Siesta, Shopping and Sevilla
Shops in Spain are usually closed for the afternoon siesta between 14:00 (2PM) and 17:00 (5PM) daily, an atypical business tradition found only in the south of Europe that is deeply rooted in culture (well that’s how it is in Spain I guess?) and handed down through generations. As the saying goes—Old habits are hard to break. Unfortunately.
Calle Sierpes looks a bit boring because its siesta hour, the shops are still closed. Come back at 17:00 (5PM) to 20:00 (8PM).
Calle Velasquez Tetuan where many designer labels can be found. Next foto is a traditional Spanish confiteria and heladeria (Ice cream and confectionery shop), La Campana--their products are perfect for souvenirs.
The Capilla de San Jose (San Jose Chapel) is located near Calle Velasquez Tetuan. There are also many religious stuff for sale here as well.
Considering the economic woes the country is currently undergoing, I am curious to see if there will be some sort of breakthrough with this classic Spanish store opening time. If I was a shop owner in Spain, my priority would be cashing in more €€€ and getting my personnel in front with the customers. I would, without hesitation open my doors during the afternoon siesta and I would definitely be enjoying high sales turnover because I am the only shop open in town, haha!
I know, easier said than done. In reality, to let alone suggest this, can create massive backlashes from the locals. For many countries, tradition treads on holy ground. It is culture, a way of life and therefore a stubborn enigma. Europe is all that, an enigma when it comes to shopping hours. I am still having a hard time coming to terms with Spain’s (and Italy as well) peculiar shop opening hours, it just boggles the mind—business comes to a halt every afternoon for three full hours?! Muy bien.
Here in the Netherlands it took a long time for Amsterdam to be fully retail operational during Sundays. Even then, not all shops are open, and the rest of the Netherlands excluding Rotterdam are closed. They are ghost towns. We get all the time the unsuspecting non-European tourists wondering where Sunday went.
OK, let’s have a guessing game. What do you think the Spaniards do during the three-hour afternoon siesta? (a) Have a loooong lunch? (b) Run errands? (c) Take a nap? Take your pick but I’ll say—All of the Above! =)
Here is a very typical woman question that pops up every time: Where to shop in Sevilla?
Let me name drop two calles that I came upon when I was there: ‘Calle Sierpes’ and ‘Calle Velasquez Tetuan’. These are the main shopping streets and here you can find souvenirs, gift items, home and fashionable pieces, as well as designer labels. These shopping calles run parallel with each other and are adjoined by Plaza de San Francisco where the beautiful Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Sevilla is located.
Moi on the tram tracks along Avenida de la Constitucion enroute to Plaza de San Francisco. I did not shop because it’s near impossible when Dutchman is around.
Plaza de San Francisco.
The 16th century Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Sevilla in Spanish Renaissance - plateresque style. Not quite sure what this pink building on the right foto is but it sure looks pretty =)
More evidence of the plateresque style of the City Hall on the first 2 fotos. And its amazing to see so many banks in Sevilla (generally in Spain) as well as having 4 Starbucks in Sevilla 200-400 meters away from each other (one word: outrageous). Talk about city centre zoning plan or whatever that is called.
Love these typical Spanish style buildings on Plaza de San Francisco and next foto is the back of Ayuntamiento Sevilla on Plaza Nueva.
So, happy siesta and happy shopping when in Seville!
Travel Period: August 2010
.
Calle Sierpes looks a bit boring because its siesta hour, the shops are still closed. Come back at 17:00 (5PM) to 20:00 (8PM).Calle Velasquez Tetuan where many designer labels can be found. Next foto is a traditional Spanish confiteria and heladeria (Ice cream and confectionery shop), La Campana--their products are perfect for souvenirs.
The Capilla de San Jose (San Jose Chapel) is located near Calle Velasquez Tetuan. There are also many religious stuff for sale here as well.
Considering the economic woes the country is currently undergoing, I am curious to see if there will be some sort of breakthrough with this classic Spanish store opening time. If I was a shop owner in Spain, my priority would be cashing in more €€€ and getting my personnel in front with the customers. I would, without hesitation open my doors during the afternoon siesta and I would definitely be enjoying high sales turnover because I am the only shop open in town, haha!
I know, easier said than done. In reality, to let alone suggest this, can create massive backlashes from the locals. For many countries, tradition treads on holy ground. It is culture, a way of life and therefore a stubborn enigma. Europe is all that, an enigma when it comes to shopping hours. I am still having a hard time coming to terms with Spain’s (and Italy as well) peculiar shop opening hours, it just boggles the mind—business comes to a halt every afternoon for three full hours?! Muy bien.
Here in the Netherlands it took a long time for Amsterdam to be fully retail operational during Sundays. Even then, not all shops are open, and the rest of the Netherlands excluding Rotterdam are closed. They are ghost towns. We get all the time the unsuspecting non-European tourists wondering where Sunday went.
OK, let’s have a guessing game. What do you think the Spaniards do during the three-hour afternoon siesta? (a) Have a loooong lunch? (b) Run errands? (c) Take a nap? Take your pick but I’ll say—All of the Above! =)
Here is a very typical woman question that pops up every time: Where to shop in Sevilla?
Let me name drop two calles that I came upon when I was there: ‘Calle Sierpes’ and ‘Calle Velasquez Tetuan’. These are the main shopping streets and here you can find souvenirs, gift items, home and fashionable pieces, as well as designer labels. These shopping calles run parallel with each other and are adjoined by Plaza de San Francisco where the beautiful Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Sevilla is located.
Moi on the tram tracks along Avenida de la Constitucion enroute to Plaza de San Francisco. I did not shop because it’s near impossible when Dutchman is around. Plaza de San Francisco.
The 16th century Ayuntamiento (City Hall) of Sevilla in Spanish Renaissance - plateresque style. Not quite sure what this pink building on the right foto is but it sure looks pretty =)
More evidence of the plateresque style of the City Hall on the first 2 fotos. And its amazing to see so many banks in Sevilla (generally in Spain) as well as having 4 Starbucks in Sevilla 200-400 meters away from each other (one word: outrageous). Talk about city centre zoning plan or whatever that is called.
Love these typical Spanish style buildings on Plaza de San Francisco and next foto is the back of Ayuntamiento Sevilla on Plaza Nueva.
So, happy siesta and happy shopping when in Seville!
Travel Period: August 2010
.
