Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Helen E. White
If it is the first time that you are going to visit Seville, you have come to the right place. The capital of Andalusia is one of the most beautiful and monumental cities in Spain. The Real Alcazar, the Plaza de España, the Giralda, the Triana neighborhood, the Guadalquivir river and Las Setas are just some of the best things to do in Seville in 3 days. So make yourself comfortable and enjoy this super guide for sightseeing in Seville.
Seville falls in love with the world for its way of being, for its warmth, for its fairs… Seville had to be. – Those from the river
Impossible to describe Seville better than these Sevillian artists. A city is full of joy, where its people are always on the streets with a smile on their faces, eating a few tapas washed down with a beer or wine.
A city where the sun reflects practically every day of the year in each of its spectacular monuments and in the waters of its Guadalquivir river, giving it that “special color” that the song talks about.
Cradle of some of the most representative icons of Spain: flamenco, siesta, fiestas and, unfortunately, bullfighting (unfortunately).
A capital that breathes art in every corner, where the aroma of orange blossom and the musical notes that sound through its streets completely intoxicate you.
Seville captivates and bewitches as you go through it, or as the Sevillians would say, Seville “has duende”.
Antonio Gala already said it: “The bad thing is not that the people of Seville think they have the most beautiful city in the world… The worst thing is that they may even be right.”
I cannot, nor do I want to hide my love for Seville because for me it is, without a doubt, the most beautiful city in Spain.
Let’s end the abuse industry. The animals suffer unnecessary suffering, they are under the sun or the cold all day with almost no water or food, walking several kilometers pulling buggies with several people, with muzzles that hurt them without being able to open their mouths and a long, etc. You have a good pair of legs, use them. Let’s continue promoting and practicing responsible tourism and caring for animals.
The 11 Best Things to Do in Seville
The Andalusian capital was chosen as the best city in the world. And it is that there are so many things to see in Seville, that nothing surprises me.
I have been there 5 times: in spring, summer (better to avoid it due to the extremely high temperatures), autumn and winter ( Seville at Christmas is beautiful!). On some occasions, I have spent several days in the city, but on others, I have gone to spend the day from Cádiz.
So I leave you a list of the essential places to see in Seville that you cannot miss, which can be done in one day if you are going at a good pace and do not want to go anywhere, or in two days, which is ideal. or up to three so that you can make all the visits and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
1. Calle Sierpes, the Most Commercial Street to Visit in Seville
Leaving the Church of El Salvador you can walk through the surrounding pedestrian streets. Sierpes street is a busy street full of shops, which is the place chosen by Sevillians and tourists to go shopping.
It starts at Plaza de la Campana (famous for its pastry shop) and ends at Plaza San Francisco. Along its parallel streets such as Tetuán or Velazquez, you can also find a large number of shops and bars.
2. Maestranza, the Bullring of Seville
If you walk towards the Guadalquivir along the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón you will find another of the buildings to see in Seville, the Real Maestranza bullring, located in the heart of the Arenal neighborhood.
The square itself is very pretty, and the narrow streets that border it have those Albero and white tones so typical of Seville that gives it a special charm.
It is a pity that, to this day, it is still destined to torture and kill animals. Of course, I would ask all of you NOT to visit it inside so as not to give the torturers a penny. Another thing that we ask you NOT to do is rent the carriages with the horses. The poor animals spend all day standing in the sun or the cold. It only depends on us to end this animal abuse.
3. María Luisa Park is the Most Beautiful to See in Seville
I always like to start my tour of Seville in María Luisa Park, because, in addition to having a special charm, it is easier to park in the surroundings than in other parts of the city center (or is it that I have always been very lucky…).
This park, one of the most beautiful to see in Seville, was a donation that the Infanta María Luisa made to the city at the end of the 19th century since part of the park belonged to the gardens of the Palacio de San Telmo.
In later years they transformed these palatial gardens into a public park, building precious corners such as the bird island, the frog fountain, the queen’s sewing box, the lion garden, the lotus gazebo, Mount Gurugú, the Bécquer roundabout…
Without a doubt, María Luisa Park is an ideal place to get lost for at least a couple of hours. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
4. Barrio De Santa Cruz, the Most Traditional to See in Seville
Leaving the Real Alcázar you will find the Barrio de Santa Cruz, for me the most beautiful thing to see in Seville. This old Jewish quarter is made up of a lot of narrow streets that end in charming little squares.
Its houses are white and albero, with traditional Andalusian patios full of flowers. The Santa Cruz neighborhood is that place where you would spend your entire camera roll if it weren’t for the fact that now we all have digital cameras.
I recommend that you dedicate yourself to getting lost in its streets, aimlessly and that you enter one of its bars to eat some tapas.
But make sure you have walked through some of its most picturesque corners such as the callejón del agua, the plazuela de Santa Marta, the Plaza de Los venerables, the Plaza de Santa Cruz …
5. Torre Del Oro, an Emblematic Place to See in Seville
Bordering the Guadalquivir towards the Triana Bridge you will arrive at the Torre del Oro, one of the most representative places to see in Seville. It owes its name to the golden color that it showed when the sun’s rays fell on it, due to the materials with which it was built.
This tower was initially used to defend the city and was connected to other towers through the wall. Later it served as a chapel, prison, dovecote, and office… It currently houses a naval museum.
The truth is that I have never visited it, but the views of Seville from the top must be beautiful.
Visiting hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Holidays closed. The ticket price is 3 euros. Admission is free on Mondays.
6. Plaza De España, One of the Most Famous Places to See in Seville
The most important monument to see in Seville and the most impressive in María Luisa Park is the Plaza de España.
This was built by the Sevillian architect Aníbal González as a reason for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929.
The result was a unique square palace in the world, which is for me one of the most beautiful in Europe. Its dimensions are exaggerated since its total area is 50,000 square meters.
In addition, along the square, there is a channel of more than 500 meters in length, through which you can take a boat ride. Without a doubt, one of the most romantic things to do in Seville. You can rent these boats from 10 am to 8 pm in winter and from 10 am to 10 pm in summer.
But the most famous thing about the square is the 48 tiled benches that surround it and the 48 busts that represent famous people from the history of Spain such as Christopher Columbus, Velázquez, Quevedo, Cervantes, El Cid…
Each one of the banks represents each one of the provinces of Spain, except the Canary Islands (because when the square was built the community only had one province), Ceuta, Melilla and Seville. The latter is represented in four other murals in the square.
So if the photo holding the tower of Pisa is typical, the photo with the bank of your province (for Spanish visitors) is almost mandatory. Of course, we did it in Valencia.
See More: What are the Best Beaches in Valencia
Even if you have never been to the Plaza de España, it may be familiar to you, as it has been the setting for some films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones or The Dictator.
7. Real Alcázar, is an Essential Thing to See in Seville
In front of María Luisa Park, you will find one of the most important monuments to see in Seville, the Real Alcázar.
It is a palace made up of different constructions begun in the 10th century, which encompasses Islamic, Mudejar, Gothic and Baroque art, resulting in an architectural marvel as a final result. The kings of Spain stay here when they visit Seville.
There is a lot to see inside this palace, so you will have to reserve at least a couple of hours. The most outstanding places in the Alcázar that you cannot miss are Puerta del León, Patio de Yeso, Patio de la Montería, Patio de las Doncellas, Salón de Embajadores… In some interior areas, it seemed similar to the Alhambra in Granada.
The Real Alcazar is also well known because the famous Game of Thrones series was filmed there. There is even a tour dedicated to this series.
One of the things that surprised us when we visited the Real Alcázar in Seville was a large number of peacocks in its gardens. A security guard explained to us that they belong to the royal family and that they are better cared for than many people.
Visiting hours are from October to March every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From April to September until 7:00 p.m. The price of general admission is 11.50 euros.
8. Church of the Divine Savior
About 600 meters from the Cathedral is another of the important places to see in Seville: the Church of the Divine Savior, the largest Church in the Andalusian capital after the Cathedral.
It was built on the remains of the Greater Mosque from the 9th century, in the year 1340. The visit to its interior is included with the entrance to the cathedral.
The main façade of this Church faces the Plaza del Salvador, a super lively place full of tapas and bars. So it is the ideal place to regain strength with a good beer or a little wine.
9. Cathedral and Giralda
Depending on how long you have delayed the visits, you can continue your route through Seville or leave the rest of the itinerary for the next day.
Another of the most emblematic monuments to see in Seville is its Cathedral with the famous Giralda.
From the outside, you can see the Giralda tower, 94 meters high, built at the end of the 12th century as a minaret for a mosque. Today it is the bell tower of the cathedral, from which magnificent views of the city are obtained.
There are three monumental access doors to the Cathedral, the Baptism, Assumption and Birth doors that will impress you. There are also other doors such as the Puerta de Palos, the Adoration of the Magi, the Bells, San Cristóbal and La Concepción. Will it be through doors?
If you do not have enough to see its exterior you can visit the interior of the cathedral, where the tomb of Christopher Columbus, the Choir and the Altarpiece stand out. From inside the cathedral, the Giralda is accessed through ramps.
When planning your visit, keep in mind that there are long queues to access the Cathedral. The hours of the Seville Cathedral are:
- Monday: from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday to Saturday: from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays: from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
July and August (except July 17 and 25)
- Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The entrance to the Cathedral of Seville costs 9 euros and includes a visit to the Gothic Cathedral, the sacristies and the Renaissance chapter house, the treasury, the Giralda, the courtyard of the orange trees and the Church of El Salvador located in the Plaza del Salvador. Admission is free on Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
10. Setas de Sevilla, Metropol Parasol
Las Setas de Sevilla, (or Metropol Parasol project) designed by the architect Jürgen Mayer, constitutes the largest wooden structure in the world. Its construction was carried out in order to renovate the Plaza de la Encarnación in Seville.
Since its construction, it has become one of the most curious places to see in Seville. The monument houses the Archaeological Museum, a Tourist Information Point for the city, several bars and restaurants, a market and a 28-meter-high viewpoint.
From its 360-degree panoramic view, you can enjoy fantastic views of Seville. In addition, the viewpoint has a 250-meter walkway so that you can contemplate the beauty of the city from all possible angles.
The fact that it is a very modern structure has generated controversy due to its location in the heart of the old part of the city. The truth is that I don’t know if they hit a lot, but they are beautiful and since they are there, it is worth visiting.
You can visit the viewpoint of the Mushrooms in Seville from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The ticket price is 5 euros.
11. Barrio De Triana, a Typical Neighborhood to See in Seville
Crossing the Isabel II Bridge you will arrive at the famous Triana neighborhood, one of the most traditional and charismatic neighborhoods to see in Seville. Cradle of singers, flamencos and sailors.
Dedicate at least a couple of hours to walk through this authentic Sevillian neighborhood, where you can see the Chapel of Carmen, the Triana market (the ideal place to get to know the true atmosphere of the neighborhood), traditional pottery workshops, the alley of the Inquisition, the pedestrian and commercial San Jacinto street and the famous Betis street.
Betis street is one of the most photographed streets in Seville. It stands out for its narrow buildings with colored facades and its restaurants and terraces overlooking the Guadalquivir river. This street is ideal for a walk during the day, but also at night, as it fills up with people dining in its romantic restaurants with views of the illuminated city.
But what we liked the most about Triana were its Andalusian patios; and is that many neighborhood communities access their houses through patios full of plants and flowers, which they take care of with great care. In fact, there are annual yard contests. You will find many of them along Calle Alfarería. They can’t be prettier!
One of the most typical things to do in Seville is to attend a flamenco show in Triana, so you cannot leave the city without seeing it.
More Places to See in Seville
With all this, you will have known the most important places to see in Seville, but the city has much more to offer its visitors.
If you have more days in the city you can visit the Basilica de la Macarena, the Casa de Pilatos, the Palacio de las Dueñas, the island of La Cartuja …
What to See in Seville and its Surroundings
If you have more than 3 or 4 days in Seville you can make some nearby getaways such as:
- Excursion to the ruins of Itálica: just 10 minutes from Seville, in Santiponce, you can enjoy a little Rome and discover the entire archaeological site
- Excursion to Carmona: this city was awarded in 2015 as the most charming town in Carmona with the bronze medal.
- Excursion to the Doñana National Park
- Gibraltar Day Trip
- Visit some of its neighboring cities such as Córdoba, Cádiz or Granada.
Additional Information to Visit Seville
Where to Stay in Seville
In Seville, you will find hotels of all tastes and prices, as the hotel’s offer is very wide. We recommend our article on the best areas to stay in Seville so that you can choose the one that best suits you.
We stayed at the Zenit Sevilla hotel, a modern hotel with a pool located in the Triana neighborhood, very close to the center, but the price is cheaper.
How to Get to Seville from the Airport
If you arrive in Seville by plane, you will land at the San Pablo airport. From here you can go to your destination by bus, taxi or car, or private transfer. In our article on how to go from Seville airport to the center, we tell you in detail about each of the options.
- Bus: the EA line will take you to the center in about 30 minutes, the price is 6 euros.
- Private transfer: if you don’t want to complicate yourself, we recommend a private transfer, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel.
How to Get Around in Seville
Seville is the fourth city in Spain, although it is not a very big city if your accommodation is far away or you want to leave the historic center you will need public transport.
The most convenient and fastest way to get around the city is the metro, which runs from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays until 2 in the morning. The fare for a single ticket is 1.35 euros, but you can get a voucher for 10 trips, even for one day.
If the metro does not reach the desired destination you can take a bus. There are more than 50 lines that connect all points in Seville. The single ticket costs 1.40 euros, but there are also multi-trip cards and tourist cards for one or several days, which may be more profitable for you.
To move around the pedestrian area of the city you can use the tram that has 5 stops, which runs every 7/10 minutes. The prices are the same as the bus.
A good option is to take the Seville tourist bus that runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and makes 14 stops at the main points of interest to visit in Seville. You can go up and down at your own pace as many times as you want.
Where to Eat in Seville
If there is something that you are not going to miss in Seville, it is good tapas. You can eat well, nice and cheap. The culture of tapas and wine or beer in Seville is well established, so you will find bars at every step and open at all hours.
It is very difficult to select a few bars in Seville because there are so many that I like! But here are some of my favorites:
- Bodega Santa Cruz: located very close to the Giralda, in this traditional bar you have delicious and abundant tapas for only 2 euros. It is always usually full, but you can make a hole at the bar.
- Patio de San Eloy: one of the places most frequented by Sevillians is this brewery, where you can taste delicious sandwiches for very little money. They took me here the first time I went to Seville and I loved it!
- Casa Ricardo (former Casa Ovidio): a bar where you can taste classic tapas, but also innovative ones. They say they are the best croquettes in Seville and the truth is that they are to die for. You cannot stay without trying them.
- Abades Restaurant: if you fancy a romantic dinner and you have a high budget, I recommend this restaurant. You can enjoy Andalusian haute cuisine with beautiful views of Seville from the Guadalquivir river.
What is the Best Time to Visit Seville?
Seville is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is true that its climate can limit us a bit when visiting it.
The climate of Seville in winter is cool but nothing that cannot be endured. In addition, you will find less tourism than at other times of the year, so it is ideal to visit it more calmly. Seville at Christmas is super illuminated, so if you go in December you will find it very well decorated.
Without a doubt, the best time to visit Seville is spring. It’s warm, but not too hot. In addition, Holy Week in Seville is famous throughout the country and you can enjoy the fervor of the Sevillians in the processions. Or, attend the April Fair in Seville, and dance sevillanas and drink rebujito 24 hours a day. Of course, book well in advance or you will not find accommodation.
Seville summers are extreme, bordering on 50ºC, so I recommend you avoid it as much as possible. I visited Seville in August for the first time and I almost died!! Still, I loved it.
Autumn is also an ideal time to visit the city, as the temperatures are mild and there are not too many tourists. So you can find accommodation at a very good price.
We hope you liked our post on the best places to visit in Seville and that you can get all the essence of the city and, like me, you will fall in love with the Andalusian capital.