10 Things to Do in Seville, Spain

Here are the top 10 things to do in Seville! But what is Seville? It’s the capital of Andalucia, a region in the South of Spain. It’s the 4th largest city in Spain, with a population of circa 700.000 inhabitants. It is known as the city of orange trees (25,000 just in the city), and as Spain’s most colorful and authentic city with a rich history, and numerous monuments, things to see and do!

Tips before visiting Seville

As a starter, I need to mention, that August is definitely NOT the best month to visit Seville! The temperature is insanely high, varying between 35-40°C! If you get out under the shades, you’ll feel like you’re just about to burn alive on the street. Around midday, you won’t see anyone outside, and even if you do, those will be either daytripper who didn’t count the weather, either crazy people like me…

Long story short…

I was on my Andalucian round trip in August 2019. I’ve been traveling with a coach from Malaga to Seville using ALSA’s website to book my tickets. To be honest, in the whole area, I was the most excited about Seville, the capital of Andalucia. And my gosh, it was such a magical experience. From the second I got out of the bus station, I felt the warmth on my skin. Felt almost like it’s burning, but it wasn’t bad at all. And while trying to walk in the shades, on the streets I kept seeing these very eyecatching orange building and I was thinking, Helga, you just arrived in your own orange paradise (that being my fav color obviously).

Seville is like a different universe! You can feel the colors, the vibes, the sunshine and the positive energy that’s running through those colorful streets. You can literally feel the guitar’s voice without hearing one. I never experienced anything so incredible before!

#1 Visit Cathedral of Seville and La Giralda bell tower

While I’m writing, I’m just staring at the picture of the cathedral, and I can’t get myself together to find a perfect description. However, I will still try it! The cathedral of Seville and its tower, La Giralda are just unreal! I mean, look at that beautiful architecture…

It’s the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The immense building is accompanied by its monumental tower the Giralda. For cultural visits, the normal price is €9, and €4 the reduced ticket. For more information, definitely check their official website.

While I’m writing, I’m just staring at the picture of the cathedral, and I can’t get myself together to find a perfect description. However, I will still try it! The cathedral of Seville and its tower, La Giralda are just unreal! I mean, look at that beautiful architecture…

It’s the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The immense building is accompanied by its monumental tower the Giralda. For cultural visits, the normal price is €9, and €4 the reduced ticket. For more information, definitely check their official website.

#2 Torre del Oro, a must-see landmark

The Torre del Oro is one of Seville’s most famous landmarks. Located near the river Guadalquivir, between the Triana and San Telmo bridge, being right near the second one. It was built in the 13th century (a part of it was rebuilt in the 18th century)serving as a military watchtower, erected by Almohad Caliphate to control the access on the Guadalquivir river. It is possible to go up on its rooftop. Also a small tip: the best views are from Calle Betis (on the other side of the river) and from the San Telmo bridge.

#3 Stroll around the Triana neighborhood

Triana neighborhood is really close to the city center, it’s right across the river Guadalquivir, and easily accessible either from Triana bridge (Puente de Isabel II) or San Telmo bridge.

Tasty churros, amazing tapas, ceramics, and a market full of goodies. You’ll find them all in Seville’s old quarter, Triana.

Triana is incredibly beautiful, the colors of the buildings leave you speechless. The bustle and hustle all day, a beautiful neighborhood, where you can experience the real Sevillian life. It was known as the gypsy district of the city, but it has evolved into a lively idiosyncratic place that has plenty of things to offer.

As first, when you cross the Triana bridge, you’ll find on the right-hand side the Mercado de Triana. Get in there and try some amazing food, or just grab some drinks to cool down. It’s really authentic and I just love all the ceramic wall decorations, even inside the market.

Oh, and remember the street artists, guitar players. Music, sun, and colors. Do we need anything more?

#4 Get lost in Santa Cruz and Museo neighborhoods

After arriving in Seville, I spent less than an hour to find my hostel, check-in, and get ready to head out to town (outside was 38 °C ). As soon as I started walking, I closed my map, and I was just going on the directions where I’ve seen more nice colorful buildings. Time to time I stopped to check where I am, to have an idea of how to get back & also to see if I’m close to some main landmarks.

When I knew where I am, I just checked first what direction to go, to get to the cathedral, then to the Real Alcazar and as of last to Plaza de Espana. I spent 7 hours just walking around, getting lost on tiny orange streets, hearing the guitar play on every single street or square. It was just fantastic! I have recommended many times getting lost in my article about Rome, and now I recommend the same in Seville. Get lost downtown, discover this magical, unique city’s real face.

#5 One of the top 10 things to do in Seville: Visit Plaza de Espana

Right, so this is my favorite of all the things that you can find in Seville. I was just in love with it from the very first second. The Plaza de Espana (square) is located in the park called ” Parque de María Luisa” and it was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

It is a beautiful landmark of Regional Architecture which is mixing more styles from the Moorish to the renaissance. Along the wall, you’ll see many tiled alcoves, each representing one of Spain’s provinces. Magnificent view, beautiful architecture and colorful ceramic covered bridges, plus the guitar… It’s a place that you need to see and experience yourself!

Entrance is free, and there are many flamenco shows organized here, also it’s one of the main spots of the Feria of Seville.

#6 Another one of Seville’s top attractions: The Real Alcazar

Known as the Royal Alcazar of Sevilla, built of the Christian king Peter of Castille. most of the complex was built under the Almohads caliphate, serving as the royal residence. It has numerous rooms and breathtaking gardens that are waiting to be discovered. If you have limited time to visit this place, I definitely suggest having a better overview before heading there, if not in other places, then at least on this page. It’s really huge, and it takes a lot of time to get around, so it’s definitely worth preparing.

My Real Alcazar journey was a little bit painful, but it was the top thing on my bucket list. I made a new german friend in the hostel, and she joined me on my last day to the remainings of my city tour. That’s how we ended up waiting in the queue for hours at 40°C under the sun (no shade babes). Please, guys, do yourself a favor and if you’re visiting Seville, book your tickets in advance on their website!

#7 Football arenas: Real Betis Balompie & Sevilla FC

I’m so afraid to start talking about this…

As in each city that has 2 big teams, the fans of the two football clubs are enemies. Nothing less should be expected in Seville either! Never ask a Sevillian person directly about one of these teams! I witnessed not one case when the person got questioned about the wrong team and they got really, really upset. Just ask in general, which team they prefer, DON’T MENTION NAMES!

I myself am 100% a Real Betis fan (sorry!). Which is basically the team of Andalucian people – as from the whole area, but mostly from around Seville, and obviously the Sevilla FC is the city’s team. Now I won’t get more into the football talk, so what I suggest is to pay a visit! If you have the opportunity to go to a game, even better. You know, football in Spain, usually speaking is a big part of people’s lives, so going to a game is definitely something that needs to be experienced!

#8 Metropol Parasol

I admit, I just love everything in Seville, so I will start this one the same as all the previous descriptions. I LOVED THIS PLACE! Okay? It is a magnificent wooden structure, with a size of 150 by 70 meters. This makes it the largest wooden structure in the world. It was designed by the German Jurgen Mayer and it was completed in 2011. The structure itself it’s very eyecatching and well, beautiful. But the best thing in it, that you can go to the top of it, and walk around, and see Seville from each side. The fee to go to the top is €2 and depending on which part of the year you’re visiting, you might need to wait in the queue for a while. Extra tip: if you’ve got the chance, go before sunset, and watch the sunset from the top. It’s a dream!

#9 Flamenco shows

I’m honestly crazy about flamenco. I hated it a while back, but as more times I had to listen to it, the more I started to get obsessed with it. Now it’s in my daily routine to listen to a couple of flamenco songs, including my favorite:

Seville’s area is the birthplace of the Flamenco. While visiting the city, a flamenco show is a MUST and I promise you it will be unforgettable! If you don’t want to pay for a flamenco show, you’ll still be able to see many flamenco artists on the streets and squares of Seville, so keep your eyes open! The best places for flamenco shows that were suggested by locals are the following:

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 Street music

My favorite thing in Seville was that there were street musitians on literally every corner. There wasn’t a second to walk somewhere and not hear the music. It felt so great to walk around like that. Sunny, colorful streets, orange trees, and music…