Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is one of the most charming cities to visit in Spain. Its impressive attractions, such as Seville Cathedral, friendly locals, mouth-watering tapas, and culture make it a great destination.
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Whether it is your first time in Seville or you have already visited the city but haven't seen it all, there are ten things to do in Seville you cannot miss.
10 Things to do in Seville
1. Visit Seville Cathedral and La Giralda
If you are a history buff looking for a great attraction in Seville, look no further than the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda. The Seville Cathedral is considered the 4th largest cathedral in the world and the largest Gothic church ever built, so it is something to marvel at.
La Giralda, or Bell Tower, is also one of the oldest components of the cathedral and is one of the more popular attractions for travelers. One of the best parts about touring this space is admiring the panoramic views of the Andalusian landscape and the city center of Seville.
In order to get the most from your experience, booking a guided tour in advance is recommended. It will ensure you get the most from your trip and get more historical facts and information, and as a bonus, you get to skip the queue.
2. Go to Real Alcazar
Visiting the Real Alcazar is considered one of the best things to do in Seville. From the lush gardens to the beautiful artistry inside the halls of the buildings, it will genuinely take your breath away!
While it's possible to visit the Real Alcazar and gardens with a tour guide, purchasing tickets in advance is recommended to avoid long queues and crowds. This way, you will also get more background about each of the rooms in the Real Alcazar since there is little signage throughout.
If you're considering coming around lunchtime, bring snacks or plan to eat afterward - the on-site cafeteria has a limited menu.
3. Visit Plaza de España
One of the main reasons to visit Seville is to wander around Plaza de España. It is a classic Spanish square that is full of culture and history. Many travelers enjoy renting small boats to row in the nearby canal or even riding in a horse-drawn carriage to get an immersive experience.
If you visit Seville on a romantic holiday, Plaza de España is also a great destination to enjoy a romantic sunset from the balconies while watching rowers travel up and down the canal.
Film fans will enjoy knowing that the Plaza has been used in major motion pictures such as Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
4. Discover Maria Luisa Park
Next to Plaza de España, wander to one of the best Seville attractions, Maria Luisa Park. This botanical garden is a beautiful place to explore, especially in the springtime. Fall in love with the park's many species of plants, stunning flowers, and the variety of animals that call this park home, such as doves, parrots, ducks, and swans.
Young children can play in several different playgrounds.
5. Explore Barrio de Santa Cruz
Barrio de Santa Cruz is considered one of the city's old Jewish quarters; there is much to do and see here. From endless tapas options to winding backstreets and historical monuments, you will stay energized here.
If you are looking for a good starting place while exploring Barrio de Santa Cruz, head to Calle Judería and make your way around town there.
Once you work up an appetite for tapas, one of the most highly rated spots is Taberna Alvaro Peregil La Goleta. This hidden gem will give you the full Seville food experience by trying orange wine and traditional tapas.
6. Watch a flamenco show
If you are staying in the Barrio de Santa Cruz area, save time to see a flamenco show. Seville is considered the "home of the Flamenco show," and before ending your night with a show, you must deepen your knowledge of the dance and culture.
Head to the Museo del Baile Flamenco to get the entire history. Once the sun sets, it is time to experience one of the best things to do in Seville at night, see a flamenco show!
La Casa del Flamenco is an excellent venue with stellar performances and an intimate environment.
7. Walk on Setas de Sevilla in the evening (Metropol Parasol)
Referred as "the mushrooms of Seville," the Setas de Sevilla is one of the unique things to see in Seville. This wooden architectural design was built in 2011 and was part of a plan to revitalize the area which did.
There is much to do and see here - from museums, shops, bars, and restaurants. In addition, the archaeological museum, Antiquarium de Sevilla, is home to various displays of Roman mosaics from the first century AD.
If you find yourself here late in the evening, queue up for the light show, which many travelers describe as a relaxing and beautiful way to end the evening looking out at the lit-up city skyline.
8. Go on a cruise in the Guadalquivir River and see Torre del Oro
If you want to view some of Seville's most beautiful attractions, why not do it from the water? Depending on how you schedule your day, you can book a one-hour cruise during the day or watch the city light up in the evening.
During your time on the cruise, it is easy to sit back and relax while listening to the provided audio guide.
The audio guide is available in several languages, so everyone can enjoy learning more about Seville's rich history, for example, the departure dock of Christopher Columbus and the first skyscraper built in the city, the Seville Tower. With tickets only costing around €17.00, this is one of the best attractions in Seville.
9. Taste the local cuisine at tapas bars
To dine like a local, you must visit tapas bars. There are plenty of tapa bars across Seville. First, however, you must know where to eat to enjoy an authentic food experience. A tapas staple is Castizo. It is the place to go if you want modern dishes with a vibrant atmosphere. Due to its popularity, make reservations so you don't have to wait to be seated.
Another tapas gem is El Rinconcillo. Founded in 1670, this is considered the oldest bar in Seville. While enjoying your delicious tapas, you can contemplate the beautiful decor around the restaurant that has been preserved for over 300 years.
In El Rinconcillo, you can order traditional dishes such as bacalao con tomate (cod in tomato sauce) and espinacas con garbanzos (chickpeas with spinach).
If you are looking for a wide variety of cuisines, head to Mercado Lonja del Barranco. Here you will find fusion dishes that take on inspiration from classic Mediterranean and Asian dishes.
10. Go on a day trip to Cordoba
If you are spending two days in Seville and searching for a fantastic day trip option, head to Cordoba. It is an easy day trip from Seville as it only takes 45 minutes by train. While this destination may be overlooked by many, it's truly one of Andalusia's most amazing cities.
You can start your trip by marveling at the unique Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita de Córdoba); you won't find any other cathedral like this one in Spain. By visiting it, you will also better understand Cordoba's rich history and the different religions.
Once you work up an appetite, try out some of the traditional dishes in Cordoba. For example, taste salmorejo, a cold tomato soup topped with ham, a flamenquin, a deep-fried ham, pork and cheese roll, or rabo de toro, oxtail cooked in a red-wine reduction.
End your day trip by visiting the beautiful Jewish Quarter, home to pretty whitewashed streets, like Calleja de las Flores (Alley of the Flowers), and attractions such as Cordoba Synagogue.
Alternatively, visit Palacio de Viana to learn and explore the beautiful Andalusian courtyards (patios) filled with bright flowers and unique decorations.
Conclusion
These are the unmissable things to do in Seville. However, if you plan to spend more than 2 or 3 days in the city, you can add other incredible attractions such as Casa de Pilatos, a beautiful palace with courtyards. Alternatively, explore the Triana neighborhood, or if you visit Seville with kids, you can head to a theme park like Isla Mágica.
Also, although you can visit Seville all year round, you might want to avoid the summer months as temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius which makes sightseeing very challenging.
If you visit Seville in the summer, book a hotel with a pool to cool down after a long day of sightseeing.
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