Top Things To Do In Seville and Where to Stay – Seville Travel Guide
From plazas and palaces to flamenco and football, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Seville, plus top hotel and restaurant recommendations.
With year-round flights from Cork and Dublin to Seville, there has never been a better time to plan a city break to the stunning capital of Andalusia. As interest in the Spanish city continues to grow, I’m often asked about the top things to do in Seville. So, I turned to Seville expert Sandra Skelton – AKA @travel_thehappymidlifer to share her insider tips.
Sandra is an avid reader and foodie, who shares her midlife wanderlust on Instagram. With two grown-up boys, she takes every opportunity to pack a bag and see somewhere new. Having visited Seville an impressive nine times, Sandra shares her favourite places to stay, eat, and explore.
About Seville
Seville is the perfect combination of rich history, culture and gastronomy. Seville is located on the Guadalquivir river (who remembers Chris de Burgh’s Spanish Train?) and is known as the jewel in Andalusia’s crown. Seville has a population of 700,000 and is a very manageable city, being both walkable and having a good public transport system. It is also known as the birthplace of flamenco.
Seville, founded by the Romans as Hispalis, became a trading hub in the Roman province of Hispania, before enduring over five centuries of Moorish rule. From this era, Seville still bears the architecture of the Moorish empire, as seen when visiting the iconic Alcazar or La Giralda Tower.
You might mistake the historical narrow streets of the city for other Moorish strongholds with the same architectural remnants such as Granada, Lisbon and Braga. Wrestled back from Moorish rule in 1248 by the Castilian King Ferdinand III, Seville’s skyline was re-shaped with Gothic cathedrals and Christian palaces, most of which still stand.
Top Things to Do in Seville
1. Take a Tapas Tour of Seville or Free Walking Tour
I often begin my city breaks with a walking tour, which are generally free in major cities. This is a great way to orientate yourself with the city, particularly if you are a first time visitor, and these are available from either Guruwalk or FreeTour.
You can also book a food or tapas tour where a guide will take you to the best tapas restaurants in Seville. These are a great idea on your first day as you will usually pick up tips on the best restaurants in Seville to try during your trip.
I have linked one of the most top rated food tours in Seville below, which costs just €75 for 3.5 hours and includes plenty of food and wine / beer for lunch or dinner.
2. Visit the Royal Alcazar
Featured in Game of Thrones, the Royal Alcázar of Seville is a magnificent royal palace with beautiful gardens, which is one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. It is one of the top things to do in Seville, so I suggest buying tickets in advance as there is always a long queue to enter.
Top Tip: Monday evenings are free entry so if you happen to there on that day, book on their official website and check the time slots for free tickets. Alternatively book a guided tour of Royal Palace and Cathedral with skip the line tickets, which I have linked below.
3. Marvel at the Monuments
Some of the best examples of Moorish and Gothic architecture are in Seville Spain. In fact, the Seville Cathedral is the largest gothic cathedral in the world. The city has several imposing structures including La Torre Giralda ( the bell tower of Seville’s Cathedral ) and Torre del Oro – which is home to a Naval Museum, as well as a viewing platform with some of the best views of Seville.
The UNESCO World Heritage site in Seville includes the Cathedral, Alcazar Palace, and Archivo de Indias, which are located close to each other in the heart of Seville.
You can explore these at your leisure with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or book a guided tour (linked above) or Tuk Tuk tour (linked below) to bring you to Seville’s main tourist attractions.
4. Stroll around the Plaza de Espana
The Plaza de España or Spanish Square of Seville is one of the top things to see in Seville – in fact TripAdvisor users rated it as one of the most spectacular monument in Europe. It is located in the Maria Luisa Park and is a must visit in Seville. The buildings there were designed for the Ibero-American Expo of 1929, and from one end of the square to the other are walls of tiles representing each province of Spain.
There is a lake, fountains and boat rental and quite often you will come across a flamenco dancer with her guitarist. Entrance to the plaza is free, and it’s a really lovely place for an afternoon stroll.
You might even stumble across a wedding, as quite often wedding parties take some of their photographs at the Plaza de Espana.
5. Spend Sunset at Setas de Sevilla
Home to the largest wooden structure in the world, the Metropole Parasol, also known as Las Setas or ‘the mushrooms’ is one of the top things to see in Seville. You can also climb to the top for panoramic views of the city.
The surrounding area has a food market with various bars and restaurants, as it is a particularly great to visit around sunset and there is a light show in the evenings.
6. Kayak or Cruise on the River
If you are looking for fun outdoor activities in Seville, I highly recommend booking a SUP or kayaking tour on the Guadalquivir River – Sarah’s son Luke did this during a school visit and loved it – it is one of the best things to do in Seville with kids (8 years+), especially during the summer months.
For the less brave among us there, or a more relaxing experience, there are both day cruises or an evening cruise with dinner.
7. Book a Flamenco Show
Flamenco originated in Seville. It is part of the local culture and you can either go to a Flamenco show, take a Flamenco class, or simply watch some of the local street performers dancing at the Plaza de España. Regardless of which option you choose, I think you will be surprised at how powerful and passionate the performances are.
The best Flamenco show in Seville is at the authentic Tablao Flamenco El Arenal. There are a choice of packages including dinner and drinks, which I have linked below.
8. Take in a Sevilla FC Match
Football is a true passion in Seville, where the rivalry between the city’s two major teams -Sevilla FC and Real Betis runs deep. Both clubs compete in Spain’s top-tier league, La Liga, and matches against giants like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao are especially popular, with high demand for tickets and an electric atmosphere guaranteed!
Tickets are even more scarce when they are playing each other, so as soon as you know your travel dates, start checking for tickets.
9. Relax at the Aire Ancient Baths
If the heat, sightseeing, and indulgent meals start to take their toll, escape the hustle and bustle with a relaxing visit to the Aire Ancient Baths, tucked away in Seville’s charming Santa Cruz neighbourhood.
Experiences start at €98 for a two hour session. There are also Aire Baths in New York, London, Chicago and Copenhagen.
10. Shop till you drop!
The area around Calle Sierpes has wide pedestrian streets with many shops, both high street and traditional fare. You will find all the popular fashion brands – Mango, Zara, Massimo Dutti and prices are usually about 20% cheaper than you will find at home. Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a Spanish Zara!
Seville Day Trips
Why not extend your stay and book one of the many great day trips from Seville. The Spanish cities of Cordoba, Cadiz, Malaga or Granada are all popular day trips, but you can even go further afield and visit Tangier in Morocco.
Where to stay in Seville
There is a wide range of accommodation in Seville, from hostels to 5-star hotels and everything in between. Beautiful buildings in the Old Town (Casco Antiguo) house modern boutique hotels and apartments, and the fashionable neighbourhood of Santa Cruz is considered one of the best places to stay in Seville.
There is something for every budget. Hotels in Seville with swimming pools are highly sought after, and most just have small rooftop pools, but you can stay a little outside the city and have a larger pool on the grounds of the hotel.
4 Star Hotel Fernando III
The Hotel Fernando III is chic, modern and very well located in Seville’s historic old town. The pool and bar on the roof terrace boast fabulous views, and I’ve recommended many people to stay here as I really enjoyed my visits.
The Hotel Fernando III also has a sister hotel – Hotel Rey Alfonso X, and they are located very close to each other. These are in prime locations in Seville, with a short walk to all the bars, restaurants and main attractions.
4 Star Petit Palace Santa Cruz
This top-rated 4 star hotel in Seville is a boutique hotel located inside a 16th-century mansion in Seville’s fashionable Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz. This area is packed with narrow streets and tapas bars and is just 10 minutes’ walk from Seville Cathedral and its Giralda Tower.
4 Star Hotel Cetina Sevilla
The Hotel Cetina Sevilla is a top-rated Seville hotel on TripAdvisor. Located about 15 minutes walk from Santa Cruiz and the Royal Alcázar of Seville, with a garden, terrace, bar, and family rooms, it is a great choice for a central stay in Seville.
4 Star Hotel Hotel Bécquer
The Hotel Bécquer is a super choice for a city break in Seville. Located in the old town, 300 metres from Plaza Nueva Square, and 10 minutes walk to the Alcázar Palace, with a seasonal roof top swimming pool – it is regarded as one of the best 4 hotels in Seville.
4 Star Silken Al-Andalus
If you want a more resort-style hotel with a large outdoor swimming pool, the Silken Al-Andalus is hard to beat. It is located 4km from centre, but the outdoor area is huge and very relaxed, and I really enjoyed my stay here. Taxis to and from the city centre can add up, but there is a bus stop outside the hotel. If you have a rental car with you, there is also parking at the hotel.
Top Tip: Be sure to book a rate including breakfast – it is something to behold, and even cava is included. This is an ideal choice for a family trip or longer stay in Seville.
5 Star Barcelo Seville Renacimiento
For a family hotel in Seville a little closer to town, try the Barcelo Seville in Triana (2km from centre) which features both an indoor and outdoor pool. This is well located if you are visiting with children who may enjoy the nearby Isla Magica Theme Park. I didn’t avail of the breakfast here, but it looked good! It is within walking distance of the old town but Ubers are cheap if you don’t feel like walking.
5 Star Radisson Magdalena Plaza
Another great 5 star hotel in Seville which I spotted on my last visit, is the Radisson Magdalena Plaza. It is beautiful inside and has a lovely rooftop pool, fitness centre, sun terrace, restaurant and bar.
5 Star Hotel Alfonso XIII
If you want the know where the celebrities stay, its the Hotel Alfonso XIII. This is arguably the best hotel in Seville, but does have a price tag to match! It boasts an outdoor swimming pool and it is primely located on the edge of the historic and fashionable Santa Cruz district, just 300 metres of Seville Cathedral and 100 metres from the Guadalquivir river.
If your budget doesn’t stretch to staying here (mine never has), you can still enjoy the beautiful building and surroundings by having afternoon tea in the hotel, or lunch and drinks on the outdoor terrace. It’s a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by.
Bar and Restaurant Recommendations in Seville
Dining is one of my favourite things to do in Seville and there are endless choices for delicious food! I don’t think you will be disappointed as some of the best tapas bars and restaurants are on every corner. Having said that, here are some which I have found over the years and which you shouldn’t miss.
La Brunilda is my go-to restaurant in Seville. It has two sittings at 830pm and 1000pm. There are always queues outside but you can book online – which I would recommend you do.
Bar Alfalfa is an iconic tapas bar, that it is quite small and casual, but very popular. Prepare to queue outside but it is worth it. With great tapas, and wines by the glass – what’s not to love!
Mammaracha is one of the first restaurants I ever went to in Seville, and it is definitely worth a visit. It is located near Plaza Nueva and has delicious tapas and drinks.
Second Room is a lovely little bar that serves up great cocktails.
EME Hotel Rooftop Bar is a must visit in Seville, even for one cocktail, if for no other reason than to catch one of the best views of the cathedral. It is a lively bar, and on the expensive side, but it amazing at sunset.
El Corte Ingles Rooftop is what I consider a one of my Seville insider tips! After many return visits, I have discovered a very different type of rooftop bar. On the top floor of the Spanish department store El Corte Ingles (yes, the one you see in every Spanish city) you will find a rooftop bar with a number of gourmet food options in a food market setting.
The view from the terrace is amazing and it is great place for pre-dinner drinks, or if you’re passing throughout the day. It’s not possible to make a reservation though, so go early or be prepared to wait.
Top Tips for visiting Seville
Santa Semana (Holy Week) and La Feria: These are two of the big highlights in the Seville calendar. Semana Santa is held during Easter, and the Feria de Abril normally takes place two weeks afterwards. The dates change every year but accommodation and flight prices will be high around this time.
The city is buzzing even more than usual, but everything is slow as Santa Semana processions take place throughout the week. If you’re going to be in Seville at either of these times, you will need to book accommodation in plenty of time. Plan your restaurant visits with care as it could take up to an hour to cross the city at busy times.
Getting to Seville from the Airport: The best way to get to the city of Seville from the airport is by bus. They go from outside the terminal building and cost just €5. Taxis are approx €25 to the city and Ubers start at approx €15, depending on demand.
Getting Around Seville: Cars are a bit of a liability in Seville. You won’t need one while exploring the main tourist areas as it’s very walkable, and Ubers and taxis are plentiful. There is also a metro, although it only has one line, but the bus network is extensive. There’s also e-bikes, e-scooters and mopeds you can rent easily.
Eating: In typical Spanish culture, locals and tourists tend to eat late in Seville, with some restaurants only opening in the evening at 8.30pm – so plan accordingly.
The best time to visit Seville
Due to its location in Southern Spain, Seville is extremely hot in summer time – although he streets have canopies to shelter from the sun. However, there is a silver lining, that means you may get a bargain on hotel rooms if travelling during the summer!
I believe there is no bad time to visit Seville, but if you have a choice I would avoid the peak season and hot summer. July and August’s high temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees, so try to travel during autumn or spring, where you should still have pleasant warm weather.
Winter months should have the least amount of crowds, as well as great value hotel rates – you may also be lucky with good weather as average day time temperatures are 16 degrees. Seville is arguably one of the best places to visit in Spain for a winter city break.
I hope my top things to do in Seville will help you plan a trip to this beautiful city soon. I suggest staying at least three days to explore the best attractions, but I have known people who have stayed for two weeks. I have also known others who went for a trip, and never came home – with some of Spain’s most historical cities and landmarks nearby, it is not that surprising!
Please put Seville on your list, you won’t regret it.
Sandra Skelton
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, descriptions are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional charge to you.
