15 Best Things to Do in Seville That Are Worth Your Time

During our trip to Andalusia, we spent 3 days in Seville, and we loved it as soon as we arrived. We had heard so many things about it before we visited, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

The lovely narrow streets, beautiful architecture, delicious food, warm weather, and the Spanish vibe you feel on every corner make it such a great place to enjoy.

Even though Seville is not a small city, it’s easy to walk around and see the most important places. To help you plan, here are the best things to do in Seville that are worth your time.

Short on time? Here are my recommended places to stay in the city center near the main attractions:
➡️Hotel Fernando III
➡️Hotel Rey Alfonso X
➡️AZZ Sevilla Torre de la Plata
➡️Adriano Hotel Boutique Sevilla
➡️Hotel Las Casas de El Arenal by Casas y Palacios
Book your guided tour for the two most important landmarks:
➡️Seville Cathedral with Giralda Tower and Alcazar

1. See Plaza de España

Plaza de España is, for me, the most beautiful place in Seville. It’s a big outdoor square that’s often used for cultural events, and it’s one of those spots you can enjoy for hours.

The square has a semi-circular shape with a water canal where you can rent a small boat and row around. Unfortunately, the canal was empty when we visited, but it still looked impressive.

A woman in red skirt stands in the open plaza facing the grand brick building of Plaza de España in Seville. The wide courtyard leads up to the building’s arches, stairways, and towers, with a few visitors walking around. The scene highlights the scale and beauty of the landmark.

There are four bridges crossing the canal, each decorated with colourful ceramic tiles and pretty details.

You’ll find 52 tiled benches there, each representing a different province of Spain. They make the whole place feel bright and unique. There’s also a fountain in the middle, and the square itself was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition.

We spent almost half a day here, and I honestly didn’t want to leave. I took thousands of photos and videos, and we even saw flamenco dancers performing on the side.

Because it’s free and very popular, Plaza de España gets busy. It’s best to visit early in the morning or around sunset.

2. Tour the Royal Alcazar

The Alcázar is a royal palace and one of the oldest in Europe that’s still in use today. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you can imagine how much history is inside its walls.

The mix of Moorish and Christian architecture is evident throughout the palace, as seen in the walls, arches, and ceilings.

An elevated view of the gardens at the Royal Alcázar in Seville shows neat pathways, tall palm trees, and bright green hedges. Visitors walk through the garden while others look out from the stone balcony on the right. The scene highlights the peaceful layout of the historic palace grounds.

You can easily spend a few hours here, especially if you enjoy taking photos. The gardens and courtyards alone are worth the visit, and fans of Game of Thrones will recognise some filming spots.

The Alcázar is one of the most popular landmarks in Seville, so buying tickets in advance is a must. You can use the official website, or book a small-group guided tour if you prefer exploring with a guide and fewer people around.

It’s an amazing place that you simply can’t skip on your trip to Seville.

3. Visit Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world and the largest in Spain.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with huge historical, architectural, and cultural value, reflecting both Islamic and Christian heritage.

The photo shows the interior of Seville Cathedral with rows of dark wooden choir stalls lining both sides. A bright rose window glows above the altar area, filling the tall stone arches with warm light. The scene highlights the quiet and grand feel of the cathedral’s center space.

The Cathedral was built on the site of the Grand Mosque, and when Seville was reclaimed by Christian forces, the mosque was converted into a cathedral.

The Cathedral is fascinating both inside and out, and it’s also home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus. This is one landmark you really shouldn’t miss in Seville.

Since this is a very popular place, it’s best to book tickets in advance either on the official website or here.

4. Climb the Giralda Tower

Giralda Tower is part of Seville Cathedral, and entry is included with your Cathedral ticket. It was originally a mosque’s minaret before becoming the Cathedral’s bell tower.

Make sure you don’t skip it. As you walk up, you’ll keep going in circles toward the top, and it may feel like it never ends. But once you finally reach it, the view of the city is beautiful.

5. Experience Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)

Metropol Parasol, also known as Las Setas, or “the mushroom,” is the most modern landmark in Seville and, in my opinion, definitely worth a visit.

It’s a huge wooden structure, and you can go up to the walkway for a great view of the city.

Mother and daughter at the top of Las Setas (Metropol Parasol) in Seville at night with purple light show on the wooden structure and city skyline with lit cathedral in the background

In the evening, there’s a light show and immersive experience that feels almost like you’re inside a movie. You sit as if you’re in a cinema, but the screen makes you feel like you’re flying over Seville and seeing its traditions from above.

We really enjoyed it. We missed the sunset because we didn’t book early enough, so I recommend getting your tickets at least a day in advance. You can buy them here, and there are family tickets available too.

6. Wander through Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the main area in Seville, and it’s also where you’ll find the Cathedral and the Alcazar.

Wandering through its narrow cobblestone streets is a must. You’ll be surrounded by restaurants, small shops, and beautiful buildings with the traditional Spanish balconies.

I really enjoyed walking around here and feeling the Spanish vibes.

7. Explore Triana Market

Mercado de Triana is located in the Triana neighborhood, just across the Triana Bridge. It’s an indoor market with lots of stalls, small restaurants, and cafés.

Colorful display of tapas and desserts at Mercado de Triana in Seville with pink and white treats in cups, pastries, and yellow price tags on the counter"
This captures the delicious variety of Spanish treats at this vibrant market!

You can find everything here, from fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, tapas, cakes, sandwiches, honey, to souvenirs, and more.

We visited on a rainy day and really enjoyed it. If you want to feel the local side of Seville, this is a great place to go.

8. Walk over the Triana Bridge

Triana Bridge, also known as Puente de Isabel II, is one of Seville’s most famous and oldest iron bridges.

It connects the city center with the lively Triana neighborhood, and on a sunny day, it’s a great spot for a walk with nice views of the Guadalquivir River.

We were there on a rainy day, so we couldn’t enjoy it as much, but with good weather, it’s a really lovely experience.

9. Try traditional food and Tapas

When I visit a new country, I always try some of the traditional food. In Spain, tapas are a big part of daily life. They’re small plates of hot or cold dishes, usually meant for sharing.

Tapas are more about socializing and spending time with friends and family than having one big meal. But if you order a few different ones to share, you definitely won’t stay hungry.

Seafood paella in a black pan with shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, and lemon wedges on yellow saffron rice at Señora Pan Restaurant in Seville

If tapas aren’t your thing (my family wasn’t really into them either), you can still enjoy plenty of other Spanish dishes like paella, oxtail stew, croquetas, tortilla, churros, and more. From drinks, it is Sangria and orange wine.

10. Watch a Flamenco show

Flamenco is a traditional art form from Andalusia that combines music, singing, and expressive dance. It has deep roots in the region and is a big part of southern Spain’s culture.

We didn’t go to a full show in a theatre or bar, but we did catch a short performance at Plaza de España, which was lovely to see.

If you want to experience a proper flamenco evening, there are many places in Seville where you can book a show. You can get your tickets here.

11. Walk by the Guadalquivir River and Visit Torre del Oro

If you have some spare time to relax in Seville, the area along the Guadalquivir River is a great spot. It feels peaceful to enjoy the warm weather next to the river, surrounded by palm trees.

Evening walk along the Guadalquivir river in Seville with palm trees, lit streetlights, people strolling on the waterfront promenade, and Triana bridge in the background under a blue twilight sky.

There’s a long promenade where people walk, jog, or cycle. We were there in the evening, and it was so lovely. In the distance, you can see the Triana Bridge, and nearby is the Torre del Oro.

Torre del Oro, or the Tower of Gold, is a historic watchtower that once protected Seville’s port and the ships bringing treasures from the Americas.

We didn’t have time to go up the tower, but if you do, you can climb it for a beautiful view of the city.

12. Shop for souvenirs

Of course, shopping for souvenirs is something I never miss when I travel. And souvenirs from Seville are full of color and beauty.

Souvenir mugs displayed on shelves in a Seville shop featuring colorful designs of Spanish landmarks and scenes, priced at 3.60 euros, with decorative tile backdrop.

You can find all kinds of things in the shops, beautiful ceramics, trays, magnets, t-shirts, aprons, hand fans, sculptures, coasters, scarves, key rings, flamenco dresses, and much more.

For the best prices and a wide selection, check out a shop called Artesanías Medina in the city center. They likely have branches across Andalusia, as we also saw them in Córdoba and Ronda.

13. Visit Casa de Pilatos

Casa de Pilatos is a hidden gem in Seville. It’s a beautiful palace that combines different architectural styles, from Gothic to Moorish and Renaissance.

Inside, you’ll find colorful tiles, peaceful courtyards, and lots of stunning details. It was on our list to visit, but unfortunately, we didn’t manage to fit it into our trip this time.

14. Tour the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium

For football fans, the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium is a must-visit. I didn’t go myself, but my husband, who loves football, took the tour.

Man standing at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville with red seats and green pitch visible behind him

He really enjoyed exploring the stadium, checking out the dressing rooms, the pitch, the players’ tunnel, the press area, the trophies, and much more.

15. Take a day trip to nearby cities

Seville is well connected to other cities nearby, like Córdoba, Ronda, Málaga, Granada, Cádiz, and more.

You can visit them by train, bus, or an organised tour. We went to Córdoba by train and stayed for one night, which was a great experience. For train tickets, explore train options here.

For Ronda, we joined a day tour, which made it easy to see the highlights without worrying about transport.

Seville-map

Click on the map to open and apply directions from your current location.

These are just some of the highlights of Seville. There’s so much more to see and do!

Want to see these places in action? Check out my YouTube channel, where I will post a video showing the best things to do in Seville soon!

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