28 Things to Do in Seville: The Complete Guide

Seville does nothing by halves.

The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in the world. The Alcazar is a palace that rivals the Alhambra. The flamenco is raw and real, performed in tiny tablaos where you can see the sweat on the dancers' brows. The heat in summer is legendary, and so is the passion that runs through everything.

This is the capital of Andalusia, a city that gave the world flamenco, tapas culture, and some of the most intense religious celebrations in Christendom.

The Semana Santa processions draw millions. The Feria de Abril is the party of the year. And on any ordinary evening, the tapas bars fill with locals who take eating and drinking very seriously indeed.

Seville rewards time. A day trip shows you the highlights, but staying longer reveals a city with endless layers: neighbourhoods with distinct personalities, hidden patios, rooftop bars, riverside walks, and that uniquely Sevillano way of life where pleasure is never rushed.

Best Things to Do in Seville

If you're short on time, these are the experiences you cannot miss:

The Historic Centre

1. Visit the Real Alcazar

The Real Alcazar is one of the most beautiful palaces in Spain, a complex of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings that has been a royal residence for over 700 years. The Spanish royal family still uses it when visiting Seville.

The Mudejar Palace, built by Christian kings using Islamic craftsmen, is the highlight: intricate tilework, carved stucco, and horseshoe arches that rival anything in the Alhambra. But the Alcazar offers more variety, from the Gothic Palace to the Renaissance additions to the beautiful gardens that stretch behind.

Allow at least two hours, preferably more. The gardens alone deserve an hour of wandering.

2. Climb the Giralda Tower

The Giralda is Seville's most iconic landmark, a 104-metre tower that began life as the minaret of the main mosque and was converted into a bell tower when the mosque became a cathedral.

The climb involves 35 ramps (not steps) designed so horses could climb. At the top, the views across Seville's rooftops are spectacular, with the cathedral's Gothic buttresses spreading below and the Alcazar gardens visible beyond.

Entry to the Giralda is included with cathedral tickets.

3. Explore Seville Cathedral

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church overall. Built on the site of the main mosque (the Giralda is its surviving minaret), it was designed to demonstrate the power and wealth of post-Reconquista Seville.

Inside, the scale is overwhelming.

The main altarpiece is the largest in Christendom. Christopher Columbus's tomb stands in the transept, borne by four kings. Chapels contain masterpieces by Murillo, Zurbaran, and Goya.

4. Get Lost in Barrio Santa Cruz

Barrio Santa Cruz is Seville's former Jewish quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets, hidden plazas, and flower-filled patios. This is the most atmospheric part of the city centre, perfect for wandering without a map.

The streets are deliberately confusing, designed in medieval times to slow invaders and provide shade from the summer sun. Today they're lined with tapas bars, boutiques, and the occasional glimpse of an orange tree courtyard.

5. See the Archivo de Indias

The Archivo de Indias houses the most important documents from Spain's colonial period in the Americas. The building itself, a beautiful Renaissance structure, was originally the merchants' exchange.

Inside, you can see original documents including letters from Columbus, Cortes, and Magellan.

The rotating exhibitions bring this history to life. Entry is free.

Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park

6. Explore Plaza de Espana

Plaza de Espana is Seville's most photographed location, a grandiose semicircular plaza built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Its scale is immense: 170 metres in diameter, with a canal, bridges, and a building wrapped in ceramic tiles representing each Spanish province.

The plaza looks artificial on first encounter, almost too perfect.

But the craftsmanship is genuine, and the sheer ambition impresses. Come at sunset when the light turns the tiles golden.

7. Wander Maria Luisa Park

Parque de Maria Luisa is Seville's main green space, a beautiful landscaped park that was also created for the 1929 Exposition. Shaded paths wind past fountains, ponds, pavilions, and surprising monuments.

The park is a relief from Seville's heat, especially in summer.

Locals come to jog, families picnic, and couples rent rowboats for the small lake. It connects directly to Plaza de Espana.

Triana

8. Cross the Bridge to Triana

Triana is Seville's most characterful neighbourhood, separated from the centre by the Guadalquivir River but fiercely proud of its identity. This was the traditional home of Seville's Roma community, the birthplace of many famous flamenco artists, and a centre of ceramic production.

The Puente de Isabel II (also called Puente de Triana) connects the centre to Triana. Walking across offers views of the Torre del Oro and the riverfront.

9. Explore Calle Betis

Calle Betis runs along the Triana side of the Guadalquivir, a row of colourful buildings housing tapas bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The views back across the river to the old city are excellent.

This is where Sevillanos come on summer evenings, when the riverside terraces fill and the atmosphere becomes festive. Later, the bars turn into clubs.

10. Visit the Triana Market

The Mercado de Triana is a traditional food market that has been modernized without losing its soul.

The ground floor sells fresh produce, meat, and fish. The upper level has tapas bars and restaurants where you can eat what you just bought downstairs.

It's a good spot for lunch, combining the authenticity of a traditional market with the convenience of cooked food.

11. See the Ceramics of Triana

Triana has been producing ceramics for centuries, and the tradition continues. The neighbourhood is dotted with ceramics workshops and shops selling everything from traditional azulejos (tiles) to modern pieces.

The Centro Ceramica Triana museum explains the history and techniques. Even if you don't visit the museum, you'll see ceramic facades throughout the neighbourhood.

Flamenco

12. Watch Flamenco in a Tablao

Seville is the birthplace of flamenco, and watching a performance here is essential. The best experiences are in tablaos: small, intimate venues where the performers are close enough to see every expression.

Unlike tourist-oriented shows, tablao performances are serious art.

The emotion is real. The technique is demanding. And when it comes together, flamenco becomes genuinely moving.

13. Visit the Flamenco Dance Museum

The Museo del Baile Flamenco is dedicated to the art form, with exhibitions on its history, costumes, and cultural significance. Live shows are held in the courtyard, combining education with performance.

It's a good introduction before seeing a tablao, helping you understand what you're watching.

Tapas Culture

14. Go on a Tapas Crawl

Seville takes tapas seriously.

A proper crawl involves moving from bar to bar, ordering one or two dishes at each, standing at the counter, and moving on. It's social, it's delicious, and it's the Sevillano way of eating.

The centre, Triana, and Alameda de Hercules each offer different tapas experiences. The best bars are often the most crowded, with tiles on the floor and hams hanging from the ceiling.

15. Try the Essential Dishes

Seville has its own tapas specialities:

• Solomillo al whisky: Pork in whisky sauce, a Sevillano classic
• Espinacas con garbanzos: Spinach with chickpeas, Moorish origins
• Carrillada: Slow-cooked pork cheeks
• Pringa: Shredded meat from the cocido stew
• Pavias de bacalao: Battered salt cod

Along the Guadalquivir

16. Walk the Riverside

The Guadalquivir River runs through Seville, and the paths along both banks make pleasant walks.

The west bank (Triana side) offers views of the historic centre. The east bank passes the Torre del Oro and continues toward Maria Luisa Park.

Sunset is the best time, when the light turns golden and locals come out to walk.

17. See the Torre del Oro

The Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) is a 13th-century watchtower on the riverbank, one of Seville's most recognizable landmarks. It now houses a small naval museum.

The tower is worth seeing from outside; the museum is optional unless you're interested in maritime history. The name comes from the golden tiles that once covered the exterior.

18. Take a River Cruise

Boat cruises on the Guadalquivir offer different perspectives of the city. Most are an hour long, passing under the historic bridges and giving views of the monuments from the water.

It's not essential, but it's a pleasant way to spend an hour, especially if you're tired of walking.

More Neighbourhoods

19. Discover Alameda de Hercules

Alameda de Hercules is Seville's bohemian quarter, a long plaza lined with bars, cafes, and restaurants. Once rundown, it's now the city's hippest neighbourhood, popular with students, artists, and locals avoiding the tourist crowds.

The atmosphere here is more alternative than Santa Cruz or Triana. The tapas bars are excellent, and the nightlife goes late.

20. Explore Macarena

Macarena is a working-class neighbourhood in the north of the city, home to the famous Virgen de la Macarena, Seville's most beloved religious figure. The basilica housing her statue is a pilgrimage site.

The neighbourhood also has stretches of the old city walls, the Hospital de las Cinco Llagas (now the Andalusian Parliament), and a more authentically local atmosphere than the tourist centre.

21. Find the Hidden Palaces

Seville is full of palaces that once belonged to noble families and are now museums, cultural centers, or hotels. Many are overlooked by visitors focused on the big sights.

Casa de Pilatos is perhaps the finest, an extraordinary mix of Mudejar, Gothic, and Renaissance styles.

Palacio de las Duenas was the childhood home of the poet Antonio Machado. Both offer glimpses of aristocratic Seville.

Day Trips

22. Visit Italica

Just 9km from Seville, Italica was one of the first Roman settlements in Spain, birthplace of emperors Trajan and Hadrian. The ruins include a massive amphitheatre (the third largest in the Roman Empire), mosaics, and the outlines of an ancient city.

23. Explore Carmona

Carmona is a beautiful hilltop town 30 minutes from Seville, with a Moorish fortress, Roman necropolis, and whitewashed old town. It makes an easy half-day trip and offers relief from Seville's intensity.

Festivals and Events

24. Experience Semana Santa

Semana Santa (Holy Week) transforms Seville into the centre of the Catholic world.

For a week before Easter, processions fill the streets day and night. Hooded penitents carry elaborate floats bearing statues of Christ and the Virgin through crowds that line every route.

The atmosphere is intense, emotional, and unlike anything else in Spain.

If your dates align with Semana Santa, you'll witness something extraordinary. Book accommodation months in advance.

25. Join the Feria de Abril

Two weeks after Semana Santa, the mood shifts completely for the Feria de Abril. This week-long fair features flamenco dresses, horses, sherry, and dancing in hundreds of casetas (private tents).

Most casetas are private, but some bars and hotels can get you in.

The public areas are open to all, and simply walking through the fairground at night is an experience. This is Seville at its most festive.

Practical Experiences

26. Visit a Rooftop Bar

Seville has excellent rooftop bars with views over the historic centre. Watching sunset from above with a cold drink is one of the city's great pleasures.

Hotel EME overlooks the cathedral.

Hotel Doña Maria faces the Giralda. Las Setas (Metropol Parasol) offers the highest viewpoint.

27. See Las Setas (Metropol Parasol)

Las Setas (The Mushrooms) is Seville's most controversial modern landmark, a massive wooden parasol structure in Plaza de la Encarnacion. Some love it, some hate it, but the rooftop walkway offers 360-degree views of the city.

The structure also includes Roman ruins in the basement (Antiquarium) and a market at ground level.

28. Escape the Heat

Seville is one of the hottest cities in Europe, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C. Knowing where to escape the heat is essential.

Air-conditioned museums offer relief.

The Alcazar gardens are shaded and relatively cool. Maria Luisa Park has trees. And Triana's riverside bars catch the evening breeze. Or simply embrace the siesta and rest during the hottest hours.

How to Get to Seville

For a complete guide to navigating the city, see getting around Seville.

Best Time to Visit Seville

• Spring (March-May): Ideal weather, Semana Santa and Feria (if dates align). Peak season with higher prices and crowds.
• Summer (June-August): Extremely hot (40°C+). Lower prices but challenging conditions. Adapt to siesta rhythm.
• Autumn (September-November): Warm, fewer crowds, good value. Excellent time to visit.
• Winter (December-February): Mild, occasional rain, very quiet. Good for avoiding crowds.

How Long to Spend in Seville

1 day: Rushed but possible. Alcazar, Cathedral, Santa Cruz, one flamenco show. You'll want to return.

2 days: See the main sights properly plus Triana and tapas crawl. Minimum for most visitors.

3-4 days: Time to explore neighbourhoods, take a day trip, and settle into the Sevillano rhythm. Ideal.

1 week+: Immerse yourself. See multiple flamenco shows, explore every neighbourhood, day trip to Carmona and Italica. For those who want to truly know the city.

Where to Stay in Seville

Is Seville Worth Visiting?

Seville is one of Spain's essential cities.

The architecture is world-class. The flamenco is authentic and moving. The tapas culture is deeply rooted. The festivals are legendary. And the atmosphere, especially at night, is intoxicating.

The summer heat is challenging, and the tourist crowds can be frustrating.

But Seville offers something few cities can match: a way of life built around pleasure, passion, and connection. The siesta, the late dinners, the standing at tapas bars, the spontaneous flamenco: it all adds up to something special.

If you're visiting Andalusia, Seville is essential. If you're visiting Spain, Seville belongs on the list.

The Bottom Line

Seville is Spain at its most passionate.

The flamenco moves you. The tapas feed you. The architecture awes you. The heat tests you. And the atmosphere, especially after dark, captivates you.

This is a city that demands you slow down and engage.

Stand at the tapas bar. Stay for another drink. Walk the streets at midnight. Watch the flamenco with full attention. Seville doesn't work if you're in a hurry.

Come for the Alcazar and the cathedral.

Stay for the tapas and the flamenco. Leave planning when to return. Seville has that effect on people.