Whether you’ve got 10 days in Spain or a month, digging into the best things to do in Seville is a must. Among the top tourist attractions in Seville, you’ll find opportunities to enjoy three of the activities that many visitors regularly associate with travelling to Spain—bullfighting, flamenco dancing, and tapas.
Within the top points of interest in Seville, you’ll discover the culture and tradition of Andalusia as you slide among majestic Gothic cathedrals & churches and some of the most compelling traditional architecture in Spain.
Need help deciding where to go in Seville? Eliminate the stress of planning your trip with this Seville attractions guide including the best places to visit in Seville…
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out all of our other attractions guides and our Spain Travel Guide for more ideas on where to go, when to visit & what to do!
What to do in Seville
Real Alcazar
Visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville, also called Real Alcazar, is at the top of the list of what to do in Seville. If you’re not impressed, you can also always check out the other two palaces in Seville.
What makes this palace unique is the combination of Islamic and Christian influences in the architecture and artwork. Parts of the palace were originally built in the seventh century, and the palace is still used by the royal family when they visit the city.
You can take tours of the lower floors, courtyards, and gardens, which can easily take up half your day.
If you have time and a few extra dollars, you can take a tour of the upper floor, which includes the private quarters for the royal family. As the palace is still in use, the upper floor features added security, but you do get a peek at how modern-day royalty lives.
Parque de Maria Luisa
If you enjoy open spaces, you’ll enjoy visiting the large park known as Parque de Maria Luisa. This city park was originally built to host the 1929 World’s Fair. It’s become one of the most popular things to see in Seville.
The park is expansive. It’s also free to visit and full of things to see and do.
You can cycle through the park on a bike or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. You can also explore gardens, museums, and buildings that all reside inside the park.
While the park is a popular tourist spot and safe to visit during the day, exercise caution when traveling through the park at night. Like many major cities, Seville has a few seedy sides, including the park area at night.
Plaza de Espana
Plaza de Espana is another one of Seville’s attractions built specifically for the 1929 World’s Fair. The large building is more than 540,000 square feet and includes a large mosaic patio with its own canal, fountain, and bridges.
Take your time as you closely inspect the detailed marble columns and murals found throughout the plaza. A lot of work went into this attraction that was built to showcase the artistic achievements of Spain and reflects both Moorish and Renaissance revival styles.
While you can’t visit the inside of the building, you can rent a rowboat and ride up and down the small canal. Taking a trip on a rowboat is a fun way to get a different view of the plaza and it only costs a few dollars.
Barrio Santa Cruz
Barrio Santa Cruz is considered one of the best places to visit in Seville thanks to the unique layout of the neighbourhood and the variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Santa Cruz is also an area full of historic architecture.
The buildings throughout the neighbourhood are built very close together, creating a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and streets. It’s easy to get lost in this area, but you’ll never completely lose your way. If you walk a minute or two in any direction, you’ll eventually reach one of the main streets.
You can easily spend most of your day in Seville exploring the various streets while shopping, dining, and drinking. Staying in this neighbourhood also shields you from the heat, as the tight streets and tall buildings help block the sun.
Catedral de Sevilla & La Giralda
If you spend the day Seville sightseeing, you’ll likely pass this spot several times. The Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla). Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the centre of Seville and is surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
The cathedral is the largest building of its kind in Europe (it replaced the Hagia Sophia at the largest cathedral in the world) and contains over forty chapels. It was also built on the site of an ancient mosque and includes distinctive Muslim architecture and design elements.
When visiting the cathedral you’ll be impressed with the size and beauty of the place. The ceilings are sprawling while the entire interior is adorned with detailed artwork and designs.
The tower is stunning and is the tallest attraction in Seville. It’s also one of the few remaining structures from the original mosque.
Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza
When discussing major Seville points of interest, Plaza de Toros is often mentioned, but it’s not a destination that everyone will enjoy. If you’re not a fan of bullfighting, you may want to skip this attraction.
The large bullfighting ring attracts thousands of visitors each month. The fights are typically scheduled for the late afternoon and ticket prices can vary. If you plan on attending a bullfight, purchase your tickets in advance online.
If you don’t want to watch a fight, you can still tour the museum. You can learn about the history of bullfighting and its impact on the city.
Metropol Parasol (Las Setas de Sevilla)
The unique Metropol Parasol rounds out the list of where to go in Seville. It’s considered the largest wooden structure and was built in 2011. It’s not a piece of ancient history like many of the other top attractions in Seville, but it’s an architectural marvel.
The Metropol Parasol houses several attractions. You can visit a large farmers market, eat at a restaurant, or visit an archaeological museum. There are also rooftop walkways and a massive open-air public square.
If you visit this site, pay the extra few dollars to take an elevator ride to the top. You’ll get to walk the paths on top and enjoy a drink at the bar.
Where to stay in Seville for sightseeing
For tourists, choosing where to stay in Seville isn’t too difficult. Many of the top points of interest in Seville lie in & around the Old Town. In this area, you’ll find plenty of excellent accommodations options. Here are a few of our top picks for the best hotels in Seville…
- Welldone Antiquarium: Providing excellent value for the amenities offered, this stylish hotel features spacious & modern rooms that include a kitchenette for travellers looking to save a little dinero with self-catering. Be sure to relax on the chilled-out communal terrace after a long day of checking out all the sights & sounds of Seville.
- H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel: Built around a relaxing traditional Spanish courtyard, this colourful boutique hotel absolutely sparkles with Andalusian flair. Rooms are elegant yet simple, comfortable, and sparkling clean.
- Hotel Gravina 51: Occupying a renovated 18th-century manor, this mid-range hotel nails Andalusian style & hospitality to a tee. The rooms are spacious with the upper-end offerings doling out private balconies to their guests. Many of the best things to see in Seville are within short walking distance of the property.
- Hotel Casa de Poeta: One of the top luxury picks in Seville, this 4-star hotel centres around a lovely courtyard that brims with atmosphere. The rooms are an absolute treat but retiring to the rooftop terrace after a day of hitting up the sites is the ultimate pleasure in staying here.
