Top Things to Do, Where to Stay, What to Eat, Best Time to Visit & Transport Tips
Seville, the vibrant capital of Andalusia, is a city that blends Moorish heritage, Spanish charm, and passionate flamenco culture. From the majestic Alcázar to the lively tapas bars, Seville is a must-visit destination for history lovers, foodies, and cultural explorers alike.
In this guide to Seville, you will discover everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip!
Top Things to See & Do in Seville 🏛️💃
No visit to Seville is complete without exploring its iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Here are the top attractions and experiences:
1. Visit the Royal Alcázar of Seville 🏰
✔️ One of Spain’s most stunning palaces, featuring intricate Moorish architecture and lush gardens.
✔️ A Game of Thrones filming location (Water Gardens of Dorne).
✔️ Book tickets in advance to avoid long queues!
🚶♂️ Entry to the Royal Alcázar is included in the Best of Seville tour we took with Walks. And we were the first inside. By the time we left it was very busy and I can’t imagine what it would be like in the peak season of summer.
2. Climb La Giralda & Explore Seville Cathedral ⛪
✔️ The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, home to Christopher Columbus’ tomb.
✔️ Climb La Giralda tower for stunning city views. Doug walked to the top (it took him around 10 minutes – its a ramp up with a few steps at the top) and took some lovely pictures (though there is a wire mesh restricting the best views)
✔️ Don’t miss the Patio de los Naranjos, a peaceful orange tree courtyard.
3. Wander Through the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood 🌿
✔️ Seville’s historic Jewish Quarter—a maze of narrow, picturesque streets.
✔️ Best explored on foot—ideal for a relaxed afternoon stroll.
✔️ Look out for hidden plazas, tapas bars, and charming courtyards.
4. Watch a Flamenco Show 💃
✔️ Flamenco originated in Andalusia, and Seville has some of the best performances.
✔️ Top venue: La Casa del Flamenco
✔️ A must-do for a cultural evening in Seville!
🎟️ We loved the flamenco show we attended as part of the Tapas & Flamenco Tour: Seville Tapas Crawl with Flamenco Show with Devour food tours. In fact we loved it so much we went back a few evenings later to see the show again.
Note that photography is not allowed during the show (and believe me you will be too mesemerised to think of taking pics) But after the main show there is a few minutes when video and photos are allowed.
5. Plaza de España & Maria Luisa Park 🏞️
✔️ One of Spain’s most beautiful plazas, built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929.
✔️ Rent a rowboat to float along the canal!
✔️ Maria Luisa Park is a great place to relax in the shade in summer.
6. Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) 🍄
✔️ A modern architectural wonder offering panoramic city views.
✔️ Go at sunset for the best photos!
✔️ Underneath, visit the Antiquarium, an underground museum of Roman ruins.
7. Day Trip to Córdoba or Granada 🚆
✔️ Córdoba (45 mins by train) – Explore the stunning Mezquita and flower-filled patios.
✔️ Granada (2.5 hrs by train) – Visit the Alhambra, one of Spain’s most famous landmarks.
🚍 We decided to book this day trip to Granada which included entrance to the Alhambra.
Where to Stay in Seville 🏨
Seville has plenty of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to boutique stays. Here’s a quick guide:
Best Areas to Stay
📍 Santa Cruz – Historic centre, close to major attractions.
📍 El Arenal – Ideal for foodies & flamenco lovers.
📍 Triana – Vibrant, local atmosphere, known for its tapas & nightlife.
Recommended Hotels & Apartments
✔️ Luxury: Hotel Alfonso XIII – A stunning 5-star hotel in the heart of the city.
✔️ Mid-Range: Las Casas de la Judería – A boutique hotel with traditional courtyards.
✔️ Budget: For You Hostel Seville – Great location with modern, budget-friendly rooms.
🏨 We chose to stay in apartments in Seville (so we could do some washing and cook for ourselves some days). We changed accommodation part way through (we extended our stay), and chose to be near the bus station for our transfer to Lisbon.
✔️ Alohamundi Feria: We loved the location and spaciousness of this well-equipped apartment. With bars and supermarkets close by, this was our favourite location.
✔️ ON Suites Seville Apartments for adults: A modern apartment located near the bus station (perfect for those travelling on via coach)
Guide to Seville Food
What to Eat in Seville 🍽️
Seville is one of the best places in Spain for food lovers! Here’s what to try:
🥘 Espinacas con Garbanzos – Spinach & chickpeas, a classic Sevillian dish.
🍖 Iberian Ham (Jamón Ibérico) – The best Spanish ham!
🦑 Choco Frito – Fried cuttlefish, a local favourite.
🥔 Patatas Bravas – Crispy potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
🍷 Orange Wine (Vino de Naranja) – A unique Sevillian speciality! And delicious!
Where to eat in Seville – Best Tapas Bars & Restaurants
✔️ El Rinconcillo – The oldest tapas bar in Seville!
✔️ Bodeguita Romero – Famous for its Pringá Montadito (pork sandwich).
✔️ Casa Morales – Traditional, authentic Andalusian tapas.
✔️ Vineria San Timo – Celebrated for its extensive selection of Spanish wines and innovative tapas that blend traditional Spanish cuisine with international flavours.
✔️ Bar Cerveceria Giralda – Traditional Andalusian cuisine located in a 12th-century hammam (check out the beautifully preserved star-shaped skylights)
✔️ Al Varo Peregil – If you want to try the BEST Vino de Naranja this is the place to go. It also has the smallest toilet in the world apparently.
Best Time to Visit Seville ☀️
📅 The best times to visit are Spring (March-May) & Autumn (Sept-Nov)
🌸 In April experience the Feria de Abril (Seville Fair) – A week of flamenco, food, and celebrations!
🔥 In Summer (June-August) Seville is VERY hot with temperatures often over 40°C (104°F)
🍂 Autumn offers fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures.
💡 Winter (Dec-Feb) is mild, but some attractions may have shorter hours.
Our experience – March 2025
We spent 12 days in Seville in March 2025. Temperatures have varied between 12 degrees and 20 degrees but rain has been the dominant weather pattern. This has generally not disturbed our plans too much as most days have had sunny spells. Bring a small travel umbrella, a raincoat and waterproof shoes and you will be ok!
How to Get Around Seville 🚶♂️🚋
Seville is easy to explore on foot, but there are also excellent public transport options:
🚶♂️ Walking – The best way to see the historic centre.
🚋 Tram & Metro – Useful for longer distances. Note that the metro does not cover the main centre of Seville.
🚲 Biking – Seville has excellent bike lanes, and you can rent bikes.
🚖 Taxis & Uber – Readily available but more expensive than public transport. We have used Uber a few times and found it reliable.
Enjoy Seville
Seville is a city that will capture your heart, whether you’re wandering through its historic streets, enjoying a Flamenco show, or indulging in mouthwatering tapas.
With its rich history, lively culture, and incredible food, it’s a must-visit in Spain.
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