Seville is the capital of Spain’s southern province of Andalusia, best known as the birthplace of flamenco dancing and the final resting place of famous explorer Christopher Columbus. The city boasts some incredible attractions too, like architectural wonders you can climb, high-end shopping, and massive cultural events. We here at Road Affair don’t want you to miss out on any of it, which is why we’ve carefully crafted a list of the best things to do in Seville. So start scrolling and planning your dream vacation to Spain’s southern region!
Catch a Flamenco Show
One of the most fun things to do in Seville is to catch one of the famous flamenco shows. Flamenco is an enchanting way of dance with exaggerated movements, in which the performers use their bodies as percussion instruments by clapping, tapping, and hitting. A flamenco dance performance is usually accompanied by a singer and a guitar player.
There are many places across the city where you can catch a show, depending on what you want to see. For a more intimate and interactive show, check out Pura Esencia Flamenco, which has seats for roughly 15-20 people. If you’d like a larger venue or the option of dinner with the show, check out El Palacio Andaluz.
Tour the Royal Alcázars
Another must-see in Seville is its Royal Alcázars, an incredible palace built for Peter of Castile. If you’re a big Game of Thrones fan, you might recognize it as the Water Gardens of House Martell. It was also a filming location for Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven.
With its exquisite Moorish Renaissance style, the palace is one of the most popular places to visit in Seville, so it’s best to book your tickets well in advance. The upper area of the Royal Alcázars is still owned by the royal family of Spain, who reside in the palace during their visits to Seville.
Wander the Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa
You might be surprised to find out how many movies were filmed in Seville. For example, Star Wars fans might recognize the Plaza de España as the city of Theed on the planet Naboo in Attack of the Clones.
The plaza is a breathtaking sight, with horse-drawn carriages, canals, and boats all around. The main building is famous for its ceramic tile design and incredible architecture. You can walk around the plaza, rent a boat and explore from the water, or head inside the building and admire the designs of the lobby (completely free).
To reach the Plaza de España, you’ll enter the Parque de María Luisa. It’s well worth your time to stroll through this incredibly large and lush park. The incredible gardens, fountains, and statues throughout its 34 hectares offer a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Enjoy the View From Seville Cathedral
Also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See, Seville Cathedral is Europe’s largest cathedral and the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Trust us – this place is well worth every penny to visit.
Not only can you explore the interior and see the artworks with a tour or audio guide, but for an additional price, you can climb the famous Giralda Bell Tower to enjoy sweeping views of the city. This incredible cathedral is also home to the remains of Christopher Columbus, so you can see his tomb and a monument to him.
To see both the cathedral and the bell tower, check out this 1.5-hour guided tour, or explore the building and grounds yourself with this audio-guided tour ticket.
See the City From the Guadalquivir River
The Guadalquivir, which runs directly through Seville, is Spain’s only navigable river. It played a huge part in the country’s ability to trade with America and was once the route of Columbus. Since Seville is so far south, the river has more of an African feel, with lush vegetation surrounding it. The city feels very different from the water, offering a more relaxed way to view the area.
You have various options to see the city from the river. If you’re looking to sit back and relax with a drink, book this yacht cruise or guided tour of the river. If you’re more interested in the watersport activities in Seville, consider this guided kayak tour or sunset paddleboarding tour.
Take in the Views From the Mushrooms of Seville
As you’ve probably gathered by now, Seville has some pretty incredible architecture. You may be thinking that only applies to its old buildings, but that’s definitely not the case.
The Mushrooms of Seville, or Setas de Sevilla, is a huge modern monument covering 136,000 square feet of the city in a winding pattern. Its lookout point and catwalks offer breathtaking panoramic views, especially at night. Be sure to catch “Feeling Seville,” a nightly light show and immersive experience designed to engage the senses and give you a true feel for the city’s character.
Watch the Bulls Run at the Plaza de Toros
Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería in Seville hosts bullfighting shows throughout the summertime and on some holiday weekends. If you’re keen on a show, check its website for times and dates.
Even if there are no showtimes during your stay, the bullring is still worth a visit, as it also contains a museum with artifacts and artworks on bullfighting. The bonus of visiting outside of showtimes is that you can walk around inside the ring and snap those unbullievable pictures (sorry, we couldn’t help it).
Visit the Flamenco Dance Museum
Naturally, seeing as flamenco dancing was invented here, Seville has a grand museum depicting the history and cultural impact of this Spanish dance.
The Museo del Baile Flamenco boasts five interactive rooms, including exhibits on mythical costumes and the evolution of the dance. For a more hands-on experience, you can book a flamenco dance lesson or percussion lesson with English- and Spanish-speaking teachers.
If you want to check off two fun things to do in Seville with one ticket, you can also see the museum’s nightly flamenco show. To book a combined ticket for the museum and show, click here.
Ride the Coasters at Isla Mágica
If you’re looking for family-friendly Seville attractions, take the kids to spend a day at the Isla Mágica theme park. The park is open from April to October, including every day in June, July, and August.
There’s plenty of fun to be had here, with six park areas highlighting the New World exploration of the 16th and 17th centuries. You’ll find high-thrill attractions for roller-coaster fans, along with tame rides for the little ones. If you need to cool off in the summer, head over to the Aqua Mágica area to enjoy the sandy beach, waterfalls, pools, and hammocks.
Go Shopping
You can find plenty of fantastic shopping in Seville, but the main area to check out for a new outfit or a souvenir is Calle Sierpes. This bustling pedestrian street and the one parallel to it (Calle Velázquez) are lined with familiar stores such as Swatch, Bershka, and Zara, along with various boutique shops to browse.
Another great spot for a shopping spree is Centro Comercial Torre Sevilla, a mall boasting stores like Guess, H&M, Foot Locker, and Primark.
Stroll Through Barrio de Santa Cruz
Settled between the Royal Alcázars and Seville Cathedral is a colorful, compact neighborhood known as Barrio de Santa Cruz. This lovely area was home to the city’s Jewish population during Moorish rule in the Middle Ages.
As you walk along the cobblestone paths, you’ll find plenty of quaint tapas bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and remains of old synagogues. We recommend finishing your tour of the area with a stroll through the Jardines de Murillo, a beautifully landscaped park with a historic monument to Columbus.
If you find yourself in need of refreshment and rest, cross the intersection into Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián to enjoy a sangria in the gardens of Bar Fanática. (Fair warning – it’ll be a strong sangria!)
Explore the Palacio de las Dueñas
The Royal Alcázars is the most popular palace to visit in Seville, but if you prefer to tour one that’s less crowded and just as beautiful, make your way to Palacio de las Dueñas. This incredible 15th-century palace features an eclectic blend of Moorish, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture. Many notable figures have stayed here, including King Edward VIII.
Within the palace walls, you’ll find five perfectly manicured garden areas and a stunning courtyard lined with towering pillars and palm trees. The tour continues inside, where you’ll see a beautiful collection of paintings and monuments, with an audio guide providing interesting facts as you go. You can purchase your ticket and audio guide here.
Tour the Naval Museum at Torre del Oro
Torre del Oro was part of the old city wall, but now it stands alone on the canal. This 36-meter-tall tower also was once covered in gold-colored tiles, which is how it got its name (which means “Tower of Gold”). It’s still a striking site and now home to the Museo Naval de Torre del Oro, where you can see interesting naval artifacts such as maps and nautical instruments.
Try Authentic Tapas and Sangria
If there’s one part of traveling that everybody loves, it’s the food. The Spanish are no slacks in the kitchen (or at the bar), with plenty of tempting dishes. Before we get into what to try, let’s cover where to try them.
You can find tapas and sangria in nearly every restaurant in Seville, but one of the more popular places is La Brunilda Tapas (you’ll almost certainly need a reservation to get a table). Other restaurants you should consider are Seis Tapas Bar and Bar Estrella Tapas.
Once you’ve settled on a restaurant and ordered a sangria to wet your whistle, you may be looking to try some local traditional dishes. These options include solomillo al whisky (pork in whiskey sauce), espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas), and cazón en adobo (fried dogfish). A particular dish you will see a lot – and should try – is jamón Ibérico de bellota, a ham made from Iberian pigs that are fed a strict diet of acorns.
Browse the Stalls at Mercado de Triana
A great free thing to do in Seville is browse the historic Triana Market for souvenirs and goodies. The market is located on the lower level of the remains of the Castle of San Jorge, which was originally constructed during the Almohad domain in 1171 and served as the official Inquisition court seat from 1481 to 1626. Most of the remains of the castle were later demolished except for the site of the market, which was established in 1823.
Admire the Artworks at Hospital de los Venerables
The Hospital de los Venerables is home to some stunning artworks. This incredible 17th-century mansion is a great museum to explore for an hour or two, whether to admire the architecture or to view the artworks by famous painter Diego Velázquez. You can stroll through the Baroque church and courtyard, see contemporary works from the museum’s new collection, and even catch an organ concert here. Audio guides are included in a standard ticket.
Experience Semana Santa or the Seville Fair
If you’re sightseeing in Seville in April, you might be lucky enough to catch Semana Santa (Holy Week) or the Seville Fair.
Semana Santa is a weeklong event that sees a procession of Catholic brotherhoods and intricate floats roll through the streets of Seville. While this is an important religious event in Spanish culture, it doesn’t mean the bars shut down. Families are often out celebrating until dawn.
The Seville Fair is the week after Semana Santa, with daily bullfights, rides, circus attractions, and much more to do and see. One of the most captivating things about the fair is that locals dress in traditional outfits and ride around the streets in horse-drawn carriages. This is another week where all-nighters are a no-brainer, with locals and tourists alike socializing until the early hours of the following day.
Hop Aboard the Nao Victoria 500
Get your sea legs on and climb aboard the Nao Victoria 500, a replica of the first ship to sail around the world. The original Nao Victoria set sail from Seville in 1519, with accompanying ships that housed 245 crew members. After just over three years of sailing around the world, the Nao Victoria returned with only 18 surviving men.
Now, you can step on board a replica and imagine the lives of the men who sailed this vessel in one of the greatest sea adventures of all time. You’ll get to see what life was like on board and the hardships the crew faced. A ticket also includes access to a large exhibit that highlights the journey, important documents, and much more information about Spain’s nautical travels.
Tour the Museum of Fine Arts
If you’re wondering what to do in Seville on a rainy day, try spending a couple hours in the city’s best art museum, Museo de Bellas Artes.
This impressive tourist attraction in Seville houses an art collection that rivals the Prado in Madrid. Inside, you’ll find works by famous Spanish artists and international artists from the 17th to 20th century. The museum has a particularly exceptional collection of works by El Greco and Diego Velázquez. Admission is free for European citizens.
Well, now you know the best things to do in Seville! Now that we’ve done the heavy lifting, it’s time for you to build your perfect itinerary for your holiday to Seville. Just don’t forget to pack sunscreen (did we mention Seville is the hottest city in continental Europe?).
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