Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Shaped in a half-moon, the Plaza de España (Spain Square) is breathtakingly intricate with a canal, forty-eight alcoves with benches, murals, and maps for each province of Spain, a fountain, and four bridges for the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, the architecture is a mix of Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Moorish Revival. Today, the building serves as home to government operations but there are also museums nestled into the complex. Fans of Star Wars might recognize it in Episode II as the exterior of the City of Theed on the Planet Naboo though it is also featured in other movies.

While the crowds amass in the afternoon, a morning stroll proves to be very peaceful. Most Spaniards will sleep in after late night meals and gatherings, giving tourists a perfect opportunity to explore in quiet. Afternoons spent here can be relaxing too, rowing a little boat down the canal or slowly gazing at the alcoves. We took photos at the places we’d been or were visiting but a lot of natives revel in taking photos of their home province.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Travel
Plaza de España Av de Isabel la Católica, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Coordinates: 37.3772° N, 5.9869° W

Cost & Admission
Free 24/7
Around 6 Euros for a 35 minute boat ride.

Food
Food nearby

Activities
Walking, exploring, architecture, rowing boat.

Tips
The row boat is a plus but not a must-do. You can easily enjoy the site without partaking, especially if the lines are long during height tourist season.