15 Best Things To Do In Seville (+ Map & Tips)

With opulent palaces, cosy hidden squares and a sun-infused culture, there’s a host of wonderful things to do in Seville. Find Spanish masters and trendy tapas in the heart of Andalucía.

A long history has bestowed Seville with an intriguing mix of architectural styles, a vibrant culture, and a host of wonderful things to do.

Witness the lavish displays of Christian wealth in palaces adorned with Islamic design. Explore works of art by Spanish masters, as sumptuous as the rooms they are displayed in. Roam green spaces, explore cobbled lanes and enjoy sundowners in hidden squares dappled in the shade of orange trees.

We love Seville. It’s the one place in Spain we’ve spent the most time, and it remains one of our favourite cities in Europe.

Read in conjunction with our Seville itinerary, which has recommendations for seeing the best of the city in three days.

Seville Map

Our map contains all the attractions listed in this guide. To help you organize them, read our 3-day Seville itinerary.

Best Things To Do In Seville

1. Real Alcázar & Gardens

Like the Alhambra in Granada, the Real Alcázar is an important site of Moorish Spain. It’s a royal palace built for the Christian King Peter on the site of an Islamic fort.

After the Christian conquest, future kings enhanced the complex to display their wealth. Intricately carved facades, lavish gold ceilings, richly decorated tiles, and orange-filled courtyards combine to make the Real Alcázar an exotic, opulent palace.

The most impressive building inside the Alcázar is the Palacio del Rey Don Pedro. It contains some of the best examples of Mudéjar architecture– a form of design with heavy Moorish influences – in Seville.

Book Real Alcazar skip-the-line tickets.

2. Seville Cathedral

When it was completed in the 16^th century, the Seville Cathedral surpassed Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world. Built to demonstrate the city’s wealth, the 15 doors on the 4 façades depict scenes from the Bible in exquisite detail.

Inside, Christopher Columbus and his son’s tomb takes up prime position under the vast Gothic ceiling.

The highlight of Seville Cathedral is the Chapter House. This extraordinary domed chapel features paintings by the grandmaster, Murillo.  

A great time to visit the cathedral is around 4:30 PM, when the crowds are diminishing, and the light is better than at midday.

We would also recommend booking your tickets online in advance to skip the queue, which can be long.

ROOF TOUR // One of the best ways to experience the cathedral is on the roof tour, which you need to book at least one week in advance, as it sells out quickly.

3. Giralda Tower

The most obvious detail from the cathedral’s time as a mosque is the minaret, now the Giralda Tower.

The cathedral’s bell tower offers the best vantage point to appreciate the immense scale of the cathedral and to get a bird’s-eye view of Seville.

Access to the tower is included in the Cathedral ticket price. However, entry is timed to reduce congestion. There is no lift and 34 flights of stairs to the top.

Don’t miss the Mudejar carved wooden door on floor 9.

This skip-the-line ticket includes the Cathedral & Tower.

4. Casa Palacio De La Condesa De Lebrija

Casa Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija is a historical palace containing one of the world’s most important collections of Roman mosaics.

The palace was owned by Doña Regla Manjón Mergelina, the Countess of Lebrija, who became a self-taught archaeologist after being denied a place at university due to being a woman.

Today, the palace is packed with fascinating items from her global travels. The 6,000-book library with wood inlay ceilings is beautiful. Don’t miss the Murillo.

The most prized artefacts within the palace are the Roman mosaics, which the countess began acquiring from the Amphitheatre of Italica to prevent their destruction.

PALACE TOURS // The entrance ticket provides access to the Roman Mosaics on the ground floor. Access to the first floor is via a guided tour (included in the ticket price). Book online at Palacio de Lebrija.

5. Jewish Quarter

The medieval Jewish quarter of Seville is a tangle of twisty laneways and tiny squares.

The best thing to do in the area is to wander around, find a local tapas bar (or a touristy one), and enjoy a late afternoon G&T in a courtyard framed by orange trees.

Plaza Alfaro and Plaza Doña Elvira are two beautiful squares to check out.

If you’re looking for something else to do, Casa de Murillo is the former home of the famous Spanish painter. There is a small exhibition about his life, and it’s free to enter. It’s not the best museum in Seville, but it’s worth a quick look.

6. Palacio De Las Dueñas

Palacio Dueñas is a historical palace dating back to the 15^th century. It was the residence of the Duke of Alba and contains beautiful, landscaped gardens, intricate tile work and ornate courtyards.

In Spring, the patios come alive with Bougainvillaea vines creeping up marble pillars. Intricate carvings and arched doorways show off the distinctive Moorish style.

The palace is considered one of the world’s great gardens thanks to the rich Andalusian soil, which supports a variety of plants.

The centrepiece is the main courtyard, surrounded by arched terraces.

FREE ADMISSION // On Mondays at 4 PM, you can visit Palacio de las Dueñas for free. At other times, tickets need to be booked in advance.

7. Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)

Metropol Parasol (locally known as Las Setas or Setas de Seville), is thought to be the largest wooden structure in the world. It takes the form of several giant mushrooms curving over La Encarnación square in El Centro.

Lifts run up to the panoramic walkway, and the views are unbeatable.

However, the price has tripled in recent years to €15. In our opinion, it’s getting a little hard to justify, but it’s probably something that first-time visitors to Seville will want to do. If you do decide to go, Seville looks lovely at sunset.

Roman and Moorish remains are displayed in a small museum under the structure. A market is at street level, and levels 2 and 3 have outdoor terraces.

It’s usually not necessary to purchase tickets in advance, but it may be a good idea if you are visiting during peak times.

8. Casa De Pilatos

Casa de Pilatos is a beautiful palace in the centre of Seville with strong Mudéjar influences.

The lower courtyard contains a remarkable Italian Renaissance fountain and sculptures, flanked by a Gothic chapel.

Upstairs, where the owners lived until a few years ago, Mudéjar windows let in light, illuminating rooms decorated like a grand European house. The huge collection of Spanish tiles is one of the largest in the world.

It’s a beautiful place to stroll around and one of the many Seville attractions that blend various architectural styles.

This skip-the-line ticket includes access to the ground floor; the 30-minute guided tour of the first floor is an additional cost.

9. See A Flamenco Show

Flamenco is now a defining marker of Spanish identity, and it was recently recognised by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Whatever that means, the art form that comprises poetry, song, guitar and dance is a cool thing to do in Seville.

The Museo del Baile Flamenco is both a museum dedicated to the Flamenco art form and a live performance venue.

Discover paintings, dresses, and interactive displays before settling in for a night of stomping, clapping, and swirling.

Book your Flamenco Show here, which includes the museum (optional and at no extra cost).

10. Calle Sierpes

Calle Sierpes is the more commercial side of Seville, where you’ll find everything from tacky tourist souvenirs to authentic Spanish embroidery.

It’s a bustling part of the city to explore.

Confitería La Campana is an institution that has been churning out pastries for generations. Papelería Ferrer is the oldest stationery shop in Spain. Sombreros Maquedano is a hat shop oozing with atmosphere.

The shopping hub around Calle Sierpes is pedestrianised and covered with canopies in summer to shelter you from the relentless Seville sunshine.

CALLE SIERPES ITINERARY // Here’s a quick route for Cale Sierpes: start at Sierpes, then head down Calle Rioja, Calle O’Donnell, and Calle Velázquez.

11. Plaza De España

Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, the semi-circular Plaza de España is a lavish mix of Art Déco and Mudéjar designs.

Adorned with tiled alcoves depicting each of Spain’s provinces, the plaza is both a work of art and a nod to the country’s innovation successes.

Rowboats cruise under romantic bridges and along the 515-metre canal while tourists lean against columns, snapping selfies.

It’s a beautiful space spread over 50,000 square metres, and the building itself is a design masterpiece.  

Please note: There are plans to start charging for entrance to Plaza de España; however, as yet, a start date has not been confirmed.

12. Parque De María Luisa

María Luisa Park is a lush botanical garden with palm and orange trees and hundreds of exotic plants from all over the world.

The expansive gardens feature wide boulevards, small pavilions, ponds, and fountains tiled in Moorish designs.

The most impressive are the Fountain of the Lions and the Monument to Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer.

Stroll or bike through this lovely green space. The shady benches are ideal spots to take a break from the Seville heat.

13. Bellas Artes Seville

The Museo de Bellas Artes is one of Spain’s premier art collections. The beautifully restored convent houses a few grand masters from the 15th to the 20th centuries, including El Greco, Velásquez, and Zurbarán.

The highlights are the towering Murillo paintings that hang dramatically in the former church.

There are brooding works from the Middle Ages to 20th-century modern art, including an excellent Baroque section.

The museum is free for EU residents or €1.50 for non-residents. More details on Museo de Bellas Artes.

14. Mercado De Triana

The Mercado de Triana (Triana Market) was built on the site of the Castle of San Jorge, the seat of the Inquisition since 1481.

Today, strolling through the network of stalls is a sensory experience. Packed with local produce and Spanish hubbub, it’s a lively market and one of the most authentic in Seville.

There are traditional Spanish stalls alongside artisanal suppliers, each with its details hand-printed on ceramic panels. Try a coffee and a pastry, a local beer, or a Spanish take on pizza at Obrador la Osa.

Visit Mercado de Triana for the latest opening times.

15. Hospital De La Caridad

Originally a hospice for the poor and the elderly, the Hospital de la Caridad is home to superb works of art by Golden Age Painters, including Murillo, Zurbarán, and Valdes Leal.

The star attraction is the opulent, gilded 17th-century chapel, one of the city’s finest Baroque masterpieces.

Napoleon’s troops stole four of Murillo’s paintings from the Hospital de la Caridad, which later resurfaced in the National Galleries of London, Washington, D.C., and St Petersburg. See if you can spot their replicas hanging in the church.

The museum is free from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Sunday. At other times, book tickets at Hospital de la Caridad.

Tapas In Seville

Tapas is taken very seriously in Seville, and rightly so.

Traditional old haunts coexist with trendy new joints, serving innovative takes on classic Sevillian staples. It’s our favourite tapas destination in Spain. While you can still get

Bar Alfalfa – It’s a tight squeeze at Bar Alfalfa, but it is worth it for the traditional tapas (try the solomillo and the croquetas) and bustling Spanish atmosphere.

Bar el Commercio – Widely regarded as serving up some of the best churros in town, Bar el Commercio is brimming with Seville atmosphere from breakfast to sundown.

Duo Tapas – Step away (slightly) from tradition and try innovative tapas with an Asian twist at Duo Tapas Bar. Go early to get a table outside in front of the old church.

EME Catedral Hotel – The cocktails at EME Catedral Mercer Hotel are twice as expensive as everywhere else, but it’s worth it for the stunning views of the Giralda.

Ovejas Negras – It’s modern, a bit noisy, and the service is sharp, but it’s some of the best food in Seville, even after 3 or 4 visits.

ALALMEDA DE HÉRCULES // The coolest part of Seville for nightlife is the area around Plaza Alameda de Hércules, just north of the centre. There are plenty of quirky places to grab a drink and excellent little tapas. bars.

Other Things To Do In Seville

We like to carefully select the attractions in our city guides, providing what we think are the very best things to do. However, if you have more time in Seville, here are a few more attractions to consider.

Hospital De Los Venerables Sacerdotes

Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes is a former hospice converted into an art gallery containing some of Seville’s most treasured paintings.

It’s a breathtaking display of craftsmanship with ornate frescoes on the vaulted ceiling and huge domes. Both Murillo and Valdez worked on the church.

Unfortunately, Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes is currently closed for refurbishment.

Torre Del Oro

Set on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the Torre del Oro is the last remnant of the Moorish walls that once enclosed the city. Inside, there is a small naval museum, which is frankly not worth the €3 entry fee. However, the viewing platform on the roof terrace is good.

Plaza De Toros De La Real Maestranza

Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería is the oldest bullring in Spain. With a capacity of 14,000 bullfighting fans, it’s also one of the biggest. Tours operate in both English and Spanish, and while they are a little disorganised, they take you into the depths of the arena.

Antigua Fábrica De Tabacos

The Antigua Fábrica de Tabacos was a former tobacco factory that is now the home of the University of Seville. It’s a whopping Renaissance building with detailed cut-stone facades, inner courtyards, and palatial halls. It’s free to wander in and have a look around.

Archivo General De Indias

While the Archivo General de Indias contains important documents relating to Spain’s history, the grand Renaissance architecture is the only reason to visit. The upper floors, with ornate vaulted ceilings, wood panelling, and marble floors, are impressive.

Logistics & Practicalities

Below is some practical information to help you plan your trip to Seville. We have more detailed information in our Seville itinerary, which includes a day-by-day walking route and planning tips.

Where To Stay In Seville

Seville is very walkable, so we recommend staying as central as possible to take full advantage of it.

Fortunately, Seville is a very cost-effective city. You can easily find a bargain in the compact centre of the old town or splash out on luxury in a modern resort-style hotel.

We have a guide to where to stay in Seville, including recommendations for areas and hotels. But here are a few ideas:

• Hotel Amadeus & La Musica – This family-run hotel has a unique design, beautifully appointed rooms, and an interest in classical music. The roof terrace has amazing views.
• EME Catedral Hotel – The interior of this stylish modern hotel is beautiful throughout. The rooftop terrace has the best views of the city.
• Hotel Alfonso XIII – Hotel Alfonso is not cheap. But such a beautiful old hotel has rarely managed to modernise so elegantly. Rooms are individually decorated and supremely stylish.

How To Get To Seville

Seville is a very accessible destination in Spain with good flight connections from other European cities and a great local train network.

By Air – Sevilla International Airport (or San Pablo Airport) is a 20-minute taxi ride to the town centre. A taxi will be around €22 (+ €1 per bag), and the taxi rank is just outside the main terminal.

By Train – The Spanish rail network is excellent, with high-speed trains connecting most of the main centres. The main train station is Sevilla-Santa Justa, which is well connected to other Spanish cities, including Córdoba (45 minutes), Madrid (around 2 hours and 30 minutes), and Málaga (2 hours).

How Many Days In Seville

We recommend three days in Seville; however, you could easily stay longer.

If you only have a weekend—and Seville is a great European weekend break—two days would allow you to see most of the main attractions.

In three days, you could catch most of the main sights, plus allow some time to amble the streets, try a selection of tapas bars, and enjoy more of Seville’s incredible art scene. Read our 3-day Seville itinerary, which includes a walking route for each day.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Seville is from March to May, when fresh growth makes the trees and gardens lush green, the temperatures are not too high, and the winter rains are beginning to ease.

In particular, a weekend in Seville in March and April can be a cheap way for northern Europeans to get some winter sun while enjoying a historically interesting place.

Seville is the hottest city in Europe, and summer temperatures reach into the forties. Therefore, it’s best to avoid June to September. 

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