I have been to Sevilla a number of times in my life; while I was a student, as a solo-traveler, with my job, with my now husband before we were married, and recently with my kids. I fell in love with the city and its cobblestone, narrow, and–sometimes–mysterious streets. What I really fell for, besides the historic buildings, heavily influenced with Moorish architecture, was the gazpacho. I couldn’t get enough of it. The cold tomato-based soup, made with the perfect amount of sweet and acidity. Made with the rich Andalusian floral-tasting olive oil, sherry vinegar, garlic and bread. Served with an accoutrement of chopped vegetables to scoop into the soup for texture and crunch.
As a family who loves to travel, this was my secret excuse to get back to Sevilla. We decided Spain would be a wonderful family travel destination. The question was: do we go north or south? For me, this was an easy answer: South towards Sevilla. I was on a mission to get back to eat all the gazpacho I could in the couple of days we had in the city.
Of course, there is more to Sevilla than the gazpacho. Clear blue skies with the sun beaming down or the swallows that surround the Cathedral at dusk. The care-free attitude of the Sevillanos strolling in and out of the cafes to take their morning cafe or their evening drink. It is a great city for kids with its winding pedestrian streets, fabulous weather and large looming cathedral. Like Sevilla, there are a great number of wonderful European cities that are just as quaint, historic, and filled with a great array of things to do and see. With its many cafes and parks, your kids will convince you to take one of the horse drawn carriage rides available throughout the city.
Cathedral of Sevilla Santa Maria
“Wow, that’s Christopher Columbus in there.” Our kids were overwhelmed with excitement seeing his tomb inside the Cathedral. They also loved the size, the fact that their voices echoed and how high the ceilings were. The third largest Cathedral in the world, The Seville Cathedral has an impressive gothic style and well as an impressive size. For those kids that have studied Christopher Columbus, they will be excited to see his ornate tomb housed inside the Cathedral. Although some would argue he’s buried in Dominican Republic. Monday: from 11:00 AM to 3:30 AM Tuesday to Saturday: from 11:00AM to 5:00PM Sundays: from 2:30PM 
to 6:00PM
The Giralda
Our kids made a race of running to the top. Half way up, they slowed down as the winding, steep stairs got the better of them. However, the view we experienced from the top was well worth the trek. The bell tower of the the Seville Cathedral. The Giralda is attached to the Cathedral with the entrance leading to a spiral staircase. Not for the faint of heart, but the kids will try, for sure, to run up all the stairs. Once at the top, you will get a beautiful view of the city of Sevilla.
Hospital de la Caridad
As our daughter said upon arriving to the chapel, “Why does every painting have death in it or represent death?” Thoughts of a 9-year old. In Ictu Oculi, sums up a visit to this chapel. However, the sheer size of the works of art are a visual treat as they fill up entire walls of the small chapel. We do love this chapel, morbidness and all. A visit to this Baroque chapel will leave you stunned and amazed at just how impressive the artwork is. It makes one realize just how precious life is. The working hospital still cares for the elderly and poor. Monday to Sunday from 10:30AM to 7:30PM.
Centro de Interpretation Juderia
To understand Sevilla’s culture, one must understand Sephardic Jewish Culture. So much tradition and food came from the Jews of Sevilla. Bringing our kids to see just influential the Jewish Community was in Sevilla left an impression on all of us. However, it goes without saying that it left our hearts heavy to know that the community was forced to convert, hide or were killed during the Inquisition. Museum dedicated to Sevilla’s Jewish past. Very informative with some historic artifacts. Monday to Sunday 11:00AM to 7:00PM.
Carriage Ride
There was a lot of begging for this one. The horses were too cute not to have a ride. What parents could say no? We could not. Most of the rides will take you through Maria Luisa Park and by The Plaza de Espana. What kid doesn’t want a carriage ride?
Where We Stayed
The endless options of places to stay in this city can be overwhelming, but I knew we wanted to stay near the Cathedral. I booked at the Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana. Nice enough place, no breakfast, but located close enough to many cafes to grab a quick bite. The hotel is walking distance to all major sights in Sevilla and was able to accommodate all five of us in one room. One nice touch was that they did have some toys and art supplies for the kids–the little touches.
My Attempt to Consume as Much Gazpacho as Possible in Two Days
We were in Sevilla in summer. The perfect season for the perfect, vine ripe tomatoes . I don’t know if it’s the Andalusian sun, the soil, but the tomatoes in the south of Spain, have the perfect balance of sweet and savory with the right amounts of acidity. These tomatoes are what makes the gazpacho so tasty. I was on a mission to not only eat as much as possible, but to also replicate the taste of the delicious, cold soup in my own kitchen.
While on my mad, slightly obsessive, gazpacho eating culinary explorations, kids discovered Pringa a dish consisting of beef or pork with sausage cooked in fat for hours and served with bread. This became their breakfast of choice for the time in Sevilla. It was only three breakfasts, it was a great stick to their ribs meal, that gave them the energy to explore throughout the day. I on the other hand went straight for the Gazpacho, analyzing the taste, observing the manner in which it was served and ingredients. I asked questions in my broken Spanish about the soup and savored the bold flavors all the while creating a recipe in my head of how I would make it at home.
I only make gazpacho in the summer time. Tomato season. I wait until I can get my hands on local ripe tomatoes as well as other locally grown vegetables to put in the soup. I must admit that when I make my gazpacho, I do not use measurements, I just add to taste. I do however, use a high-powered blender, the Vitamix.
to blend all of the ingredients. The other step I do, which you don’t need to, is I use a chinois .
I am actually slightly obsessed with using this kitchen tool, as it makes the soup come out silky and beautiful. The chinois allows you to strain out the pulp from the liquid. Some prefer to eat their gazpacho chunky. 
I prefer a silky soup that I can add chopped vegetables, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, back into the soup. My final touch is that I drizzle some good quality Spanish olive oil on the top. This enriches the flavor of the soup.
Gazpacho Recipe
I’ll reiterate that I typically don’t use measurements, but will give them for my recipe.
Gazpacho
Notes
Make sure to serve this cold.
Ingredients
- 4-5 vine ripe large tomatoes. If you can only find small, use 5
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 cucumber seeded
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/3 cup red onion
- 3-4 inch piece of baguette, crusts cut off
- 1/2 cup of good quality Spanish olive oil
- 2 tbsp kosher salt. More to taste
Instructions
- Take your bread and let soak for a minute or two in warm water. Drain and squeeze water out of the dough of the bread. Put aside
- If you have a powerful blender, you will not need to remove skin from tomatoes. However, if not, you can remove the skins by submerging the tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water, put in a colander to cool, and then slide the skins off
- Cut up all vegetables in large chunks.
- In the blender add the garlic, vinegar, vegetables, salt and soaked bread.
- These may not all fit at once, so you may have to blend some of the ingredients in order to add more.
- While blending, slowly add the Spanish olive oil.
- Taste, you may have to add a bit more salt depending on your taste.
- Optional:
- Slowly pour the well blended soup into a chinois that is resting over a bowl or a pitcher.
- Using a pestle, slowly mash the juices from the pulp until no more juices flow.
- Put the soup in the refrigerator to cool.
- Serve cold with chopped pieces of cucumber, bell pepper and red onion
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I’ve never heard of Sevilla, but by reading your post it makes me want to go now. Definitely putting it on my bucketlist when I visit Spain in the future
It is soooo wonderful.
You made me fall for Sevilla also, it will definitely be among my wish list 🙂
This place looks amazing. I would love to visit it someday. and definitely going to make that recipe.
What a beautiful place to visit, looks like I have a new one for my bucket list!
Wow, what a place! I have never been to Seville but I visited Barcelona a few years back. Anyway, I have heard ripe tomatoes there is probably the best in the world and Gazpacho is something you have to try before you die.
I have to admit I’ve never heard of Sevilla before but what an amazing sounding place to go and explore. I love how historical it seems to be.
Oh my goodness! I’m going to go out to the garden and pick some ripe tomatoes and make your gazpacho. It looks and sounds amazing!
Best with fresh garden tomatoes. Squirrel ate all of mine😒
I have never tried Gazpacho but it sounds delicious. Now I need to make this with some homemade bread.
Homemade bread! Yum
Sounds like it was an amazing trip! The recipe can bring you right back by just the taste!
We love Spain, we have gone to Roses and Barcelona. Sevilla is on our list of places to visit next.
I would love to visit Sevilla! It’s definitely on my bucket list, especially for the architecture!
xoxo
Annie
I haven’t heard of gazpacho before. It is totally new to me. But my taste buds are adventurous and are game to try new things. Wish I could find a local store who sells this food.
Oh it’s a great soup for the summer
I am definitely making Gazpacho as soon as possible, thanks for detailed recipe. Sevilla was always on my bucket list when I visit Spain, you increased my urge to go there soon…. Amazing post.!!
Sevilla looks amazing. I never heard of it but I would love to travel and explore there one day!
I’ve never been to Spain, but always wanted to go. Sounds like a great place to visit!
Wow, Seville is .a beautiful place and I would love to visit there. It is a new entry to my bucket list. Your post is amazing and thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much. Go you will love it
I’ve never heard of Sevilla but I would love to go. It looks beautiful!
Ahh. Beautiful pictures. And those tomatoes are so pretty. Now I want to go to Spain just for gazpacho
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of this place. It looks wonderful though. I’d love to travel here. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I would go just for the gazpacho! Just kidding, but Sevilla looks to be such a beautiful place. xo, Suzanne http://www.suzannespiegoski.com
We also love to travel and have some dished we just go back for on some of the places we’ve been to. This gazpacho sounds and looks amazing. My youngest daughter loves tomato soup, can’t wait to give this recipe a try and see what she thinks of it.
The Carriage Ride looks like fun. It has been a while since I have been on one and I look forward to doing it again.
I love gazpacho, especially with fresh tomatoes. I would love to visit Sevilla – looks lovely!
I can’t believe that I’d never heard of Sevilla before! That gazpacho looks delicious! I’ll have to make a batch soon!
I’ve never heard of Sevilla, but now I want to go! Gorgeous!
What an amazing family trip! I bet it was fun to visit again and see it through the eyes of your children. My mouth was watering as I read your post, so thank you for including a recipe at the end. Now I know what to do with all my extra tomatoes!
Love how you put a family spin on this thanks!!
First I’ve heard of Sevilla but it sounds like someplace I would love to explore. Thanks for sharing.
I just found out I have Spanish ancestry! I can not wait to go!
What a fun discovery!!!
How wonderful that you’ve got to go here at many different phases in your life. I’m sure it brings back such lovely memories. And bonus on the recipe too!
Spain is on my son’s bucket list so I am sure it is in our near future. Love all your great advice. I might have to try the recipe too.
What a great place to visit! My kids are currently studying Christopher Columbus in our homeschool studies so the cathedral would impress them for sure.
I haven’t yet had the pleasure of try gazpacho but I am planning to give your recipe a try with all of our CSA share goodies. Thanks so much for sharing your personal recipe!!
Ohh CSA the best
Spain has the best food! Though I tended to eat more of the not quite so healthy churros and chocolate…. 🙂
We did plenty of the unhealthy as well and it was soooo good
What a beautiful place. Makes me want to go there. Great photos.
Sounds like a really beautiful place to visit!! Those buildings are so lovely!
Wow…beautiful place! Thanks for sharing your personal recipe at the end. It add extra taste to the blog.
I love Spain and Sevilla is one of my favorite places there. I studied there for one summer and had the best time ever there!
I’ve never heard of gaspacho before. I have many tomatoes that are ripening, now, but I don’t know if I’d ever be able to eat it cold
I love Spain and been to many places there but never Seville, one day i’ll make it! (and eat all the gazpacho!)
I was raised in Spain and the last time I visited Sevilla was 1998. I cannot wait to go back as I often feel homesick.
Es lo mejor
Spain sounds so incredible and so does this gazpacho! They are both on my bucket list now!
It is my dream to visit Sevilla though we have not decided yet, it’s a good thing to know what places to go. Thanks for the recipe you shared btw!
Your trips to Sevilla sounds like are nothing short of spectacular! The dish your kids had for breakfast sounds so good, but I am with you on the gazpacho. It’s delicious! I love having it with toasted baguette and goat cheese. Mmm…
I need to try out your gazpacho recipe in the near future. I’ve never made it for myself, but between your post and the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe…it’s going to happen.
Wow you just put my recipe in same sentence as barefoot contessa. I’m so 😊. Thank you
looks like you had an amazing trip! The Gazpacho looks delicious, thank you for sharing the recipe!
Sevilla Spain is on my to-visit list and I am definitely working hard to make it happen. I heard a lot of beautiful things about Spain and it excites me more!
My hope is to find a small place somewhere outside of Sevilla one day. I love the laid back atmosphere, food and weather. Its my goto winter getaway.
I never been there but after saw your post is wanna make me go there ❤️
Oh, it was a bad decision on my side to skip Sevilla and travel other places in Spain. It seem I have to come back.
Yes although touristy, it is still beautiful. I need to hit up the Basque country!
Sevilla is one of my favorite cities of ALL time – certainly my favorite in Spain! So cool you included the Gazpacho recipe, too!
My favorite too.