Sevilla
Embedded Files
- What should I pack before I move to Seville?
Moving to Seville is an exciting adventure, but packing for it can be a bit daunting. Here’s a guide to help you pack smart and light, ensuring you have what you need while leaving room for new discoveries.
Clothing:
DON'T pack your whole closet! I mean it, one carry on size with your favorite shoes and a few clothing pieces will do. Fashion in Spain is unique and you'll want to shop for a new wardrobe once you arrive. Mango and Stradivarius are my personal favorites. Other popular fast fashion shops include Bershka, Zara, Primark, and Pull and Bear.
School Dress Codes: Unlike the business casual dress codes you might be used to in the States, Spanish schools are more relaxed. There's no need for all the dress pants and loafers. As long as your jeans aren't ripped and your belly button is covered, you’ll fit right in. You'll see a mix of jeans and business casual attire at school.
Athletic Wear: Athletic clothes are reserved for the gym. Even if it’s hot and you’re just running to the grocery store, stick to regular clothes. Athletic clothes are reserved for the gym and the gym only.
Things I First Noticed Were Not Readily Available:
Stick Deodorant: While stick deodorants are rare, roller and spray kinds are common and can be found at El Corte Ingles Supermarket.
Mixed Seasonings: Stock up on your favorites like Everything but the Bagel, Lemon Pepper, Tajin, and Old Bay.
Baking Supplies: As a baker, I always bring instant pudding mix, marshmallows, semi-sweet chocolate, cream of tartar, various extracts, and other favorite mix-ins.
Curly Hair Products: Although there are curly hair products, I know the brands that work best for me and bring my favorite mousse back with me when I can. However, I recommend checking out Druni or Primor for Curly brands like Cantu, Shea Moisture.
Dressings and Sauces: If you love Hot Sauce, Ranch, Franks, BBQ sauce, etc., bring them with you or learn to make them.
Snacks: Snacking is not very big here so if you can't live without goldfish, cheez it, fruit snacks, sour candy, sugary cereal etc. feel free to pack some . American snacks and candy are very sweet for EU standards, I like to bring jolly ranchers back with me to share with the other teachers because they're small and easy to share
2. Where can I purchase my Essentials?
Grocery Shopping:
Mercadona or Supermercado Mas: These are the closest equivalents to grocery stores back home, offering a small selection of makeup, perfume, hair products, and First Aid items in addition to grocery. They also have their own store brand which tend to be cheaper.
Carrefour: This is akin to a superstore, featuring an international foods aisle, electronics, home goods, clothing, toys, and pet supplies.
Fruterías, Carnicerias, and Panaderias: For the freshest fruit, meat, and bread do as the locals do and hit your local small business. All neighborhoods have one or two, it might be a little intimidating at first but the shop-owners are friendly and helpful! If you want a bigger Mercado experience I recommend the stands under Las Setas (especially the cheese stand)
Specific Ingredients: Sometimes I can find international spices, sauces, or very specific ingredients that I need at Supermercado Asia Africa, Hiper Oriente, or at El Corte Ingles (in the basement level supermarket or at the top level Gourmet Market)
Toiletries:
Druni and Primor: Here you can find brands like CeraVe, Real Techniques, The Ordinary, Maybelline etc. Sometimes you can find dupes at Primark and Mercadona.
El Corte Ingles: A department store similar to Macy’s, which also has a mini Sephora inside. There’s a full-sized Sephora downtown next to Lush. Note that your Amazon, Starbucks, and Sephora membership cards do not transfer in Spain, though your Costco card does.
Pharmacy:
When you need medication, you’ll have to go to the counter and ask for the actual medication rather than the brand. For example, ask for ibuprofen in pills or liquid instead of Tylenol. Pharmacies also carry skincare, bandaids, sunscreen, and more.
For those on prescription medications, like birth control, I found that I didn't need a prescription here in Spain. Working with a pharmacist, I was able to find the equivalent through medication percentages by showing a photocopy of my prescription that I had brought over with me thinking I would need to show it here (but I never have).
About Me
About Me
Hello, I'm Vanessa, the heart and soul behind TeachBakeSevilla. This site is a unique blend of my passions and experiences, where I aim to help English teachers, share my love for baking, and offer tips for those moving to Seville.
My journey in Seville began as an Auxiliar de Conversación. After four enriching years, I transitioned from teaching to becoming a full-time resident, and now I'm channeling my energies into this blog to make a living. TeachBakeSevilla is where I merge my love for teaching, baking, and my new life in Seville.
Here, you'll find a variety of resources:
For Teachers: Discover my TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) products designed to make English teaching more effective and fun.
For Locals and Expats: Enjoy my baked goods, lovingly crafted and available for those in Seville.
For Auxiliars: Get practical tips and insights on making the most out of your move to this beautiful city—whether it's what to pack or how to navigate the metro system.
When I'm not baking or creating educational resources, you'll likely find me curled up with a good book and my cats. I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge and creations, and I hope to build a community of like-minded individuals here.
If you enjoy what you see, please subscribe to my Instagram and follow me on TPT for the latest updates, products, and tips. Let's make teaching, baking, and living in Seville a delightful journey together!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse