Seville, known locally as Sevilla in Spanish, is one of Spain's finest cities. It has a rich history, incredible architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.
Seville impresses from the second you arrive. Whether you're walking around centuries-old neighbourhoods, enjoying some tapas in a local bar, or taking in a flamenco show, it is an unforgettable blend of old and new.
In this guide, we'll take you through some of Seville's best things to see.
Explore Seville's Iconic Landmarks
Let's start with the main landmarks, the kinds of things that everybody should do the first time they visit Seville.
These aren't necessarily the things you'll do on every visit to Seville, but they're certainly top of the list for first-timers.
The Alcazar: A Royal Paris with Centuries of History
Anyone who finds themselves in Seville should visit the Alcazar of Seville. This isn't just one of the most famous landmarks in Seville. It's one of the most famous landmarks in Spain.
The Alcazar was originally a Moorish fort and is an incredible blend of Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. The palace grounds are so incredible that they've been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Alcazar dates back to the 9th century and is the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use. The Spanish royal family occasionally uses the Alcazar as a residence.
You can wander through vast courtyards and rooms full of history, beauty, and outstanding craftsmanship.
We recommend booking your tickets in advance; the prices are very reasonable. You can also enjoy a guided tour for fascinating insights into the palace's history and significance.
Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site
Make sure to include Seville Cathedral on your itinerary, it's one of the reasons you should visit Seville. This is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and like the Alcazar, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is home to Christopher Columbus's tomb, whose remains are housed in an elaborate mausoleum.
The Giralda Tower is one of the cathedral's most striking features. It was originally the minaret of the mosque on this site. It's now the cathedral's bell tower and offers breathtaking views of the city.
If you climb to the top of the Giralda Tower, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city, including other famous sights like the Alcazar and the Plaza de España in the distance.
This is another site with so much history that we recommended getting the most out of it with a guided tour. Young children can visit for free.
Plaza de España: A Must-See Landmark
To completely undersell the Plaza de España, it is a square in Seville. In reality, it is a masterpiece of Spanish architecture, complete with an homage to the country's unity.
It was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and is a semi-circular plaza with intricate brickwork, colourful ceramic, and a central fountain.
You can walk around the plaza's gallery of tiled alcoves, each representing a province in Spain, with all the provinces represented. As it's Seville, you'll also be able to see a flamenco performance.
Right next to the Plaza de España is Parque Maria Luisa, a beautiful park that is a great place to relax or get away from the sun.
The Cultural Heart of Seville
Seville is more than historic landmarks and sites. It's a living, breathing city. These are our favourite activities if you want to visit Seville.
Flamenco in Triana: The Soul of Seville
The Triana neighbourhood in Seville is famous for its connection to flamenco, one of Seville's and Spain's most famous cultural exports.
Triana is located across the Guadalquivir River and is home to flamenco dancers, guitarists, and artisans. It also has narrow streets, lively bars, and, of course, lots of authentic flamenco shows.
The best time to visit Triana is in the evening when flamenco bars are full of people enjoying tapas and drinks before taking in a flamenco show. The best flamenco venues are in Triana, so you won't struggle to find a bar or tablao that offers a mesmerising performance.
Santa Cruz: One of Seville's Most Charming Neighbourhoods
Santa Cruz is Seville's old Jewish quarter. This is one of the city's most picturesque neighbourhoods. It's also a maze of narrow streets where you can stumble into beautiful plazas, patios, and typically Spanish whitewashed buildings.
Santa Cruz is a great place for tapas bars, so you can stop for a quick bite. Make sure you visit the Plaza del Cabildo, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing.
Seville's Cultural and Historical Treasures
Once you've seen Seville's key must-see tourist sites and wandered around its most famous neighbourhoods, you will find plenty of cultural activities for visitors.
Here are some of our recommendations.
Seville Fine Arts Museum: Art Across the Centuries
If you love art, you'll love the Seville Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla). It's located in a former convent and has an impression collection of Spanish art, including works from artists like Murillo, Velázquez, Goya, and Zurbarán.
The museum's collection spans from the 15th to the 20th centuries and includes fine examples of Spain's artistic evolution, particularly Baroque art. Even the museum is a work of art with its elegant courtyards and incredible architecture.
Palacio de Las Dueñas: A Hidden Gem
Although not as famous as the Alcazar, the Palacio de Las Dueñas is another of Seville's most beautiful buildings. It was built in the late 15th century and is a blend of Renaissance, Gothic, and Moorish architecture.
This palace was the residence of the Duchess of Alba, one of Spain's most famous aristocrats. In recent years, it was opened to the public.
Scenic Spots and Relaxing Outdoor in Seville
Like the rest of Spain, Seville is a great place to relax outdoors. The weather is often very lovely, even though it can get unbearably hot in the middle of summer.
Here are some places you can visit to spend some time outdoors.
Maria Luisa Park: A Green Escape in Central Seville
Maria Luisa Park is just across from Plaza de España (we recommend visiting both at the same time). This is the city's largest green space and is perfect for unwinding after a busy day of sightseeing.
This was originally part of the Palace of San Telmo's gardens. The French landscape artist Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier redesigned it in the early 20th century.
You can stroll through the vast lawns and admire fountains, pavilions, and statues.
Torre del Oro: History and Views of the Guadalquivir River
The Torre del Oro, literally Tower of Gold, is the 13th-century watchtower that used to guard Seville's port. It's believed that it gets its name from the golden reflection it casts onto the Guadalquivir River.
Today, you can visit it for the views or the small maritime museum inside, which features navigational instruments used during the Age of Discovery.
The Torre del Oro is a short walk from Triana. We recommend making the two parts of the same excursion.
Food and Drink: Tasting the Culinary Delights of Seville
One of the best reasons to travel (for us, at least) is being able to enjoy the culinary delights of a place. Fortunately, Spain and Seville, in particular, have you covered. While food and drink aren't expensive, make sure you budget for your trip to Seville, as you'll want to spend a lot of time in restaurants.
Seville has an expansive tapas culture, with plenty of bars offering small, tasty dishes. We reommmend trying the jamón ibérico (cured ham), tortilla de patatas (a type of omelette), croquetas (croquettes), and salmorejo (a creamy cold soup).
Seville also has a fantastic nightlife, with plenty of bars and clubs for different tastes. Whether your preferred tipple is beer, wine, cocktails, or mixed drinks, you will find something you love.
Planning a Trip to Seville
Seville is a city that caters to every kind of traveller. Whether you prefer to follow a meticulously planned itinerary or just go with the flow, the city will oblige.
Those who prefer to plan can book guided trips around the city, use hop-on-hop-off buses, and book ahead for most attractions with scheduled visiting times. Easy-going tourists can do everything whenever they like, with Spanish businesses, bars, and restaurants staying open much later than elsewhere in the world.
Accommodation in Seville is easy enough to find. You can even use Seville as a base, visiting other Andalusian cities like Granada, Córdoba, or Málaga. There are buses and trains from Seville to all these destinations and even high-speed trains to Madrid.
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