If you’re dreaming of sunny streets, fiery flamenco rhythms, and tapas that make your taste buds dance, then Sevilla should be at the top of your travel list. This Andalusian gem is packed with history, charm, and a vibrant culture that sweeps you off your feet the moment you arrive. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Sevilla: from must-see landmarks to hidden local favorites that you won’t find in every guidebook.
Whether you’re wandering through the winding lanes of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, catching a sunset from the top of the Metropol Parasol, or sipping a tinto de verano in a lively plaza, Sevilla promises moments you’ll want to relive again and again. Ready to fall in love with this magical city? Let’s dive into the experiences that make Sevilla truly unforgettable.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SEVILLA
When thinking of Seville, you probably think of Flamenco music and dance, tapas and warm weather! But Sevilla is much more than that! Here are some interesting fact about this beautiful city that not everyone knows.
- The cathedral in Seville is the largest gothic cathedral in the world! Make sure to plan plenty of time to visit it.
- Orange trees are everywhere. There is more than 10,000 orange trees lining the streets of Seville but as tempting as they might look, these oranges cannot be eaten raw. They are very bitter!
- During the summer temperatures get really hot! It is common that the temperatures go over 40 degrees.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO VISIT SEVILLA?
Sevilla is a city with so much to do and see! Both times I have been to this city it has been as a 2 day trip and even though, I have been able to see many places in the city, it always feels a bti short. So to answer the question, I would say as a minimum you need to be there for 2 days. However, if you have the time I would try to make it 3 days in this beautiful city.
If you want to do everything that is listed in this blog, you will need 3 to 4 days.
GETTING TO SEVILLA
Sevilla is located Andalusia region, in the south of Spain. Despite being more than 500 km away from Madrid, the city is very well connected which makes it very easy to visit it.
🚗 BY CAR
As mentioned before Seville is more than 500 km away from Madrid so if you want to reach it by car, you will have to plan in some extra time. However, it is completely feasable, all you have to do is take highway A-5 that connects Madrid and Extremadura region until you reach the city of Badajoz. Here, you will get A-66 highway all the way to Seville.
🅿️ Parking: The streets in the center of Seville are quite narrow and difficult to drive. If you’re coming to Seville by car, I recommend you park your car in one of the big parkings in the outer parts of the city and use public tranportation to reach the center. During our stay in Seville, we saw many people struggling to drive through the narrow streets.
🚉 BY TRAIN
Seville is connected with Madrid via the AVE high speed train. This means you can reach the Seville in a bit over 2 hours and 30 minutes, which is very convenient. I definitely recommend this option if you are traveling to Seville from Madrid. Book your AVE train ticket at the Renfe Website.
Once you are at Sevilla Santa Justa train station, you can reach the city center either by taking the bus or on foot if you don’t mind walking for 20 minutes.
✈️ BY PLANE
Seville also has a small international airport so if you’re traveling from outside of Spain this might be the best option for you. Ryanair offers a few flights from different countries in Europe. You might be able to find a good deal to visit this beautiful city!
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SEVILLA
Let’s not wait anymore and start with the list of the best things to do in Seville (in no particular order). To help you plan your visit to this city, I have pinned all locations in a map at the end of this blog.
1. BE IMPRESSED BY THE ALCAZAR
The “Real Alcazar de Sevilla” is a Unesco Heritage site located in the heart of the city. The complex is composed of several palaces of different architectural styles such as Mudejar, Gothic, Rennaisance and Baroque styles. These are due to the different periods the city has had throughout its history.
A visit to the Alcazar will definitely impress you. You will first visit the different palace areas and will end with a visit to the beautiful and lush gardens. Unfortunately, the day I visited the Alcazar, I was really sick and I was not able to enjoy it as much as I would have wanted but I still remember that the gardens were amazing.
Trivia: Did you know that the Alcazar is still the residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they are in Sevilla? This means it is the oldest Royal Palace still in use.
Practical information
- Price. Tickets to visit the Real Alcazar de Sevilla cost 15,50 € per person. If you want to include a visit to the Royal Bedroom, you will have to pay 5,5 € extra per person. Always check the latest applicable prices at the Alcazar official website.
- Book your tickets in advance. If you want to visit the Alcazar and don’t want to wait in line for hours, you’ll have to book your tickets well in advance. You can book your tickets here.
- Opening Hours. The Alcazar is open from October to March between 9:30 and 17:00 and from April to September between 9:30 and 17:00.
- You will need at least 2 hours to visit the Alcazar, so choose wisely your visit time when you book your tickets.
2. VISIT THE CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral of Sevilla (or Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) is one of those places that will leave you with your mouth open. It’s the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and, one of the most visited monuments in Spain. It was originally built on the site of a mosque, and you can still see some Moorish style in it, especially in its iconic bell tower, La Giralda.
Inside the cathedral, you will find plenty of art pieces and you should pay special attention to the main altar and choir. You will also be able to visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus. You can easily spend an hour exploring the cathedral, the cathedral is just that impressive.
Practical information
- Price. Entry tickets to the Cathedral are 13 € per person if you buy them online and 14 € if you buy them at the cathedral. Always check the latest price at the official website.
- Opening Hours. The Cathedral can be visited from Monday to Saturday between 11:00 and 18:00 and on Sundays from 14:30 to 19:00.
- Book your tickets in advance. To avoid waiting in line to buy your tickets, it is highly recommended that you book your tickets in advance online. You can buy your tickets here.
3. CLIMB TO THE TOP OF "LA GIRALDA"
La Giralda is the cathedral’s bell tower, but it is such an iconic site in Sevilla, that deserves to be mentioned separately. The tower was initially the minaret of a grand mosque so you can still see the moorish style in it. It was built to resemble the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech.
Years later, when the cathedral was built, the top part of the tower was added to convert it into a bell tower and these days, it has a total of 24 bells.
But La Giralda is not only impressive and beautiful from outside. From its top, you will be able to get breathtaking 360-degree views over Sevilla!
Practical information
- Entrance to La Giralda is included with the Cathedral tickets.
- There are no stairs to reach the top of the Giralda, the access to these tower was built with a ramp to allow reaching the top by horse.
4. VISIT TORRE DEL ORO
Torre del Oro (or Gold Tower in English), is a 36-meter-high defensive tower that was built in 1220 next to the city walls and the Guadalquivir river. Throughout the years, the tower has had different uses such as a prison, or a chapel. Today it hosts a maritime museum with shipping instruments and maps.
In my opinion, the museum is not so special but if you enter the tower, you will also be able to climb to its top and get some nice views over Guadalquivir river.
Practical information
- Price. Entrance to the tower is 3 € per person.
- Opening hours. The tower is open from Monday to Friday between 9:30 and 19:00 and during the weekend between 10:30 and 19:00.
5. GO ON A CRUISE ALONG THE GUADALQUIVIR RIVER
Next to Torre del Oro, you will find many places where you can hop on a boat and sail down the Guadalquivir River. Most cruises will last for an hour and will allow you to relax and enjoy the city from a different angle. You will pass under historic bridges like Puente de Triana and sail by the city’s landmarks like “La Maestranza de Sevilla”, Sevilla’s bullfighting arena.
The cruise along the Guadalquivir River was one of my favorite activities in Seville. It allowed us to see the contrast between the traditional tiled buildings in the city center and the modern constructions furhter down the river, which we would have not had time to see otherwise.
Practical information
- There are plenty of options to choose from and it is possible to book your cruise ride directly by the river. However, if you want to do the cruise during sunset, I recommend you book it advance to ensure you have a spot.
- We booked it with this company and we were very happy with our choice. Book the same tour as we did here.
- Remember to bring a light jacket with you. Even if it is warm in the city, the breeze while sailing can be a bit chilly.
6. LEARN ABOUT BULLFIGHTING AT LA MAESTRANZA
La Maestranza in Seville isn’t just a regular bullring, it is one of the oldest and most revered bullrings in Spain. It is known for its whitewashed walls, golden trim, and Baroque entrance. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of bullfighting or not, visiting La Maestranza is a must-do activity when in Seville.
A visit to La Maestranza will not only allow you to explore the building but you will also be able to learn about bullfighting and the controversies that surround it in its museum. You will be able to experience a mix of tradition, artistry, and the raw emotions that bullfighting brings.
Practical information
- Price. Tikcets to visit the bullfighting ring cost 12 € per person.
- Opening hours. La Maestranza is open daily between 9:30 and 21:00. If there is a bullfight in the program, it is only open until 15:00.
- Book your tickets online. It is possible to book your tickets online here.
- Attend a bullfight. If you visit during bullfighting season (from March until early October), you can also attend a bullfight at La Maestranza. You can buy your tickets here.
7. TAKE ENDLESS PHOTOS AT THE ICONIC PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
Plaza de España (or Spain’s square in English) is another super famous spot in Sevilla. You have problably seen it many times on photos and even in some films since it was featured in Star Wars or Lawrence of Arabia.
The square was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American exposition that took place in Seville in 1929 and has a total of 48 benches, one for each province in Spain except Seville.
Visiting Plaza de España was another highlight of our stay in Seville. It was David’s favorite place as he said he had never seen a square this unique. We took plenty of photos of the square and of course, I couldn’t resist to take one photo sitting in Madrid’s bench.
Tip: Plaza de España is a very popular place in Seville so if you want to experience it with less people around you, I recommend you wake up early. However, don’t worry too much about it if you can only visit it later in the day. We were there around noon and we still managed to take some nice photos. All you have to do is be a bit patient and look for interesting angles.
8. EXPLORE MARIA LUISA'S PARK
Maria Luisa’s Park (Parque de Maria Luisa) is a green oasis in the middle of Seville. Located right next to Plaza de España, it is the perfect spot to cool down if you’re visiting Sevilla on a warm day.
Walking through the park you will find plenty of historical buildings, statues, and even a small waterfal! The most famous spots not to miss are:
- The statue of Aníbal González, the architect responsible for Plaza de España. His statue is placed as if he’s looking at his masterpiece.
- The lotus pond.
- Mount Gurugú with its small waterfall.
- The lion’s garden.
9. ADMIRE THE FAÇADE OF THE ROYAL TOBACCO FACTORY
The Royal Tobacco Factory was the first tobacco factory that was established in Europe. However, these days the building is part of the University of Seville.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit inside the building but you can still admire its splendid façade.
10. WATCH SUNSET AT LAS SETAS DE SEVILLA
Metropol Parasol, or as it is most popularly known “Las Setas de Sevilla” (Seville’s mushrooms in English) is the largest wooden structure in the world. This structure has some elevators that bring you to a viewing platform where you can get beautiful panoramic views of Seville’s rooftops. The area is particularly popular at sunset so if you want to visit at sunset, I recommend you get here a bit in advance to get a good spot.
Practical information
- Price. Tickets to access the viewpoint cost 16 € per person.
- Opening Hours. The viewing platform is open daily between 9:30 and midnight.
- Book your tickets online. You can book your tickets in advance here.
11. VISIT THE GENERAL ARCHIVE OF INDIES
The Archivo General de Indias (the General Archive of Indies in English) is another UNESCO Heritage Site in Seville. It was built in 1598 as the market for products coming from “the Indies”.
In 1785, the building was transformed into the repository of archival materials documenting the history of the Spanish Empire in America and Asia.
The Archive is located right next to the Alcazar and the Cathedral and it is a very interesting place to visit if you have some extra time in Seville. Even if you don’t speak any Spanish, the architecture of this places is just impressive.
Practical information
- Price. It is completely free to visit the General Archive of Indies.
- Opening Hours. The Archive is from Tuesday to Saturday between 9:30 and 17:00. On Sundays it open between 10:00 and 14:00.
12. WALK AROUND SANTA CRUZ NEIGHBORHOOD
Santa Cruz is the former Jewish Quartier in Seville. The neighborhood is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and colorful flower-filled balconies. The streets and squares have plenty of orange trees so typical of the south of Spain.
The best thing to do in Santa Cruz is to just wander aimlessly and discover the many charming little patios that hide just around the corner.
In addition, the neighborhood is full of traditional restaurants and tapas bars where you can enjoy some of the delicious food in Spain.
13. EXPLORE TRIANA NEIGHBORHOOD
Triana is a neighborhood in Seville located on the west side of Guadalquivir River. The neighborhood has played a very important role in Sevillan culture and flamenco tradition. People from Triana are very religious and proud of being from this neighborhood.
As soon as you cross the iconic Isabel II Bridge (also known as Triana Bridge), you will feel a change in the atmosphere. While in Triana, don’t forget to visit the following sites.
- Calle Betis, next to the river with its colorful houses.
- Capilla de los Marineros (Sailor’s Chapel).
- Triana’s local market for some of the best tapas.
14. VISIT CASA DE SALINAS
Casa de Salinas, or Salinas’ House in English, is a lesser-known 16th-century mansion or small palace located in the center of Seville.
The mansion belongs to the Salinas family, a wealthy Sevillian family, and its the perfect example of the architectural style in Seville. The house stands around a patio with a double gallery over marble columns with many tile decorations.
Practical information
- Price. Tickets to visit the house cost 12 € per person.
- Opening Hours. The Salina’s House can be visited from Monday to Friday. From October until June it is open between 10:00 and 18:00 and from June until September between 10:00 and 14:00.
- Book your tickets online. It is possible to book your tickets online here.
15. VISIT PALACIO DE LAS DUEÑAS
The Palacio de las Dueñas is a palace in Seville that belongs to the House of Alba. The palace was built in the 15th-century in a Renaissance style with Gothic and Moorish influences. It is one of the most visited sites in Seville and one of the major historic home in the city.
The House of Alba is one of the most influential families in Spain and visiting this palace feels like visiting a museum. In fact, the palace was declared a national monument in 1931 for its history and value.
Practical information
- Price. Tickets to visit the palace cost 14 € per person.
- Opening Hours. The palace is open from April until September between 10:00 and 19:00 and from October until March between 10:00 and 18:00.
- Book your tickets online. You can book your ticket in advance here.
16. BE IMPRESSED BY ALL THE TILES IN CASA DE PILATOS
La Casa de Pilatos (Pilate’s House) is an Andalusian palace located in Seville, and the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli. The palace is another example of Renaissance style building with Moorish elements and decorations. The house has around 150 different designs of glazed tiles (azulejos in Spanish) which make the house pop with color.
The visit to Casa de Pilatos was another highlight of my trip to Seville. I had read many good reviews about this place before visiting but had barely seen any photos so I was very pleasantly surprised.
Practical information
- Price. Tickets to visit Casa de Pilatos cost 12 € per person to visit the lower floor. Additionaly, if you want to visit to upper floor (which I definitely recommend) you have to buy a separate ticket that cost 6 € per person.
- Opening Hours. The house is open daily between 10:00 and 18:00.
- Book your tickets online. You can book your tickets in advance here.
17. ATTEND A FLAMENCO SHOW
To finish your stay in Seville, you have to attend a Flamenco show. There are many places in Seville where you can attend a Flamenco show, I just recommend that you read reviews before you book your tickets.
I went to the Tablao Flamenco Las Setas and had a fantastic time there. The dansers and singers were very good. To make it even better, with your ticket you get a free sherry cocktail to enjoy during the show.
ACCOMMODATION IN SEVILLA
When visiting Seville, I recommend that you book your hotel in the city center and Santa Cruz neighborhood. This way, you will be near the most important sites in the city and reduce your walking times.
Here are the two places I stayed in Seville and both were absolutely fantastic.
La Casa del Maestro Boutique Hotel
This is a charming boutique hotel located at walking distance from the Cathedral and the Alcazar. The hotel is decoterated in traditional Andalusian style around a courtyard. It also has a rooftop terrace where you can chill and relax after a day visiting the city.
We really loved our stay in this boutique hotel. The bed was super comfortable and the breakfast was just delicious!
Photos from Booking.com
Feel at Home - O'Donnell Apartments
If you prefer staying at an apartment where you can cook your own meals, then O’Donnell Apartments is just the place for you. These apartments are fully equipped with everything you might need for a perfect stay in Seville. They are also located within walking distance to the city center.
Photos from Booking.com
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your google maps account. To view it on your phone while traveling, open Google Maps, click on the menu button and go to “Your Places”, click on Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.
And that’s it for this week’s blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy travels!
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