Seville is stunning. We had visited many cities and areas of Spain before finally getting around to visiting Seville, and immediately wondered why we had not been there sooner. The old town and countless grand historical buildings make wandering around this epic Spanish city a pleasure, as something amazing is waiting on every corner. However, the city is still quite compact, so visiting it over a few days is easily achievable, making it the perfect stop for a weekend or a longer Spanish adventure. With so much to do and see in the city, figuring out what to devote your time to can be a little overwhelming, but don’t fear we have you covered with our list of the 10 best things to do in Seville, Spain:
1. Plaza De España
Plaza de España is probably the most famous square in Seville, and one of the best things to do in Seville. The Plaza and buildings were originally built for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929, but are now mostly used as government buildings. The mosaics, waterways, and bridges make the area quite peaceful and a popular meeting place for people. In the summer, you can rent a gondola on the waterway. It is hard to convey how impressive and grand the Plaza De España is without seeing it in person, which is why it should be one of the top things to do in Seville for any visitor to the city.
- Opening times: Daily from 08:00 – 22:00
- Entry/Tickets: Free to enter
2. Cathedral Of Seville And Giralda Tower
The Cathedral of Seville is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and is breathtakingly beautiful. It was built between 1401 and 1506 on the site of the former Great Mosque. Alongside the cathedral is the Giralda Tower, a preserved building from the former Mosque. The tower has fantastic panoramic views over the city and a large bronze statue at the top. The cathedral was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987. Some of the highlights of the cathedral are the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the incredible paintings that adorn many of the cathedral walls, the royal chapel, and the treasure room.
- Opening times: Mon-Sat 10:45 – 17:00, Sunday 14:30 – 18:00
- Entry/Tickets: Standard ticket €12 on entry or €11 online, reduced ticket €7 on entry or €6 online for those under 17 years old, those over 65 years old and students under 25 years old. Free entry for children under 13 years old
- Where to Buy: On entry, on the official website or through Viator for guided tour tickets
3. Explore The Old Quarter
The Barrio de Santa Cruz is Seville’s old town and where many of the most impressive Seville attractions lie. It is the former Jewish quarter of Seville and is a mix of beautiful squares and small alleys and streets. As well as seeing landmarks such as the Cathedral and Alcazar of Seville, the old town is where you will find independent shops, tapas restaurants, and countless monuments and architectural wonders. If you’re only in Seville for one day, make sure you leave yourself some time to wander through the maze of streets and discover the heart of Seville. Watch our Seville city tour video to get an idea of the city before you get there and to see the best walking route through the old quarter.
4. Real Alcazar De Sevilla
The Real Alcazar de Sevilla, historically known as the al-Qasr al-Muriq, is one of the oldest palaces in the world, that is still in use. Built in the 10th century, the palace has been extended and changed multiple times in its lifetime, most notably with the addition of the Palacio de Don Pedro in the 14th century. Although every section of the palace has been exquisitely designed and crafted, the highlights are the Patio de las Doncellas courtyard and the Patio de las Muñecas. The beautiful intricacy of the Palace design in both the rooms and courtyard spaces makes this a must-do when visiting Seville. Buying a ticket in advance is advisable as long queues for this Seville attraction are common.
- Opening Times: October 29th – March 31st, Mon-Sun from 09:30 to 17:00, April 1st – October 28th, Mon-Sun from 09:30 to 19:00
- Entry/Tickets: Standard entry €13.50 ($15) at the door, €14.50 ($16) online. Students up to 30 years old, those with a youth card, or persons over 65 years old €6 ($7) entry at the door, or €7 ($8) online. Children under 13 years old free entry at the door or €1 ($1.20) online. Entry is also free on Mondays at 16:00 – 17:00 from October to March, or at 18:00 – 19:00 from April to September
- Where to Buy: Online via the official website or on Viator for tours
5. Parque De Maria Luisa
The Parque de Maria Luisa grounds were originally the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, but in 1911 they were redesigned to their current layout for the Iberico-American exhibition. They cover 100 acres in total, which are home to many monuments, buildings, and plants, and are the main green space in Seville. Some of the best monuments and sights in the park are the Fountain of Lions and the Water Lily pool, but there are many to see when exploring the gardens. We explored the entire park in our Parque de Maria Luisa walking tour video, you can watch it and walk with us so you know exactly what to see when you’re there.
- Opening Times: Open daily from 08:00 to 17:00
- Entry/Tickets: Free
6. Explore Triana
Located on the other side of the Guadalquivir river, the Triana district was once the most important in Seville. Although there are not many grand buildings or sites in Triana, it is a pleasure to wander through its many old streets. One of the most notable things to do in Triana is to see the Triana market, which is located next to the bridge and has lots of food stalls, restaurants, and cafes. There are also several churches to see in the district including Iglesia Santa Ana and La Capilla de los Marineros.
7. Setas De Sevilla
Also known as the Metropole Parasol, its original name, this unusual attraction is one that you may not have expected to find in Seville. This large wooden structure was completed in 2011 and has panoramic viewing platforms at levels 2 and 3. The mushroom-like structure sits above the central market and the Antiquarium. A modern-day attraction in Seville, the parasol is worth seeing and offers visitors the chance to have views across the city. Check out the central market below too while you’re there, full of great local produce.
- Opening Times: November – March, Mon-Sun from 09:30 – 00:00, April – October, Mon-Sun from 09:30 – 00:30
- Entry/Tickets: General entry to the top levels is €5 ($5.50) per person, free entry for children under 5 years old
- Where to Buy: On entry or online via the official website
8. Eat Tapas And Lots Of It!
Seville is the home of tapas. It is still hard to know exactly whether tapas originated in Seville, but there is a lot of information out there to suggest that it did, and the abundance and quality of tapas in Seville, make that all the more believable. All over the city, small tapas bars are serving up some of the finest tapas in the country, from classics like patatas bravas, croquettes, and Padron peppers to more creative and modern twists on tapas. Wandering through the old streets and alleys and sampling tapas with a wine or beer is one of the best things to do in Seville. There are so many tapas bars to choose from but some of our favourites are El Rinconcillo, the oldest tapas bar in Spain, El Paseillo, for their extensive meat range including the best stewed pork cheeks and Casa Morales, for great traditional tapas. If you only have one day in Seville, make sure to check out our list of the best restaurants in Seville so you can sample some of the best food in the city while you’re there.
9. See The Guadalquivir River By Boat
The Guadalquivir river is the river that runs through Seville city centre and is the only navigable river in Spain. As a city well known for being one of the hottest places in Europe in the summer months, even just looking at the river can bring a sense of refreshment to anyone spending a scorching day in the city. While walking down the riverside is enjoyable, another great way to enjoy the river and its views is to take a boat ride down it. Many of the boat cruises last for around one hour and explain some of the sites along the river including the Torre del Oro, the Plaza de Toros, and the many bridges that cross the river. It’s a relaxing way to spend an hour or so.
- Opening Times: Dependent on boat times and schedules
- Entry/Tickets: Prices start from €15 ($17) per person for an hour boat trip
- Where to Buy: Hour long boat trips available to purchase tickets for on Viator
10. Plaza De Toros De Seville
The Plaza de Toros de Sevilla is one of the most important bullfighting rings in Spain. In fact, the largest bullfighting festival in the world is held at this ring during the Feria de Abril festival in Seville, which takes place from the end of April to the beginning of May every year. The arena is oval and was built in the 18th century. It can accommodate up to 13,000 spectators and has a beautiful façade, which in itself, is worth visiting the ring for. There is also a museum inside for paying visitors.
- Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00
- Entry/Tickets: Standard entry €10 ($11.50) per person, €6 ($7) for students, young persons and persons over 65 years old, €3.50 ($4) for young children
- Where to Buy: On entry or online via the official website
There is much more to do in Seville than just this list but this is our pick of the top 10 things to do in Seville, to help you plan your trip. If you’re looking for more information about Seville, including how to get into the city, where to stay, when to go, and what to eat, check out our Seville travel guide, complete with all this information, and much more. For more destinations in Spain, take a look at our Spain travel guides collection. You can also read our guide on how to spend one day in Seville to get all our top tips on what to see, do and eat if you’re only in the city for a short time.
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