Best Things to Do in Seville, Spain
Seville has a rich, colorful culture, a variety of exciting things to do, and a blend of architectural designs similar to those bestowed on adjacent Málaga, thanks to its long and rich history. The undeniable appeal of Spanish culture inside a stunning city is present in all areas of Seville.
Seville Spain is the best place to visit if you’re looking to get into Spain’s history and culture. With many museums and artworks, as well as architecture, it’s no wonder it catches the eye of those who have a heart for art.
See how Christian opulence is lavishly displayed in palaces that cannot resist the draw of Islamic architecture.
Discover Spanish masters’ extravagant works of art that decorate the spaces where they are displayed. Explore cobblestone roads, stroll through green parks, and sip sunset cocktails in remote plazas.
1. Plaza de Espana
Sure, Plaza de España is a beautiful square located in the heart of Seville, Spain. It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, and it has since become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
One of the most striking features of Plaza de España is the colorful ceramic tiles that adorn the buildings and bridges. These tiles depict various scenes from Spanish history and are a tribute to the country’s cultural heritage. Each of Spain’s provinces is also represented by a decorative tile bench, making the plaza a kind of open-air museum of Spanish culture.
The square is surrounded by lush gardens and tree-lined walkways that make it a popular spot for strolling and relaxation. Visitors can also rent a rowboat and paddle around the moat, taking in the sights and sounds of the square from the water.
If you’d rather just relax, take a sight-seeing cruise along the Guadalquivir River. Some boat tours also include delicious Andalusian tapas and beer or sangria.
2. Royal Alcazar de Sevilla
Royal Alcazar is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and is known for its exquisite architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history.
It was originally constructed in the 10th century as a fortress for the ruling Muslim kings of the time. Over the centuries, it was expanded and renovated by successive rulers, including Christian kings who took control of the palace after the Reconquista in 1248. The result is a unique blend of architectural styles, with influences from Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque traditions.
Visitors can explore the many rooms and halls of the palace, each of which is decorated with beautiful frescoes, tapestries, and other works of art.
If you’re visiting with kids you can bring a stroller and enjoy the gardens during a quiet afternoon. The gardens cover over 7 hectares and are divided into several different sections, each with its own unique design and laws, water features and statues.
I highly recommend pre-booking tickets. We didn’t and we were stuck in a separate line for almost an hour. Skip-the-line tickets will save you a lot of time.
3. Museo de Bellas Artes
The magnificent Museum of Fine Arts in Seville is located inside the opulent Convento de la Merced Calzada from the 17th century. After the Prado in Madrid, this museum is thought to contain Spain’s best collection of art pieces. The series features elements of art from the Gothic era to the twentieth century.
Particularly remarkable is the depiction of the works of Spanish painters from the 17th century. Masterworks by well-known Spanish artists such as Diego Velázquez, El Greco, Alonso Cano, and Francisco Pacheco will be displayed for visitors.
The museum explicitly emphasizes Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s masterpieces and pieces by the 17th-century Seville school. Francisco de Zurbarán’s religious paintings are equally noteworthy. Book a skip-the-line ticket for easy access.
4. Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla
One of Spain’s best and largest bullrings is the Real Maestranza de Caballera de Sevilla, which seats over 12,500 spectators. The Royal Bullring, a prominent feature of Seville, was constructed in 1761.
The bullring’s distinct Baroque architecture features an oval-shaped ring that sets it apart from other Spanish bullrings, and its elegant, arcaded seating offers much-appreciated shade on hot days. For members of the Spanish royal family, a unique box called the Palco del Principe is reserved inside the bullring.
The Royal Bullring is a museum showcasing various traditional matador attire in addition to images and artwork pertaining to the dramatic sport of bullfighting. Highlights include multiple works by Francisco de Goya and a painting by Eugenio Lucas Velázquez titled Cogida de Muerte de Pepe Hillo. An insight into the intriguing history of bullfighting can be gained by visiting the museum.
The Seville bullfighting tradition originates in a medieval chivalric practice in which the nobles trained on horseback and the use of weapons to be ready for battle.
The Real Cuerpo de Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla (Royal Corps of Cavalry) was established in 1670 under King Carlos II to help defend the Crown.
From the museum, visitors can continue their journey by making their way to the Capilla de Los Toreros via the Patio de Caballos (Courtyard of the Horses). Before a bout, matadors pray in this chapel and make votive offerings to the altarpiece of the Virgen del Rosario.
5. Ayuntamiento de Sevilla
Diego de Riao created this magnificent town hall in the Plateresque architectural style in the fifteenth century. The finely carved reliefs on the southern front show characters from myths and historical tales as well as symbols for the legendary city founders Hercules and Caesar.
The main front of the building, which has a Neoclassical design and overlooks Plaza Nueva, was refurbished in the 19th century. A short archway connects the nearby Franciscan monastery and the town hall.
In order to see the interior, tourists must make the necessary reservations in advance. This area is home to several significant artistic works, including a picture of the town’s patron saints, Rufina and Justa.
6. Archivo General de Indias
The 16th-century Casa Lonja de Mercaderes (merchants’ exchange building), located across from the Alcázar, is home to the Archivo General de Indias, a collection of records from Spain’s colonial era in the New World.
They house over forty-three thousand books. It has been a long commitment to digitize the library to be accessible online. Researchers and scholars are welcome to request access to specific documents and materials for their studies and the general public is welcome to visit.
During the reign of Carlos III, the Spanish government established the General Archive of the Indies for the management of colonial possessions. The General Archive or Archive of the Indies not only preserves historical documents but also showcases a small number of them and hosts exhibits about Spain’s Age of Exploration.
7. Metropol Parasol
Visit the Metropol Parasol promenade and lookout for breathtaking views of the Seville cityscape. “Las Setas” (“The Mushrooms”) is the name given to this unusual building designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer and completed in 2011. Its shape resembles six sizable mushrooms.
An archaeological site called the Antiquarium is located in the building’s basement. Ruins from the Roman, Visigoth and Moorish periods are accessible to viewers.
The promenade and viewpoint are located on the top of the building, 26 meters above the ground, and they offer a stunning view of the city’s landmarks and rooftops. A tapas restaurant can be found below the walkway.
It’s best to book skip-the-line tickets to visit the largest wooden structure in the world.
8. Catedral de Sevilla
Visitors leave with an unforgettable impression of the Catedral de Sevilla. The Cathedral is unparalleled in its astounding scale and profusion of art treasures as the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. This magnificent place of worship was built between 1402 and 1506 upon this town’s main mosque and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Giralda, the Cathedral’s bell tower, was formerly the mosque’s minaret, which was constructed in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty Moorish kings. The 93-meter building still serves as Seville’s logo.
You’ll be taken aback by the Cathedral’s enormous dimensions as soon as they enter. The interior’s five aisles measure 117 meters long by 76 meters wide and reach 40 meters. The finest Gothic interior in Spain is this enormous room.
The magnificent retablo in the Capilla Mayor (Main Chapel) is regarded as a pinnacle of Gothic woodcarving. Forty-five images from the lives of Christ and the Virgin are arranged around a representation of the Virgen de la Sede in the center.
The Capilla Real is located behind the Capilla Mayor (Royal Chapel). These royal tombs are housed in a domed Renaissance chapel constructed between 1551 and 1575.
The Sacristan Mayor is a stunning room from the 16th century that houses a colossal candelabrum and crucifix by Pieter de Kempeneer. The priceless gem-encrusted Crown of the Virgen de Los Reyes is on display at the Treasury of the Sacristan Mayor.
Even if you visit this impressive Spanish monument on your own, it’s important to avoid waiting in queues for hours by booking skip-the-line tickets.