The short answer
If you only do five things in Seville: visit the Real Alcázar, climb the Giralda, walk around Plaza de España, get lost in Santa Cruz, and see a flamenco show. Book the Alcázar and the cathedral ahead; everything else can be decided on the day.
| # | What | Price (approx.) | Time | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Alcázar | €15.50 | 2–3 h | Yes |
| 2 | Cathedral and Giralda | €13 | 1.5–2 h | Recommended |
| 3 | Plaza de España | Free | 1 h | No |
| 4 | Santa Cruz | Free | 1–2 h | No |
| 5 | Flamenco show | €25–45 | 1 h | Yes |
| 6 | Setas de Sevilla | about €15 | 45 min | No |
| 7 | Triana and its market | Free | 2–3 h | No |
| 8 | Parque de María Luisa | Free | 1 h | No |
| 9 | Casa de Pilatos | €12 | 1 h | No |
| 10 | Palacio de las Dueñas | €12 | 1 h | No |
The list
1. Real Alcázar
A royal palace still used by the Spanish royal family, and the highlight of Seville. The Palace of Pedro I, built in the 1360s, is a masterpiece of Mudéjar art, and the gardens are a world of their own. About €15.50, 2–3 hours, book ahead. See the Real Alcázar guide and tickets.
2. Cathedral and Giralda
The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with the tomb of Christopher Columbus and an altarpiece covered in gold. Walk up the 35 ramps of the Giralda, the old minaret, for the best view in town. About €13, 1.5–2 hours. See the cathedral guide.
3. Plaza de España
A huge semicircular plaza built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, with a canal, bridges and tiled alcoves for each Spanish province. Go in the late afternoon for the light. Free. See Plaza de España.
4. Santa Cruz
The old Jewish quarter is a tangle of narrow lanes, hidden squares and orange trees. Don’t miss Plaza de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Doña Elvira and the Callejón del Agua along the Alcázar wall. It is best early in the morning or after dark. Free. See Santa Cruz.
5. A flamenco show
Seville is the home of flamenco. Choose a small venue for your first show, so you are close to the dancers. €25–45, 1 hour. See the best flamenco shows.
6. Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol)
A giant wooden canopy over Plaza de la Encarnación, with a walkway on the roof and 360° views over the old town. Go at sunset. Under it, the Antiquarium shows Roman and Moorish remains found during construction. About €15 for the rooftop. See Setas de Sevilla.
7. Triana
Cross the Isabel II bridge to Seville’s old potters’ and sailors’ neighbourhood. Visit the Mercado de Triana, the ceramics shops of Calle Alfarería and San Jorge, the Castillo de San Jorge (the old Inquisition headquarters, free), and have a drink on Calle Betis. See Triana.
8. Parque de María Luisa
Seville’s great park, full of fountains, palm trees, tiled benches and ponds, stretching from Plaza de España to Plaza de América. Perfect for a shady walk, or rent a bike or a four-person quadricycle. Free.
9. Casa de Pilatos
A 16th-century palace mixing Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance styles, with some of the finest tiles in Seville, and quieter than the Alcázar. It was a film location for Lawrence of Arabia. About €12 with the upper floor tour, 1 hour.
10. Palacio de las Dueñas
The Seville home of the Dukes of Alba, where the poet Antonio Machado was born. Patios, gardens and rooms full of art and family memorabilia. About €12, 1 hour.
11. Torre del Oro
A 13th-century Almohad watchtower on the river, now a small naval museum with a rooftop view. About €3 (free on Mondays), 30 minutes.
12. Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza
One of the oldest and most beautiful bullrings in Spain. The guided visit shows the ring, the chapel and the museum, without any bullfight. About €10, 45 minutes.
13. Museo de Bellas Artes
One of Spain’s best painting collections, in a former convent: Murillo, Zurbarán, Valdés Leal and Velázquez. The church hall with Murillo’s paintings is stunning. About €1.50, free for EU citizens, 1–1.5 hours.
14. Hospital de la Caridad
A 17th-century charity hospital whose church contains some of the most dramatic Baroque paintings in Spain, by Valdés Leal and Murillo. Few visitors, a real surprise. About €8, 45 minutes.
15. Archivo de Indias
The archive of Spain’s empire in the Americas, in a Renaissance building next to the cathedral. You see only a few documents, but the building and its marble staircase are beautiful. Free.
16. Iglesia del Salvador
Seville’s second-largest church, a Baroque treasure in Plaza del Salvador. Entry is included in the cathedral ticket. Afterwards, have a drink on the square with the locals.
17. A river cruise
A one-hour boat trip on the Guadalquivir passes the Torre del Oro, Triana, the 1992 Expo bridges and the Plaza de España area. Best at sunset. €18–20. See boat tours in Seville.
18. Basílica de la Macarena
The home of the Virgen de la Macarena, the most loved image of Semana Santa. The museum shows her processional floats and embroidered mantles. Combine it with a walk along the old city walls. Church free, museum about €5.
19. Alameda de Hércules
A long tree-lined square with bars and cafés, where Seville’s alternative scene goes out in the evening. Good for a drink away from the tourist centre.
20. A tapas crawl
Seville invented the tapas crawl. Try the Alfalfa and El Arenal areas, order one or two tapas per bar and move on. Classics: espinacas con garbanzos, pringá, solomillo al whisky, salmorejo and fried fish. See where to eat in Seville.
If you only have one day
Morning: the Alcázar at opening time, then Santa Cruz. Lunch: tapas in Santa Cruz or the Arenal. Afternoon: the cathedral and Giralda, then walk to Plaza de España. Evening: the Setas at sunset, a flamenco show and dinner in Alfalfa. See one day in Seville, or the 2-day and 3-day itineraries.
Free things to do
Plaza de España, the Parque de María Luisa, Santa Cruz, Triana, the Castillo de San Jorge, the Archivo de Indias and the free Monday slots at the Alcázar and some museums. See free things to do in Seville.
With kids
Plaza de España (rowing boats on the canal), the Parque de María Luisa, the Alcázar gardens and maze, and the Isla Mágica theme park in summer. See Seville with kids.
Where to stay nearby
Santa Cruz and the Centro put you within walking distance of almost everything on this list. See where to stay in Seville.
FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in Seville?
The Real Alcázar. If you only have time for one monument, make it this one, and book a ticket for the first slot of the day.
What can you do in Seville in the evening?
A flamenco show, the Setas at sunset, a river cruise, tapas in Alfalfa or Triana, and a drink on a rooftop bar facing the Giralda. Spaniards eat dinner late, from about 21:00.
Is two days enough for Seville?
Two days is enough for the main sights. Three days is better if you want to add Triana, a palace or museum, and a slower pace.
What should I book in advance in Seville?
The Real Alcázar, the cathedral in high season, flamenco shows at small venues, and hotels for spring, Semana Santa and the Feria.