Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our updated guide* to the ten best things to do in Seville. Seville, the jewel of Andalusia, captivates visitors with its rich history, vibrant culture, and enchanting charm. Whether wandering through historic neighborhoods, indulging in delectable cuisine, or immersing yourself in the mesmerizing local traditions, Seville offers a myriad of experiences.
Andalusia’s capital is steeped in history with its ancient Moorish walls, Roman ruins, Renaissance architecture, Baroque churches and the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. It’s renowned for its gypsy heroine, Carmen, the magic of flamenco and the sultry orange-tree filled plazas. After dusk head up to one of the rooftop bars, the Plaza d’España or the Metropol Parasol to catch a glimpse of the setting sun.
Visit in the Spring when the air is heavy with the scent of orange and lemon blossom, and the warm weather is just arriving. I was so inspired by the tiled patios and the scented courtyards that I bought 2 lemon trees when I came home, and I’m currently redesigning my own courtyard to include some ceramic tiles!
Here is my updated* guide for the 10 Best Things to do in Seville and why Seville should be on your travel bucket list.
Ten Best Things to do in Seville
1. Visit the Réal Alcazar
The Réal Alcazar is a great place to start your visit to Seville. This beautiful UNESCO-listed palace complex is still in use by the Spanish royal family: their chambers, state rooms and halls are on the upper level (The Cuarto real Alto) and you can pay extra for a guided tour to visit them.
Most of the complex is built in a Mujedar style, which was the style often used for Moorish buildings that were non-Islamic.
It was originally developed as a fort in 913, but has been revamped many times over the years, most spectacularly in the 14th century when King Pedro added the ‘Palacio de Don Pedro’, which is still the jewel in the Alcázar’s crown.
The sumptuous gardens are also worth a visit, as you pass from beautiful courtyard to courtyard and there is a fun hedge maze (which is not as easy to find your way out of as it looks!) .
One of the gardens’ most stunning features and the best place for a viewing point is the Galeria de Grutesco, a raised gallery with porticoes fashioned in the 16th century.
In summer you can attend an outdoor night-time concert at the Alcazar, and it’s a truly magical experience with the grutesco stone wall as a backdrop, moonlight streaming through the palm trees and the beautiful sounds of classical music wafting across the air.
If it looks a little familiar, then you may have seen it as the Water Gardens of Dorne in ‘Game of Thrones’.
There are often long queues so you may want to book your ticket in advance, but if you are willing to wait a while, then entry is free on Monday afternoon
Price: €13.50 on the official site or on the day (free for the last hour on Mondays). Admission to visit the Royal Bedroom: €5.50
Hours: October to March: 9:30am – 5pm, April to September 9h30am until 7pm.
Recommended visit: 2 – 3 hours
2. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus inside the Cathedral and climb up the Giralda for spectacular views.
Seville Cathedral is said to be the third-largest cathedral in the world and the world’s largest Gothic cathedral.
It was built between 1434 and 1517, over the remains of what had previously been the city’s main mosque and you can still see traces of the mosque that once stood there, especially in the Court of the Orange trees to the north side of the cathedral, where worshippers would wash their hands and feet in the fountains here before their five daily prayer sessions.
Its sheer size is awe-inspiring with a central nave that rises to an incredible 42 metres and 80 side chapels, each of which seem tall enough to contain an ordinary church. The total area covers 11,520 m2.
Below are the “regular” visiting hours. However, these can be modified without notice to accommodate religious services. The price and recommended time includes entry to the Giralda.
Hours
Monday: 10:45 AM to 5 PM Mondays to Fridays .
Sunday from 2:30 PM to 6 PM
Price (cathedral and giralda): Adults €12, children under 13 free, students from 14 to 25 and over 65 : €6 .Admission free for Disabled persons and free entrance on Monday’s from 4:30pm 6:00pm
Recommended Visit: 75 minutes
Don’t miss the tomb of Christopher Columbus and then be sure to climb up the Giralda bell tower, which was formerly the minaret of the mosque. You can purchase a combined ticket for entrance to both the cathedral and the bell tower.
The unusual thing about the tower is that it has no stairs! Instead, 34 ramps lead to the top. Apparently, It was designed like this so that the Muezzin (who led the call to prayer) could ride his horse up the tower instead of walking.
There are regular archaeological exhibits on the way up, and the views from the top are well worth the effort (just take some comfy shoes, as it’s still quite a walk up!)
Price: Included in your Seville Cathedral ticket
3. Wander through the Santa Cruz quarter
The Santa Cruz district is the former Jewish quarter of Seville, and home to some of the key tourist attractions, such as the Alcazar Palace and the Giralda Tower.
However, it’s also worth just wandering around this neighbourhood , which is a maze of narrow streets and alleys, where you can explore and enjoy one of the many (touristy) restaurants or attractive squares.
If you want to escape the city heat and noise head to the” Jardines de Murillo”, located on the eastern edge of the neighborhood just beyond the more popular Alcázar gardens, and relax under a shady tree.
4. Stroll around the Maria Luisa park and visit the iconic Plaza de España
Maria Luisa Park is the largest green space in central Seville and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, with its shady tree-lined paths, duck ponds and landscaped gardens.
It originally belonged to the nearby San Telmo Palace, which dates back to the 1500s.
In the late-19th century the grounds were donated to the city by Infanta Luisa Fernanda and took their present shape after a remodel in 1911.
At the entrance to the park you will find the iconic Plaza de España, which is perhaps one of the best known landmarks of Seville and the architecture is jaw-dropping!
It was built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929 and it’s a photographer’s and Instagrammer’s dream, with its wide plaza, edged by a canal, colourful ceramic tiles and beautiful flowers, all overlooked by an immense curved palace. Lookout for the statue of architect Aníbal González, gazing at his creation.
Entry to the Plaza de España is currently free although Seville’s Mayor, José Luis Sanz, recently announced plans to charge tourists to finance its conservation and ensure its safety, amid much controversy.
Walk along the gallery, where you will see busts of some of the important national figures, but also as a series of painted ceramic tile panels which depict maps, and details such as local food and famous monuments from each Spanish province.
Nowadays, the palace contains many of the city’s administrative buildings.
Price: Free
Hours: Open From 8:00 am to 10:00 pm in the winter, midnight in summer
Recommended visit: 2 – 3 hours
5. Visit one of the many museums for a cultural experience
Apart from being an oasis of calm is the centre of Seville and home to the Plaza de España , the most flamboyant of the buildings completed for the 1929 expo, the 34-hectare María Luisa Park is also home to several of the city’s museums.
The Archaeological Museum
The archaeological museum in the south of the park has some wonderful Roman sculptures, mosaics and statues – many of which came from the archaeological site of Itálica just outside Seville.
Like the Plaza de España it was built for the Ibero-American Exposition, and also houses artefacts from Phoenician and Tartessian cultures.
Price: Free for EU residents, €1.50 for the rest of the world (temporarily closed for repairs in March 2024)
Museum of Arts and Traditions :
This museum covering Seville’s traditional customs, costumes and traditions was also built for the exposition and is housed in the Mudejar Pavillion, just opposite the archaeological museum.
Here you’ll see everyday items from throughout Seville’s history, including ceramics from the 16th-century and large displays of swords and knives forged in the city.
One section leads you through the various workshops relating to Seville’s historic trades, such as tile-making, metalwork, lacework and barrel-making for the local sherry.
Price: Free for EU residents, €1.50 for the rest of the world
6 Wander up to the Metropol Parasol where the past, present and future intertwine
For a complete change of architectural style, head to the Metropol Parasol, known locally as “Las Setas” (“The Mushrooms”), which is one of Seville’s newest iconic landmarks in the Plaza de la Encarnación.
It was built in 2011 to a design by German architect Jürgen Mayer H, and the Roman and Moorish ruins that were unearthed during the excavation of the plaza were cleverly incorporated into the Parasol’s foundations. Modern glass bridges now let you peer down on the excavated foundations of a first-century Roman enclave and the remains of a 13th-century Moorish house.
Six gigantic ‘parasols’ soar about 30m above the plaza and resemble a cluster of giant mushrooms, hence their nickname.
It houses a lively food market, the Mercado de la Encarnación, several cafes and tapas bars, and Plaza Mayor, a space designed to host open-air events, concerts and flamenco festivals.
You can take the lift up through the trunks of the treelike parasols to observation decks with killer views of the city.
As Mayer H. says of his creation, “It’s about the past, the present, and the future.”
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 09:30 to 00:30 hours., final access at 23.30 p.m.
Price: Adults €15, Students and seniors over 65: € 11 (children under 5 and residents of Seville free)
Recommend Visit: 1 – 2 hours
7 Wander across to Triana on the left bank
Most people leave Triana off their Seville itinerary – there isn’t much by way of museums or grandiose churches, and it’s across the other side of the ‘Guadalquivir’ river from most of the city’s main tourist attractions. But what this historic neighborhood lacks in monuments, it more than makes up for in ‘ambiance’
Like many other “left bank” areas (such as Saint Germain in Paris, Trastevere in Rome, Brooklyn in New York) Triana is well worth a visit. It’s a small lively neighbourhood, teeming with a gypsy spirit, flamenco flair, stunning ceramics and some of the best tapas in town.
As soon as you cross the river (probably by taking the Isabel II bridge from the main part of town), you will find yourself in a different world.
Don’t miss the delicious sights, smells and sounds of Triana Market, full of fresh, local produce. Still very much a local’s market, it was built on top of the ruins of the Castillo de San Jorge, the onetime headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition, where those believed to be heretics were tried, imprisoned, and burned at the stake. (You can check out the adjacent museum if you’re interested in learning more about this period of Spanish history.)
If you only buy one thing while exploring the Triana neighborhood in Seville, make it something ceramic, as this area is home to some of the city’s last remaining authentic ceramic manufacturers.
It’s also one of the best areas to experience flamenco and is renowned for its tapas.
8 Stroll along the right bank and visit the Torre del Oro
As you cross back over the Isabel Bridge you can set off on a very enjoyable riverside walk towards the “Torre del Oro”. You can walk pretty much the whole way along the river bank, taking a quick detour off the riverside to see the Plaza de Toros, the 250-year-old bullfighting arena.
Then you will come to the “Torre del Oro”, or “The Gold Tower”; the watchtower erected in the 13th century and now housing a maritime museum. It is worth a visit, and from the top of the tower, you can get a great view over Seville.
Hours
Monday to Friday : 09:30 to 6:45 PM Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m..
Price: Adults €3, children and students €1,50 Admission free for disabled persons Free entrance on Monday’s (but must be reserved)
Recommended Visit: 1 hour
It’s also the place to pick up a cruise on the river, with departures every 30 minutes. A river cruise is a great way to get a feel for Seville and an excellent introduction to the city.
Hours: From 11am – 11pm and cruises last 1 hour
Price: Tickets start from €15 depending on which operator you use
Recommend Visit: 1 hour
9 Take in a traditional Flamenco show or a horse and carriage ride
And of course, no visit to Seville would be complete without a visit to a Flamenco show and/or a horse and carriage ride.
Andalusia is often referred to as the birthplace of flamenco, so where better to take in a flamenco show? There are many shows throughout the city, although Triana is considered to be one of the best areas to watch a show.
Hours: Most Flamenco shows in Seville hold two (or sometimes 3) shows starting from around 7pm
Price: Tickets start from around €18 depending on when and where you go
If you want to learn more about this passionate expression of song, dance, and music then I recommend a visit to the Flamenco Dance Museum.
A ride in one of the many ornate horse-drawn carriages is also one of the iconic things to do in Seville, and there are two main places where you can do this.
The first is in the heart of the city between the Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcazár. Here you can hop in and be taken for a tour of the key city sites.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to get away from the traffic, you can also take a ride in Maria Luisa Park, where you can hop in at the Plaza de España.
However, I have heard mixed reviews about the quality of the tour : language skills are often a barrier, and it seems to be more of a pointing at things tour rather than an in-depth visit of the city.
10 And of course, don’t forget to take advantage of the café culture and the food
Although there are plenty of bars and restaurants offering tapas, I would recommend one of the smaller bars of Santa Cruz or the Triana neighbourhood.
If you take a walk down some of the narrow streets in Santa Cruz, you will find yourself in small, quaint plazas where you can soak up the atmosphere and choose from a wide range of tapas dishes. Or you can walk (back) across the Isabel II bridge to Triana, where you can mingle with the locals and where the choice and value for money is incredible!
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Booking.comFinal thoughts on the 10 Best Things to Do in Seville
You might also want to have a look at this post on Madrid, which is another Spanish city to add to your bucket list.
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive guide to Seville, but I hope it has given you a few ideas as the basis for planning a trip to this beautiful European City. Seville’s allure lies in its ability to seamlessly blend tradition and modernity, offering a kaleidoscope of experiences for every traveler. As you traverse its historic streets and embrace its cultural treasures, you’ll undoubtedly fall under the spell of this enchanting Andalusian gem.
I hope you enjoyed this post on the ten best things to do in Seville and have a look here for more of our travel guides.
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With love,
*This guide was first published in 2020 but has now been updated to reflect a recent return visit to Seville. Entry times and prices are correct as of March 2024
Thank you for this travel guide. Very helpful and nice holiday shots. You look great in that yellow dress.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you found the guide helpful x
I’d like so much to visit this city!!
It’s definitely worth adding to your bucket list 🙂
I have never been to Seville before, it’s such a beautiful city! xo
Makeup Muddle
It really is a beautiful city! I hope you get there one day xo
It’s great that you managed to squeeze in a nice trip just before the lockdown!! the city looks amazing, great memories to cherish xx
Elegant Duchess xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
Yes, I feel so lucky to have managed the trip before lockdown! And, yes, it is an amazing city x
How beautiful is this part of the world. That bridge with the multi-coloured tiles is the best, I want to go there one day.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Those tiles are really stunning and there are lots of them around Seville! xo
Stunning views! I wish one day I could go there!
Hopefully you will 🙂
What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing these stunning views!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post !
It looks like such a lovely place to visit and it’s nice there is so much to do there! It will be a good guide for people considering travelling there once the restrictions are lifted!
Hope you are having a good week 🙂 It’s a bit cold here – winter has arrived a week early!
Thanks Mica! I’m glad you like the guide and there is definitely lots to do 🙂
This is incredible! One of my dreams is to see a traditional flamenco show live.
Enjoy your day!
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thanks! I hope you get to see a live flamenco show 🙂
There is just so much to see there. I didn’t know about half of these sights in Seville. I would love to visit the tomb of Columbus.
Thanks Ivana! I am sure you would love Seville – there is so much to see x
Although now I’m a bit sad that I can’t visit Seville immediately – I want to thank you for this wonderful post. Seville obviously really is a wonderful place to visit and now I really hope that one day I’ll have again the possibility to visit it!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
I hope you will have the chance to visit one day too Rena x
I am so traveling after this pandemic is over. Hopefully by 2nd quarter of next year 😀
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
I think it will be later this year in Europe – the borders to Italy are already open and Spain is opening next month! I can’t wait to travel again 🙂
Seville looks like an amazing vacation destination! The architecture is beautiful! I do remember seeing the Alcazar in Game of Thrones!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Yes, it was really beautiful, Jill! Definitely worth a visit x
Reading this post was like walking through a dream. Thank you for describing such a beautiful place and giving us such good advice. This is the next place I want to visit, as soon as this is over. I have Spanish ancestry and have intended to visit for a while, but now I’m convinced. Thank you!!
That’s amazing that you have Spanish ancestry – the perfect excuse/ reason for a visit to Spain xo
Seville is so gorgeous and has so much history!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Totally agree Ashley x
I visited Seville last year as well, end of February! This post brought back so many memories, so thank you for that <3 This was such a lovely post!
Serene xoxo
I’m so glad you liked it Serene xoxo
Gosh the architecture is just amazing. How interesting you added in to see a Flamenco show. I would think that would be so cheesy. But I’ll take your word for it.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I think it depends where you go for the Flamenco show – i would recommend going to the Triana neighbourhood. Plus, I think you have to see one – but you can actually see a lot of flamenco performed in the streets and outside the Plaza d’Espana which may appeal to you more x
The architecture is beautiful! I would love to see the view of the city from atop one of these!
Yes, Seville is really stunning! Definitely worth adding to your bucket list 🙂
wow lovwly post!!!I love your blog*_*
thank you x
wow seville looks like it is in a fairytale! i have bookmarked this page for my future reference
xoxo
style frontier
It really is a bit of a fairytale and it’s especially beautiful in the spring as the orange blossom smells heavenly xo
Woow the architecture in Seville looks so beautiful !
I would love to visit one day.
xx
Margot
It really is beautiful Margot x
Seville looks amazing! Before the pandemic, it was on my list of places to visit!
It’s definitely worth adding to your bucket list for the future x
I love Seville, everything is so pretty there❤
It really is Kinga 🙂
Thanks for all these recommendations Julia, you look fab in the yellow dress!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much Lovely! I’m so glad you like the recommendations xoxo
Spain is on my bucket list and Seville would be on my list of cities to visit! Thanks for all this info and love your yellow dress!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you Kathrine! I definitely recommend visiting Seville xo