The top things to do in Seville
Wondering what the top things to do in Seville is? Look no further than this post! Here Ciara from the Wellness Travel Diaries outlines all the top things you should add to your Seville itinerary!
In southern Spain lies the charming, sunny city of Seville, Andalucía. This alluring city lies in the middle of the river Guadalquivir. It features impressive architecture that beautifully displays the deep history of Seville, a lively setting for enjoying delicious plates of tapas, and the passionate dance of Flamenco.
This spirited energy is why I absolutely love visiting Seville over and over again. While there are many activities to do in Seville, my first time around I had a limited time frame. That’s why I created this list of 10 things to do that will help you plan the most memorable itinerary for your trip.
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When to visit Seville
Seville is a year-round destination with lovely weather in any season. The climate tends to be mild in winters and hot during summers. While the summer season brings longer days of sunshine, it’s also is the high tourist season.
I recommend visiting during early spring or late fall to avoid this peak season, but to also capture the amazing vitamin D from Seville’s sunshine, definitely the best time to visit Seville!
Seville public transport – Getting around
Wondering how to get around in Seville?
In general, transportation in Europe tends to be fairly easy to navigate. The city Seville, in particular, is small enough that you can walk to all your destinations, or you can even bike around. There are several kiosks conveniently placed next to most of the hot spots in town where bike rentals are available.
However, if you are on a time crunch, the bus or metro can help you get to your destinations faster if they are far enough apart. My husband and I were staying outside the city of Seville, and it was very easy to navigate the bus systems. Bus tickets can be purchased from the driver on the bus, or alternatively they can be purchased from Tobacco shops. The timetables of the bus departures are found at most stops with reliable arrival times.
Seville Airport to city: To get from the Airport to the Seville city centre is fairly easy to do on the Line EA bus service that connects the city and airport. The journey in takes 35 minutes, with a one-way ticket costing €4.
Best places to stay in Seville, Spain
Not sure where to stay in Seville? If it’s your first time visiting Seville and you’d prefer to be in the heart and centre of most of Seville’s top attractions, then the best area to stay in Seville will probably be Barrio Santa Cruz.
Booking your Seville accommodation in Barrio Santa Cruz will allow you to get by mostly on foot to all the major sites and attractions.
Of course, you may also want to consider other good neighbourhoods such as El Arenal, the Seville Centre or Triana too, for your Seville accommodation base.
1. Parque de María Luisa
Our first stop in the city was at a dazzling oasis park called Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park). This public park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with vibrant green palm trees, various other large tropical-like greeneries, and botanical gardens. It’s the largest green space in Seville, and it houses several water fountains and statues (e.g. Miguel Cervantes).
Taking a calming nature walk through this park was one of my favourite activities to get to know the city of Seville. The natural scenery, the street performers, and all the cultural points of interest allow you to get to know the heart of Seville through a free self-guided walking tour.
2. Walk around and watch street performers
In this area, you can also find ‘under-the-radar’ sites to discover more of Seville. Taking a self-guided tour can lead you to statues such as the one dedicated to Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, and you can spot skilled street performers. Some street performers can be found walking around the park and others in the Plaza España. There you can also witness free Flamenco performances, one of the best free things to do in Seville.
3. Plaza España
After walking through the scenic Parque de María Luisa, you’ll find the colourful and breathtaking Plaza España. Found on the outskirts of the park, Plaza España is a site full of life. The beautiful architecture is bold with pops of colour emerging from every angle and is surrounded by a moat of emerald green waters.
To access Plaza España, you can cross the bridges by foot to witness the architecture and fountain up close or take a horse-drawn carriage over the bridge. They also offer kayaking on the water so you can adventure the green waters of this Spanish city up close and kayak under the bridges.
4. Seville Cathedral
The Seville Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the heart of Seville. This astonishing structure is eye-catching with its stained glass windows of different shades of reds, greens and blues, and its noticeably pointy rooftops. The cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that can be toured around the exterior, enjoying the beautiful facade, or enter the cathedral to explore its vast interior.
If you plan to enter the cathedral, general admission is €9 per person. It’s open on Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday from 14:30 pm-6:00 pm, and Monday from 11:00 am – 15:30 pm.
However, the opening times do change during the summer, so be sure to check the cathedral schedule ahead of your visit.
5. Giralda Tower
Located right next to the Seville cathedral is the Moorish bell tower called the Giralda Tower. This structure was built sometime in the 1190s during the Arab rule and was originally created to be an Almohad minaret of a mosque.
Today the Seville cathedral stands in the mosque’s place. The Giralda tower is one of the many cultural focal points in Seville and offers a beautiful view of the city once you reach the top.
The schedule is the same as the cathedral, and the entry fee into the Seville cathedral includes access to the bell tower too.
6. Torre del Oro
Next to the river Guadalquivir, you’ll find the historical Torre del Oro, which translates to the “Golden Tower”. Previously, it was a watchtower for the military, but now this protective 36-meter high tower can be explored and enjoyed by the public.
General admission to the tower is €3, with free admission on Mondays.
It’s open Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 18:45 pm, and Saturday – Sunday from 10:30-18:45 pm.
7. Barrio Santa Cruz
The barrio Santa Cruz is the old medieval Jewish quarter in Seville, and it’s one of my favourite barrios (neighbourhoods) to visit.
With its charming bright streets that zig-zag their way through tasty food vendors and artisanal shops, you could easily get lost for hours in this neighbourhood’s charm.
As a gluten-free and “vegan-ish” traveller, this is where I found the best places to eat in Seville, especially for any foodie and allergy-friendly diet. There’s vegan desserts, enticing tapas, and the best churros con chocolate (a famous traditional Spanish dish), they had it all!
You can roam around the barrio Santa Cruz on your own, or take a guided tour to learn more about the cultural history of this neighbourhood.
Best tapas bars in Seville
Whilst on the subject of food, if you’re looking for the best tapas in Seville then check out La Bartola, Bar Alfalfa, La Brunilda and Ropavieja Restaurante de Tapas to name but a few of the top-rated tapas restaurants in Seville!
Alternatively, another great way to savour the taste and flavours of Seville is to book a Tapas food tour!
Planning a visit to Barcelona too? Then be sure to read up about the best gluten-free and vegan restaurants in Barcelona!
8. Metropol Parasol
Another impressive sight to explore when visiting Seville is the Metropol Parasol. It’s often called the “Plaza de la Encarnación” in Spanish, or “Mushroom of Incarnation” in English.
This multilevel building offers a variety of entertainment both for locals and tourists, with the highest level offering a panoramic viewpoint of the city. If you love watching sunsets, then this is the ideal spot to end your evening.
I recommend exploring the food options first — in Barrio Santa Cruz, there are restaurants outside of the building, including the option for a mid-day coffee. Then, treat in hand, head up to the viewpoint and enjoy the incredible sunset. Definitely one of the best things to do in Seville at night.
Opening hours to the Metropol Parasol are from Sunday-Thursday at 10:00 – 22:30 pm, while
Friday and Saturday they close a half-hour later at 23:00 pm. Tickets are €3 per person.
9. Flamenco performances
Flamenco dances are a famous Spanish tradition you don’t want to miss when visiting Seville, Andalucía. The captivating dance brings to life the rich culture of Seville through opulent music and skilled movement.
Performances can be found for free from street performers, or by paying to attend a show. While show prices can vary, you will get more professional dances in a paid show than those seen on the streets.
However, if you’re short on time, a street performance of Flamenco dancing will show you the basics of this lavishing traditional dance.
You may also want to consider booking a visit to the Flamenco Museum to learn more about the history and art of Flamenco dancing.
10. Real Alcazar
Another of the top things to see in Seville is the Royal Alcázars of Seville, also called the Real Alcázar, a royal palace designed by the Moors. Its grandiose architecture makes it an alluring focal point of Seville with its decadent facades, gardens and rich history evident in the multiple forms of architecture.
I was visiting when Seville went into lockdown due to the 2020 pandemic, and therefore, was unable to witness the stunning beauty of the inside of the Real Alcázar. Unlike the cathedral, you can’t take in all the building has to offer from the exterior. While we missed it this trip, a visit to the Real Alcázar will be on our next visit to Spain. I highly recommend making this a top priority when visiting Seville.
Because this royal palace is extremely popular, buying tickets in person may result in a long wait time. Consider booking tickets ahead of time at to avoid the long lines.
Moreover, mix and match this list of 10 things to do in Seville to create your ideal Seville itinerary for your trip, then enjoy and relish all that this marvellous Spanish city has to offer.
Ciara Turner-Ewert is a freelance writer and a health and wellness travel blogger. She’s a SoCal native who loves to travel the globe with her husband and find new ways to feel healthy. With over 29 countries and 4 continents visited, she seeks to help others find meaningful connections in the world and travel well. Through a blend of fitness, nutrition, and personal development tips, her travel blog, Wellness Travel Diaries, helps your body, spirit and mind take a vacation too. You can find her eating dark chocolate ice cream, adventuring with her husband or blogging at https://wellnesstraveldiaries.com, on Instagram @wellnesstraveldiaries, and on pinterest @WellnessTravelDiaries.
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