Toubkal National Park

National Park in High Atlas Mountains (Western)

Toubkal National Park
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Erokhin

Toubkal National Park is a national park in the High Atlas mountain range, 70 kilometres from Marrakesh in central-western Morocco. Established in 1942, it covers an area of 380 km2. Jbel Toubkal is the highest peak of the park at 4,167 metres. The Toubkal National Park is located 70 km south of Marrakech, in the portion that corresponds to the Adrar n’Dern (mountain of mountains).

With an exceptional biodiversity, this park welcomes many visitors, who can discover plateaus and cliffs that alternate with gorges, where rivers with crystal clear waters flow, ensuring irrigation in the valleys and plains of the foothills. .

Like all protected areas in Morocco, the management and development of the Toubkal National Park is the responsibility of the National Agency for Water and Forests (Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests).

How to get to Toubkal National Park

The Toubkal National Park can be accessed from the Ourika Valley, which is about a one-hour drive from Marrakech. The park can be accessed through several entry points, which are marked with signs like the one shown in the picture. Once you enter the park, you can only explore it on foot or by riding a mule.

What to so in the Toubkal National Park

The Toubkal National Park offers a range of activities for visitors, including the ecomuseum, located at the base of the High Atlas Mountains between the villages of Imlil and Asni. This museum provides information about the history, geography, and ecology of the park and offers practical tips for planning your visit. The park also offers numerous hiking circuits with various levels of difficulty. The Tamadote green circuit, a 6 km hike through the high mountain forest, is a good option for most hikers. Along the circuits, visitors can enjoy traditional Moroccan food at local lodges or picnic under the trees with beautiful views. The charming village of Imlil, nestled between the mountains, is a great place to rest, eat delicious tagines, experience local life, and shop for souvenirs.

Visiting Toubkal National Park

Duration: 20 minutes

Tours and Activities from High Atlas Mountains (Western)

Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve

National Park in Wester Ross

Beinn Eighe From Abhainn Bruachaig
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ibn Musa / Beinn Eighe from Abhainn Bruachaig

Pronounced ‘Ben A’, this glorious mountain range was the first in Britain to gain National Nature Reserve status in 1951, and encompasses a range of habitats from pine forests on the shores of Loch Mare to moorland and rugge, mountain peaks. The Aultroy Visitor Centre just outside Kinlochewe is a great place to get your bearings while, a few miles on towards Gairloch, at Coille na
Glas-Leitir car park, there is a choice of two excellent trails: one through the Scots pine woodland and one more challenging 4-mile (6.5-km) mountain hike which offers fantastic views across Loch Mare to Slioch mountain.

Visiting Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve

Duration: 20 minutes

Tours and Activities from Wester Ross

Parque de María Luisa

National Park and Park in Seville

The Parque de María Luisa or María Luisa Park is a public park that stretches along the Guadalquivir River in Seville, Spain. It is a large green space to the south of the city center, close to the river.

What to see in the Parque de María Luisa

The park serves as a botanical garden with hundreds of exotic trees lining shady avenues, and historic, fairy-tale buildings, with exotic touches provided by colorful tiled benches, and Moorish fountains and pools.The park is known for its large population of doves. There are also many parakeets living in the center of the park, and ducks and swans in the fountains and lakes.

Pavilion of Alfonso XII

Near the edge of the small lake is a pretty round Moorish-style pavilion, although in a state of disrepair, it is still pretty in a romantic way. It is named after the King of Spain at the time, King Alfonso XII.

Tree-lined avenues of Parque de María Luisa

It is laid out in the shape of a trapeze and is crossed by tree-lined avenues such as the  Hernán Cortés and Pizarro avenues. Where the avenues meet there are fountains and statues, making the park a kind of open-air museum.

Squares of Parque de María Luisa

Among the most outstanding of these squares are the Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, the Hermanos Quintero and the one dedicated to the Infanta María Luisa herself.

Fountains of Parque de María Luisa

Its fountains include the Fuente de los Leones’ or ‘Lions fountain’ which consists of four stone lions, each carrying a shield spouting water and the ‘Fuente de las Ranas’ or ‘frog fountain’.

The park’s centerpiece is the vast Plaza de España.

Monte Gurugu

Monte Gurugu is a rocky mound has stairs climbing up it, with a waterfall falling down the other side, with a tunnel cut through the bottom of the “mountain”. At the top is a shaded pavilion where you can take a seat and enjoy the view.

 

History of Parque de María Luisa

Most of the grounds that were used for the park were formerly the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo. It was donated to the city in 1893 by the Infanta María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón, Duchess of Montpellier, for use as a public park.

Starting in 1911, Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier rearranged the gardens into their present shapes. In 1914 the architect Aníbal Gonzalez began construction for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, which was held partly within the park. The new buildings of the Plaza de España were used as the office of the fair.

Other names of Parque de María Luisa

The Parque de María Luisa has the following names: María Luisa Park.

Visiting Parque de María Luisa

Hours:

Nov 01 to Mar 31: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Apr 01 to Oct 31: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM


Price:

Free

Address: Paseo de las Delicias, s/n 41013 Sevilla Spain
Telephone: +34 902459954
Duration: 1 hours

Tours and Activities from Seville

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Along with Córdoba and Granada, Seville is one of the three most famous cities in Andalucia.

Seville allows you to discover a City with a very rich Moorish architectural and historical legacy. As can be seen from the colorful painted tiles that adorn many buildings, to the stucco ceilings of the palaces and of course the iconic Giralda tower, which was once a minaret. It also allows you to dive into Spanish culture, with tapas, sangria and flamenco.

1. Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral Spain
Pixabay / USA-Reiseblogger

This golden cathedral is the result of a fifteenth-century plan by Sevillanos to build a church so big that everyone would ‘think they were mad’. It is an enormous structure and you feel like you will loose yourself within it. You could spend hours staring at the beautiful architectural details, relics and historical curios. This World Heritage site has 80 different chapels inside and is one of the world’s largest cathedral. The tomb of Christopher Columbus is a big draw as well as experiencing the peace and tranquility of the Patio of the Orange Trees.

Read more about the Seville Cathedral

2. El Giralda

Sevilla Catherdral
Pixabay / Nuno Lopes

Next door to the Cathedral is the Giralda bell tower. It has been the enduring emblem for Seville despite its Moorish origins, being the minaret for the former mosque. To get to the top you have to go up 34 ramps lead to the top instead of a stairway – this was allow Muezzin who led the call to prayer to ride almost all the way to the top. On the way up there are regular archaeological exhibits, which break up the climb. At the top you have amazing views of the city and the buttresses of the cathedral.

Read more about the El Giralda

3. Royal Alcázar Palace

Real Alcazar Of Seville
Pixabay / USA-Reiseblogger

The Palace is a beautiful medieval Islamic palace showcasing a unique fusion of Spanish Christian and Moorish architecture.  This is forms part of the  UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, together with the adjoining Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies. The palace complex is still in use by the Spanish royal family: their chambers, state rooms and halls are on the upper level and can be viewed if you pay a little extra.

The gardens of the Real Alcazar served as the setting for the Kingdom of Dorne on the Game of Thrones. If you enjoy Moorish architecture and decoration, this place will be a real treat for you.

Read more about the Royal Alcázar Palace

4. Plaza de España

Plaza Espana Seville
Pixabay / David Mark

The Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929 and is situated within the Maria Luisa Park. Seville’s famous Plaza de España monument was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, which was held in the Andalusian capital. Located in María Luisa Park, it was the centerpiece of the exhibition and featured many pavilions, which aspired to show off to the world Spain’s accomplishments in industry and architecture.It’s a semi-circular plaza edged by a canal and overlooked by a large, curved palace. It is a magnificent sight and a must see, with its colored ceramics and 48 tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain.

Read more about the Plaza de España, Seville

5. Maria Luisa Park

Pavilion of King Alfonso XII of Spain, remains of the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Annual

Maria Luisa is the largest green space in central Seville and is a delightful oasis of green, and is ideally located to escape the noise of the city, with ornamental duck ponds, tiled fountains, and shady paths snaking under the trees. The park’s has broad avenues flanked by palm trees.

In the late-19th century the grounds for this park were  donated to the city by Infanta Luisa Fernanda, originally it belonged to the nearby San Telmo Palace, which dates back to the 1500s. The park took its present shape after development in 1911.

Read more about the Parque de María Luisa

6. Right Bank of the Guadalquivir

Torre Del Oro,Seville
Pixabay / JAIME PF

Starting from the Isabel Bridge you walk alongside the river towards the University of Seville.

Most sunny days Seville’s residents will be here out for walks, riding bikes, jogging or sitting on the stone walls looking across the water to Triana.

You pass by the Plaza de Toros, the 250-year-old bullfighting arena and its museum, which is an interesting visit.

If you continue further along the river you will find the Torre del Oro, an ornate watchtower erected during the days of the Almohad Caliphate in the 13th century, which  now also houses the maritime museum.

From the bank you have good views across the river at the Bario de Triana.

Read more about the Torre del Oro

7. Tablaos and Flamenco Shows

Museo Del Baile Flamenco
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Schnobby

Throughout the year there is flamenco happening each evening in Seville.

The Museo del Baile Flamenco provides the history of flamenco, with a live show and even lessons all set within an 18th-century building.

There are also plenty of tablaos to find in Seville. A tablao is the place where flamenco shows are performed, and is a great way to experience a show, with live musicians and either a bar or restaurant service.

If you are in Seville in the spring or autumn you can watch the Peñas de Guardia, which showcase local or up-and-coming flamenco talent.

Read more about the Museo del Baile Flamenco

8. Archaeological Museum

Museo Arqueologico De Sevilla 4
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla

The Archaeological Museum of Seville is housed in the Fine Arts Pavilion that was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in the Plaza de España, collecting the most important artifacts from the archaeological sites around the Seville Province.

The most exciting finds are from the Bronze Age: For example, dating to the 8th century BC is Treasure of El Carombolo. The El Carambolo treasure, was discovered near Seville in 1958 and contains of golden bracelets, a golden chain with pendant, buckles, belt- and forehead plates.

The museum also houses many of the finds from the Roman town of Italica.

Read more about the Archeological Museum of Seville

9. Museum of Arts and Traditions

Museum Of Arts And Popular Customs Of Seville 4
© Jose Luis Garcia Tenorio

The Museum of Arts and Traditions of Seville is housed in the Mudéjar Pavilion which was also built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

The museum is dedicated to the ethnological heritage of Andalusia, both material and human. The objects and utensils on display document the customs and ways of life of the traditional culture in the area. There is an emphases in ceramics, clothing and craft activities but everyday items are included such as  lace, ceramics, clothing, work tools, precious metalwork, musical instruments, etc. There is also a section on everyday clothing and costumes worn for the feria.

Read more about the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares

10. Museum of Fine Arts

Sagrada Cena, By Alonso Vázquez
Public Domain /
The Museum of Fine Arts in Sevilla is one of the finest art museums in Spain. The museum is housed in a restored monastery and has a collection of artworks from the Middle Ages to the modern era with a focus on Spanish masters such as Murillo, Velázquez and Zurbarán.

Much of the work here has a religious theme and was acquired when monasteries and convents around the city that were closed down during la Desamortización from 1835 – 1837.

Read more about the Museo de Bellas Artes

11. Feria de Abril

Carriage Feria De Abril De Sevilla
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Anual

To the south west of the center of Seville, in Los Remedios, the Feria de Abril takes place. This week long event, beginning a lighting ceremony and wrapping up with a massive firework display.

There are a thousand tents or casetas are erected, and locals go around in traditional costumes – the women will wear the “traje de gitano”,  literally gypsy suit or flamenco dresses, while many men will wear the traje corto or short waistcoats and wide-brimmed hats. During the Fair people will eat, drink and dance traditional Sevillanas until dawn.

In the evening there is the fairground, with horseback rides and classic fair amusements.

Read more about the Feria de Abril de Sevilla

12. Semana Santa

Seville Semana Santa
Pixabay / Luis Francisco Pizarro Ruiz

The Holy Week processions in Seville is very famous. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday somber penitents march through the streets wearing sandals, robes and those odd pointed hoods. The groups belong to brotherhoods of churches from across the city. They will carry the large, ornate floats portraying scenes from the Passion of Christ. This culminates of to Maundy Thursday, when the city’s central plazas have a seated area put up and attendee wear black. On this night the processions make their steady way around the city center until the morning.

Read more about the Seville Semana Santa

13. Roman Ruins of Italica

Ancient Roman Amphitheatre In Itálica
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Ángel M. Felicísimo

Only 8km out of Seville lie the ruins of Italica the birthplace of Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Italica is a large archaeological site, with highlights being the amphitheater and the Roman Theater. The amphitheater could have sat 25,000 spectators in the day, and you can explore the tunnels beneath the terraces of the arena. On top of that is the foundations of mansions and temples and exquisite mosaics.

Read more about the Roman Ruins of Italica

14. Bario de Triana

Triana Neighborhood Guide, Seville
Flickr / José Luis Murillo

Opposite the old city, on the left bank of the Guadalquivir, is the Triana neighborhood. It was formerly known as Seville’s gypsy neighborhood, Triana has evolved into a lively vibrant area packed with charming paved streets, ceramic shops, pretty churches, atmospheric tapas bars and flamenco scene.

Calle Betis is an excellent viewpoint to contemplate some of the most famous landmarks of Seville, the Torre del Oro and the splendid El Giraldillo.

Visit  the recently modernized Triana Market, or explore the history of the area at the Museum of the Inquisitors nestled in the ruins of San Jorge Castle, or the slightly more mundane Ceramics Museum.

Read more about the Triana

15. Setas de Sevilla

Espacio Parasol Sevilla
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Rubendene

The Setas de Sevilla popularly known as the Mushrooms of the Incarnation is a huge wooden structure with plenty of terraces, restaurants, cafeterias and bars to enjoy Seville evening and night.

On the top of the building, there is a viewing point and walkway, which allows you to walk among the Seville skyline.

The basement contains A museum showing Roman ruins, including some amazing mosaics that were uncovered when excavations were being done.

Read more about the Metropol Parasol

16. Casa de Pilatos

The two 16th-century tiled gardens made by Neapolitan Benvenuto Tortello; both gardens suffered renovations in 19th century.
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Mario Fernández

The magnificent Casa de Pilatos is a late 15th century Palace, officially known as the Royal Ducal House of Medinaceli, is one of the most intriguing buildings in Seville.

The building incorporates a wonderful mix of Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance decor, with some beautiful tilework and ceilings of interlaced beams with decorative insertions -its like a mini-Alcázar.

The palace features unique architecture supposedly based on Pontius Pilot’s estate, decor and even has a bust of Caligula.

The palace was a filming location for the 1960s film Lawrence of Arabia.

Read more about the Casa de Pilatos

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16 Best Things To Do In Seville

Tours and Activities from Seville

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Seville is an exciting city, situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. We have visited it twice before, once in springtime when the jacaranda trees were in full bloom, massive trees with beautiful purple flowers. The other time we sailed a boat up the river, which was a brilliant way to arrive.

This time when we visited the Seville it was too early for the blossom but it is still an amazing place to spend a few days being famous for its cathedral, beautiful parks, palaces, the Triana area’s flamenco dancing and tapas bars.

Now the capital of Andalusia, Seville was built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty and later became a 16th century metropolis. Seville usually has good weather with approximately 300 days of sunshine per year.

Alcazar of Seville

Real Alcazar Of Seville
Pixabay / USA-Reiseblogger

This was built for King Peter of Castillo on the site of an Albadid Muslim fortress 

The King of Spain still stays there in the upper part of the castle and for an extra fee you can visit this part of the castle. We didn’t because there was enough to see in this amazing palace with the limited time we had to spare. We bought a ticket on line at the official website to save queuing. If we had gone on Monday afternoon it would have been free entry.

We walked from courtyard to beautiful courtyard, spending a long time looking at the carved celings. The domed ceiling in the Ambassadors Hall is stunning. We walked through a maze of tile covered rooms, we even got  lost at one point in the warren of rooms!

We enjoyed the garden even more than the palatial castle, the orange blossom smelt amazing! There were typical Muslim style pools and fountains, pavilions, statues; in the English garden we sat and watched the peacocks and luckily they don’t peck at you as do the Seville pidgeons.

We were glad that we arrived early at 9.30am before the massive crowds who arrive for the tours that start at 11am.

Read more about the Royal Alcázar Palace

The Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral Spain
Pixabay / USA-Reiseblogger

Seville’s cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. The building is 126 metres long and 83 metres wide with a ceiling height of 37 metres. The construction lasted over a century from 1401 to 1506. 

The basilica is over the ruins of the Aljama mosque which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. The mosque was built in the 12th century by the Almohads, the ruling Moorish dynasty, the only remaining parts are the Patio de los Naranjas, a large courtyard. A large portal (door of Pardon) leads to the patio. The stone fountain in the centre may even be from the Roman era. The other building remaining after the earthquake is the lower section of the Bell tower, the Giralda.

The most spectacular part of the interior is the main altar piece. Designed by Piere Dancart who worked for over 40 years, starting in 1482. It has the largest altarpiece in the world depicting scenes from the old testament and the lives of saints. In the centre is a statue of Santa Maria de la Sede.

Read more about the Seville Cathedral

The Tomb of Christopher Columbus

Tomb Of Christopher Columbus In Seville, Spain 5
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Raffaele pagani

The Cathedral is also the burial place of Christopher Columbus and his son Diego. Just inside the Cathedral door stands a monument to him and his tomb which is held aloft by four allegorical figures representing the four kingdoms of Spain during his life, Castille, Aragon, Navara and Leon.

Read more about the Tomb of Christopher Columbus

The Cathedral Bell Tower

Giralda Sevilla Catherdral
Pixabay / Rhys Ludlow

We found the view from the Bell Tower stunning. Our guide was very knowledgeable and did a great job of entertaining us as well as guiding us. The climb up the tiny narrow staircase was quite difficult unless you are very fit. I will probably not do this again in the near future!

Between the Cathedral, Tomb and Bell Tower I was surprised we were in the cathedral complex for nearly three hours, there was so much to see.

Read more about the El Giralda

Plaza de Espana

Plaza Espana Seville
Pixabay / David Mark

We headed to the Parque De Maria Luisa, but the Plaza Espana was so close we decided to pop over and have a look. 

The Plaza de España was built in the 1920’s on the edge of the Parque de María Luisa for the Ibero-American World’s Fair held in 1929. The main attraction here is, of course, the imposing half-circle structure made up of pavilions and galleries and towers, all surrounded by a moat with bridges connecting it to the giant square and fountain on the other side.

One of the highlights of the Plaza was discovering the alcoves that represent each of the provinces of Spain. Each one is colorfully decorated with painted tiles depicting scenes from that area’s history, alongside each bench is a bookcase where people can leave books about that area.

Read more about the Plaza de España, Seville

Parque De Maria Luisa

Parque De María Luisa, Seville
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Gzzz

A 100 acre Park that stretches along the Guadalquivir River and was created in 1911 and redesigned for the 1929 Ibero American exposition. A large and well known park, it has everything, with flowers, fountains, statues and lots of shady trees for shelter from the summer heat.

We walked through the Parque De Maria Luisa and into the adjacent Plaza of Americans.

Read more about the Parque de María Luisa

Plaza de America

Pigeons Plaza De América, Seville
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Barcex

We found a man selling bird seed and spent an enjoyable afternoon feeding the birds. I did end up with a few scratches from some rather aggressive pigeons and was a bit wary when they landed on my head, but on the whole it was great fun.

The Park teemed with wild birds. We spent a long time just wandering around watching the parakeets and the ducks. This was a great place to chill out after a few days looking at the famous museums and palaces.

After enjoying the wildlife we decided to stop at one of the bars in the park for some refreshing drinks.

Read more about the Plaza de America, Seville

Las Teresas

LasTeresas, Seville
© Las Teresas

When we are in Spain we love visiting tapas bars. Las Teresas was opened in 1870. It is close to the Giralda Tower and the Santa Cruz Church in the Jewish quarter. We went there on a Friday night but should have known better because it is their busiest time and the service can be erratic. However, the atmosphere was good and the Iberian ham and spinach with chickpeas that we chose was well worth waiting for.

Baraka Sala Famenca

Baraka Sala Famenca
© Baraka Sala Famenca

A visit to Seville would not have been complete without a visit to a flamenco show. We chose the Baraka Sala Famenca to give us a taste of Triana. The fabulous show was definitely worth the money and we were glad that we had chosen their smaller, more intimate setting. Our last evening was magical; the show was amazing with superb dancing, singing, clapping and guitar playing.

Festivals

Two of the major festivals are Easter Week and the Feria de Abril. We have decided that when we visit the  city again it will be in April. The city is filled with music, food dancing and entertainment. The women all wear flamenco dresses, so it only leaves me to buy a new flamenco dress before next April and we will be there!

 

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