Seville is the birthplace of Flamenco, home to the Kingdom of Dorne, and is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. It’s a fascinating city to explore, rich in culture and history. It’s also one of the hottest cities in Europe during the summer, so prepare yourself if you’re planning on travelling then. Regardless of what time of the year you visit, you’ll find there are a lot of things to do in Seville.
With more than 3000 years of history to delve into, you won’t be running out of things to see and do any time soon. Even if you’re just planning a day trip to Seville you’ll be able to fit a lot into your schedule. For those of you arriving by train, the station is within walking distance of the old town.
The cities in southern Spain are in a world of their own, and each one has its own unique charm. There may be a lot of things to do in Barcelona and Madrid, but you haven’t experienced Spain without a trip to Seville. Here are my recommendations for the top things to do in Seville for first time visitors.
12 things to do in Seville
1. Plaza de España
Plaza de España looks more like a palace than a plaza, especially with its Venetian style canal running along it. If you only have one day in Seville, make sure you come here. It’s stunning to walk around, and the details in the structures are incredible. The plaza has been used in a number of films such as Lawrence of Arabia and is visiting it is one of the best things to do in Seville.
2. Parque de Maria Luisa
Parque de Maria Luisa is a beautiful park next to Plaza de España and is a great place to catch some shade in the hot summer months. What’s nice about this centrally located park is that you can hardly hear any traffic so you have some space to relax in peace for a while. This is a great place to visit if you’re planning a self-guided tour of Seville.
3. Explore the streets of Seville
There are some pretty amazing sites to see in Seville but you should take the time to walk along the historic streets as well. If you’re looking for things to do in Seville at night, the streets are bursting with artisan shops and tapas bars, many of which are open very late.
4. Real Alcazar de Sevilla
No visit to Seville is complete without going inside the Real Alcazar de Sevilla. This is one of the many Game of Thrones filming locations in southern Spain so you may recognize it as Dorne. The royal palace dates back to the 10th century and was built onto by various dynasties over the next few centuries. It’s one of the top things to do in Seville, so I would recommend heading here first as it’s close to a number of other attractions and can get busy later in the day.
5. Torre del Oro
Torre del Oro is a defensive tower which dates back to the 13th century. It’s now the Maritime Museum of Seville and if you visit on a Monday entry is free. You definitely can’t miss it if you’re planning to take a walk along or cruise along the river. The tower may not be one of the top things to do in Seville but it’s still really interesting to see and worth taking a photo at.
6. Metrosol Parasol
Metrosol Parasol is a unique mushroom-like structure in Seville that offers visitors a beautiful view of the city from the top. It also claims to be the largest wooden structures in the world but it does look very out of place in the historic old town though. It’s definitely one of the more unusual things to do in Seville.
7. Take a break for churros
Churros are traditionally eaten for breakfast in Spain but they are equally as popular for a midday snack if you don’t like sweet things in the morning. There are a lot of options for churros in Seville but the best ones are tourist free and full of locals.
8. Visit a bullring
Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is the site of the world’s most famous bullfights and is a popular attraction in Seville. While bullfights are still a popular blood sport in Spain, if you’re like me and don’t condone this type of thing you may want to skip a tour of the bullring.
9. Archives of the Indies
Visiting the Archives of the Indies is one of the best free things to do in Seville. It’s situated right next to the cathedral and royal palace and offers a great insight into the age of exploration. It’s also a nice place to go and get out of the sun for a bit. In the winter months you’ll find that it isn’t overcrowded so it’s a good time to visit the city in general.
10. Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is quite expensive to get into, especially if you’re trying to travel on a budget. There’s an option to buy the Seville Cathedral and royal palace tickets together at the entrance, so you can skip the line and save a bit of time at the other attraction. Alternatively, you’ll find a few rooftop terraces that offer a unique view from above of the cathedral – all for the cost of a drink!
11. Treat yourself to a stay at Hotel Casa 1800
Hotel Casa 1800 sits on the doorstep of the cathedral. It’s considered one of the best hotels in Seville, so if you’re looking for a luxurious stay in the city this is probably your best bet. They’ve kept the interior as original as possible and each room is completely unique. Fancy taking a swim while overlooking the cathedral? You can do that here too.
12. Enjoy a cocktail at a rooftop bar
What better way to end the day than with a couple of cocktails? There are numerous rooftop bars around Seville and the ones that are around the main plaza have fantastic views of the cathedral. If you can, I would recommend visiting one just before sunset. This is one of the many unique things to do in Seville and it doesn’t have to cost a lot either.
Seville is a great city to explore, even if you only have one day to spare. During peak travel times it’s worth purchasing tickets to the main attractions in advance to avoid disappointment as well as long queues. If you’re looking to do some day trips from Seville, I’d recommend visiting Cordoba or Cadiz, which are both easily accessible by train if you don’t have a car.
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any recommendations on what else I should visit in Seville when I return, either by email or through Instagram – and don’t forget to follow my page too!
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