Things to do
Seville is a never-ending hub of excitement, beauty and intrigue, and the recommendations listed below are designed to showcase the very best that this city has to offer.
1) Go to the Plaza de España
This monumental spectacle, that is renowned for being the largest square in Seville, is one of the prettiest sites to explore during your visit. It was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, but these days it is a popular tourist site where you can take a row boat along the Plaza’s moat, take a horse drawn carriage through the square or admire the beautiful representations of each of Spain’s provinces displayed on the majestic walls.
2) Wander around the María Luisa Park
This beautiful, immense public park is located in the centre of Seville and provides the perfect breath of tranquillity within the city. It also offers some cool relief from the Sevillian sun, thanks to the shady footpaths, fountains and the vast expanses of Mediterranean trees and colourful flowers, making it a popular hub for both tourists and locals alike. It is also adjacent to the Plaza de España, so it is ideal to visit both spaces at once.
3) See the views from the Metropol Parasol
Known in Spanish as Las Setas de Sevilla (Seville’s Mushrooms), this is the perfect monument to witness 360° panoramic views of this stunning city. It is the largest wooden structure in the world and its unique architectural design makes this grand modern art piece a must see.
4) Visit Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world, is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, a well-deserved acclaim given its magnitude and beauty. It is one of the most distinguished centrepieces of Seville, notably due to the Giralda (the belltower) that can be seen from virtually any corner of the city, and the top of this impressive tower is another location to take in the wonderous views of the Sevillian skyline. While inside the cathedral, be sure to see the final burial place of Christopher Columbus whose remains have laid here since 1898.
5) Marvel at the Royal Alcázar
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Royal Palace is the oldest European palace that is still in use today. The grandeur and spectacle of this building and its gardens have to be seen first-hand to be truly appreciated, so it is no surprise that the Royal Alcázar has featured in a number of films and television programmes.
6) Watch a Flamenco show
Seville and flamenco have gone hand in hand for centuries with this beautiful art form being at the very heart of this city. There are countless spaces all over Seville where you can witness these performances, so be sure not to miss out on watching at least one of them. The Museo del Baile Flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum) is recommended as a location where you can learn about the history of the dance and witness a performance by some of its stars.
7) Explore the Triana region
Located on the other side of the Guadalquivir River to the city centre, Triana is a vibrant, quaint district that is equally as lively as the city centre, but with more of a local feel to it. Ramble down the calles (streets), that are surrounded by Moorish buildings and baroque architecture, and visit some of the local shops that sell stunning little tiles and ceramics that the area is known for. While on this side of the river, it is also worth visiting the Mercado de Triana (Triana Market) which sells a range of authentic Spanish goods, from fresh produce to intricate crafts.
8) Experience Seville's fiestas
Continuing its reputation as a lively, bubbly city, Seville never shies away from a festival and knows how to put on a spectacle. Spring in Seville is one of the best times to experience these fiestas, starting off with Semana Santa (Holy Week) which is celebrated in the week before Easter. During this week, that begins with a parade through the city streets on Palm Sunday, the entire city comes alive with processions to commemorate the life of Christ, and, as such a powerful celebration that takes place in few other places in Spain, it is clear to see why it has been declared a 'Fiesta of International Tourist Interest'. Two weeks later, the celebrations continue with the Feria de Abril de Sevilla (the Seville April Fair), which is another week-long extravaganza involving a lot of dancing, drinking, eating and socialising, and is an event not to be missed!
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, as the the ever-evolving nature of the city means that the infinite wonders of this location cannot be confined into one list.
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