Top 5 Things to do in Seville. Includes photos, video, and 5 recommendations with the best things to do in Seville in one day, plus suggested tour options.
Seville, Spain isn’t on many people’s travel radar, but it should be. With warm winters and hot, sunny summers, Seville is a year-round destination, and there are enough things to do in Seville to keep you busy for weeks. Honestly, if we could swing it, we’d move to Seville in half-a-heartbeat (if you have similar dreams, check out this super detailed post about how much does it cost to live in Spain).
If you’re unable to uproot your life and only have a day or two to spend in Seville, don’t worry: we’ve pulled together a list of 5 of the best things to do in Seville (also note – this is really an itinerary for adults. If you’re visiting Seville with kids, you might want to check out this list of things to do in Seville with kids to round-out your Seville trip planning!).
And when you’re planning your trip, be sure to check out our Where to Stay in Seville Guide to find the best area of the city for you!
Things to Do in Seville Spain
1. Las Setas
Go to the top of Las Setas (the mushrooms), and then complain about it with locals. Officially known as the Metropol Parasol, the German-designed wood building-thingy near La Encarnación Square may look cool if you’re a foreigner, but that’s because you’re wrong. Make no mistake, to Sevillanos the aptly-nicknamed Mushrooms are an eyesore. Skulk around the bottom taking arty-looking photos for your Instagram feed, and then head to the top and enjoy a beer while overlooking the city. If you’re looking for spectacular city views, this is one of the best things to do in Seville. (You can also stay in hotels right near the Metropol...it’s a good area that’s not as touristy as some others) .
Make it happen
For €3, you can go up to the top of the Metropol Parasol. The fee includes an elevator ride up and down and a drink, making it a nice destination for an afternoon caña with a view.
Seville Travel Tip — Choose a Hotel Right Near Las Setas!
Plaza de la Encarnación is a fantastic spot to stay in Seville, because it’s slightly away from the tourist centre, meaning you get higher value for every Euro you spend! About a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral, you’ll be wedged right between Old Seville and New Seville…convenient, with a bit of local flavour! Based on our research, we recommend 4 hotels near Plaza de la Encarnación:
Itaca Sevilla (3-Star With a Pool)
Hotel Itaca Seville is a 3-star with an outdoor pool that’s oriented around a courtyard. It is less luxurious-looking than Hotel Palace Sevilla, but still looks nice, with traditional touches. It’s a few blocks off the square.
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
Hotel Palace Sevilla (4-Star on the Square)
Hotel Palace Sevilla is a 4-star hotel, and is right on the square. It looks great, with decor that I can only describe as “sumptuous.” It also gets fantastic reviews, and is a top-seller among visitors to Seville.
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
Hotel América (3-Star on the Square)
Hotel América is another 3-star, although unlike Hotel Itaca, Hotel América is right on the square as well. It has modern decor, and looks clean and fresh with excellent reviews.
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
Palacio Villapanes (Ultra Luxury)
Hotel Palacio De Villapanes — Seville doesn’t actually have that many 5-star hotels, but if you’re looking for some insane luxury and want to stay near Las Setas/Plaza de la Encarnacion, then check out Hotel Palacio De Villapanes, which looks absolutely stunning, gets fantastic reviews, and is only a few minutes’ walk from the square!
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
2. Plaza de España
Stroll over to Plaza de España, a 15-minute walk from the heart of Seville’s old town. Built in 1928 for an exposition, Plaza de España now houses government offices, and has an erie, abandoned feeling to it. And yet, it’s hard to resist getting pulled in; before you know it you’ll have spent an hour inspecting all the beautiful, ornate mosaic tiles, or trying to get that perfect “Moorish architecture reflected in a moat” photo. Or maybe that’s just me? In either case, Plaza de España is one of the perfect things to do in Seville if your eyeballs are in need of some beauty.
Make it happen
Plaza de España is free, which makes it a no-brainer. You’ll pass a number of nice sidewalk cafes on the way, so leave time to stop for a coffee on the way there or back. Once you’re there, geek out with this little piece of trivia: Plaza de España is the setting for the fictitious planet Naboo in Star Wars Episodes I and II.
Seville Travel Tip — Explore Plaza de España On Your Own!
Plaza de España is easy enough to explore on your own. And while there are also plenty of tours that incorporate this site into a larger circuit of the top things to do in Seville, I would save my tour budget for the Cathedral and Alcazar, which I think require more interpretation, and could be brought to life with the right guide!
Or, take a zippy Electric Bike Tour of Seville to see Plaza de España and much more from the seat of an easy-breezy electric bike!
3. Seville Cathedral
Climb to the Top of the Seville Cathedral. We’re cathedral skeptics and are rarely willing to fork over our limited cash to go inside an old church. But the Seville Cathedral is near the top of our favourite things to do in Seville. The views from the top are spectacular, and if the climb up the ramp to the top of the bell tower doesn’t get your heart rate up, you should feel confident in your cardiovascular prowess. A few facts: The Seville Cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in the world, and the third-largest church in the world. The size and scale of its interior is quite astounding. It’s also a UNESCO world heritage site (together with the Real Alcázar and Archivo de Indias). Finally, it is arguably the burial place of Christopher Columbus, and you can see his supposed tomb inside.
Make it happen
The entrance fee to the Seville Cathedral is €9 and includes the cathedral and bell tower, which has a ramp rather than stairs to climb. Stop on the way up to catch your breath and take some photos; the views on the way up are are different — and just as nice — as those from the top.
Seville Travel Tip -Book A Hotel In the Heart of Romantic Seville
If you’re only in Seville for a day or two, you probably want to stay in the centre of the action: right near the Cathedral, which really is the heart of beautiful Old Seville. Thankfully, Seville’s hoteliers know this, and have created a beautiful selection of hotels within a stone’s throw from the Cathedral, including many of which have absolutely stunning rooftop views. These are the hotels we suggest you check out in Seville’s old centre:
Suites Murillo (Luxury Lofts With A View)
Suites Murillo are a set of 3 different luxurious apartment-hotels, right in the centre of Seville. There are Suites Murillo, luxury loft-style apartments next to the Cathedral and offering fantastic views; Suites Murillo Segovias, which are 500m from the Alcázar; and Apartamentos Murillo, which are 200m from the Cathedral. Suites Murillo Segovias gets the best reviews from past guests, followed by Suites Murillo. Apartamentos Murillo is significantly less well-rated, although it’s still good at 8.5/10. (If I had to choose, I’d go for Suites Murillo, because of the location!)
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
Hotel Amadeus & La Musica (Boutique Hotel With Rooftop Pool)
Hotel Amadeus & La Musica seems to be the hotel our readers love the most in Seville, and I can see why. For one, ROOFTOP POOL! It’s only 150 meters from the Cathedral, which means you can swim in the pool and gaze upon history at the same time. It’s also really elegant looking, and seems to be good value for the price, with the feeling of a boutique design hotel.
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
Hotel Rey Afonso X (Luxury with Rooftop Pool)
Hotel Rey Alfonso X is the most luxurious choice, and also has a stunning rooftop pool. It seems to be a top seller in Seville, and is very close to the Cathedral (although not as close as close as Hotel Amadeus or Suites Murillo…more like a 3-minute walk)
Check Availability & Prices on
Booking.com / Trip Advisor
4. Alcázar Seville
Explore Seville’s Moorish Heritage at the Real Alcázar de Sevilla. Some claim the Alcázar Seville is even more impressive than Granada’s Alhambra Palace. While we wouldn’t go quite that far, it’s pretty awesome. Soak up Andalusia’s Moorish heritage by spending a few hours wandering through the Alcázar, marvelling at the intricately carved details and beautiful gardens.
Make it happen
Entry to the Alcázar doesn’t come cheap: it’ll set you back a cringe-inducing €11.50 — a lot if you’re on a strict budget — but is totally worth it. Leave a few hours to explore the palaces and the gardens. The Alcázar is near the Seville Cathedral, making it possible to visit the Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and the nearby (and free) Archivo de Indias all in one day. You can also take a combined tour of the Cathedral and Alcazar. A visit to the Archivo de Indias is also worth the time investment, as it houses a massive collection of original documents related to Spain’s adventures in empire-building.
Or, try Skip the Line Alcazar Tickets with Guided Tour
Seville Travel Tip — Join A Tour for the Most Important Things to Do in Seville!
Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and La Giralda Guided Tour
Rated 4.7 / 5 from 500+ reviews
The Seville Cathedral, the Alcazar, and the Giralda Tower are the three most important things to do in Seville – at the top of any “must-do” list of the city. And while it’s certainly possible to explore all of them on your own (we did, after all!), if I did have money to spend on a tour in Seville, this is probably where I’d spend it (and maybe on a food tour, below). After experiencing the difference knowledgeable guides can make during our recent experience in Rome, I kind of regret not finding a good guide to take us through the Cathedral and Alcazar…next time we visit the city, we certainly will rectify that!
More Popular Seville Tours
Cathedral and Giralda Tower Guided Tour
Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower 1-Hour Guided Tour – Explore the world’s largest gothic cathedral, and third largest cathedral on a one hour guided tour that also gets you access to the Giralda tower with magnificent views of the city. Soak in the exquisite interior and details in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large tomb suspended on pillars, is supposedly that of Christopher Columbus!
Seville Full-Day Sightseeing Tour
Fascinating Seville Full-Day Sightseeing Tour – A full day tour incorporates the sites in the other tours listed here – the Seville Cathedral, Royal Alcazar, but also explores Plaza de España. The tour also covers the lively neighbourhoods of Triana , Santa Cruz and San Telmo. The tour also includes a visit to the famous Bull Ring and ends with a boat trip on the river. If you’re only in town for a day or two, this might be perfect for you.
Seville Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tickets
Seville Hop on/Hop off Bus – Get you tickets in advance here and choose between 24 and 48 hour tickets. With 12 stops around the city’s best attractions, it’s possible to explore Seville at your own pace. Your ticket also includes 4 walking tours. A great way to comfortably get out to some of the lesser visited sites.
5. Tapas & Caña
Tapas & Caña! One of the best things to do in Seville is experience the famous Spanish lifestyle. Siesta is a religion in these parts, and it’s not uncommon to enjoy a beer at lunch. Around nine or ten at night, people start hitting up traditional tapas bars to stand at the bar, around a tall table, or even on the sidewalk while picking at small plates of cured ham and other snacks. Una caña, a small glass of draft lager, is the perfect accompaniment to taking tapas.
Make it Happen
Order a plate of jamon bellota, the best quality jamon iberico, at least once while you’re in Seville. Bellota is the Spanish word for acorn, and jamon bellota is cured from acron-fed, free-living and insanely delicious black pigs in the Andalusian countryside. At €8 or more for a tiny plate of thinly sliced ham, it’s priced as a treat, but it will be oh-so-worth it when the delicious morsels of meat and fat melt on your salivating tongue. If you’re stuck for ideas about which tapas bar to visit, check out our friend Cat’s blog. Cat is an American expat living in Seville, and regularly posts about tapas bars in Seville. And if you want everything taken care of for you, check out this Tapas & Gourmet Wine Tour on Get Your Guide.
If You Don’t Want To Go It Alone
We visited Seville as independent travelers and spent about 2 weeks in the city. But if you have limited time, are traveling with a large group or family, or are simply more of a ‘have someone take care of everything’ kind of traveller, you might consider a tour.
We like to recommend Get Your Guide whenever possible. We can also recommend Viator because the company is also good to bloggers and employs friends, and so we want to support the company! We also earn a small commission if you book a tour through one of these links, and you pay nothing extra, which we see as a win-win! In addition to the tours listed above, these ones look intriguing!
Game of Thrones Tours — Get Your Guide offers a Game of Thrones themed tour in Seville: Kingdom of Dorne Game of Thrones Tour and Viator has a Seville and Osuna Guided Game of Thrones Tour. Honestly, I’m on the fence about suggesting either, because the reviews are either sparse (the first tour gets a great review, but there’s only one), or mixed (the second tour gets very mixed reviews). But at the same time, it’s impossible to visit Seville these days and not hear about Game of Thrones, and the concepts of both tours seem pretty cool!
Hot Air Balloon Over Seville — Not really fitting with the “things to do in Seville” theme of this post, but this looks too cool not to include, and the reviews are fantastic, with multiple past guests calling it the highlight of their trip!
Flamenco Show — Rather embarrassingly, we did not experience any Flamenco while in the city! It’s one of the most popular and iconic things to do in Seville, and we totally missed it! I’m sure there probably a tonne of opportunities to see Flamenco in Seville, but again, if you want everything taken care of and organized for you, this seems like a pretty good option, and gets awesome reviews.
A Few More Things for a Trip to Seville
If you haven’t already seen it, check out our timelapse video of Seville.
Heading to Granada next? Click here for our tips on visiting the Alhambra!
Further Reading…
- If you need an introduction to Southern Spain: Our Andalusia 101 Guide should help! We hired a local writer who’s lived in Andalusia for several decades to share her knowledge on this beautiful region. It includes all you need to know when planning your trip, such as the best places to go in Andalusia, things to eat and buy, don’t miss highlights, etc!
- If you’re wondering when to go to Spain: If you haven’t booked your trip yet and are wondering the best time of year to visit different parts of Spain, this post from travel blogger The Travelling Tom outlines the pros and cons of different seasons all across Spain!
- If you’re wondering where to go in Andalusia: Lavina from Continent Hop has put together a one-week Spain itinerary that focuses on Andalusia. If you’re in need of inspiration for your trip, this could help!
You guys have hit on a number of great sites to see (and with a student ID, both the Alcazar and the Cathedral can be visited for far cheaper!). My favorite free church is La Candelaria on Muñoz y Pabón, and you can opt for a drink on the roof of La Fountainbleu or Hotel Londrés for views of the cathedral, Giralda and river if you don’t want to shell out the money.
Visiting Seville is often about getting a sense of the sevillano lifestyle. Find a plaza, grab a beer, and stare at the locals. They’re probably staring at you, anyway!
Oooh – great suggestions, Cat. We had so much fun meeting up with you in Seville, and thanks for showing us both around and sharing some eats and beers :)
What would you recommend if we plan to visit seville for 2 days?
It really depends on what kinds of things you like to do, and where else you’re visiting in Spain.
If you’re not also planning at trip to the Alhambra, I’d suggest you at least consider doing a day trip from Seville. It will be a long trip, but the Alhambra is really spectacular. More Info: https://www.wandertooth.com/alhambra-palace-granada-spain-tips/
If you already have the Alhambra planned out, but want to explore beyond Seville, I’d follow Cat’s suggestions from one of these day trips: http://www.sunshineandsiestas.com/2015/11/26/five-daytrips-from-seville-spain/
If you want to stay in Seville, I would consider doing a neighbourhood tour of Triana (independently, or as part of a tour). Personally, I loved simply wandering around Seville with a camera, so if you’re a photographer, you may want to split the one-day itinerary into two, add the Triana neighbourhood, and take it a bit slower! Even renting bikes, and getting lost!
Cat also has a great guide to spending time in Triana: http://www.sunshineandsiestas.com/2016/01/11/what-to-do-eat-see-triana-seville/
I hope this helps!
Try to visit Italica, a cheap bus ride (no 170), the site of an ancient roman retreat with an amazing amphitheatre – several scenes from GOT filmed there
Seville is such a beautiful city!! Unfortunately I only did an overnight stop there and did not manage to do much more than walk around and soak in some of the atmosphere. This post definitely has me inspired now though!
Yes – definitely go back if you get a chance, and plan to spend at least a few days there. We already want to head back there!
I spent a few days in Seville and my favorite part was getting lost in the narrow lanes of the old Jewish Quarter. And I definitely got pulled in by the Plaza de Espana – it’s so colorful and pretty!
Thanks for the comment Heather – we loved Seville. So colourful!
Love the timelapse video. Interesting that you found Plaza de España eerie – did you visit on a grey day? I find the colourful tiles very bright and cheery. The Alcazar is nearly all Mudejar, built by the finest Moorish craftsmen under King Pedro (Catholic king who loved Moorish culture). Everyone thinks it’s Moorish – an easy mistake to make. The Cathedral’s belltower, the Giralda, is a former minaret from when there was a mosque on the same spot. You probably know all this already, but as you asked if you’d missed anything out… I live in, and write about about Seville and I also do tours. So glad you loved our city – you picked the best time of year to visit :)
Ha ha – thanks for the comment Fiona! We did visit Plaza Espana on a grey day, and I think it was a weekend, so it was totally abandoned of the government workers that usually work there. I kind of liked the abandoned and eerie feeling I got there :) Also, good to know about the Alcazar – I totally thought it was Moorish. I really loved Seville – we both did. Hope to be back soon :). Thanks again for the comment, and we are totally jealous you get to live in Seville
In September 2015 I will be visiting Seville for 3 days. I am from New Zealand, which is on the opposite side of the world from Spain, and I am so excited!
That’s awesome, Raymond…what a long flight you’re in for! Ha ha. Seville is amazing though…we really adore it, and talk all the time about how we need to go back!
Pingback: Things to do in Seville Spain
Pingback: Feria de Abril - Seville Spain - Wagoners Abroad Wagoners Abroad
Segway or electric bike or kayak tour of Seville. Which one would you suggest for 4 adults? Ages vary from 25 years to 62 years.
Good question! I really have no idea to be honest, as we haven’t done any of those options :) — we always tend to walk around the cities. I can say, though, from our experience living in Prague, that we often saw tourists fall off Segways, so you might consider safety in your decision. I love Kayaking, but have to wonder how much of the city you’d be able to see that way? So I guess I do have an opinion – ha ha! I’d suggest the bike tour, but take it with a grain of salt, as I haven’t tried any of them!
Hey Katie and Geof: Your article about Seville and Alhmabra are very inspiring and helpful. I will be in Barcelona for a conference on the 20th of January 2016 and would like to spend 2-3 in South Spain visiting Alhambra and Seville before the conference. Would you kindly recommend a possible itinerary that includes Alhambra and one or two more cities. I am traveling solo and like to take time to absorb the city and take pictures. Any tips to make the best of the trip?
Hello! It sounds like a fun trip, and a conference is a great excuse to get some travel in :)
In Southern Spain, we’ve visited Seville, Granada, and Malaga. Of course it depends on what atmosphere you like, but Seville was certainly our favourite of the 3. We loved the Alhambra, but found the atmosphere in Granada — at least where we were staying — to be a bit too hippy for our tastes. Malaga is a nice seaside city, with bright colors and nice outdoor cafés for tapas.
I wasn’t sure if you had 2 to 3 weeks to travel, or 2 to 3 days? If you have 2 to 3 weeks, I’d also check out our friend Cat’s blog, Sunshine and Siestas. She’s an American living in Seville, and has traveled extensively in the region. If you have 2 to 3 days, I’d base myself in Seville, and arrange a day trip to Granada for the Alhambra.
I hope this helps, and happy travels!
Thanks Katie. I wish it was 2-3 weeks, it is barely 2-3 days but I will definitely make the best our of them. Staying in Seville and going for the day to Alhambra sounds like a good plan. If time allows, I would love to squeez a day in Malaga – I love seaside especially in winter – I now have to figure out the best transportation method.
Will cheer to you when I sip my first glass of Sangria in Seville :)
we are planning a trip in Andalusia for May_2016 (malaga, sevilla, cordoba, granada) and come across your pages. Very informative and your writing-style is great.
Thanks for the tips&trics !
Awesome! Have a great trip!
Pingback: 10 Awesome Life Lessons from 2 Years of Full-Time Travel - Wandertooth
wow loved the video! how were you able to get the time lapse? did you have to stand in the square all day??
Sher
http://www.shershegoes.com
Hi Sher – thanks for the comment! If I remember, I shot all the scenes on the same day, about half an hour per location I think. Glad you liked it, I cringe watching my older videos ha ha!
ah ok, thanks for the tip. haven’t shot video before but i’m trying to get started. i’ll check out your newer videos – i certainly thought the seville one was pretty dang good!
Sher
http://www.shershegoes.com
The timelpases are actually a series of still photos. You need an intervalometer, some cameras have them built in, some you’ll need to buy, $25-$100 (the more expensive would be a wireless one). You’ll set it to take a photo every few seconds, so time “lapses” between each photo. Video is usually 30 frames per second, so 300 shots is 10 seconds of video. I usually start at 4 second intervals, less if things are moving quickly, more if things are moving slowly. I hope that helps, let me know if I can be of any more help!
Great pictures! ALcazar is definitely at the top of my list!
Pingback: Where To Stay in Seville Spain: Seville’s Coolest Neighbourhoods - Wandertooth
This blog is really nice and informative.
Actually, Similarly to Madrid, we went into the Seville trip knowing that it was going to be hot. And man, were we right. I mean, they don’t nickname a city, “the hottest city in Europe” for no reason. In hindsight, it was probably pretty dumb of us to visit Seville in the middle of August, but we heard from many of our friends how beautiful it is, and we didn’t want to pass it by.
For more details, please visit at http://homebodyabroad.com/three-days-in-seville
Thanks Bruce! We spent this past July in Rome, so know exactly what you mean about the heat :)
Where can we get Christmas and eve fine for family at a sit down restaurant?
Hello John – we’re not too sure. However, when we’ve been abroad on Christmas, we’ve always had great luck at hotel restaurants to find Christmas dinner. On December 24, everything is typically closed other than hotels, as this is the big family celebration day. On Dec. 25, many bars and restaurants are open. One restaurant we could suggest is the one at Hotel Alfonso XIII – perhaps email them to see if it is a good fit?
Another informative, straight forward website. Thanks. I am going to be spending a week in Seville in February and this info is most helpful.
Glad to hear! Enjoy your trip. We have a “where to stay in Seville” guide too, if that is helpful. We’re in the progress of building one for Granada as well – hopefully will have it up by the end of the month!
Pingback: The Alhambra: Tips for Visiting the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain - Wandertooth
I enjoyed looking at the pictures and reading the post. I am planning to visit Seville during end of Jan. Do you think the weather will be suitable? Also how’s the nightlife there?
We also visited Seville in the winter, and quite enjoyed the weather during that time of year. I’d expect you’d be looking at 16 to 20 degrees or so during the day, but that is just a guess :) As for nightlife, unfortunately we aren’t the best people to answer that as the most we do is visit the tiny beer and ham bars, rather than going out clubbing. However, the little traditional bars are lots of fun — you order “caña beers” and tapas, and the conversation always spills out onto the street! Hope you have a great trip – Seville is awesome!
Pingback: Where to Stay in Rome: Rome's Coolest Neighborhoods
Pingback: Best Places to Visit in Andalusia: An Andalusia Travel Guide Covering the Best of Andalusia
Pingback: Daytrip to Huelva Spain from Portugal
It’s a fantastic compilation. I generally swear by Rick Steves, but loved the key insights you mentioned like GoT and Star Wars. We’re visiting Seville in May end and will definitely use some of your suggestions. Thanks
Great to hear! Hope you have a wonderful time in Seville – it’s a great city, and we would love to go back ASAP :)
Seville was my favorite city in southern Spain! This guide is awesome!!!
Loved your post and fell in love with Seville. It’s just so hard to choose which all cities to visit in Spain as each one seems to have its own character and beauty! I was going to pick Barca over Seville as we don’t have many days on hand but now I am confused!