Seville is a charming city in the heart of Andalusia with incredible architecture, a rich history and a great food scene. From tasty tapas to opulent palaces and authentic flamenco shows, there’s a host of wonderful things to do in Seville.
In this post, I’ll share the hidden gems and only the very best things to do for your next Seville trip including where to eat, drink and stay. I’ve travelled to this region of Spain several times and with the addition of a few up-market restaurants and hotels, not much has changed in 2024!
Find the hidden gems and epic roof terraces in my Ultimate Guide To Seville!
Why visit Seville?
Oh, Seville, with its jasmine-scented air, orange trees and wonderful buildings, it leaves you feeling as though you could uproot and stay a while. Everyone seems to be enjoying life here, whether that’s sitting in a sun-filled cobbled stoned square, tasting tapas, watching a flamenco show or sipping rooftop cocktails with stunning views, it’s all very appealing!
Andalusia
Seville also makes a great base for exploring the Andalusian region including the iconic white-washed villages and stunning scenery – adding a day trip to your itinerary would be the cherry on top!
In this Seville guide:
What to do in Seville, plus tips!
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN SEVILLE
SEVILLE CATHEDRAL
Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and you’ll find it in the charming old town surrounded by orange trees, its grandness is very hard to miss – you will catch glimpses of it quite often when roaming around Seville.
Inside is just as spectacular, for one, it’s enormous with tall arched beams and many intricate details, the whole area just feels very ancient and historic, it’s worth going inside just to see the ceiling!
Don’t miss…
You can also pay a visit to Christopher Columbus’s final resting place and for art lovers there are iconic paintings by Murillo inside the Chapter House, both things are special and unique to Seville.
GIRALDA TOWER
Giralda Bell Tower rises sky high above the cathedral and is even more ancient, there used to be a mosque which was destroyed in the middle ages leaving the tower standing – the cathedral was eventually built around it.
You can climb to the top for amazing views over Seville, there’s a (fairly easy-going) narrow ramp with lots of twists and it is well worth doing for a bird’s eye view of the landmarks. You can also buy queue jump tickets (recommended), which include cathedral entry and bell tower admission.
Skip the line tickets:
REAL ALCAZAR PALACE
Just a stones throw from the Cathedral is the Real Alcazar Palace. It’s possibly the most loved landmark in Seville and wandering around the grounds for an hour or two is one of the best things to do in Seville – despite the crowds it draws.
The Alcazar, a World Heritage Site, is a 10th-century masterpiece, adorned with intricate gold ceilings, postcard courtyards, colourful tiles, tall palms, fountains and exotic gardens – there are even peacocks roaming the patio, it’s all so beautiful!
Tip! The Real Alcazar is something you absolutely cannot miss in Seville, I highly recommend buying skip-the-line tickets online in advance as the queues can be pretty huge!
HISTORICAL GUIDED TOUR
One of the best ways to explore the iconic attractions of Seville is to take a Cathedral, Giralda Tower, and Alcazar skip-the-line guided tour, especially during the high season (and don’t worry the groups are small). You’ll get a private entrance (avoiding long queues) and a local guide to show you the highlights in half the time, it’s definitely the way to go if you’re only visiting for a couple of days!
Book: Cathedral, Giralda & Alcazar Tour
SEVILLE FLAMENCO
A proper flamenco show is a must when visiting Seville, it originated here after all! One of the best shows I’ve ever seen took place at Casa de la Memoria – a very special little theatre dating back to the 15th century, their performances are polished and professional!
A good alternative is Los Gallos Tablao in the central historical district of Barrio Santa Cruz, watch the talented musicians and dancers in an intimate venue and wonderful location. If you’re visiting in summer, the later shows are best – but arrive early as seats are first come first serve and you can only really buy drinks before the show starts.
Note: A flamenco show is 1.5 – 2hrs and performed in cosy traditional theatres, it’s a totally different experience from the street acts you might come across.
Small group walking tour? Start your trip to Seville with this popular 2-hour small group highlights of Seville walking tour, see important landmarks and take advantage of your local guide’s insider tips along the way! See here for details.
BARRIO SANTA CRUZ
Barrio Santa Cruz, also known as the medieval Jewish Quarter is the real heart of Seville and the most desirable area to walk around. A typical Spanish old town with a maze of winding cobbled streets and picturesque squares to get lost in.
The best thing to do is wander, find local tapas bars and enjoy a nice café latte in one of the pretty orange-filled courtyards, framed by white and yellow houses. Check out Plaza Alfaro and Plaza Dona Elvira, they are two of the best.
Things to see in Barrio Santa Cruz:
- Rosina’s Balcony
- Jardins de Murillo
- Callejón del Agua
TAPAS FOOD CRAWL
Seville is famous for it’s delicious tapas with new restaurants springing up all the time as well as hole-in-the-wall places and traditional local haunts to take your pick from – and with such a variety, it’s hard to know where to begin!
If you want to order more than a ham croquette staple and have a bit of fun doing so, then why not kick start your culinary adventures with a local guide on a tapas-hopping? You can book the best and highly rated Seville Tapas Crawl here it really is an excellent experience!
LA TERRAZA ROOFTOP BAR
Enjoy a glass of something at one of Seville’s best rooftop bars with a stunning view, it’s the best thing to do in Seville at sunset an watch the golden glow over the historical skyline – it’s truly memorable. Stylish La Terraza at the top of EME Hotel has the perfect outlook over the Cathedral, a long bar with tall stools and a fab cocktail menu (pricier than everywhere else, but worth it in my opinion).
Love rooftop terraces? You can also check out my full guide to the 7 best rooftop bars in Seville for amazing views – try 2 or 3 on your trip.
MORE ATTRACTIONS IN SEVILLE
CASA DE PILATOS
Casa de Pilatos is a beautiful palace in the Santa Cruz area of Seville, not as opulent or busy as the Real Alcazar but still beautiful and relaxing to walk around and worth visiting.
The Casa de Pilatos palace is one of many attractions in Seville that blend Renaissance styles with Spanish Mudejar. In the courtyard, you’ll find a fountain, sculptures and a Gothic chapel, while the upper floor houses a huge collection of Spanish tiles.
PLACIO DE LAS DUENAS
If you have time to squeeze in one more palace, visit Placio de las Duenas, a gorgeous 15th-century palace with a beautiful patio similiar to the one in Casa de Pilatos.
It makes for a nice tranquil escape – lose yourself in a maze of courtyards and beautifully landscape gardens. Spring is a lovely time to visit when everything is lush and green.
MARIA LUISA PARK
Maria Luisa Park is a lush green botanical park filled with exotic plants, palms and orange trees and there’s a wonderful fountain in the centre. It’s all totally free to stroll or bike around and take a break from the midday heat and city bustle. You can easily visit before or after the Plaza de Espana as they are right next to each other.
PLAZA DE ESPANA
Plaza de Espana is another enormous landmark you cannot miss when visiting Seville, it’s one of Spain’s most lavish squares to feast your eyes on. Adorned with tiled alcoves and striking coral bricks created around a semi-circular design – the Plaza is a complete work of art!
Along the perimeter of the Plaza, you will find an emerald-green canal with fountains and bridges, there’s even paddle boats for hire if you wish to float your way around for a bit of romance.
HISTORICAL HOTELS
Stay in a former palace or a historical manor house, there are many beautiful boutique hotels in Seville with amazing original features and luxurious rooms. Some of the best include stunning courtyards, outdoor patios, rooftop pools and terraces, traditional Andalusian tiles and arches – all the Old World character you could wish for!
Hotel Alfonso XIII, and Palacio Villapanes are two of the best hotels and former palaces in Seville. If you’re not staying there, you can easily visit and check out the restaurants, roof terraces and lobby’s.
THE REAL MAESTRANZA
Seville’s bullring is a historic landmark dating back to 1762, it’s the oldest (and largest) in Spain and just a short walk from Plaza de Espana. Bullfighting has a long-standing tradition in Spain and these days you can walk around and peak inside as a visitor without seeing any flights.
The Real Maestranza in Seville is pretty impressive, it is housed within a beautiful baroque building and the red and yellow colours are quite striking. If you’re looking to learn more about the culture of Spain hop on a short guided tour – it’s run frequently throughout the day.
TRIANA NEIGHBOURHOOD
Exploring the local neighbourhood of Triana is one of the best things to do in Seville if you have an hour or two to spare. Situated across the Guadalquivir, Triana is full of colour and cobbled streets and it’s where you’ll find some of the best local arts, crafts and ceramic stalls.
Make the most of your time in Triana by visiting the Triana Market for tapas or on the bridge at upscale restaurant Maria Trifulca for delicious food and amazing views. Note, this is a very popular spot and you must book in advance!
METROPOL PARASOL
Metropol Parasol, known locally as Setas de Seville, is the largest wooden art installation in the world. It’s ultra-modern and resembles the shape of a mushroom curving over La Encarnación square in an eye-catching somewhat unusual way. Still, the real draw is the panoramic view you get from walking across the top of the structure.
Go during sunset for an unbeatable view of Seville or book a stay at the fantastic boutique hotel Intelier Casa de Indias for a unique perspective.
BEST DAY TRIP FROM SEVILLE
Seville is well placed to visit some spectacular gems in Andalusia and there’s a host of wonderful day tours from Seville that offer amazing experiences. Discover historic towns such as Cordoba or the famous Pueblo Blancos (white villages) with wonderful rolling green hill landscapes.
WHITE VILLAGES & RONDA
Set among some of the best scenery in Spain, the white villages and Ronda day trip is the best thing to do from Seville if you have a day to explore more of Andalusia. Ronda especially is absolutely stunning to walk around – see the below image for a taste – you must book this in advance as seats fill up fast . Read more in my guide 7 Wonderful Day Tours From Seville.
Book: White Villages & Ronda Tour
WHERE TO EAT IN SEVILLE
The food in this region is as delicious as it is interesting – especially the tapas and it’s worth knowing where to eat in advance to avoid the usual mediocre tourist fare. Here’s a selection of the best restaurants and tapas bars in Seville.
El Pinton
El Pinton is a beautiful restaurant, dine on the attractive terrace after a visit to the Cathedral – just around the corner. It’s not all about looks though, the food is also presented well and delicious – I visited twice!
El Rinconcillo
El Rinconcillo is well known in Seville, dating back to 1670 it’s also the oldest tapas place and for that alone deserves a visit – if you can get in! It’s busy as a tourist hotspot these days, but you don’t have to wait for a table, you can stand at the bar with a drink and tapas.
La Chunga
La Chunga is a great option if you fancy a break from the old town, choose from a variety of tapas with a modern twist. I can recommend ordering around 4 or 5 dishes, especially the risotto, it was fresh and tasty.
Torres Y Garcia
Torres Y Garcia is another of my favourite finds in Seville, a hip restaurant serving delicious food and ambience. Make sure you arrive early, this restaurant is one of the busiest in town – grab a local wine at the bar while you wait for a table.
On Ovejas Negras
On Ovejas Negras is another well-located restaurant just a few steps from Seville Cathedral that serves modern tapas with a great atmosphere. The restaurant is quite trendy for the area and finishes late into the night.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEVILLE
Seville is a very walkable city and to be in the best possible location I recommend staying nearby the beautiful old town just moments from all the sights and sounds. Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana and El Arenal are all excellent neighbourhoods in Seville offering attractions on the doorstep and fantastic hotels.
BEST HOTELS IN SEVILLE
When it comes to accommodation in Seville, you won’t be at a loss, there are some beautiful small boutique hotels, many of which are in former palaces or mansions – some even have rooftop pools. Here are my top choices for where to stay in Seville.
Luxury Hotels
- Querencia de Sevilla check prices
- Hotel Mercer Sevilla check prices
- Nobu Sevilla check prices
Boutique Hotels
- Casa del Rey Sabio check prices
- Placido y Grata check prices
- Hotel Amadeus check price
SEVILLE TIPS
Now you know what things to see and do in Seville, here’s some important planning information.
BOOK EARLY
Seville is the most popular destination in the Andalusia region, so booking your favourite boutique hotel in advance is essential. Boutique hotels typically have fewer rooms and fill up fast, especially the coveted boutique hotel in Seville with a swimming pool and rooms with terraces and balconies.
ADVANCE TICKETS
Book your tickets online and in advance where possible to avoid waiting in long lines, particularly at the Real Alcázar, where the queues can be enormous! Reserve at least a week prior for Seville’s top experiences and two weeks for day trips. Here’s the top experiences I recommend:
To book in advance:
- Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda – top guided tour
- Casa de la Memorial – best flamenco show
- White Villages & Ronda – best day trip from Seville
HOW TO GET TO SEVILLE
Seville is a very accessible destination with good flight, train and bus connections – the beauty of travelling Western Europe. If you’re visiting from outside of Europe, you will likely have to stop in Madrid or another large airport before arriving to Seville.
BY AIR
Seville’s airport is Sevilla International Airport (SVQ) just North East of the City Centre. A taxi ride from the Airport to Seville Centre is €30 and takes 20 minutes and there’s also a 30-minute airport bus that runs frequently for €4.
RENTAL CAR
If you’re travelling around Southern Spain you can rent a car at the airport, hiring a car will be a more convenient and flexible way to do it. Discover Cars, are great they provide a comparison of car rental prices from various vendors across Seville ensuring you find reasonable rates without the hassle!
BY TRAIN
Seville’s train station is called Santa Justa it’s the third busiest train station in Spain and is well connected to the rest of the country – the high-speed train from Madrid is 2.5hrs. Reserve tickets in advance and check times before departure.
BY BUS
Seville has two centrally located bus stations, Plaza de Armas and Prado de San Sebastian. If you’re in Malaga or Madrid it’s straight forward and comfortable, plus there’s amazing countryside views.
GETTING AROUND SEVILLE
Walk: Seville is a very walkable city, you can easily walk to all the major sights listed in this guide including the best neighbourhoods of Seville, Santa Cruz, Triana and El Arenal.
Bike: To see more in a shorter time you can do a Seville Bike Tour and see the highlights in a unique way.
Horse-Carriage: Take a short trip to see the sights around Santa Maria Park via the Guadalquivir River and Plaza de Espana.
SEVILLE FAQ
When to visit Seville?
Seville has good weather all year around with mild winters and hot summers, where temperatures regularly exceed 40 degrees! Early summer, from April to June is the best time to visit Seville when the gardens are lush and green and the evenings are light, there are also fewer crowds to enjoy it! September and October are also nice months to visit with excellent weather, but be aware of festivals.
Good to know
Festivals can really take over the city, the prices rocket and the crowds and noise is also magnified – I accidently went to one in Ronda nearby in September. In Seville the two biggest to be aware of take place in March and April – you’ll want to avoid those.
Is Seville warm in January?
Seville city sees one of the mildest Januarys in Europe (16-18 Celsius) – it’s an attractive destination to visit all year round. Plus activities and accommodation can be enjoyed with appealingly low rates from January to March.
How many days in Seville?
A long weekend in Seville is perfect if you only plan on visiting the highlights, if you have 2 full days this is possible, but I recommend at least 3 nights to do it justice. In 4 nights you can absorb the vibrant culture better, wander around more and include a wonderful day trip.
Is Seville expensive?
Seville is one of the more affordable cities in Europe, especially when compared to Paris or London. It’s possible to find quality budget-friendly options for accommodation, dining and activities – a local glass of wine in a atmospheric square is as little as €3.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Seville is a stunning place to visit in Spain, with warm weather and plenty of amazing things to do, I love it so much that I have visited several times. It’s a wonderful European city break or a great addition to a longer Andalusian road trip.
Plan your Seville trip!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for transport, accommodation, tours and more:
- Booking.com: For the best accommodation rates
- Trip Advisor: Check out the latest reviews & trips
- Get Your Guide: For incredible day trips
- Discover Cars: Best car hire price comparison
- Rail Europe: Best routes & prices across networks
Read Next:
- Best Boutique Hotels In Seville
- 7 Best Rooftop Bars In Seville For Views
- 7 Wonderful Day Tours From Seville
- 5 Essential Things To Do In Granada
- Travel Tips For Ronda Spain
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