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SEVILLE.
Seville is full of historical charm, featuring some of the most awe-inspiring monuments and sights, which allows it to rival the most popular tourist metropolises in the world. Objects such as Real Alcázar and Catedral de Sevilla & Giralda make a visit to Seville a true feast for anyone hungry for architectural grandeur and beauty. But the world’s largest Gothic cathedral is not the only thing that Seville has to offer its guests – its modern architecture is equally impressive, with the famous Metropol Parasol being just as iconic. Throughout the year, tourists are entertained with events and festivals, most notably the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. The relaxed, cosy atmosphere of Seville makes everyone feel right at home, which plays a big part in why tourists love this city so much. In addition to the amazing sights, wonderful architecture and stunning festivals, the cuisine of Seville, with the delicious tapas playing the main part, is enough to make you eager to visit it again and again.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Seville
Granada Day Trip from Seville
Granting you a stress-free escape from the hassle of the city, this tour takes you through some of the highlights of Granada. The trip comes with a skip-the-line entrance to Alhambra Palace, as well as an optional walking tour of Albaicin, which is a UNESCO-listed world heritage site.
Cordoba Day Trip from Seville
With a well-accustomed guide who knows the local history, this tour guarantees a good lesson in the folklore and heritage of the region. The tour also includes a skip-the-line entry to the Cordoba Mosque, saving you up to two hours of waiting for the tickets, as well as some free time to shop in Cordoba.
Full-Day Tour to Tangier
Starting from the centre of Seville, this tour will take you on a full-day trip to the Moroccan city of Tangier. You will sail to Africa in a comfortable boat, allowing you to enjoy the gorgeous views along the coast. Afterwards, you will be taken by a guide to Tangier’s medina, as well as the Dar el Makhzen palace.
White Villages and Ronda Day Tour
Allowing you to save a lot of time and money on additional transportation and tickets, this tour takes you on a full-day trip to Andalusia’s White Villages, as way as to the historic Ronda, right from the middle of Seville. While travelling through the Spanish countryside, you will be able to sample olive oil and see gorgeous views.
Alcazar of Seville Early Access
With early access to the Alcazar of Seville, you will not only reduce waiting time to a minimum, saving you hours of waiting but it will also provide you with a unique, individual experience, separate from the crowds which come after the opening of the Alcazar. There is also an option to see the Cathedral too.
Fast-Track Seville Guided Tour into Alcazar
With a skip-the-line option, allowing you to save some time on waiting and getting the tickets separately, this tour provides you with a means of learning about the details of the palace’s architecture and history, which you could otherwise miss, as a local guide tells you about the past of Alcazar.
Monumental Seville
This two-hour long tour will take you through some of the most famous, UNESCO-listed monuments of Seville. A skip-the-line entrance to the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar of Seville is provided, as well as a knowledgeable local guide who will tell you about the history and heritage of Seville.
Priority Access to Alhambra and Generalife Gardens in Granada
This three-hour long tour will not only take you to Granada from the middle of Seville without additional transportation required, but it will provide you with priority access to two of the most famous attractions of Granada – the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, as only you and a small group will enter.
Jerez and Cádiz trip from Seville
This full-day trip will provide you with enough attractions to keep you entertained for the entire day. While on your way to Jerez and Cádiz, you will visit some of the traditional sherry bodegas, with a taste of sherry provided, as well as the famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where you can see a horse show.
Cádiz Shore Excursion
A full-day trip along the shore of Cadiz, starting at the heart of Seville. You will be able to learn a thing or two about the fascinating history of Seville from a local guide as you discover the vibrant streets of Santa Cruz, as well as the General Archive of the Indies. Moreover, you will be able to see Seville Cathedral, Alcazar, and a couple of other places too.
Other Things to See and Do
The Old Quarters
Discover the old quarters of the city of Seville by yourself as you get lost in the labyrinth of narrow alleyways. Seville is believed by many to have the largest old city in Europe, and it is unbelievably cramped and chaotic due to its Roman, Visigoth, and Moorish roots combined.
Peñas Flamencas
When taking a walk along the streets of Seville, make sure to check on bars and pubs which host daily flamenco shows. These bars are dedicated to showing the art of flamenco, the dance which is said to originate from Seville, and often put on free shows for tourists and locals alike.
La Carboneria
With flamenco being one of the most important and well recognisable elements of Seville’s heritage, it is widespread known that bar owners provide nightly shows of the local best dancers. La Carboneria is one of those places, so make sure to stop by for free starting 10:30 p.m. and often going till the morning.
San Fernando Cemetery
While you may think visiting a cemetery might be a bit disconcerting, you will be surely surprised by the beauty of the San Fernando Cemetery. The grounds of the cemetery provide a tranquil respite from the crowded city and are home to some of the most famous personas of Seville, including bullfighters and singers.
Triana
Take a stroll through the gypsy barrio of the city, where you will be able to see the Romanian culture and heritage for yourself. Moreover, you can get some amazing views of the city in there, as you move along the Triana Bridge or Calle Betis, and you can sometimes even view a flamenco event there.
Calle Feria
Located in the Macarena district of Seville, Calle Feria is believed to be one of the longest-running flea markets in Spain. The flea market begins each Thursday morning, hosting dozens upon dozens of stalls set up by locals and foreigners alike. If you are not planning to buy anything, you can still look upon gorgeous handicraft.
Santa Cruz District
Filled with lime-washed houses and long, narrow alleys, the Santa Cruz district was once a Jewish district, and nowadays is one of the most lovely places in Seville. If you visit in summer, the cramped streets might even provide you with a way of escaping the hot sun, as they cast long shadows.
Real Fabrica de Tabacos
Established during the 18th century, the Real Fabrica de Tabacos was once utilised for the production of tobacco products of the New World and was once the largest industrial building in all of Europe. Along the premises of the fabric, there are moats, fountains, a chapel, and even a prison to finish it off.
The Giralda
Being one of the only three remaining Almohad minarets in the world, the Giralda is a gorgeous piece of architecture which became the bell tower of Seville Cathedral, and still is a visible landmark of the city’s landscape. Before the times of Reconquista, the Giralda was the minaret of the mosque, but it was since replaced by the Cathedral.
Espacio Metropol Parasol
If you are looking for a breathtaking view of Seville’s landscape, make sure to visit the Espacio Metropol Parasol, called “the mushroom” by locals due to its appearance. The building was specifically designed as a viewing tower, and while not exactly fully free, it only costs a euro to enter.
Parque de Maria Luisa
The park of Maria Luisa was built in 1929 as a part of an Ibero-American fair and nowadays stands as a gorgeous botanical trail for locals and tourists to stroll through, admiring the lush greenery and exotic plants, as well as the frequent exhibitions put up by some local artists and performers.
Plaza de España
Located just next to the Parque de la Maria Luisa in the south-east of Seville, this plaza expresses some gorgeous Art Deco elements combined with a Mudejar architecture. Make sure to stop by during the evening, as the fountain and surrounding buildings are then illuminated by colourful lights.
Archive de Indias
Commissioned by Philip II and built during the 16th century, the Archive de Indias contains a vast library with a major collection of historical documentation on Spain’s American empire, including the famous journal of Christopher Columbus. Make sure to come on Sunday afternoons, as the admission is free then.
Reial Alcazar
If you would rather not pay exorbitant sums of money for skip-the-line tours of the Royal Palace, you may also come to wait in the queue and enter for free if you are living in Seville or are under 16 years old. For anyone else, the entrance is just €2, and the gorgeous architecture of the palace is definitely worth it.
Calle Parras
Famous for its frequent Macarena processions in Semana Santa, you might still be lucky enough to see a performance during another time of the year. Even if you might not happen to catch a Macarena procession when you’re there, it is still worth the effort to come and look at the tile paintings which adorn the houses on the street.
Torre del Oro
Being known as one of the most iconic landmarks of the city of Seville, the Torre del Oro is a 13th-century watchtower, built by Moors to protect the city from invaders. The watchtower is made out of stone, decorated with shiny golden tiles, and is one of the last remnants of the Moorish walls which used to form around the city.
Naval Museum
When you are visiting the Torre del Oro and admiring it from the outside, why not come in and experience the Naval Museum which is located inside of the watchtower? The museum presents the history of the naval conquest of Spain and can be entered for free every Monday.
Bullring La Maestranza
While it is surely not free to attend a bullfight, especially with an experienced matador, you might still visit the bullring to look at its gorgeous architecture. While on days the bullring costs €8 to enter, make sure to come on Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., as during that time the bullring is free to enter.
Bullfighting Museum
If you manage to enter the Bullring La Maestranza for free on a Monday, make sure to stop by the Bullfighting Museum located among its premises. The museum presents both Spanish and English guided tours, which cost a bit, but you can always enjoy a lesson in the culture of Seville by yourself.
Hospital de La Caridad
Built in 1670, the hospital was meant to be a refuge for the poor and homeless. During its first years it was, but then it was converted into a hospital as it is today. But it is not just an ordinary hospital – it is adorned with gorgeous sculptures and fountains, and can be visited for free on Monday afternoons.
Hospital de Los Venerables
Located in the neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, probably the most recognisable district of Seville, the Hospital de Los Venerables is nowadays hosting a museum dedicated to the painter Diego Velazquez. Stop by to gaze upon some of his original art, and do so for free on the first Thursday of each month.