Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain, is a city with impressive historical value due to its long history dating back to the time of the Romans, more than 2,000 years ago. The city is filled with history, from lavishly decorated palaces to being home to the famous bullfighting tradition known worldwide, all waiting for you to explore.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to have a great trip in Seville. From visiting one of the most impressive palaces in the world, the Plaza de Espana, to exploring the winding streets of Triana, here are the 8 best things to do in Seville for solo travelers.
Seville Things to Do Map
8 Best Things to Do in Seville
1. Be blown away by the scale of Plaza de Espana
Plaza de Espana is probably one of the most impressive and stunning palaces I have ever seen, in both scale and its grandiose designs that rival no other palace.
The plaza was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and is renowned for its stunning architecture of the semicircular building, which features a combination of Renaissance and Moorish architectural elements - a unique symbol of Spanish Renaissance style.
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.
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You can rent a boat and row around the canal or you can just walk around its cloister and admire some of the most detailed murals and ceramic tiles you will ever see. This palace is a masterpiece and quite a sight to behold.
You can expect to spend around an hour or two here, just admiring all the palace's features. The best part is that access to the palace is free of charge, which is not so easy to come by in Europe these days.
The palace is open from 8 AM to 10 PM every day. This is, by far, the best thing to do in Seville, so make sure you do not miss it while you are here. Fun fact: this place was also used in one of the scenes of the prequels of Star Wars. All the more reason to check this place out!
Where to Stay in Seville?
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.
The park is open from 8 AM to 12 AM every day, and the entrance is free. So, be sure to spend some time and explore 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 palace is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 18 EUR with access to both the ground floor and the royal bedroom. 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.
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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.
To gain entry, you will need to purchase the ticket, which should cost approximately 15 EUR. With this ticket, you can access both the tower and the church. The church operates from 10:45 AM to 5 PM every day, except on Sundays when it opens from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
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 of the tower translates as "Tower of Gold" in English, which is believed to come from the golden reflections that its facade, an incredible feature of the tower made of golden-hued tiles and mortar, cast on the river's surface.
Inside, you will find a small maritime museum where you will be able to learn about the seafaring history of Spain while you can also climb up to the top of the tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the river from above. The entrance fee is only 3 EUR, and it is open from 10:30 AM to 6:45 PM every day.
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, or Seville Mushrooms, is a distinct modern-style architecture with an incredibly innovative design that uses a series of interconnected wooden structures to form a canopy resembling giant mushrooms, hence the other name.
The canopy creates a nice shaded area underneath it, which is why this place is popular among the locals here, especially in the evening. You will find a ton of people hanging out and socializing with one another. Definitely worth a visit while you are here.
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 Flamenco cultural center housed inside a 16th-century courtyard house where you will find a museum and nightly live performances.
If you have never witnessed the sheer energy of a Flamenco dance, this is the best place to be. You can buy a ticket to one of its nightly live performances here: Casa de la Memoria's Flamenco ticket.
How to Get to Seville?
From Madrid, if you are looking for a cheap and reliable way to go to Seville, you can take a bus directly to Seville, which should take you no more than 6 hours. Otherwise, a fast train is another good option, taking only a little under 3 hours, but it will be more expensive than the bus.
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 can easily be explored on foot. If the heat becomes unbearable, you can hop on the tram that runs throughout the city for small fee but you should be able to cover everything in this itinerary without having to rely on public transportation.
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.
What to Pack for Seville, Spain?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Seville, Spain:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Spain
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about Spain, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Spain? Check out my 10-day backpacking itinerary for Spain.
- Are you traveling to Spain as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Madrid is a great place to start your journey in Spain. Here's a 9 Incredible Things to Do in Madrid, Spain to get you started.
- Granada is also another great city to visit. The city is full of culture, cheap tapas, and the beautiful Alhambra fortress waiting for you to explore. Check out my 8 Best Things to Do in Granada, Spain.
- Barcelona is in its own league when it comes to culture and unique architecture compared to the rest of Spain. Here’s a complete 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary, the capital city of Catalonia.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 23 photos that will inspire you to visit Spain.
- You can also watch my Spain travel video here: "Spain to Leave Spain" travel video.
- To see all articles about Spain, visit Spain Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Spain? How about France or Portugal? Visit our France travel guide page and our Portugal travel guide page for more information.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
3 Comments
Hi Pete! Think I saw you in Avenue in KL. Was in a rush, so didn't have the chance to say hi. Love your blog, so keep it up!
How long are you going to be in KL for?
Really? Do remember waht time it was? I was walking around Avenue in the morning at one point. I'm now in Penang though but next time if you see me, and my bag, please come and say hi. :)
Ahh, it's really you then.
It was probably around 7-730pm on Saturday in KLCC / Avenue K. Recognised the bag. Have fun travelling in Malaysia!