If you’re hunting for the very best things to do in Seville, you’ve come to the right place!
The vibrant heart of Andalusia makes for an unforgettable city break – arguably one of my favourites in Europe, and I’ve loved a lot of our continent’s incredible wonders.
It has the perfect blend of gorgeously warm weather (our visit in mid-April was perfection), culture and mouth-watering food, all wrapped up in a vibrant and friendly afterwards.
From ancient palaces to lively flamenco shows, Seville offers a treasure trove of experiences that’ll leave you utterly charmed. So, grab your sunnies and let’s dive in!
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1. Royal Alcázar de Sevilla
If there’s one place you absolutely must visit, it’s the Royal Alcázar, or Real Alcázar de Sevilla.
Originally a Moorish fort, the architectural style is pretty unique, named ‘Mudajar’ for the Muslim artisans who remained in Christian-ruled territories and continued to create incredible work. You’ll see this style in elements such as the brickwork, arches and elaborate, geometric tiles. You’ll also find touches of Gothic at ‘The Gothic Palace’ and Renaissance furniture styles there too
If I was to recommend anything, it would be to make the most of your time here: you could easily lose hours wandering amongst the lush greenery and it would be a shame to rush off without having some time to spend relaxing on the grass as peacocks roam around you!
Let’s just say, if I was a character in Game of Thrones, I’d 100% choose to live in Dorne for the Real Alcázar alone.
Top tip: Secure your tickets online in advance – trust me, in peak times you’ll want to be enjoying an Aperol Spritz, not standing in line. We queued for about 30 minutes and bagged a slot for two hours later (€19.50pp in 2025), allowing us to enjoy a quick breakfast before heading in. I’d definitely recommend doing this, as you could spend all day in the absolutely gorgeous palace and its sprawling gardens
2. Catedral de Sevilla
Did you know that the Catedral de Sevilla, the world’s largest Gothic church, was built on the site of a former mosque? After Ferdinand III’s conquest, it transformed into a cathedral, a process that took over a century. It still incorporates the mosque’s original minaret, which is now known as the iconic La Giralda bell tower!
You can explore a very small portion of the cathedral for free, or grab a tourist ticket from €17 [2025] to see the full splendour, including the tower. There are several different entrances, but those who have tickets enter through the Puerta del Lagarto entrance, whereas those who don’t should head to Puerta del Principe.
You can also take a guided tours are available for €30 if you want to delve deeper into its rich history.
3. Plaza de España
Another of Seville’s most famous sights is Plaza de España and, like with the other destinations mentioned so far, it’s completely worth the hype. The incredibly grand plaza is a sight to behold: built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, many films have been shot here over the years, including Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.
The city has tons of incredible photo locations, but this is a particularly iconic spot, so of course, expect it to be busy. You could spend a good hour or so here, checking out each of the 52 benches representing a Spanish province, renting a boat along the small canal or watching a flamenco performance. The dancers here always welcome a tip, as they perform for free.
Top tip: Avoid visiting during midday in summer unless you’re a fan of sunburn! There’s very little shade in the main plaza, although you can head upstairs in a couple of the buildings for a birds eye view.
4. Parque de Maria Luisa
Just next to Plaza de España, you’ll find Parque de Maria Luisa, a sprawling, shady park perfect for a leisurely stroll. It’s the ideal spot to escape the midday summer’s heat and enjoy an ice cream.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in March, you’ll spot incredible wisterias draping across some of the walkways – during our visit, they were already bedecked with leaves rather than their characteristic purple blooms.
5. Calle Betis
From the park, cross the bridge from the park to Calle Betis, a street famous for its colourful buildings and stunning river views.
The restaurants lining this street are perfect for a long, lazy lunch, not to mention a fantastic spot for people watching. With the Guadalquivir river as a beautiful backdrop, it’s the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the vibrant, relaxed atmosphere.
6. Palacio de las Dueñas
After the grandeur of the Alcázar, it’s said that Palacio de las Dueñas offers a more intimate but almost equally gorgeous experience.
Built in the late 15th century, it shares the Moorish and Gothic influences of its larger cousin but on a smaller, more personal scale. Rather than spacious gardens, courtyards boast mosaic-tiled fountains and lush green planting, where you can imagine sitting and reading a book in the sun for hours on end.
Entry is €14, which includes an audio guide, so if you have a bit of extra time on your hands in Seville, it’s a a lovely, less crowded option to check out. The palace also has a huge decorative art collection, so if you’re a bit of an aficionado, this is one you can’t miss adding to your list.
7. Setas de Sevilla
As evening approaches, head to Metropol Parasol or Setas de Sevilla. The affectionate nickname translates to ‘Seville’s mushrooms’, capturing the essense of this modern architectural wonder.
While it doesn’t compare to the rest of Seville’s more traditional Mudajar beauty in my eyes, it’s undoubtedly still cool to see the huge structure as it lights up at sunset. Of course, this means it’s the busiest time to visit but with a €16 entry fee attached to the upper levels of Metropol Parasol, we chose to sneak away to a nearby rooftop bar for equally gorgeous views – accompanied by a cocktail for the same price!
Even just admiring the structure from below is a treat, but unless you get caught up watching a street performance, you won’t stay more than 30 minutes.
8. Watch a flamenco show
While many say that no trip to Seville is complete without experiencing flamenco, we somehow managed it – aside from a glimpse of one of the street performances in Plaza de España.
There are tons of highly rated shows on offer, or try La Carbonería for a casual yet fun experience. Coming in highly recommended from a friend of mine, this lively spot offers authentic flamenco performances with your food and drinks.
9. Calle Mateos Gago
If you’ve read many articles on this website, you’ll have quickly learned that eating my way around a new destination is my favourite thing to do. Well, if that resonates with you too, then you’ll need to know about Calle Mateos Gago.
Seville’s tapas paradise is located just steps away from Catedral de Sevilla and is packed with great bars, scent sensations and the promise of exceptional people-watching. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Bar Catedral Sevilla, but Bodega Santa Cruz and Cervecería Giralda Bar are also highly recommended.
If you want a quiet and secluded atmosphere, this isn’t the spot for you but if you’re looking for a lively and delicious lunch, I’d highly recommend stopping by.
Bonus tips for your Seville adventure:
- Shopping at Calle Sierpes: If you want to dive into the shopping scene, Calle Sierpes is a great location for a stroll, with many different types of shops.
- Guadalquivir River Cruise: While not a must-see, a river cruise offers a relaxing way to see the city from a different perspective. It’s especially nice in the late afternoon with a cool breeze taking the edge off the blistering summer warmth.
All in all, there are enough amazing things to do in Seville that you can easily spend a relaxed few days pounding the easily-walkable streets, without feeling like you’ve rushed through your break.
It’s the perfect combination of beauty, history and culinary delights, so whether you’re wandering through ancient palaces, enjoying vibrant flamenco or savouring delicious tapas, I hope you’ll feel as charmed by Seville as I did.
Laura x
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