Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and it’s definitely my personal favorite of all the places I’ve seen so far in Spain! Within the below list you can find the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain, but make sure to check out also my Seville itinerary to find more tips on what to do in Seville in one day or romantic things to do in Seville. The capital city of Andalusia in the South of Spain is full of colors, interesting history, culture, music, sunshine, and great food! There are many cool things to do in Seville from the morning until the next morning, and we’re going to see them now!
Top 10 things to do in Seville Spain
Traveling to Andalusia is definitely one of the most amazing things to do in Spain. Seville itself is one of the best places to visit in Spain, but if you can manage to plan a road trip, not just to this city, but visiting other places like Cadiz, Ronda, Cordoba, Granada, or Malaga and its area is definitely a good idea! One of the most charming sides of Spain, that can make you see and feel the authentic side of the country.
For now, however, we’ll be concentrating on the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain so you can get an idea of what type of trip you could plan, and why you should consider at all to visit this city! On the below list, you’ll find some cool things to do in Seville, but also ideas for different things to do in Seville on Sunday specifically, and tips for cheap things to do in Seville! The heart of Flamenco, the life, and the vibes will make you fall in love too with the city that has more than 25.000 orange trees! Can you imagine? Let’s see those things to see and do in Seville Spain and get ready for your trip!
Things to know before visiting Seville Spain
Before we get into the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain, we should talk about a few insights on how to get to Seville, and when to visit Seville! Since it’s one of the biggest cities in Spain, Seville has its own airport with plenty of international and national flights. If you can’t fly directly into Seville, you can also choose Malaga and travel from there. Otherwise, if you fly to Madrid for example, taking a national flight is pretty cheap, and the flight time is about an hour from Seville to Madrid.
When to visit Seville? Well, most of us can’t stand big heat, and not even locals are seen on the streets in August. This is the hottest month of the year, where the temperature (under the shades) reaches easily 35-40°C! That’s 104 °F! So while I did visit Seville in August, I really do suggest avoiding this month if you can’t deal with that heat! Otherwise, since the city is really south, the temperature all around the year is above 15°C and it’s raining rarely, so it can be visited all around the year.
Where to stay in Seville?
Right, so the next important question to decide about before you visit Seville, is where to stay in Seville Spain! Here are some suggestions for different types of accommodations that we have found amazing, with a great location as well!
Hotel Doña María is one of the chicest and elegant, yet really Sevillan hotels in Seville. It’s located in the city center, offering an incredible view of the Seville Cathedral and the La Giralda belltower. The hotel besides its beautiful interiors has also a really great rooftop terrace and cocktail bar, as well as a pool.
Casa Sevilla 1855 Suites by Época – If you love beautiful indoor designs, chic and charming places to stay that remind you of another time, yet they are still absolutely elegant and modern, well this apartment is definitely for you! An absolutely stunning one!
Oasis Backpackers’ Palace Seville – This was where I stayed the first time in Seville. One of the best hostels I’ve ever found, with plenty of great people, lovely rooms, and lovely indoor decor. There’s also a rooftop bar, and a small pool on the rooftop, where you can meet people, and hang out and chill with a Sangria.
1. Cathedral of Seville and La Giralda bell tower
The first on the list of the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain is definitely visiting the Seville Cathedral and the La Giralda belltower! One of the most amazing architectures that combine Mudejar with Gothic architecture, and it’s also the world’s largest Gothic cathedral! This place is also great if you’re looking specifically for things to do in Seville on Sunday since you could also attend a mass.
The Seville Cathedral was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is actually called Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral, and it is something you must see in Seville. This stunning building is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites now, along with the stunning La Giralda bell tower, in which you can also climb to the top. This is possible just with tickets that you can also buy online.
2. Torre del Oro
Some of the cool things to do in Seville is to explore all the Mudejar architectures and the remainings of the Moor rule in Andalusia and the South of Spain. One of these remarkable landmarks in Seville is the Torre del Oro. This one is located on the bank of the river Guadalquivir, between the Triana (Isabel II) and San Telmo Bridge.
Torre del Oro was built in the 13th century, and exploring it is definitely one of the best things to see and do in Seville Spain! It’s also one of the cheap things to do in Seville since you don’t have to pay to see it. For those asking what to do in Seville in one day, this is a must, and it’s just on the side of the city center.
Now, Torre del Oro was rebuilt in the 18th century again, so its current outlook isn’t completely the original one, but it was indeed an important building during history. It served as a military watchtower erected originally by Almohad Caliphate to control the access to the Guadalquivir river. You can also go up to the rooftop and have a birds-eye view over Seville and the river.
3. Triana Neighborhood
One of the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain is visiting the Triana neighborhood. Crossing the Triana (Isabel II) or the San Telmo Bridge you’ll arrive directly in the beautiful and authentic neighborhood of Triana. Exploring this area is also one of the cheap things to do in Seville since you’re literally just walking and sightseeing. However, I do recommend stopping in the morning for Churros or some tapas during the day!
Since I started the description with food, you should also make sure to visit the Mercado de Triana, which is on the right side when you cross the Isabel II Bridge. It’s a great place to learn about and try local food. Beyond food, Triana is famous for being the most authentic neighborhood of Seville, with beautiful ceramics, stunning buildings, and incredible vibes. This is the place to experience the real Sevillan life. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants near the river, and inside the neighborhood which are serving traditional food, but also those spots that are great for nightlife!
4. Santa Cruz & Museo Neighborhoods
My absolute favorite side of the city, and the place where you can find many cool things to do in Seville, the Santa Cruz, and Museo neighborhoods. The hostel I’ve mentioned earlier is located in the Museo neighborhood for instance. Some of the greatest, cheap things to do in Seville are exploring the colorful streets, walking under orange trees, and falling in love with this city after every step.
Most of the important landmarks and the most beautiful streets of Seville are to be found in these neighborhoods. If you just get walking, you can walk for many hours and just explore, even without a map. Get lost on alleyways and find small, hidden squares, or sip a cocktail under orange trees, while listening to beautiful Flamenco music and watching artists perform is just incredible!
5. Plaza de Espana – One of the top 10 things to do in Seville
Plaza de Espana in Seville should be the #1 on the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain! You can find this stunning regional architecture in Parque de María Luisa, just south of the city center. The magnificent building complex, square, and bridges were built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, combining different architectural styles. You can notice Moorish and Renaissance elements combined with some Neo-Gothic as well.
One of the top highlights of Placa de Espana is on the facade of the tiled alcoves, each representing one by one the provinces of Spain. Walking around the large square, or renting a boat and enjoying the sun, flowers, and vibes is definitely one of the most romantic things to do in Seville. Many artists stop on Plaza de Espana singing, dancing, or playing an instrument, which makes the vibes even more incredible!
Another lovely highlight, which actually felt like it’s not even real, was the white-blue ceramic-covered bridges, that I personally had to touch a million times to believe that they are actually real. One of the best things to do in Seville on Sunday is to spend time in the park, explore not just Plaza de Espana, but the many different activities you could do there. Oh, and if you’re visiting Seville in April, make sure to visit Plaza de Espana when the Feria de Abril (Feria of Seville) is taking place since this is one of the main locations of the festival.
6. Real Alcazar of Seville
Real Alcazar is one of those really cool things to do in Seville, that no matter how much time you spend in the city, you must visit! It is known as the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and it is one of the most important Mudejar buildings in Spain. Real Alcazar was built by the Christian king, Peter of Castille. However, later on, most of the now-standing castle complex was built under the Almohad Caliphate and it was serving as the royal residence for the Moors.
The incredible Mudejar architecture that you can find all around Seville, but in plenty of other cities in Andalusia too is one of the reasons why this place is so special. Mudejar architecture is basically a combination of Arabic and Christian architecture, that inspired later on great architects like Antoni Gaudi too.
In the Royal Alcazar of Seville, you can find numerous rooms with beautiful artworks, frescoes, and also stunning gardens you can explore. If you’re visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville, make sure to have a quick overview beforehand about the rooms and gardens, since it’s really big, and it will take some time to discover it all. Oh, and for those loving GOT, remember that the Royal Alcazar in Game of Thrones appears as the Water Gardens in Sunspear, the seat of the ruler of the House Martell, in Dorne. Also, tickets are available online for the Real Alcazar!
7. Football arenas: Real Betis Balompie & Sevilla FC
It might not be between the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain for some of you, but for those who love football, one of the best fun things to do in Seville Spain is definitely heading to a Real Betis or Sevilla FC game! This is actually one of the best things to do in Seville on Sunday if any of the teams are playing home! Now, as in every big city where you’ve got two big football teams, in Seville as well this is causing some tension between fans.
Never ask a person in Seville directly about one or the other team. If you want to discuss football, ask them first which team they are with, without mentioning the names! The Seville FC is much stronger, and it’s usually around 4th place in the Spanish Liga. Real Betis is a bit weaker, however, they are the team of the people in Andalusia. If you don’t know any of the teams and you ask me which to pick, well, Sevilla FC is stronger, but I’m an absolute Real Betis fan!
8. Metropol Parasol
One of the cool things to do in Seville, which is also one of the most romantic things to do in Seville Spain is visiting Las Setas or Metropol Parasol. The magnificent wooden structure is 150×170 meters big, and it is indeed one of the most stunning new architectural pieces of the city. Las Setas is also one of the largest wooden structures in the world, and you can find it on the north side of the city center.
Metropol Parasol was designed by the German Jurgen Mayer and the building was completed in 2011. The design already is super eyecatching, but what about visiting it and not just passing under it? You can access the top side of Las Setas for just €2. This is the side that’s really romantic and beautiful if you’re scheduling your visit just before sunset. The sunset from Las Setas is absolutely magical! And since it’s just €2 to get up there, it’s definitely one of the best cheap things to do in Seville too!
9. Flamenco Shows in Seville
To truly understand what is flamenco, you must see flamenco dance live. So, you must attend a flamenco show. This is absolutely one of the best fun things to do in Seville Spain! The great part is, that in Andalusia, you can catch flamenco artists on almost every corner in the cities. If you want to hear flamenco instruments, flamenco guitar, well, simply Spanish flamenco music, and see a beautiful flamenco dress, you have to just walk down Calle de Constitucion and you’ll see many performers on the streets. It’s definitely one of the best things to see and do in Seville Spain!
In case if you’re a real flamenco fan, I’m sure this won’t be enough for you, and you’ll want to attend a flamenco show. The good news is, that you can find flamenco shows all over Spain, from Barcelona to Madrid, and from Madrid to Valencia and Malaga. But if you’re looking for a show in the home of flamenco, you want to attend one in Seville, Spain. At this point, I’d like to highlight that if you need a great Seville itinerary, we’ve got you covered for that too!
My friend from Seville was kind enough to give me the top 4 flamenco shows that came from locals. Below, you can see the 4 best places for a flamenco show in Seville, as well as their address and websites linked to their names!
- El Arenal located in Calle Rodo no 7, Seville.
- Los Gallos located in Plaza de Sta Cruz no 11, Seville.
- La Carboneria located in Calle Céspedes no 21A, Seville.
- Pura Esencia located in Calle Betis no 56, Seville.
10. Dinner and drinks – Romantic things to do in Seville
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Closing our top 10 things to do in Seville Spain with another recommendation for your evening in Seville. If you remember the accommodation suggestions from the beginning of this post, I’ve mentioned Hotel Doña María, which is a stunning hotel in the heart of Seville, with a rooftop bar that’s offering a breathtaking view over La Giralda and the Seville Cathedral. A cocktail here before dinner is a must!
There’s also one, probably even more famous rooftop bar, the La Terraza de EME which is literally near the Seville Cathedral, offering as well an incredible view! Then, for dinner, there are plenty of amazing places all around Seville, I mean from Antigua Abeceria de San Lorenzo to El Rinconcillo, or my favorite mid-budget place, Antigua Taberna de Las Escobas!
Wrapping up the top 10 things to do in Seville Spain
I hope you’ve found everything you’ve been looking for within these top 10 things to do in Seville Spain! We’ve covered some cool things to do in Seville, such as attending a flamenco show, but we also spoke about romantic things to do in Seville such as dinners with a view. As you could see, most of the above activities are great things to do in Seville on Sunday, and if you check out our Seville itinerary, you could find even more things to see and do in Seville Spain! Everything that we’ve listed above is doable if you’re asking what to do in Seville in one day, but you must start early, and well, 1 night would be needed to stay there!
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See my Seville photo gallery for inspiration!
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Definitely! South of spain is more colorful, more spanish… It was such a different face and vibes comparing to the northern parts. Really, like a different world.
I hope you’ll make it there! Yep, the football, if it comes to andalucian people’s passion, football is truly something that’s in their heart.
Gosh Seville looks so fun!! I have only been to Barcelona 2x but never got the chance to explore other parts of Spain. I need to go back!
What a gorgeous city! Would love to visit one day 🙂 Pinning this for later
What an amazing looking city, so bright and beautiful. Great advice about the football teams too. Don’t want to start an argument if I do make it there
Looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing these great ideas.