Seville is the capital city of Andalusia, a region in southern Spain known for its rich culture, warm climate, and stunning landscapes. It is a vibrant city full of history, amazing architecture, and a fun, energetic vibe.
What to See
Plaza de España
This will be one of the first things that pop up when you search “things to do in Seville”. Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful places in the city – the large Renaissance meets Moorish style building is the most recognizable, but there is also a canal with beautiful bridges and a fountain in the middle of the square. It’s a great place to wander, relax, and take in the beauty of Seville.
We went first thing in the morning and there were only a handful of other people. This is very rare, it is usually a popular spot.
Parque de María Luisa
In contrast to the Plaza de España (which is less than 1,000 feet away), the Parque de María Luisa is full of lush gardens, paths, and fountains. The most popular photo of the parque features the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs of Seville.
Puente de Isabelle II
The Puente de Isabel II, also known as the Triana Bridge, is one of Seville’s most iconic landmarks. The bridge connects the city center to the Triana neighborhood and crosses the Guadalquivir River. It’s a great place to walk, especially at sunset, and it’s one of the most popular photo spots in Seville.
Triana
Triana is a lively neighborhood in Seville, just across the river from the city center. It’s known for its flamenco culture, ceramic shops, and vibrant atmosphere. The streets are full of colorful houses, tapas bars, and local markets, giving it a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for exploring. We spent most of our time wandering through the Mercado de Triana and down the river walk.
Torre del Oro
The Torre del Oro, also known as the tower of gold, is located on the Guadalquivir river and was originally part of the defensive walls of the city that controlled access to the river. You can climb the tower and admire the views, which we did, but the views don’t even come close to those of the Giralda.
Flamenco Show
Did you know that Flamenco dances are all improvisation?!? Sometimes the dancers, singers, and musicians have never met each other or worked together before they show up for their performance! Knowing this made watching a Flamenco show even more incredible. I highly recommend catching a Flamenco show while you are in Seville.
What to Do
Visit Alcázar Palace
There are some places that the architecture and design on the outside are more impressive than the inside. This is not the case with the Alcázar Palace. It’s hard to believe because the outside is so stunning, but take a tour, it’s worth it. The detail in every inch of the palace was incredible, not to mention the hand crafted tiles that climbed the walls.
Tip: Book a timed ticket from the Alcázar website. The line wrapped around two sides of the building for those who were there for regular entry.
Tour Catedral de Seville & Giralda
The Catedral de Seville is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. It’s known for its stunning architecture, intricate details, and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda, a bell tower adjacent to the Cathedral provides stunning panoramic views of Seville. The views are absolutely worth the 34 ramps and 17 stairs it takes to get to the top.
Tapas Tour
A guided tapas tour is a great way to try dishes that are traditional or popular to an area. Not only do you have a local guide who can explain what you are eating and the history behind it, you can just have a few bites of several different things without being wasteful! Below are about half the things we had on our tour – none of which I would have ordered for myself! The tour we went on was a Tapas and Flamenco tour through Viator and we had a blast!
Tip: this is NOT for picky eaters!
What to Eat
Churros con Chocolate
Perfectly acceptable to eat for breakfast, we had freshly made churros with chocolate sauce at Bar el Comerico. Bar el Comercio is a local favorite – so much so not a touristy place that none of the staff spoke English!
Tortilla Española (Spanish Potato Pie)
Another local favorite, hidden in plain sight (but actually, we walked past it twice before we found the entrance), is Casa Morales. With the menu hand carved into old, concrete wine vats and only a handful of tables, Casa Morales serves traditional dishes. I got the Tortilla Española which is essentially like a potato and egg quiche. Doesn’t sound like it tastes like much, but the flavor was incredible and it was surprisingly filling!
Pizza
I learned this in Poland: you don’t have to be in Italy to get good pizza, there are Italian style pizzerias all over Europe! We got pizza at Üailló Pizza Lab which was a recommendation from our tapas tour guide. Pizzas here come with a side of kitchen scissors since they don’t slice the pizzas.
Itinerary
Day 1
Morning
Start at Bar el Comercio for breakfast. Then walk about 10 minutes to the Alcázar Palace and spend time visiting every corner of it. After the palace, walk another 10 minutes to Plaza de España and take your time admiring the stunning area. Just behind Plaza de España, you will find Parque de María Luisa.
Afternoon
From Parque de María Luisa, it is about a 20 minute walk to Casa Morales for lunch. Find a seat (if you can) and enjoy a traditional Spanish lunch. After lunch it’s time to take a tour of the Catedral de Seville. I hope you carbo-loaded at lunch to make it up to the top of the Giralda to admire the view.
Evening
It’s time to immerse yourself in the culture with a Tapas & Flamenco tour. Eat (and drink) to your hearts content and watch the extremely talented Flamenco team. Don’t forget, it’s all improv!
Day 2
Morning
Grab breakfast at Panipiú, a sweet and savory bakery. Walk about 20 minutes to the Torre del Oro and admire the structure. Continue walking to the Puente de Isabelle II bridge and walk across it to Triana. Spend the rest of the morning exploring Triana.
Afternoon
Make sure you give yourself enough time so you don’t get hangry, because it’s a 30 minute walk to Üailló Pizza Lab. Walk off some of that pizza wandering through one of Seville’s most well-known shopping streets, Calle Sierpes.
Seville is a city that truly has it all – rich history, stunning sights, and a lively atmosphere. Whether you’re drawn to its iconic landmarks, flamenco roots, or simply want to experience its unique charm, Seville is a place that sticks with you. It’s the perfect blend of old and new, and everywhere you go, there’s something special to see or experience.