Things to see and do in Seville

Seville is one of the most visited cities in Spain and one of the best known in the world. It is a city full of colour, light and life, which envelops visitors with its art and beauty. In this post, we show you some of the essential places to see in Seville, which are sure to captivate you.

Divided by the Guadalquivir River, Seville has some of the most important monuments of our country, and an endless list of artistic, historical and architectural points of interest. Undoubtedly, Seville has a special magic that is contagious to all who discover it. Not only is it considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it has also been defined as one of the best travel destinations in the world by Lonely Planet magazine. Are you really going to miss it?

To organize your trip we recommend using the Passporter app. Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers and choose the places that interest you by adding them to the route map. You can also centralize important documents such as travel tickets or hotel reservations, among many other features, free of charge.

Things to do in Seville

Seville Cathedral

The Cathedral of Seville is one of the most important monuments of the Andalusian capital and is also a World Heritage Site. It is an essential in Seville, and one of the most worthwhile places to visit. It is considered one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain, and has a surface area of 11,520 m2, making it the third-largest temple in the world and the largest Gothic cathedral. Also, inside you will find five naves made up of a large number of chapels, all of them adorned with a wide variety of architectural and decorative features. The cathedral also houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Without a doubt, this is an obligatory stop to make in Seville.

The Giralda

This is one of the most important symbols of Seville. The Giralda is another of the points that you should not miss in the Andalusian capital, decorating the iconic view of Seville Cathedral. It is a majestic Almohad tower that is part of the Cathedral, with more than 800 years of history. Moreover, the Giralda is 104 metres high and dominates the city. In addition, included in the entry the Cathedral, you can climb the bell tower of the Giralda to admire the breathtaking panoramic views it offers.

Visit the Alcázar of Seville

The Real Alcázar is a splendid palace complex that is a World Heritage Site. Here you will find buildings of various architectural styles, courtyards and gardens of unique beauty. Without a doubt, the Real Alcázar is one of the most important places to see in Seville. Also, it is the most emblematic Arab monument in the city, as well as one of the oldest palaces in use in the world. Decorated with beautiful gardens and royal courtyards, this exceptional location has served as the setting for some scenes in Game of Thrones series. In addition, the Real Alcazar is a place to visit calmly, to enjoy all its corners and details, absorbing all its beauty.

Maria Luisa Park

The Maria Luisa Park is an essential visit in Seville. No matter how much time you have to visit the city, this park is certainly one of the must-sees in the city. The gardens were donated to the Andalusian capital by María Luisa Fernanda de Borbón in 1914 and are the city’s most beloved natural environment. The best thing to do is to lose yourself in its labyrinthine paths, ponds, fountains and abundant vegetation.

See the Plaza de España in Seville

The Plaza de España is one of the symbols of Seville, an emblematic place of the city and the country. Absolutely famous, the Plaza de España is one of the most spectacular places to see in Seville and one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It is a unique space which was built by the architect Aníbal González, and which maintains a very romantic atmosphere. Its buildings are semi-elliptical in shape and symbolise Spain’s embrace of its former American territories. It is an ideal place to stroll around and spend the afternoon, enjoying its beauty and discovering each of its nooks and crannies. In addition, there are benches dedicated to each of the Spanish provinces located around the square.

Stroll through Seville’s Santa Cruz neighbourhood

This is a set of labyrinthine narrow streets that retain the essence of Seville. Located in the old Jewish quarter, in this neighbourhood you will find everything from stately homes, typical vestibules to the characteristic Andalusian patios and squares, each with its own charm. The best thing to do is to get carried away lose yourself in all the hidden spots and treasures hidden in around every corner of its narrow streets. However, one thing you absolutely must see is the Cruz de la Cerrajería, located in the Plaza de Santa Cruz. This is an authentic wrought iron work of art dating from 1692. The route through the Santa Cruz neighbourhood starts in the Callejón del Agua, and from there, you can discover the surrounding alleys until you reach the Patio de Banderas.

Setas de la Encarnación

The Metropol Parasol, or Setas de Sevilla (Seville Mushrooms), has already become one of the most visited places in the city. It is a wooden structure, 26 metres high, designed by Jürgen Mayer and located in the Plaza de la Encarnación. At its highest part, it has a walkway-viewpoint from which you can enjoy some of the best views of the city. In addition, its basement houses a food market and archaeological remains from Roman times that were discovered during its construction.

See the Torre del Oro in Seville

The 13th century defensive tower is the tireless watchtower of the Guadalquivir and the pretty girl of Seville. Tourists taking their photo from the nearby San Telmo Bridge, capturing the Torre del Oro in the foreground, the Giralda on its right and the Seville Tower to the left, is a typical sight. Inside it contains the Seville Maritime Museum, which is free to visit on Mondays.

Triana neighbourhood

Crossing the river over the Isabel II Bridge, we come to the Triana neighbourhood. This popular neighbourhood has a character of its own and you can see that at first glance, El Barrio de Triana is one of the most important and essential neighbourhoods in Seville. In its colourful streets you can feel a very special atmosphere; strolling through them you will get to know the purest essence of Seville. You should not miss the castle of San Jorge, the alley of the Inquisition, the Market and the Triana Bridge, which gives access to the neighbourhood from the other side of the Guadalquivir River. We also recommend you get your strength back by enjoying some tapas in Calle Betis.

Museum of Fine Arts of Seville

This is the most important museum in Seville and also the second largest art gallery in Spain. It has a valuable collection of paintings from the Baroque school with works by Zurbarán, Murillo and Valdés Leal, and major guest exhibitions. For EU residents, admission is free. It is open on Sundays, so it is a good day to visit the art market in the Plaza del Museo itself.

Seville’s traditional markets

There is perhaps no experience more in keeping with the authentic Andalusian and, above all, Sevillian character, than a visit to the traditional markets and the gastronomic products on offer.

Triana Market

The Mercado de Triana is a market or Plaza de Abastos located in the Plaza del Altozano next to the Triana Bridge, in the Triana neighbourhood. On the ground floor of the market are the remains of the Castle of San Jorge. It is an authentic place to buy local products of assured quality.

Lonja del Barranco Gourmet Market

Next to the Triana Bridge and on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, two of the most symbolic places in Seville, you will find Lonja del Barranco. A gastronomic space perfect for consuming experiences and emotions. Divided into two floors, Lonja del Barranco is distributed in a historic space with more than 1200 m² and 20 unique and reputable catering outlets, making it a reference point for the food of Seville and Spain.

Flamenco

Flamenco is music, song, dance, poetry, feeling and a whole philosophy of life. It is an art form that has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In Seville you can enjoy the daily performance of this art in all its splendour in the well-known flamenco tablaos, direct heirs of the old singing cafés.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in Seville and surroundings

Itálica

Just 7 kilometres from Seville, this is one of the most beautiful Roman ruins in Spain and one of the most important things to see in Seville. You can discover the remains of what was once one of the most important cities in Hispania. If you can afford a getaway, be sure to visit the Roman archaeological site in the neighbouring town of Santiponce. These are the remains of the first Roman city on the Peninsula, the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. It contains streets, surprising mosaics, thermal baths and the Roman theatre discovered in the mid-20th century.

Sierra de Aracena

If you want to disconnect, this mountain range is located one hour away from Seville and is the perfect place if you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet and nature. The Sierra de Aracena Natural Park is a natural space located in the north of Huelva that will make you escape from the city by showing you the landscape of the dehesa, a wonderful nature and a quality gastronomy.

What to do in Seville in one day?

Seville is a city to stop and admire. But, if you only have one day to explore the city, here we show you a one-day itinerary so that you can absorb the essence of Seville and leave with the sensation of having thoroughly experienced its unique character.

1-day itinerary: In one day you can see all the important monuments that this Andalusian city has to offer. Therefore, it is advisable to visit the places that best keep the essence of this city, and where you can get to know its neighbourhoods, its people, and its art. First of all, an almost obligatory stop is the Alcázar of Seville, followed by the María Luisa Park, and then the streets and nooks and crannies of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. Another essential stop is the Plaza de España, a walk along the Guadalquivir river and admire the Torre del Oro, cross the river to the Triana neighbourhood, and if you have time, visit the Triana Market or the Lonja del Barranco Gourmet Market.

What to do in Seville in two days?

If you have two days in the city of Seville, you will be able to discover its best kept secrets and visit all the essential places that make this one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Here, we leave you with a possible two-day itinerary so that you don’t miss anything important in this authentic city.

Day 1:

• Seville Cathedral
• The Giralda
• Maria Luisa Park
• Santa Cruz quarter
• Mushrooms of the Encarnation

Day 2:

• The Alcázar of Seville
• Plaza de España
• The Golden Tower
• The Triana quarter
• Traditional markets

What to do in Seville in three days?

With three days in Seville you can discover all its charm and thoroughly investigate all its iconic monuments. Three days is the perfect amount of time to really get to know this Andalusian city, as well as the art and culture that surrounds it. On day 3 of your trip to Seville, in addition to having visited everything we recommend in the previous itinerary you can visit:

Day 3:

• Excursion to Italica
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Gourmet Market Lonja del Barranco

Seville Route Map

How to organise what to do in Seville?

If you don’t know where to start organising your trip to Seville, download the Passporter App and we’ll help you.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently Asked Questions in your trip to Seville