The Affordability of Seville, Spain

The prospect of immersing myself in a foreign country has always enticed me. I knew from the very beginning of college that I wanted to study abroad. However, when it came down to choosing from the countless, often very expensive, programs available, I became increasingly stressed, and it was difficult to focus on the excitement. When I discovered CEA and the cost-effective yet inclusive programs they offer, I was once again giddy for my adventure. Seville, Spain, in particular, was incredibly affordable. This allowed me to embark to and thrive in Seville with a more flexible budget. By sharing my experience with prioritizing an affordable place, I hope to expose everyone to the inexpensive, beautiful city that I fell in love with. Below, I have expanded upon several facets of Seville that are super friendly to your bank account.

As a total history nerd, as well as a fan of gorgeous "Instagrammable" places, the moment I arrived in Seville I had a list of places I was aching to visit. Luckily for me, all the famous cultural sights in Seville are incredibly affordable. The most well-known sites in Seville, like the gorgeous Plaza de España and Parque María Luisa (both completely free to visit), or the Cathedral (less than 5 euros with your student visa) are exquisite, but I want to describe a few sites that are less often discussed. Though I could talk about so many, I will narrow it down to three incredible, and often underrated, places that will make your camera, curiosity, and wallet happy.

The Museo de Bellas Artes was a great place to get acquainted with the religious and artistic history of Seville. For less than 2 euros, I was granted unlimited access to the museum, which contains countless priceless works by Murillo and others. An underrated spot in Seville is the Archive of the Indies. It holds documents, diaries, paintings and more from the colonial era. It is completely free to the public (but closed on Mondays!) and provides context to the colonialism based out of Andalusia. While walking through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, I took the time to reflect upon the pain that was inflicted on indigenous Americans and African slaves during this time period.

Perhaps the most breathtaking spot in Seville is the Alcazar. The ancient palace, which is technically still active, costs 4 euros if you show a copy of your student visa. The gorgeous gardens are perfect to wander within, the amazing architecture perfect to admire. History, beauty, and culture are combined in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And finally, the most delicious deal of them all! Café con leche (similar to a small latte) for less than 1.5 euros, beer for 1, the most delicious carrot cake I have ever had for 2... the list goes on. My personal favorite spot in Seville is called Viajero Sedentario, and is located on the Alameda. At this charming local spot, you can get all of the previously mentioned goodies! Tapas, which are a staple of Spanish life and culture, can provide you with a full meal, or a light afternoon snack, at an unbeatable price. These tapas contain everything from the freshest fish to the crispiest potatoes. Food, like most everything in this beautiful city, allows your study abroad budget to stretch in ways you never thought possible.