Visiting Seville is something you must do at least once in your life. Although it’s a relatively small city, we recommend dedicating at least 3 days to truly appreciate it. With the help of this small but amazing guide, your getaway to Seville will be more than a 10.
Seville is exotic and infectious with energy, just by walking through Triana, exploring the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, or admiring the María Luisa Park. Here are some of the places we invite you to discover in Seville over 3 days.
We start the guide with a super tip… well, more than a tip, it can be considered a GIFT because… how would you feel about starting your trip with a FREE TOUR of the center of Seville? Sounds great, right?
The guide is an expert in the city’s history and will share anecdotes and information that is hard to learn on your own. You just need to sign up for the FREE TOUR of the center of Seville here. Once you do that, you’ll have explored the essentials of the historic center.
Check Availability for Free Tour Seville
The opulence of the interior of the Royal Alcázar of Seville
A witness to the history of Seville, residence of the King, and home of the Martell Family in Game of Thrones, the Royal Alcázar is one of the oldest active palaces in the world. A palace that has experienced the influence of various civilizations since the late 9th century.
The interior of the building features numerous halls surrounding two courtyards. In its gardens, you can observe both Arab and Renaissance elements. The entrance fee is €14.50, and the hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with shorter hours in the winter. Discover how to visit the Alcázar of Seville and how long it takes to explore.
Entrance and Guided Tour of the Royal Alcázar + Cathedral and Giralda
The building was constructed on the orders of Philip II, between 1584 and 1598. It has a unique two-story square layout on a podium.
Inside, it features a central courtyard made of stone, with a unique design. The building houses documents related to the discovery of America, among others.
It’s time to visit the most recognized monument in Seville: La Giralda, which is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville. It measures 101 meters in height, and the lower two-thirds of the tower correspond to the minaret of the old 12th-century mosque.
The upper third is a superimposed structure built later in the Christian era to house the bells. Its peak is crowned with a statue on a jar, called the Giraldillo.
The Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede in Seville, better known as the Cathedral of Seville, is a Gothic cathedral that dates back to 1401. Its construction took place among the remains of the old mosque that occupied that site.
Due to its size, it is the largest Catholic cathedral in the world and the third largest Christian temple after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. The building features very high vaulted ceilings and numerous access doors to the interior of the temple.
Each one is worth admiring, with the most important being the Puerta de la Asunción and the Puerta de San Miguel. Inside, you can find the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Beside the Cathedral is the Patio de los Naranjos, a result of the Arab heritage of Seville.
La Giralda and the Cathedral, along with the Alcázar and the Archive of the Indies, are among the main places in Seville that you cannot miss. Together, they were declared World Heritage Sites.
La Giralda
The 3 must-sees on your visit to Seville are: The Royal Alcázar, the Cathedral, and La Giralda. We recommend a guided tour that includes tickets for all three major monuments.
The price is €64 per person and allows you to learn their history and details from an expert guide in Spanish. The best way to make the most of your first day in Seville.
Complete Tour of Seville: Alcázar + Cathedral + Giralda
With its unique magnetism and home to writers from all over the world, this neighborhood showcases a different side of Seville: patios with flowers, winding streets, and a charming atmosphere full of urban myths. It also features very beautiful buildings in the purest classic Sevillian style.
A tour of the old Jewish quarter of Seville will take you to discover key places off the tourist circuit, from historic alleys to charming squares. At a very good price! You can book it using the button below:
Tour of the Santa Cruz Neighborhood
Here you can see: The Callejón del Agua, an ancient channel 140 meters long, where water flows. It currently has gardens and is a magical place to see.
At the end of this alley are the Murillo Gardens, which feature a layout based on grid paths formed by hedges and pavements.
Patio de Banderas, Real Alcázar
The Plaza de Santa Cruz, where there was a ruined church that was demolished by the French. Resting there were the remains of the 17th-century painter Murillo. Today, there is a commemorative plaque.
Lastly, the Patio de Banderas, a courtyard surrounded by the walls of the Alcázar. It includes the alley of the Ancient Jewish Quarter, which leads to the Callejón de Agua.
A controversial and costly monument inaugurated in 2011. It is a striking viewpoint and ideal for photographs. With a very original contemporary style, it features two large columns. The mushrooms measure 150 x 70 meters and are 26 meters tall, designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer.
It has now become one of the liveliest social, cultural, and leisure areas in the city. A must-visit.
One of the most visited historical buildings in Seville and a clear example of local design, this is a copy of the praetorium of Pontius Pilate. Inside, you can find an impressive collection of paintings from the 14th to the 19th centuries, including a Goya depicting the dragging of the bull.
The house is open from 9 am to 7 pm, with reduced hours from November to March. The entry fee to see the house is €10.
An imposing building recognized as a cultural heritage site, it was once a tobacco factory until the mid-20th century. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the University of Seville.
Entry is free, and you can observe paintings inside that depict the hustle and bustle of the workers and the tasks they performed.
By the banks of the Guadalquivir River stands the Torre del Oro. Built in 1220, it was originally covered in golden tiles. Due to the shine it produced, it has been known as the Tower of Gold since the Almohad period. It was named so in the account of the conquest of Seville by Alfonso X.
The tower currently houses the Naval Museum.
Next to the Guadalquivir River, this imposing palace is a clear example of Sevillian Baroque architecture. Inside, several salons stand out, with the staircase being particularly impressive.
Entry to the palace is free, and visits are by reservation only on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It’s one of the many free things you can do in Seville.
Known as the lungs of Seville, this green park houses the Plaza de España and the Plaza de América. You can explore the park on your own (by bike or on foot…).
If you decide to wander through the entire park, start until you reach the Bécquer gazebo, undoubtedly the most romantic spot.
There you’ll see the representation of romanticism through three women: love that passes, possessed love, and lost love. Behind them, a man writhes in pain, and a Cupid symbolizes wounded love and love that hurts.
Plaza de España, a delight for the eyes, was built in 1929 as one of the main constructions of the Ibero-American Exposition of that same year. Located in Maria Luisa Park.
It is a semicircular building with 48 benches at its base, each dedicated to a province of Spain (Seville itself is missing). These benches are decorated with tiles from Triana and represent important events and traditions from each province.
Directly in front of the building is a lake where you can go boating.
It has been the setting for major blockbusters like Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. You can’t miss this marvel!
Also located in Maria Luisa Park, in Plaza de América you will see three buildings, one of which houses the Archaeological Museum of Seville, where you can see artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic era to the Romanesque period.
How about a plan for tonight?
A nighttime stroll through the Jewish Quarter located in central Seville is a great idea. It is one of the most charming and romantic places in all of Spain, where you will only hear the sound of fountains and the scent of trees.
“The heart that goes to Triana will never return,” says Miguel Bosé, and you can’t imagine how true his words are. The Triana neighborhood is one of the most vibrant in all of Seville, home to great artists like Isabel Pantoja.
Triana was one of the focal points of Spain’s dark history because the Castillo de San Jorge, a Visigoth fortification, served as the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition from 1481. Urban legends tell that in the silence of the night, chains can be heard dragging beneath the ground with an incessant noise.
The chilling sound merges with the sound of knocks on the wall. Centuries later, the castle was demolished to enlarge the Plaza del Altozano and create the Triana Market, where you can buy all sorts of things.
You can also stroll through the alley of the Santa Inquisition, which you can guess what it refers to. Triana is also the neighborhood of potters, so you can stop by any workshop and buy some pieces to decorate your home.
Seville has an impressive number of bridges, but without a doubt, the most important and historic is the Isabel II Bridge, declared a National Historical Monument.
Inspired by the carousel bridge on the River Seine, it is a construction of iron and stone, making it the first in Spain not to use wood.
Also known as the childhood patio of the writer Antonio Machado, and currently owned by the Duke of Alba. The Palacio de las Dueñas is a Gothic Mudejar building that you must see with your own eyes.
A lovely chapel that mixes modern and ancient art, well known for its Flemish paintings.
A historic palace dating back to the 15th century, where, according to history, the Countess of Lebrija was a passionate collector of ancient and archaeological objects. Inside, these objects are still preserved, including Roman mosaics from the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
The imposing Basilica is a neo-baroque temple constructed from 1936 to 1946, housing La Virgen de la Esperanza de la Macarena, the patron saint of the Macarena neighborhood in Seville. In front of the Basilica stands the Puerta de la Macarena, which, along with the Puerta de Córdoba and the postigo del Aceite, are the only three remaining access points to the walls of Seville.
Are you ready to discover the magical world of Flamenco? ¡Olé!
Situated at the highest point of the city, at the intersection of the streets where the city itself was founded. The museum is a reference point for experiencing authentic Flamenco, and it is under the artistic direction of Cristina Hoyos. You absolutely must stop by.
The most important thing we can tell you is that for the main attractions, go early or take advantage of mealtimes, as the lines tend to be very long.
Also, you should plan to purchase tickets well in advance. Lastly, it is advisable to acquire audio guides or a specialized guide to make the most of the history that Seville holds.
Finally, take a look at our recommendation on how many days you need to see Seville. Even though it is a small city, there is much to see, so don’t miss the opportunity to discover it all.