To kick off our 2025 garden tour season, we traveled to Spain’s Andalusia region in May for a week among the vibrant architecture and gardens of Seville, Granada, and Cordoba. This region along Spain’s southern coast is rich with history and art that reflects the many different cultural influences that have left their stamp on its diverse landscape. The abundant inspiration found around every corner was too great to keep to ourselves and the small group of fellow garden lovers that joined us. So we scoured our camera rolls to share some tour highlights, starting with our time exploring the striking palaces and iconic gardens of Seville.
Travel with us!
Learn more about Garden Gate Travel and join us on an upcoming tour, plus check out all of our previous destinations here: GardenGateTravel.com
Casa de Pilatos
The Casa de Pilatos combines the beauty of the Italian Renaissance with traditional Moorish design. Also known as El Palacio de los Adelantados Mayores de Andalucía (The Palace of the Greater Adelantados of Andalusia), it was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and consists of elaborate courtyards, halls, and gardens.
The Small Garden (Jardín Chico), with greenery and fountains, is the epitome of peace in a bustling city and blends the Renaissance ideals of nature and architecture in perfect harmony.
Unlike other European palaces, which often feature lots of cold white marble and gilded everything, the Casa de Pilatos is a monument of color. This is evident in the bright tile work and architecture but can also be found in the bold plantings. In the Courtyard of the Halt (Patio del Apeadero), a century-old bougainvillea is a spectacular cascade of blooms.
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
We also visited the most famous and revered palace in the city, the Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville). The Alcázar is one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family and one of the oldest palaces still in use in the world.
The main courtyard of the Real Alcázar de Sevilla is the Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens). According to tradition, the courtyard was given this name because the ladies of the court used this room for leisure and entertainment. With intricately ornate arches, a reflecting pool down the center, and sunken gardens on either side, it’s easy to see why they congregated in this room.
More Gardens Worth Traveling to:
Botanic Gardens To Visit in the U.S.
Travel with the Editors of Garden Gate magazine!
Must-See Public Gardens in the U.S.
Of course, the gardens at Real Alcázar de Sevilla extend far beyond the confines of the elaborate interior. Around the grounds a maze of meticulous hedges weave around a menagerie of tropical trees, bright blooms, and gorgeous water features.
Murillo Gardens
Just outside the Real Alcázar de Sevilla, and once a part of the palace’s grounds, are the Jardines de Murillo (Murillo Gardens). Incredible art and magnificent water features can be enjoyed throughout the gardens, but stay for the collection of flowering and fruiting trees. Some of the most famous are massive Moreton Bay figs (Ficus macrophylla), which create interesting patterns in their snakelike buttress roots.
Historic City Center
In Seville’s historic city center, there is plenty to see. A walk through the heart of the city brought us to the Palacio Arzobispal de Sevilla (Archbishop's Palace of Seville). Outside the palace, and throughout the city, horse-drawn carriages offer a different way to tour the sites. Our visit coincided with the Festival de Abril, a week-long celebration of Andalusian culture with music, dancing, food, and where many dress in traditional clothing.
The largest wooden structure in the world
You can't miss this modern piece of architectural art, the Metropol Parasol or Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville), when visiting Seville. Currently the largest wooden structure in the world, this attraction opened in 2011 after German architect Jürgen Mayer won a design competition to revitalize the square. It is now home to an archaeological museum, shops, bars, and restaurants.
Parque de María Luisa
The Parque de María Luisa (Park of María Luisa) is hard to miss in Seville. This 99-acre green oasis along the Guadalquivir River, which cuts through the city, is the largest park in Seville. The famous Plaza de España can be found adjacent to the park, which has a large water feature that wraps around the square, but don’t stop there. The park is home to many different water features, including the Fuente de las Ranas (Fountain of the Frogs).
Join us on an upcoming tour!
To make sure you don’t miss out on our next Garden Tour, sign up for our email list to get updates about future tours.
Photos courtesy of Kristin Beane Sullivan and Eric Flynn
