Seville has a special colour… Yes, it does. You are so beautiful, Seville of my weapon! We admit that we have resorted to a cliché, but there is no doubt that the capital of Andalusia is peculiar, has a very defined personality and exudes art from all four sides. In addition, Seville has perfect proposals for all audiences. Dedicate a few days to it because it does not disappoint! For now we tell you the 25 essential things to see and do in Seville in 2-3 days.
What to visit in Seville: 20 must-sees
Visiting Seville is like walking through a huge open-air fair: this city has soul, it is fun and heartfelt, it fills every corner with colour and shows itself generously as it is. It smells of orange blossom and discovery. Because no matter how many times you have been to the Andalusian capital, there is always a reason to return.
In this post we are going to give you 25 essential reasons to see Seville whether it is your first, second or tenth time.
1. Free tour in Seville
As we always recommend, the first thing you should do in Seville is sign up for a free tour to start getting to know the main corners of the city. Signing up is free but remember that at the end you have to set a price for the tour (we usually leave about €10 per person). The best news is that there are several of these free tours in Seville , the most interesting ones are these:
- Seville must-see
- Free Tour of the Jewish Quarter of Seville
- Guided tour of the Triana neighborhood
- Mysteries and legends tour
2. Real Alcázar, an essential place to see in Seville
One of the stops you should make a note of on your map, as it is a must-see in Seville, is the Real Alcázar. It is a palace - one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the 11th century - with rooms that could easily be the setting for The Thousand and One Nights. Its halls witnessed the passage of different cultures, so there is no shortage of Arabic, Mudejar, Gothic and Baroque architectural examples . Come on, it's amazing!
3. Gardens of the Royal Alcazar
Once here, you can't forget to visit the Gardens of the Royal Alcazar of Seville . Pay special attention to the Mercury Pond, the Garden of Dance and the Garden of the Ladies . And if you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you have one more reason to come: the Royal Alcazar and its gardens were the setting for the Dorne scenes (the location of House Martell).
4. Seville Cathedral
Another symbol of Seville, of course, is its Cathedral . It is one of the most spectacular Gothic cathedrals in Europe (and the world, of course). And it has a surprise: you can see the tomb of Christopher Columbus . One more curiosity: it is the third largest Cathedral in the world, behind St. Peter's (Vatican) and St. Paul's (London). Buuuut, if we only consider the Gothic Cathedrals, well, it takes the gold medal. And that's no small feat, eh.
Its value as an art gallery stands out: some of the masterpieces to see there are the paintings of the Virgen de los Remedios, the Adoration of the Kings or the Virgen de la Antigua. We also found the stained glass windows incredible.
› Climb the Giralda
The Giralda was originally built as a mosque minaret in the 12th century during the Almohad period. After the Christian conquest of Seville in the 13th century, it became the bell tower of the Seville Cathedral. Today it is open to the public as a lookout tower and as you can imagine, the views from up there are some of the best there are.
But it's best not to suffer from vertigo: the Giralda is 94.69 metres high.
5. Triana neighborhood, the most characteristic of the Andalusian capital
A trip to the Andalusian capital is not entirely perfect without a tour of Triana , its most authentic neighborhood, which is known for its deep connection with flamenco, a musical and dance genre that is essential to Seville's cultural identity. Some of the essential stops are:
- Altozano Square,
- Betis Street,
- the Chapel of Carmen,
- St. George's Castle,
- Triana Market
And, of course, when the sun goes down… go to a flamenco stage (we'll talk about this below). Oh, what art they have in Seville!
6. Plaza de España, a must-see in Seville
It's inevitable that you'll be amazed when you arrive at Plaza de España . For us, it's possibly the most beautiful square in Spain. There you can see the benches and tiles from 48 Spanish provinces. Do you know how this iconic place came to be? It was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and combines Renaissance, Mudejar and Neo-Baroque elements in its design.
Alfonso XIII himself, upon seeing it, declared: “ Gentlemen, I knew this was beautiful… But not that much .”
The central building of the square is an impressive semi-circular structure that stretches along the edge of a water channel. It is adorned with a series of bridges and balconies that give it a majestic appearance. You can walk along the balconies to enjoy panoramic views. Also, throughout the square, you will find ceramic benches decorated with colorful tiles representing the different provinces of Spain (we always go straight to the one in Barcelona hehe).
Visiting it is FREE and it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Seville, don't hesitate for a second to go.
⭐ To plan your getaway, take a look at our 10 tips for traveling to Seville for the first time .
7. Boat ride: a great plan to do in Seville
A boat ride along the Guadalquivir River is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Seville. This experience gives you the opportunity to enjoy the city from a unique perspective, exploring its urban landscapes and historical monuments from the water.
There are a wide variety of boat trips in Seville, from short tours to longer cruises. When we went we paid €15 for 1 hour.
⭐ More information and booking of the boat trip in Seville
8. Casa Ricardo (and its croquettes)
Hungry? Head to Casa Ricardo and try their legendary ham croquettes, which have earned a reputation among food lovers in Seville thanks to their homemade flavour and quality ingredients. Everyone knows this . But did you know that their flamenquín is also out of this world? Go for it! It's located at Calle Hernán Cortés, 2.
9. Terrace of the Corte Inglés in Pl. del Duque
Do you want a trick to get another Instagram-proof photo? Go up to the terrace of the Corte Inglés on Pl. del Duque (Gourmet Experience). It may not seem like much of a motivation at first, but there is a trick: the panoramic view from there is magical, and even more so if you go up at sunset. From the terrace, you can enjoy impressive views of the city of Seville, including emblematic monuments such as the Giralda and the Cathedral.
And it's free, so don't miss it when you're sightseeing in Seville.
10. Flamenco tablao
We already told you when we talked about Triana: the capital of Andalusia is synonymous with flamenco, so another of the things to do in Seville will be to take advantage of your visit to attend a show in a flamenco tablao. We leave you with a couple of interesting suggestions:
- Baraka Flamenco Hall
- Flamenco show at the Andalusian Palace
11. Torre del Oro, another must-see in Seville
Take a walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir to the Torre del Oro. We warn you: don't expect to see gold, the tower is named after the golden reflection it projects on the river. Although there are other theories about its name: it was a tower where gold warehouses were located, or it was also the entry point for gold arriving from the New World.
Whenever we go to Seville we try to get here just before sunset: it is the best time to enjoy the Tower and its reflection in the waters of the Guadalquivir.
12. Palaces of Seville
If you are an architecture lover, Seville will be your paradise. Some of the most beautiful buildings are: the Casa Consistorial (headquarters of the City Council), the Palacio de San Telmo , the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija , the Casa de Pilatos , the Palacio de las Dueñas , the Hotel Alfonso XIII , the Hospital de las Cinco Llagas and the Royal Tobacco Factory .
Our favorite thing to visit in Seville is probably the Palacio de las Dueñas , which was the residence of the House of Alba, one of the most prominent noble families in Spain, for centuries.
The palace is a stunning example of Andalusian architecture , with its characteristic central courtyard surrounded by columns and arches, intricately decorated tiles and lush gardens, with plants, fountains and ponds.
13. Maria Luisa Park
And after all that hustle and bustle, do you want to relax and rest for a while? Head to the María Luisa Park , the green lung of the city. Relax here before or after visiting the Plaza de España and don't leave without visiting the beautiful Isleta de los Pájaros.
The shade of its trees is much appreciated, even more so in the torrid Seville summers.
14. Basilica of the Macarena
If at any time during your visit to Seville you find yourself in the Macarena neighbourhood, go and see the Basilica of La Macarena. Although it was built recently (1941), it is one of the most important religious temples in the city and has a special charm thanks to its yellow and white colours.
Once inside, the highlights include the Macarena Chapel and Dressing Room, the Sentence Room and the Altar of Hispanic Heritage.
13. Metropol Parasol (the Mushrooms)
And what about the Metropol Parasol (also known as “the mushrooms”)? Some people think it is a horror, others find it very interesting. We are in the second group. It is a building that breaks with the classic Sevillian style and gives the city a modern touch.
But we especially like it for the views from its viewing point. Price: €15.
16. Roman site of Italica
Did you know that the Roman site of Italica is located just 10 km from Seville ? There is a free tour that takes you to discover it and to delve into the Roman past of this Andalusian city. More information and reservations for the free tour to Italica here.
This site is known for being an ancient Roman city founded in 206 BC by General Publius Cornelius Scipio " The African" as a settlement for veteran soldiers of the Punic Wars. One of the most impressive elements of Italica is its amphitheater, which is one of the largest in ancient Rome. It had a capacity to hold more than 25,000 spectators and was the place where events such as chariot races and shows were held. There may not be gladiators around today, but with some imagination you can imagine it 😉
You can also see the remains of Roman baths and old houses from that period. We think it's a great plan to do in Seville and even though you might think it's incredible, many people don't know about its existence.
17. Archive of the Indies
If you are interested in the history of Spain and its conquests on the American continent, a visit to the Archivo de Indias in Seville is a must. This incredible archive houses a unique collection of documents spanning from the 15th to the 19th century . It was created in 1785 by order of King Charles III, in order to bring together in one place all the documentation relating to the overseas territories of the Spanish monarchy. Today we can still see letters, reports, maps, plans, drawings and other documents that offer an incomparable insight into the history of Spanish colonization.
The visit is free and can be made from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
18. DO NOT ride in a horse-drawn carriage
Use your little feet to explore Seville! Don't make the tourist mistake of taking a horse-drawn carriage ride through Seville, don't contribute to the animal business. Some of the reasons not to support this type of business are:
- Overwork
- Inadequate living conditions (especially with the heat in Seville)
- Injuries and damages
- Weight overload
- Lack of adequate veterinary care
- Exposure to traffic hazards
→ Here we leave you an article from Faada, where they tell you more about the subject and the reason why it is NOT a harmless activity.
19. Santa Cruz neighborhood
An essential neighborhood to see in Seville is the Santa Cruz neighborhood , the former ghetto and one of our favorites in Seville. With its cobbled streets, its little squares and, of course, its taverns, you will love it.
Some of the must-see stops here are:
- Mateos Gago Street,
- Parish of Santa Cruz,
- Pinelo Palace,
- Water Alley,
- Santa Cruz Square
Our advice is to sign up for this free tour to discover the old Jewish quarter of Seville with the help of a local guide.
20. Seville Festivals: Holy Week and April Fair
There are two events that everyone should enjoy, sooner or later, in Seville: Holy Week and the April Fair . If your trip falls on these dates, you will be able to celebrate in style.
› Holy Week in Seville
It is one of the best known in all of Spain. During this week, the brotherhoods go out with their processions to commemorate the Passion of Christ. It is certainly something worth seeing. As long as the crowds don't bother you (or you'll have a terrible time). There are even themed tours of Holy Week. Info and prices.
Holy Week in Seville is a tradition that dates back to the 16th century, when the city's brotherhoods began to organize religious processions. These processions quickly became a popular event and, by the 17th century, were already a massive spectacle.
› April Fair
Booths, music, rebujito and dancing: the April Fair is the fair of all fairs, the place to have a blast and experience Seville to the fullest.
The stalls are decorated with flowers and lanterns and offer a wide variety of food such as Iberian ham, fried fish and to drink you can't help but try rebujito, a drink made with wine, lemon juice and soda. Be careful, it gives off a really sparkling spark XD. Of course, there is no shortage of flamenco performances and dancing. Come on, it's something worth seeing and experiencing.
More things to see and do in Seville
Here are 5 extra plans to enjoy in the Andalusian city:
- Do you like Velázquez ? The house where the great painter was born is located in Seville , more specifically on Padre Luis María Llop Street (you can only see the façade). Fun fact: this house also belonged to Victorio & Lucchino, hahaha - I don't know why I find it funny.
- Go on a tapas tour . In this post we tell you where to try the best tapas in Seville .
- If, unlike us who are already old folks, you like nightlife, an interesting neighborhood to go out partying is Alfalfa .
- Try the serranito, the typical Sevillian sandwich, at the Hermanos Morales Restaurant
- A curious visit to make in Seville is to visit the Atarazanas , in the Arenal district. This is where, back in the 13th century, galleys and ships were built.
Excursions from Seville
Have you already done all of the above and have more time? We already told you before: go to the Roman site of Italica.
› More tours and day trips to do from Seville
Make the most of your time in Andalusia and take a trip. All of them can be done on your own, but if you prefer to have a guide and learn more about the places, we recommend these tours:
- Excursion to Cordoba
- Visit to Granada
- Getaway to Doñana
- Gibraltar Excursion
- Combined visit to Cadiz and Jerez
Here are our recommendations of the main things to see and do in Seville in one, two, three or more days. Have you been to the Andalusian capital? What are your tips?
