Seville's busiest times are during Easter Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the Feria de Sevilla, held a couple of weeks later. Semana Santa is celebrated somewhat solemnly, with sung prayers, processions of floats and costumed penitents. Torrijas, a Spanish sweet French toast, is a traditional Semana Santa specialty. The Sevillanos then let their hair down for Feria as the city explodes in a colorful display of flamenco, drinking and all-night partying.
Seville's two soccer teams, Real Betis Balompié and Sevilla Fútbol Club, have one of the fiercest rivalries in Spanish football. Check out Real Betis at Manuel Ruiz de Lopera or Sevilla FC at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
If you're planning to hit the museums and monuments in a big way, the Sevilla Card is worth considering -- it gives you free admission to most, plus unlimited public transport and sightseeing buses and boat rides. If all the culture gets too much for you, it'll also get you into the Isla Magica theme park.
Fancy escaping for a day? Carmona (where "Nadie conoce a nadie" was shot) is a quiet, picturesque village just outside Seville. Alternatively, relax with some tea and a massage at Aire de Sevilla in Santa Cruz, an authentic hammam with hot and cold baths.
There's a local legend that says you'll marry the person with whom you walk under the arch joining Plaza San Francisco and Plaza Nueva -- so pick your paseo partner carefully if you're heading there! Apparently, if you change your mind, you can brush that person's feet with a broom to break the spell -- quite how you'll explain it is up to you!
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