00:00Seville is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations.
00:04There's the version of the city you see on social media where everything seems absolutely perfect.
00:11And then there's the one you get when you visit in real life.
00:15So which is it? Let's find out in this reality check.
00:22With its grand architecture and rich traditions,
00:25Seville is regarded as the city that best captures the essence of Spain.
00:30But the reality can feel very different.
00:32Seville is loud. It's crowded.
00:35The streets are full of people.
00:37And in summer, temperatures can rise above 40 degrees Celsius.
00:41As a tourist, you may be hot and constantly seeking shade,
00:45but you keep going because every corner of the city feels worth the effort.
00:50Our first stop, the Seville Cathedral.
00:53Built between the early 15th and early 16th century,
00:57it was constructed on the site of a former 12th century mosque,
01:01parts of which remain today, including the Giralda Tower,
01:06originally a minaret.
01:10The cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world
01:13and the largest Gothic cathedral.
01:16It's also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
01:21It's really, really impressive, and I never saw a cathedral like that.
01:25And I think it's one of the three most important in the cathedral of the world.
01:30It's really busy.
01:31It's about all this.
01:32The thing that we were saying here currently.
01:34It was nice, but a lot of sections were closed.
01:37Okay.
01:38Because I think they have some celebration coming up,
01:40so that was a bummer, but otherwise it was good.
01:42Our verdict?
01:44The cathedral is a must, but book your ticket in advance online
01:48or grab a combo ticket at the neighboring El Salvador Cathedral
01:52and breeze right in like a VIP.
01:57Next up for our reality check, the Metropol Parasol, or as the locals say, the mushrooms.
02:04The Metropol Parasol was designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer H.,
02:09whose futuristic vision transformed the heart of Seville.
02:13It's one of the most striking modern landmarks
02:16and stands in stark contrast to the city's historic architecture.
02:20So what should visitors know about this structure?
02:24The most special thing about this structure is that, even though it doesn't look like it,
02:30it's one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
02:33You can't tell because it's covered with a layer of polyurethane
02:36that protects it from humidity and the weather.
02:40When a visitor comes for the first time, they see the structure, which is impressive,
02:44but they don't realize that you can also go up to our viewpoint
02:47and enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city of Seville.
02:55Our tip? Buy a ticket and enjoy the sweeping views of Seville
03:00and a sky-high experience on the panoramic walkway.
03:07We think the Metropol Parasol is worth a visit, ideally in the morning before the heat of the day takes
03:14over.
03:15Fun fact! Seville is famous for its orange trees.
03:18There are thousands lining the streets, but don't eat them, they're pretty bitter.
03:27Moving on now to our third spot, one of Spain's most famous bull rings, the Plaza de Todos de la
03:35Maestranza.
03:35Built in the 18th century, it's considered one of the oldest and most important bull rings in the country.
03:41For many, it represents the deep cultural roots of bullfighting in Andalusia.
03:47In Seville, the arena stands out as a symbol of tradition and still draws big crowds for the bullfights.
03:56The arena also has a small museum.
03:59Here you can learn more about the history of bullfighting, which remains a hotly contested issue.
04:07For me, I already have my doubts. Bullfighting isn't really something I'm comfortable with, so I came kind of reluctantly
04:14because I still wanted to see what the arena actually looks like, but I'm against bullfighting.
04:20I don't really consider it culture, because at the end of the day it's about killing an animal and celebrating
04:25its death.
04:27Whether a visit here is for you certainly depends on your take on bullfighting.
04:31But the arena itself is undeniably impressive.
04:37Seville might look perfect on Instagram.
04:40Romantic views, empty streets, flawless moments, but the reality hits differently.
04:45In high season, it's hot and buzzing with life.
04:49Sure, it's less polished and more chaotic, but that's exactly what makes a visit unforgettable.
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