancient Roman city of Itálica.
Teatro de la Maestranza performing arts include concerts by the Seville Royal Symphony Orchestra and the Baroque Orchestra of Seville, popular music concerts and musicals, operas and ballets by visiting international companies, flamenco, contemporary dance by PAD and others, and Mes de la Danza, the International Festival of Contemporary Dance in October.
The Centro Cultural Flamenco/ Casa de la Memoria is the flamenco cultural center and museum, with performances nightly. The Museo del Baile Flamenco is another museum of flamenco, also with performances. The Centro Cultural Cajasol is an exposition complex that features music concerts, theater and dance performances, along with cinema screenings.
Seville’s sunny disposition seems to be the reason afternoon siestas will likely never go out of style here. Big department stores stay open throughout the day, though most boutique shops and neighborhood markets close between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Most stores are closed on Sunday. .
On Calle Sierpes you are more likely to find smaller boutiques and independent businesses.
Pay a visit to Delimbro to see cutting edge urban art for sale.
Be sure to explore the many side streets off Tetuan & Calle Sierpes for hidden treasure!
No trip to Seville would be complete without some “confites” from Confitería La Campana.
Tetuan & Calle Sierpes
These two streets mark the center of Seville’s central shopping area, but shops aren’t limited to these streets only. The side streets joining the two main ones, as well as the smaller streets branching off either side, are also home to dozens of stores from homewares, clothing boutiques and much more. Tetuan has the big Spanish chain stores such as Zara, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius, whereas on Calle Sierpes you are more likely to find smaller boutiques and independent businesses.
Calle Regina & Calle Feria
If you are looking for something different, this is the area to come to. Calle Regina is possibly Seville’s most interesting little shopping street, with shops ranging from clothing boutiques with an alternative flair, interesting homewares stores filled with all different kinds of knick knacks, and even stores with Moroccan shoes, bags, and furnishings.Further down from Calle Regina, Calle Feria is home to a handful of second-hand clothing stores, and on Thursdays hosts El Jueves, the weekly flea market that trades the street traffic for market stalls, and really make you realize one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Triana
Seville is a city of beautiful ceramics and buildings decorated with tiles, so it would be rude to not include a stop to pick up some of Seville’s most famous wares! The best spot for this is on the other side of the bridge in the Triana neighborhood.
There are a small handful of stores selling ceramic wares around Calle San Jorge, but our personal recommendation is Ceramica Ruiz (Calle San Jorge, 27), where you will find many ceramics plates, tiles, and other small items which are perfect for packing in the suitcase. This store is also open during the siesta hours, meaning that you can easily fit in a stop here during a busy day exploring Seville.
Many consider tapas to be Spain’s national food. In reality, these shareable snack-size (or larger) bites first originated in Andalusia’s taverns and were often served with sherry or wine. Today, local cuisine varies, though you’d be hard-pressed to find a typical restaurant without a few tapas on the menu.
For a memorable dining experience check out Casa Manolo Leon.
Tipico is anything but typical when it comes to sleek tapas inspiration!
Spaniards eat late, and it’s not unusual to see people waiting for seats in the bustling Santa Cruz neighborhood. But tables can turn quickly at casual venues like La Bartola, and its generous tapas portions of organic vegetable combos and Spanish-Asian fusion dishes like a spicy pork “wok” (4.50 euros) and tuna carpaccio (4.50 euros), or a more traditional garlic and almond soup (3 euros) are worth the wait. Other Standout options include the gourmet delights of Az-Zait and the classic dishes of Enrique Becerra. The 17th-century El Rinconcillo, the country’s oldest bar, is one of Seville’s most beloved tapas stops, though more adventurous palates might prefer Eslava or Mamarracha, both featuring creative tapas and modern interiors.
Check out the restaurants section for a full list of recommended gay-friendly places to eat in Seville.
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