Nestled in the southern Andalusia region of Spain is beautiful Seville. The city is mostly Spanish, but the Muslim influences in everything from the architecture and history to the culture and food mean that when you visit, you get a taste of both distinct cultures. If you are looking for a place with a hot climate, awe-inspiring architectural sights, and fantastic Spanish food, Seville should be your next destination. This guide will show you all the top things to do in Seville, Spain.
This article is your go-to guide for your upcoming trip to Seville. Included here are six must-not-miss activities and attractions for anyone wanting to maximize their experience in the capital city of Andalusia.
Read more about Seville
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Where to stay in Seville?
- For the best prices on accommodations and the most choices, Booking.com has been my go-to choice especially once you reach Genius tier and you can find an additional 10-15% off places to stay.
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Top Things to Do in Seville
Check out what you need to add to your itinerary for things to do in Seville Spain.
#1 Plaza de Espana
This crescent-shaped plaza, built for the Ibero-American Expo of 1929, is a must-see. Walk along the Guadalquivir River and the canals or rent a rowboat as you marvel at the elaborate bridges, with a Venetian style and the alcoves, each representing a different region of Spain.
If you are a Game of Thrones or Lawrence of Arabia fan, you will recognize some of the areas as famous scenes in the show and movie. If you are a bird-lover, keep your eyes peeled for the resident green parrots.
Activities You Can Check Out
Viator has many tours that take you through Plaza de Espana, but this electric bike tour is the one we suggest.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Place de la Encarnación, s/n, 41003 Sevilla, Spain
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, the attraction is open from 9:30-22:30. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Metropol Parasol is open until 23:00.
Price: General admission is €3 for the rooftop walkway and the guided tour is $15.55
Tips: A camera to capture the sights.
Parking: Parking Imagen is a nearby parking garage.
#2 Real Alcazar de Seville
Anyone visiting Seville would be remiss if they didn’t visit Real Alcazar de Seville, as it's at the top of things to do in Seville, Spain. Get lost in the maze of lush gardens and be transported to medieval times amid the palaces. One could easily spend an entire day in this must-see spot.
The Princess Bath- built for King Peter the Cruel’s mistress to escape the hot Spanish summers and the Ambassador’s Reception Room- one of the most ornately designed rooms in the palace are must-dos.
Activities You Can Check Out
To get the most of your visit to Real Alcazar, consider this Viator tour that includes an art historian guide to give you the inside scoop and history of the palace. This is one of the top Seville activities.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Hours: 9:30 – 17:00, plus night tours during peak season
Price: General admission is €11.50, plus an additional €4.50 for access to the Royal Bedroom.
Tips: It is wise to purchase skip-the-line tickets as there will be an extensive line and wait to get in otherwise.
What to bring: Sunscreen for the walking tour of the garden, good walking shoes, and your camera are musts.
Parking: Street parking is available, but access is spotty. It is best to take a bus or taxi.
#3 Flamenco Show
Seville is known for flamenco dancing, so it is a must to catch a flamenco show. The flamenco style of dance originated in Seville and the general Andalusia area of Spain. There are two different flamenco experiences to choose from when in Seville. The first is highly marketed to tourists and is one of the top things to do in Seville, Spain and can include drinks and dinner. The second experience is a smaller, more intimate experience that can seem more local and personal. Both, however, will be a great way to expose yourself to cultural dance.
Another great way to catch a flamenco dancer is on an evening stroll in a plaza or on a busy street. Chances are, you will find a lively street performance at least once during your stay in Seville.
Activities You Can Check Out
Get the best of the flamenco world on a three-hour walking tour plus show with Viator. This is what to see in Seville if you want an authentic experience.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Varies, depending on the show or impromptu street performance
Hours: Varies
Price: The price for the walking tour and show is $44.87
Tips: A camera to capture the gorgeous dresses of the dancers is always a good idea.
Parking: Dependent on the location of the show.
#4 Seville Cathedral
Save an entire day of your visit to Seville for the third-largest church in the world. The Seville Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its highly ornate stained-glass windows, arches, and spires, will delight and awe any guest. The Giralda Tower is worth a climb for the stunning views of the city. Another must-see in the cathedral are the tombs of Ferdinand III and Christopher Columbus.
The best way to experience the largest Gothic cathedral in the world is a guided rooftop tour, which you can only get through the cathedral website or at the ticket desk at the cathedral.
Activities You Can Check Out
Check out this guided skip-the-line tour of the cathedral that will guarantee an enriching learning experience of the fantastic aspects of the church and is one of the top Seville things to do.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Avenue de la Constitución, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Hours: Monday hours are 11:00-15:30, Tuesday through Saturday’s hours are 11:00-17:00, and Sunday’s hours are 14:30-18:00.
Price: General admission is €9
Tips: A camera to capture the gorgeous dresses of the dancers is always a good idea.
Parking: There are numerous car parks near the cathedral. MC Avenida and Paseo de Colon are two good choices.
#5 Metropol Parasol
The newest attraction on this list, the Metropol Parasol was constructed in 2011 by Jurgen Mayer, a German architect. The series of walkways that take you over La Encarnacion Square and give you amazing views of the city are almost futuristic-looking in their design and juxtaposition with the ancient sites nearby. The Metropol Parasol is definitely one of the top things to do in Seville, Spain.
Activities You Can Check Out
Wander the Metropol Parasol on your own, and pay only €3 to take the elevator to the rooftop level walkways. You can also check out this virtual guided tour and skip the line.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Place de la Encarnación, s/n, 41003 Sevilla, Spain
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, the attraction is open from 9:30-22:30. On Saturdays and Sundays, the Metropol Parasol is open until 23:00.
Price: General admission is €3 for the rooftop walkway and the guided tour is $15.55
Tips: A camera to capture the sights.
Parking: Parking Imagen is a nearby parking garage.
A Quick Seville Travel Guide
Money – As a general rule, currency exchangers are usually not worth it in much of Europe. They will charge a fee that far exceeds what you would pay if you withdraw money from an ATM. Your best bet would be to use an ATM inside of a bank or one that you know is associated with an accredited bank. Other ATMs might have additional or hidden fees.
When is the best time? – Summers in Seville are hot, hot, hot, with little humidity. If you are looking for a nice, dry heat, summer is an excellent time to visit. However, be aware that this is the busy season, and prices will be inflated to take advantage of the influx of tourists. The best time if considering a budget and the weather would be spring. The weather is less hot, there are fewer tourists, and you will get more bang for your buck.
Getting here – Seville has an international airport, but if traveling from somewhere outside of Europe, it might be cheaper to fly into the capital city of Madrid. From there, you can take the highspeed train to Seville, which only takes two and a half hours.
Getting around – For anyone not familiar with driving in a busy European city, it would be wise to consider public transportation. Seville has a light metro system and a very reliable bus system. The city center is easy to navigate on foot. Other than the bus or metro, taxis and Uber are available in Seville.
Where To Stay in Seville
The below are 4 recommendations but if you're looking for something more more in-depth, make sure you read this guide on where to stay in Seville.
AFFORDABLE
Silken Al-Andalus Palace
“Lovely room, very clean hotel, swimming pool was fantastic, staff superb and facilities top notch. Great location, 2 mins off the A4 and 10 min easy drive into Sevilla city centre.” Guests also love the buffet breakfast and the poolside bar.
MID-RANGE
Eurostars Torre Sevilla
Your stay will be unique in this hotel as it's located on the top 13 floors of a skyscraper that is the highest building in Andalucia – so the views are incredible! The location of this hotel is highly rated with the city center only a 15 minute walk away.
APARTMENT
El Escondite De Maria
Completely private, clean, and spacious apartment that has many amenities. This apartment features a flat-screen TV, living room and sofa, well-equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with toiletries. The apartment also includes a dishwasher, kettle, and coffee machine for an easy stay.
LUXURY
Hotel Alfonso XIII – A Luxury Collection Hotel
The Alfonso XIII’s elegant design includes Arabic-style arches and ceramic tiles and is considered one of Spain's most prestigious hotels. “All is amazing! The rooms are spacious with fantastic balcony over Sevilla, the hotel architecture is stunning, the breakfast is amazing, the staff very helpful. Probably the best hotel experience you can get!”
Frequently asked questions
– The best time to visit Seville is from March to May. During these months the temperatures are mild, the rush of tourist traffic hasn't reached summer volume and the hotels tend to offer lower rates.
– Absolutely! Spain is considered one of the safest countries in Europe.
– The nearest airport to Seville is Sevilla (SVQ) Airport which is 7.9 km away. Other nearby airports include Jerez (XRY) (70.8 km), Malaga (AGP) (153.2 km), Faro (FAO) (181.3 km) and Tangier (TNG) (184.2 km).
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