Seville is one of the most beautiful and famous cities in Andalusia. You will find many beautiful sights here, such as the Royal Palace, Plaza de España and the largest wooden construction in the world. Seville is also known for its atmospheric alleys and cozy neighborhoods full of tapas bars. Wondering what you can see and do during a city trip in Seville? Take a look at the most beautiful sights of Seville!
#1 Real Alcázar de Sevilla – Royal Palace of Seville
The Royal Palace of Seville is by far the most famous landmark of Seville. This Moorish Palace called Real Alcázar de Sevilla is one of the most important historical sites in Spain. The palace is located in the middle of the city and is completely decorated with colorful mosaic and other details. Don’t forget to look up, because even the ceilings are decorated. After exploring the palace itself, you will find yourself in a huge garden full of tropical plants and trees. This garden might look familiar to you if you’ve watched Game of Thrones. The scenes in Dorne were filmed here. If there is one place you must visit in Seville, it is the Real Alcázar in my opinion. To skip the long queue, I advise you to reserve tickets online prior to your visit.
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
#2 Plaza de Espana
Plaza de España, in English ‘the square of Spain’ is the most famous and most beautiful square in Seville and, as far as I’m concerned, even in all of Spain. The square has the shape of a semicircle and is completely surrounded by a richly decorated covered gallery. At the front of the gallery there is also a series of mosaics depicting the different provinces of Spain. You can also rent a boat on the spot to sail through the canal at the square. Does this square look familiar? That may well be true. It was also a movie set for several movies, such as Star Wars.
#3 Parque de Maria Luisa & Plaza de America
Adjacent to Plaza de España is Parque de Maria Luisa, the largest public park in the city. You can go for a lovely walk and especially in the summer it is very nice to cool off here under the many trees. Be sure to walk to Plaza de América. This square is located in the Parque de Maria Luisa. Plaza de América may not be as imposing as the larger Plaza de España, but it is still worth seeing. At Plaza de América you will also find the Museum of Modern Art and the Archaeological Museum of Seville. When you walk from the park to the old center, you will also pass the beautiful Palacio de San Telmo. The Parque de Maria Luisa used to be part of the gardens of this enormous palace.
#4 Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower
The Cathedral of Seville, officially called the Maria de la Sede, is located near the Real Alcázar in the city center of Seville. At 135 meters long and 105 meters high, this imposing cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The Giralda tower, which you can see from almost the entire city, is also part of the cathedral. This tower was originally a Moorish minaret, but was later modified and now serves as a bell tower. It is possible to climb the tower. Once at the top you have a great view over Seville and the Andalusian landscape. Would you like to see the inside of the cathedral and climb the tower? Then book skip the line tickets in advance, so you can skip the long queue. With these tickets you have access to the cathedral and the top of the Giralda tower. This ticket also gives you access to the nearby baroque church of El Salvador.
Tip: Also go in the evening and take a look at the cathedral. The entire cathedral is then beautifully illuminated and with the driving carriages you really imagine yourself in a Disney fairy tale.
#5 Casa de Pilatos & Palacio de las Dueñas
Were you impressed by the Royal Palace of Seville? Then a visit to the palaces Casa de Pilatos and Palacio de las Dueñas is also highly recommended. Both palaces are among the most important historical buildings in the city and are even known as the best preserved buildings in all of Spain from the 15th and 16th centuries. In the architectural style of Casa de Pilatos you can see Portuguese and Italian influences in addition to Spanish. Palacio de las Dueñas was built in Renaissance style and here you see a lot of Gothic and Moorish influences. The various small and colorful details are very impressive at both palaces. Extra special is that at both palaces you can also get a guided tour through a decorated part of the palace. I thought this was definitely worth it, because you get a good idea of how the rooms used to be furnished. I was less able to imagine this at Real Alcázar, because the spaces there were empty. Tickets for Palacio de las Dueñas can be booked in advance. At Casa de Pilatos you can only buy tickets on the spot.
#6 Metropol Parasol (Setas de Sevilla)
One of the most modern sights of Seville is Metropol Parasol. This large modern structure is also known as the Setas de Sevilla, or the mushrooms of Seville, because of its shape. This gigantic wooden structure is the largest wooden structure in the world. When you take the stairs down on the square, you will end up under Metropol Parasol. Here you can then take the elevator back up. Via an undulating path you can walk around on top of the umbrellas and enjoy a great view of Seville.
Tip: right below Metropol Parasol you will find the local market Mercado de la Encarnation where you can buy delicious Spanish delicacies.
#7 Guadalquivir, Puente de Triana & Torre del Oro
Seville, unlike many other well-known cities in Spain, is not located by the sea. There is a river on the edge of the city, the Gualdalquivir. This river crosses Seville on its way to the sea. There is a beautiful walking path on the quay, so you can stroll along the water. Especially towards the evening it is very cozy here at the various cocktail bars with a beautiful view of the river. It is also definitely worth seeing the city from the water. By boat you sail past a number of well-known sights of Seville, such as the Torre del Oro and the beautiful bridge Puente de Triana. In addition to this bridge, you also pass under 8 other bridges. In the summer it is a relief to escape the heat in the city center here by the water. Would you rather be active yourself? It is also possible to rent kayaks and paddle through the Guadalquivir yourself.
#8 Barrio Santa Cruz
A neighborhood that you should definitely visit in Seville is Barrio Santa Cruz. This district is located in the heart of the city, where the Cathedral of Seville and the Royal Palace are also located. Be sure to take a stroll through the beautiful Jardines de Murillo, a small park near the Royal Palace of Seville. Around these famous sights you will find many cozy narrow alleys. This Jewish part of Seville is best known for the many orange trees and the shops with homemade souvenirs. In addition, you will find many nice and authentic tapas places throughout Barrio Santa Cruz. It is also possible to book a nice tapas tour, where a guide takes you to the nicest tapas places in Seville.
#9 The colorful churches of Seville
What struck me is that in Seville, in addition to the impressive cathedral in the center, there are a lot of beautiful colorful churches. These beautiful buildings resemble the colorful churches of Central America. Do you also want to imagine yourself in Central America? Then at least walk past the Iglesia de San Ildelfonso, the Basilica de la Macarena and the Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador. All of them super impressive buildings, even if you only want to view the outside.
#10 Take a bike ride along the most famous sights of Seville
Do you want to see the above sights, but don’t feel like doing everything on foot? Rent a bike or book a bike tour with a Dutch-speaking guide. This way you can be sure that you will not miss anything in beautiful Seville. In terms of safety, Seville has been on the list of most bicycle-friendly cities for several years now. You will find more than 120 kilometers of cycle paths here. You can book several fun bike tours. For example, there is a special bike tour along the highlights of Seville, where you explore the highlights of the city in 3 hours and learn more about the most important sights. You can also combine your bike ride with a tapas tour, where you can taste various tasty tapas along the way. You can also book a nice day trip where you discover several authentic villages in Andalusia by bike.
The most beautiful sightseeing places of Seville on the map
Tip: the Seville Pass
Are you planning to visit several of Seville’s main attractions, such as the Royal Palace and the Cathedral? Then it pays to purchase a Seville Pass. With the Seville Pass you get:
- Skip-the-line entrance to the Alcázar Royal Palace
- Skip-the-line entrance to Seville Cathedral, including the Giralda Tower
- Tickets for the Seville hop-on hop-off bus
- City tour of Seville through an app with audio guide
- 10% discount on other sights in Seville
Are you not planning to use the hop-on hop-off bus, but do you want to visit the Alcázar, the Cathedral of Seville and the Giralda Tower? Then it is smart to buy a special combi ticket so that you get a 10% discount on these sights.
Planning two days in Seville
Because the center of Seville is fairly compact, you can see the main sights of Seville in two full days.
Day trips from Seville
Are you going on a city trip to Seville for several days? Then it is also nice to make a day trip from Seville to another beautiful city or place in Andalusia. Seville has its own train and bus station and you can also easily rent a car here. So you can easily take a day trip to see more of the area.
Overnight in Seville
To fully enjoy your visit to Seville, I recommend that you spend at least three nights in Seville. That way you have enough time to discover all the beauty in this city. A nice budget option is Catedral Boutique, a guest house right opposite Seville Cathedral with double rooms from €50 per night. Do you really want to unpack? Then stay at the fantastic 5-star EME Catedral Hotel with a great roof terrace overlooking the cathedral including a swimming pool. Hotel Doña Maria is also one of the few hotels in Seville that has a nice swimming pool, but is priced more friendly.
Our tips for accommodations in Seville
- Budget guest house: Cathedral Boutique
Nice guest house right in front of Seville Cathedral with double rooms from €50 per night.
- Luxury 5 star hotel: EME Cathedral Hotel
Fantastic 5 star hotel with roof terrace overlooking the cathedral including swimming pool.
- Hotel with swimming pool: Hotel Dona Maria
Well-reviewed hotel with swimming pool in a former palace in the heart of Seville.
Complete tour of Andalusia
Would you like to make a day trip by car or even make a complete tour of Andalusia? That is perfectly possible from Seville. Seville has its own train and bus station and is easily accessible by public transport. You can also easily rent a car here.
