Last Updated: December 20, 2023
Seville is the jewel of Andalusia and a great destination if you are looking for a short holiday getaway. It is the capital of Andalusia and quite honestly, one of my favorite cities in Spain hence why we’ve visited it twice. If you’re looking for a destination that combines Mediterranean weather, with great cuisine, intriguing historical sites and lively nightlife then Seville is the perfect place for you.
In this guide, we will go through which places in Seville to not miss, what to try from the local cuisine, and things to do.
DON’T MISS IN SEVILLE
PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
Plaza de España is a gorgeous square located in the Parque de María Luisa. This colorful and grand building will take your breath away with its unique architecture and the tiled alcoves. The building has a half-circle form, connected to the rest of the plaza through bridges arching their way over the moat. If you’re lucky, you will come across performers, practicing their Flamenco moves in the shady corridors. The best time to visit is during sunset!
MARIA LUISA PARK
The park is an oasis in the southern end of Seville, adjacent to Plaza de España. It is covered with a plethora of trees and flowers but also expect to find ponds, fountains and pavilions. What stood out for me the most was the orange trees, the smell of the oranges it’s the first thing that you will notice as soon as you enter the park. Seville hits some of the highest temperatures in Europe during summer and entering this park, feels pretty much as if you found a water pond in the middle of the desert (or at least that’s how we felt during our first visit to Seville).
METROPOL PARASOL
Metropol Parasol or otherwise know by the locals as Las Setas (the mushrooms) it’s one of the largest wooden structures in the world. It is located in the old district of Seville, at La Encarnación square. I would highly suggest that you pay the admission fee to climb up and enjoy the panoramic view of Seville.
CATHEDRAL AND LA GIRALDA
The Cathedral dates back to the 15th Century and it is the 3rd largest in the world. This Gothic architectural masterpiece was built to show off the city’s wealth, in fact, according to legend, the clergymen who decided to build it said ‘we shall have a church of such a kind that those who see it built will think we were mad.’
Whilst you are at it, I highly recommend that you also access its bell-tower, La Giralda and enjoy the spectacular city view.
ROYAL ALCAZAR OF SEVILLE
If you can only visit one monument in Seville then The Royal Palace should be the one. It has an immaculate beauty reflected in every single detail you see. Walls decorated with tiles, serene gardens, and a unique blend of architectural styles. Its beauty has not gone unnoticed by the film industry using it as a setting for Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones to name a few.
The queue to enter the palace can get very long, so booking in advance it would be a wise decision.
FLAMENCO SHOW
Seville is the birthplace of flamenco and this is your perfect opportunity to experience an original flamenco show. The top places to watch flamenco in Seville are the La Casa del Flamenco and Casa de la Memoria. Usually, the venues hosting the shows fill up quickly so plan ahead and book your spot in advance.
SEVILLE’S FOOD MARKETS
There are plenty of markets in Seville where you can find not only food but also crafts and antiques but I will focus on my two favorite food markets cause I’m a foodie and that’s what fills my soul (other than traveling of course).
Lonja del Barranco
This historic market was designed back in 1883 by Gustave Eiffel and it is the only surviving iron market in Seville. Located by the riverside, it is a gorgeous airy building made up of iron, glass, and high ceilings. On its off-white stalls, you will find paella, tapas bars, smoothies joints, seafood and more.
Mercado de Triana
The market sits where once stood the Castillo de San Jorge. At Triana Market, the experience is more authentic with its stalls attracting mainly locals who come here to stock up on groceries. Fresh fish, butcheries, artisan bakeries, florists are some of the stalls you will come across. Sit at one of the coffee shops, order a cup of Cortado (espresso with warm milk) and watch the locals as they socialize and pass you by.
WHAT & WHERE TO EAT IN SEVILLE
Everybody likes Spanish cuisine and I am no different. I feel like it is quite close to the Greek cuisine and that is one of the reasons (following the culture and the weather) why every time I visit Spain, it almost feels as if I’m visiting home.
I strongly believe that you have not truly experienced a country if you haven’t tasted some of the local delicacies and Seville has no shortage of those.
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
This cute place is very close to where the Metropol Parasol is located and it has some of the best tostadas in Seville. The place is quite small so be prepared to queue, especially if you arrive between 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning.
LUNCH
The historic Andalusian bar of El Rinconcillo first opened its doors back in 1670 and it is known to be the most traditional spot in Seville. As soon as you enter, the decor will make you feel as if you’ve transferred to a different era. Sit at one of the barrel-tables, order something from the delicious homemade food, or simply cold cuts from the charcuterie selection and embrace the experience.
DINNER
When it comes to dinner, why not do it like the Sevillanos do? Tapas bar crawl is the best way to try out different bars and it is a fun way to relish in the Sevillian tapas and other local favorites. My favorite stop during our bar crawl was the Bar Alfalfa, a tiny corner bar at Alfalfa District with a limited menu but so much character.
TAPAS…AND MORE
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Spanish food is tapas. What more to ask when sitting down for a refreshing drink and you see the waiter approaching with a small plate of a delicious savory treat, right? You can have everything served in a tapas portion, meat, fish, cheese and the list goes on and on but I would strongly recommend that you also try something which perhaps may be a bit out of your comfort zone. Carne en salsa (meat in sauce), carrillada de cerdo (pig’s cheeks), Secreto Ibérico (pork tenderloin tapa) are just a few to not be missed! Wash it all down with a refreshing glass of Cruzcampo beer, the local’s favorite beer, brewed in Seville since 1904.
DAY TRIPS FROM SEVILLE
SEVILLE TO PORTUGAL
If you have time to spare, rent a car and cross the borders to neighboring Portugal to explore the Algarve region. It is a roughly 2 hours drive from Seville to Faro District in Portugal. Stop by the coastal town of Faro, park your car and explore its old town and the nearby popular beach of Praia de Faro.
SEVILLE TO GRANADA
Granada is another beautiful city in Andalusia and I would suggest that you spend at least two days in this sensational city. It sits at the foot of Sierra Nevada mountains and its most remarkable attraction is the Alhambra castle. Expect a medieval feel while strolling along the old Morrish city but don’t end your exploration there. Continue your day on foot and visit some of Granada’s unique neighborhoods, with the Sacromonte and the Carrera del Darro being a must.
