Planning to visit Seville, Spain and wondering what to see? Look no further for this ultimate guide for what to see and do in Seville.
Seville is an exceptional city in the south of Spain filled with ancient Moorish architecture, flamenco music, and fabulous food.
Seville is Spain’s fourth-largest city and is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It is home to Spain’s largest cathedral and a stunning royal palace, The Alcazar.
Alcazar of Seville
The top place to visit in Seville has to be the Alcazar. It forms part of a Royal Palace (that’s is still used by the Spanish royal family) and is a UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Inside the Alcazar are gorgeous rooms, beautifully carved ceilings, arches and amazing courtyards filled with ponds and fountains. It was built by Castilian Christians on the site of a Muslim residential fortress destroyed after the Christian conquest of Seville. The Alcazar is an example of Mudéjar architecture, which is a style of ornamentation and decoration that was strongly influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship.
Be sure to book your tickets online before your visit, because you do not want to queue for hours in the hot sun. The Alcazar has been a filming site several times including for Games of Thrones and Star Wars.
Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is HUGE! It is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and was built between 1434 and 1517 over the remains of what had previously been the city’s main mosque. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once inside the cathedral, be sure to see the tomb of Christopher Columbus and Capilla Mayor (main chapel). The Capilla Mayor is the world’s largest altarpiece with more than 1000 carved biblical figures.
Giralda Tower
Giralda Tower is one of the most famous symbols of Seville and perhaps Spain’s most perfect Islamic building. It sits right next to the cathedral and was the minaret of the former mosque. It was constructed between 1184 and 1198. The brick-pattern color changes with the light.
To climb to the top, you will walk up 35 ramps and a handful of stairs. The view from the rooftop is sensational. You will get to look over the city of Seville.
Plaza de Espana
The Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exposition (world’s fair) of 1929. It is a semi-circle brick building in a Renaissance/neo-Moorish style with a canal and four bridges. Along the wall by the canal are 48 alcoves with benches, one for each of the country’s provinces.
You can rent a boat to row in the canal. The Plaza de España has been used in several movies including Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.
Additional Places to Visit in Seville
Maria Luisa Park which is where the Plaza de España is located. It is one of Seville’s largest parks with trails and a botanical garden.
Jewish Quarter is a wonderful place to explore with winding alleys, pastel houses, flower-filled courtyards and kissing lanes.
Triana District is located on the left bank of the Guadalquivir famous for its flamenco and painted local craft stalls that line the streets. The area is full of Moorish buildings, baroque architecture, and shops selling azulejo tiles and ceramics.
Tablaos and Flamenco Shows are great to experience in Seville.
Metropol Parasol which is nicknamed The Mushroom is a awesome place to catch the sunset in Seville. It offers beautiful views of the city.
Have you visited Seville?
