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A fantastic holiday discovering the… Ciudad Mas Bonita. Seville is an authentic pearl in the beautiful region of Andalusia. Here are some of the must-see places on what to see in Seville in at least a couple of days.
WHAT TO SEE IN SEVILLE
ALCAZAR
The Royal Alcazar is undoubtedly the ideal destination for exploring Seville.
A place that has seen the passage of many cultures that have changed the city, leaving their mark; strolling through the garden of the Alcazar will make you travel in time, and it will seem to live in another era. It is one of the oldest royal palaces in the world, still used by the King today.
Beautiful perfectly preserved buildings, in a mix of styles from Neoclassical to Islamic, including huge rooms, patios and gardens that combine different colors. More info from here.
CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE
Among the unmissable monuments on what to see in Seville, a place of honor certainly belongs to the sumptuous Cathedral. Today, together with the Alcazar and the Archivo de Indias of Seville, it forms a remarkable monumental complex, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage site.
It has recently been estimated as the largest church in the world, surpassing even St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s in London; the closer you get, the more you realize its majesty. It was built between 1402 and 1506, following the Christian reconquest of the city.
Famous for preserving the Puerta de Los Principes, the tomb of Christopher Columbus, it consists of five internal naves, in Gothic style, and two chapels: the Royal Chapel and the Main Chapel. The first is dominated by a Renaissance dome; the second contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin.
By public transport, you can access it with the Tram T1, getting off at the Archivo de Indias stop, in the Historic Center.
GIRALDA
The Giralda is one of the symbols of Seville, first a Minaret and then, since 1402, the Bell Tower of the Famous Cathedral. Built between 1184 and 1196, it is 96 meters high and owes its name to the Italian bronze sculpture, added in 1568, which turns around depending on the wind.
The decorations and colors make the Giralda the best example of Islamic architecture in Spain. Moreover, there is talk of the third Almohad-built Minaret in the world, together with that of Rabat and Marrakech.
Climb up this tower to enjoy a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Seville.
CATHEDRAL AND GIRALDA TIMETABLES AND TICKETS
In winter, Monday to Saturday, 10.15am to 6pm and Sunday, 2.30pm to 6pm. In summer, Monday to Saturday, 10.45am to 7pm and Sunday, 2.30pm to 7pm.
The entrance ticket costs €12.00 full price and €7.00 reduced price. €1 discount for online purchases (in this case you can access without queuing from Puerta del Lagarto). You can access FREE from Monday to Friday from 14:00 to 15:00. Free tickets are available in a super-limited number only on the official website, through this link. You will have to book them well in advance because it is quite difficult to get hold of them!
ARCHIVE OF THE INDIES
Photo ©, Jose L. Filpo
Unmissable place on what to see in Seville with 9 km of shelves, over 40,000 volumes and a total of 80 million pages of documents dating back to the time of colonial rule. It contains a lot of material dating back to the period of the conquistadors, up to the 19th century. It houses, among other things, the logbook of Christopher Columbus!
In 1987, the General Archive of the Indies was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO!
The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 16:30. Admission is FREE
BARRIO SANTA CRUZ
Historic center and real heart of Seville, it perfectly embodies the typically Andalusian style and atmosphere. The main historical monuments of the city such as the Cathedral are also concentrated here. One of the must-see places on what to see in Seville.
Walking through the streets of the historic center you can admire the typical whitewashed houses, the flowery patios. You can relax in the many bars in the area, stop to eat or buy some souvenirs.
PLAZA DE ESPAÑA AND MARIA LUISA PARK
Plaza de España is another symbolic place not to be missed on what to see in Seville. Photographed and portrayed practically everywhere, it is considered by many as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe!
An open-air living room… this square conveys a sense of beauty, and charm, like few other squares in the world. It was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition, based on a project by the Sevillian artist Gonzalez.
Decorated with colored bricks, ceramics and marble, the symbols of this square represent the glorious Spanish history, whose semicircular shape recalls Spain’s embrace of its new colonies. The 58 azulejos benches represent all the Spanish provinces. The beautiful Palacio Español, imposing and proud, represents the prestige of the Spanish world power.
The square is located within the beautiful Maria Luisa Park. It is a Open-air museum. Note the rotundas of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Hermanos Quintero and, finally, that of Princess Maria Luisa herself.
Don’t miss the Lion and Frog Fountains, and the Lotus and Duck Ponds.
The park is open from 1 September to 30 June, from 08:00 to 22:00. From 01 July to 30 August, from 08:00 to midnight. FREE ENTRY
SETAS DE SEVILLA
One of the most controversial and criticized structures in the Andalusian city which, however, cannot be missed on what to see in Seville. Also known as Mirador Parasol, this multifunctional complex is located in the historic center and has a futuristic honeycomb shape. Many (especially the residents) have criticized the large size and futuristic shapes set in such a historical context. The structure was instead strongly promoted by the Municipality which aimed to enhance an area in total abandonment.
La Setas is spread over 5 floors. In the middle is the new municipal market while on the first floor is the Antiquarium, an archaeological area with ancient finds. The Mirador, on the top floor, is the panoramic wooden walkway from which it will be possible to admire the city. The view is really very beautiful and suggestive, as is the rest of the external walk. The ticket is quite expensive: a good 15€ per person, including some 3D experiences and a visit to the exhibits. Families with 2 adults and 2 children pay the reduced rate of €10 per person. If you love photos, we recommend going up at sunset for truly unique shots.
BARRIO SAN BARTOLOMÉ
The perfect place to see and touch a different Seville… Authentic! Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles are mixed together in the elements that make up the Barrio de San Bartolomé.
It is one of the historic districts of Seville and one of the oldest, where part of the Jewish quarter developed. In this maze of narrow streets surrounded by low houses you can admire various monuments. Like the baroque Iglesia Santa Maria La Blanca which houses the Virgin of the Snows carried in procession in October.
The Palacio Altamira is the seat of the Ministry of Culture, while the Palacio de Manara is a splendid Renaissance-style building.
HOUSE OF PILATOS
Photo ©, Mario Fernandez
A perfect and harmonious synthesis of Gothic-Mudejar, Renaissance and Romanticism. Casa de Pilatos is a sumptuous palace, adorned with beautiful azulejos and charming gardens. It is located right in the historic center, in the San Bartolomé district, and about 15 minutes’ walk from the Cathedral.
One of the best monuments not to be missed on what to see in Seville.
The building has two floors where you can admire tapestries, works of art, Greek and Roman statues, furniture and extraordinary paintings by great artists such as Goya.
The gardens and the central fountain are beautiful.
Casa de Pilatos is open every day, from November to March, from 09:00 to 18:00. From April to October, from 09:00 to 19:00. The full fare ticket costs €12. Children under 12 enter free accompanied by a paying adult.
PLAZA DE TOROS
The Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, more famous as the Plaza de Toros, is the largest and oldest bullring in the whole of Spain. It is also possible to participate in a guided tour, visiting the stables, the museum with the trophies and clothes of the most famous bullfighters, ending with a tour of the stands. From here, it is possible to admire the Príncipe stage, reserved for sovereigns with the Royal coat of arms.
Those who want to experience the arena in its most folkloric moments can participate in a bullfight. For some, it could be an excruciating sight; in our opinion, it is a way to experience the electrifying atmosphere before the bullfight.
Plaza de Toros can be reached on foot from Seville Cathedral in just 5 minutes.
BARRIO TRIANA
On the west bank of the river Guadalquivir you can discover Triana, a characteristic neighborhood where the ancient city and the modern city coexist. It can be reached by crossing the suggestive bridge that connects the two banks.
Originally, Triana was a neighborhood of sailors, workers, industrialists and potters and, still today, entering the neighborhood, you can buy the ceramics handcrafted in the workshops.
The riverfront, on the other hand, which extends from the puente San Telmo to the puente de Isabel II, is a concentration of trendy bars and restaurants which offer a good opportunity for entertainment in the evening. Among them, Las Golondrinas 2 will delight you with fish and meat dishes and good value for money.
FLAMENCO MUSEUM
Seville and Flamenco: an indissoluble pair. A tradition rooted throughout Spain, and renowned throughout the world. Precisely for this reason, in the list of what to see in Seville, a visit to the Flamenco Dance Museum cannot be missing.
Here you can admire both the styles and furnishings dating back to the 18th century, and every day it is possible to attend Flamenco performances.
You will be able to appreciate, up close, the most representative dance of all of Spain and especially of Seville.
Located in the historic center, it is only a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral of Seville. It isopen every day of the year, even on public holidays, from 10.00 to 19.00.
The museum ticket costs €10 per adult, and €6 reduced from 6 to 12 years old. Children 5 and under get in free with a paying adult. It is also possible to attend shows combined with the entrance to the museum (€25 for adults). Official site: www.museodelbaileflamenco.com.
WHERE TO EAT IN SEVILLE
Photo ©, Jose A.
For dinner, or simply for a drink, you can go to the Barrio De Santa Cruz, in our opinion, a real favor; it is the oldest district of the city: the “Juderia”. A maze of alleys that winds between colorful houses full of flowers and tiles, the typical “Azulejos”. A very lively place, full of bars, discos, restaurants, with a very wide offer; Kanoa recommends the Bodega de santa cruz, a truly characteristic place.
If you are near the Cathedral, you can walk to the Barrio, otherwise use the L1 Metro to Puerta de Jerez, and then a short walk.
Near the Cathedral, you can have a snack at the famous Aguilar Tavern, just 8 minutes’ walk from the Royal Alcazar; here, you can enjoy excellent Tapas, accompanied, perhaps, by a good glass of red wine. You will be welcomed in an informal place with economical prices.
For a rich breakfast, at PanyPiu you can enjoy excellent cakes and delicious cappuccinos; you can find it in Cabeza del Rey Don Pedro Road, in the historic center.