Seville is quintessential Spain. Although the architecture is a layered blend of Christian and Moorish styles, those clichés that are most associated with Spain are all to be found huddled in Andalucia's compact capital. From flamenco to fiestas and tapas to bullfights, here you'll find the biggest and the best.

'Romantic', 'flamboyant', 'intriguing' and 'embracing' - these are all words that have been used to describe Seville, but so have 'wild' (think bullfights and frenzied flamenco), 'reserved', 'conspicuous' and 'insular'.

Such is the city, a hybrid of contrasts visible at every turn. The merciless bullring looms over romantic walkways whilst shark-fin bridges over the Rio Guadalquivir poke ominously through a terracotta skyline and mournful laments drift lazily through the cobbled alleyways of one of Europe's most upbeat cities.

Seville is a city for all seasons. Party with the in-crowd at Plaza Alfalfa or Calle Betis or soak up the solitude within the Parque de Maria Luisa. Culture vultures swoop on the numerous museums and megalithic monuments of a time gone by, whilst eagle-eyed visitors find new fascination in every small detail.