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Why Seville is the perfect city for an autumn break

Need one last blast of warmth? Look no further than Seville

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As summer’s heat fades into mild autumn days, so Seville changes pace and the cultural season kicks off. Noche En Blanco (sevillasemueve.org) on October 6 sees the city buzz late into the night with museums, galleries and rarely opened spaces accessible till the small hours. Connections from the UK come courtesy of Ryanair (ryanair.com), BA (britishairways.com) and Easyjet (easyjet.com).

Stay here

For a contemporary vibe, the Mercer Seville pushes all the right buttons, from the luxurious yet unfussy rooms to the artistically tasty bar nibbles. Doubles from £290 including breakfast.

El Mercer, Seville
El Mercer, Seville

Mercer Sevilla

Seville, Andalucia, Spain

9Telegraph expert rating

This temple to contemporary design in a restored 19th-century palace, only Seville’s second five-star Grand Luxe hotel, follows the Mercer Barcelona in offering an impressive, nicely-located historic space with sharply-styled interiors and cutting-edge comforts, plus a rooftop terrace with pool and bar. Read expert review From £290per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

For something more affordable yet still central, try Casa de Colon, handily wedged between the cathedral and Town Hall, which has airy doubles for £52 without breakfast.

Casa de Colon, Seville, Andalusia, Spain
Casa de Colon, Seville, Andalusia, Spain

Casa de Colón

Seville, Andalucia, Spain

8Telegraph expert rating

A cleverly-balanced blend of exposed brick walls with zingy colours, ethnic prints and repurposed furniture make this family-owned 18th-century conversion, halfway between the cathedral and Plaza San Francisco, a stylish city-centre steal Read expert review From £52per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Walk here

Start at Puerta Jerez, admiring the palatial Alfonso XIII hotel, and stroll down Avenida de la Constitución past the Archivo de Indias; then turn right and walk into Plaza del Triunfo: on your right is the Alcazar fortified royal palace – Mudejar (Christian-Islamic) artistry at its finest, with dazzling tiles and plasterwork. Get there when it opens at 9.30am to avoid the crowds. On your left, the vast Cathedral and the Giralda, its 12th-century minaret-turned-bell tower is another sublime cultural fusion. Bear right for barrio Santa Cruz, the pretty old Jewish quarter.

Inside the Alcazar
Inside the Alcazar

See this

Smaller than the Alcazar, but more personal, is Casa de las Dueñas (lasduenas.es), home of the late Duchess of Alba, Spain’s celebrated and endearingly eccentric aristocrat, crammed with flamenco mementoes and family photographs.

Try this

Take the lift to Metropol Parasol’s 28-metre-high walkway (setasdesevilla.com) with panoramic city views: €3 entry.

Shop here

Close to the Parasol, “Soho Benita” (sohobenita.com) is a clutch of hip independent fashion boutiques, the epitome of anti-Zara homogeneity. For the more traditional experience retail experience, head to calle Sierpes, replete with shoes, fans and shawls.

The Giralda bell tower - Credit: ALAMY
The Giralda bell tower Credit: ALAMY

Drink here

For fabulous Giralda views, Pura Vida Terraza rooftop bar (facebook.com/puravidaterraza) in the Fontecruz hotel rocks a beach-boho feel, with pallet furniture and palm-print cushions, plus live flamenco fusion every weekend. Cocktails around €9.

Eat here

Sal Gorda near Plaza del Alfalfa (facebook.com/salgorda), a low-key favourite, impresses with creative tapas (tuna tartare, marinated mackerel). Expect to pay around €15pp including wine.

Off the map

Unmissable for Game of Thrones fans, Roman archaeological site Italica is 10km away (170A or 170B bus from Plaza de Armas, €2, or around €20 by taxi). The amphitheatre hosted the all-star war council in the final episode of series 7. Free. (museosdeandalucia.es/cultura/museos/CAI)   

At a glance | Spain's Game of Thrones filming locations
At a glance | Spain's Game of Thrones filming locations

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