Seville

Seville is the capital of Andalusia in southern Spain, the birthplace of flamenco and home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built atop a former mosque. It runs hotter, both in climate and temperament, than northern Spanish cities like Barcelona, with a slower daily rhythm built around late dinners and even later flamenco shows. The Real Alcazar palace, still used by the Spanish royal family, reflects the city's centuries of Moorish and Christian rule layered together.

Tapas culture originated here, small plates like salmorejo, a thick cold tomato soup, and jamon iberico ordered a few at a time while standing at the bar. Seville's Holy Week, Semana Santa, is one of the most elaborate religious processions in the world and reshapes the entire city for a week. Meals run later than most of Europe, dinner rarely starts before 9pm.