8 Best Things to Do in Seville

8 Best Things to Do in Seville

1. Be blown away by the scale of Plaza de Espana ♥️ Must Visit

Plaza de Espana is probably one of the most impressive monumental squares I have ever seen, both in scale and in the grandiose design of the sweeping building that surrounds it.

The plaza was built between 1914 and 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Designed by Seville architect Anibal Gonzalez, the monumental semicircular complex is one of the city's great examples of Regionalist architecture, combining Spanish Renaissance inspiration with local brickwork, ceramics, and other historic architectural influences.

Within the vicinity, you will find a canal that surrounds the building, numerous bridges, and a series of colorful ceramic tiles known as "azulejos", which depict scenes from Spanish history and culture.

You can rent a boat and row around the canal or simply walk beneath the arcades and admire some of the most detailed murals and ceramic tiles you will see in Seville. The entire complex is a masterpiece and quite a sight to behold.

You can expect to spend around an hour or two here, just admiring the architecture, bridges, canal, and ceramic details. The best part is that you can explore Plaza de Espana itself free of charge, which is not so easy to come by at major European landmarks these days.

Plaza de Espana sits beside Maria Luisa Park, whose gated public areas generally open from 8 AM to 10 PM in winter and until midnight in summer. This is, by far, one of my favorite things to do in Seville, so make sure you do not miss it while you are here. Fun fact: the plaza also appeared as Naboo in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. All the more reason to check this place out!

Where to Stay in Seville?

Budget

Sevilla Kitsch Hostel Art

Dorm | $

See Availability

👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Boutike Guesthouse

Double Room | $$

See Availability

High-End

Vincci La Rabida

Double Room | $$$

See Availability

View More Hotels

2. Stroll around Maria Luisa Park

Right in front of Plaza de España, you will find a beautiful and quiet Maria Luisa Park where you can escape the blazing sun of summer in Spain and enjoy a nice, relaxing stroll as you admire the stunning pavilions and sculptures scattered around the park.

Maria Luisa Park opens at 8 AM, with the city currently listing a 10 PM closing time in winter and midnight in summer. Entrance is free, so be sure to spend some time exploring the park before we continue our exploration.

3. Explore the Royal Alcázar of Seville

Next up, we visit the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a magnificent palace complex that is considered to be another important landmark in Seville.

Inside the palace, you will find all sorts of impressive structures featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, stunning courtyards, tilework, and carvings, waiting for you to explore. Expect to spend at least an hour or two to see them all.

The palace will also allow you to get a glimpse of the history and culture of this part of Spain, which is more diverse than you might think. So, if you are interested in history, be sure to check out the Alcázar of Seville.

The Royal Alcazar is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM from October through March and from 9:30 AM to 7 PM from April through September. General admission is 15.50 EUR for the ground-floor palaces and gardens, while access to the Cuarto Real Alto costs an additional 5.50 EUR. You can get the entrance ticket here or you can book a guided tour here if you wish to learn more about the history of the place.

4. Admire the Beauty of Catedral de Sevilla

You can't visit Seville without checking out the cathedral that bears the city's name, Catedral de Sevilla, an incredibly massive Gothic-style church, so big it is considered to be the third-largest church in the world!

The cathedral's history can be traced back to the 15th century, when it was constructed on the site of a former mosque. The cathedral was built to showcase the wealth and power of Seville, which became a prosperous city following the Christian reconquest of Spain from the Moors.

Other than its soaring vaulted ceilings, pointed arches, and intricate stone carvings, the cathedral is also famous for the Giralda, a bell tower that was originally a minaret from the mosque and later converted into a Christian bell tower. You can climb up to appreciate the view from the top.

For a general cultural visit, admission currently costs 13 EUR online or 14 EUR at the ticket office and includes both Seville Cathedral and the Giralda, as well as admission to the Church of El Salvador. You can purchase the ticket here. Current general visiting hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 2:30 PM to 7 PM on Sundays, although the Cathedral adjusts access for worship, special events, and some seasonal periods, so it is worth checking the schedule for your date.

5. Visit Torre del Oro

Right along the river bank, not too far from Seville Cathedral, you will also find another piece of history, Torre del Oro, an outer defensive tower built all the way back in the 13th Century and still standing tall, towering over the city's skyline since.

The name translates as "Tower of Gold" in English. Several explanations have been proposed for the name over the centuries, so I would not take the old story about a facade of golden-hued tiles and mortar as a settled fact.

Inside the tower is a small maritime museum covering Seville and Spain's naval history, and under normal operation you can also climb up for views over the city and river. At the moment, however, the official Spanish Navy museum page lists the Torre del Oro Maritime Museum as temporarily closed, with no reopening date announced yet. When open, the museum normally requests a voluntary 3 EUR contribution.

6. Hang Out at Metropol Parasol

After visiting all the old structures of Seville, it's time to check out something that is a little different. Located not too far from Seville's old town, you will find Metropol Parasol, one of the most unique structures you will see here.

Metropol Parasol, now commonly branded as Setas de Sevilla, is a striking contemporary wooden structure made up of interconnected forms that resemble giant mushrooms, hence the nickname. The complex opened in 2011 and provides a dramatic contrast to Seville's historic architecture.

The canopy creates a nice shaded public space underneath it, which is why this place is popular in the evening. You can enjoy the square below without buying a ticket, but if you want to walk the rooftop viewpoint and experience the current Mirador 360, Feeling Sevilla, and Aurora installations, general admission starts from 16 EUR. The paid experience opens daily at 9:30 AM and currently closes at midnight in winter and 1 AM in summer.

7. Chill at the Tapas Bars in Triana

Situated on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River, opposite Seville's historic center, Triana is a historic neighborhood rich in history, culture, and a ton of restaurants that you can enjoy while taking a break from all the exploration.

Awesome tapas bars like Tipico and Vega 10 are abundant here, as well as plenty of restaurants and cafes along Calle Betis where you can fine dine while enjoying the view of the river and the city. It is a great place to drop by if you are looking for a nice place to chill in Seville.

8. Enjoy a Flamenco Show at Casa de la Memoria

Of course, you have to experience a Flamenco show when you are in Spain, and one of the best places to do that in Seville is Casa de la Memoria, a cultural center in the historic center dedicated to flamenco, with live performances every evening.

If you have never witnessed the sheer energy of a Flamenco performance, this is a great place to experience it. Casa de la Memoria currently schedules regular one-hour shows at 6 PM and 7:30 PM, with additional performances at certain times of year, and general admission is 24 EUR. You can buy a ticket here: Casa de la Memoria's Flamenco ticket.

How to Get to Seville?

From Madrid, both buses and high-speed trains connect directly with Seville. Buses are often the cheaper option and generally take around 6 hours, while high-speed trains from Madrid-Puerta de Atocha to Sevilla-Santa Justa can get you there in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service. I would compare both before booking, since advance train fares can sometimes narrow the price difference considerably.

You can check the updated bus and train schedule as well as book a ticket right here: book a bus/train in Spain.

How to Get Around Seville?

Seville's historic center is compact enough that you can cover almost everything in this itinerary on foot. When the heat becomes unbearable or you want to save your legs, TUSSAM buses and the MetroCentro tram are useful for short hops around the city. If you are arriving by air, the EA airport bus connects Seville Airport with central stops including Santa Justa and Plaza de Armas; the current airport single fare is 6 EUR.

Daily Budget

Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List