Top things to do in Seville

Now here’s a city that should be on your to-visit list – Seville, the capital of Andalusia is a cradle of many Spanish traditions, the home of delicious tapas, stunning monuments and much more. During April, Seville becomes one huge fair: the city is divided in 2 parts, one with the so-called ‘casetas’, which belong to wealthy Sevillian families, and the other part with an amusement park accessible to everyone. Some even dare to say it is their favourite Spanish city, so let’s see what all the fuss is about in our top 6 to dos in Seville

1)  Stroll through the Parque de Maria Luisa

Parque de María Luisa was built all the way back in 1929 for World’s Fair exhibition and since then it has been the favourite place for gathering, for both locals and tourists. There are plenty of activities that you can do – cycling, walking through the gardens, doing picnics, ride in a horse carriage and many more. You can even rent a four-wheeled bike which is covered on top so you’ll be protected on a hot summer day. Don’t be surprised by so many orange trees because the fact is that Seville has most of them in the world, almost 25 000 to be precise. We recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours to truly enjoy all the fountains and plants all over the park. You will also find several important buildings, such as the ‘Queen’s sewing box’ (Costurero de la Reina), which looks like a mini castle but it was in fact a guard house.

How to get to the Parque de Maria Luisa:

• By bus line C2 to bus stop Glorieta Marineros Voluntarios, and lines 34 and A6 to bus stop Avenida María Luisa (La Raza). The price of a single ticket is 1.40€ (for all zones within the city)

2)  Plaza de Espana Square

Plaza de Espana Square is definitely the biggest (literally, because it measures 50 000 square metres)  attraction  of the Maria Luisa Park, some even consider it the most beautiful place in whole Seville. It is built in the form of a semicircle surrounded by arcades, while the ‘opened’ part faces the 500m long canal. You have the possibility of paddling through the canal, or even rent a mini-boat.The square has dozens of benches, each representing Spanish provinces and each bench has carved-in map of the province that it represents. For a spectacular photo we recommend climbing the central balcony of the building on the square, which you can reach by stairs. Maybe you weren’t aware of it, but Plaza de Espana served as a filming location for several movies, such as Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.

How to get to Plaza de Espana Square:

• By bus lines 01, 30,31, 37, A6 to bus stop Avenida La Borbolla (Capitanía)

3) Go kayaking on the river Guadalquivir

The river Guadalquivir is the second longest river in Spain and the only one that is navigable. Sevillian people used that fact in the best possible way and turned it in great kayaking experience. This activity lasts approximately 2-3 hours because besides paddling down the river, you will also have interesting tour of the sights along the riverside. First you’ll need to meet with your guide which will give you all necessary instructions and a mini-course on how to paddle and once you learn the basics, you’ll be ready to sail through Seville. It truly gives you a different perspective of the city and it is at the same time both fun and interesting.

NOTE: For all the details about getting to the river, how and when you will consult with your guide before the tour.

4) Taste Sevillian specialties

Tapas! – first thing that pops in mind when we talk about food and Seville. Though they are found all over Spain, those in Seville are definitely the best ones. There is even a whole district known for numerous tapas bars, but the most visited are those in the proximity of The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea. Here’s a useful tip – Sevillians mostly eat tapas standing up, so in case you sit down and have waiter bring them to you, you will probably pay extra for the service. Tapas like jamon serrano (smoked ham), croquetas or papas bravas are the most popular, but the list is quite long. As for the sweets, don’t miss trying churros with chocolate, typical Spanish pastry, usually eaten for breakfast. In any case, whatever tapa you decide to try, you won’t be disappointed.

5) Climb the top of La Giralda Tower

La Giralda is one of the most iconic symbols of Seville which was for centuries the tallest building in the city (97 metres) until the skyscrapers took over the throne. The cathedral was built in 1195 and today is on World Heritage list by UNESCO, and it is the third largest cathedral in the world. Interesting fact is that the cathedral was initially the mosque for the Arabs, but once they left, it was transformed in a church. To get the panoramic view of the city, you can climb up the bell chamber, but you’ll need to pay 8€ (3€ for children and students). Though there are no lifts installed, the tower has 35 ramps which facilitate the climbing.

How to get to La Giralda Tower:

• By tram line T1 to Archivo de Indias stop
• By bus line C5 to bus stop García de Vinuesa (Avda. Constitución)

6) Visit Real Alcazar de Sevilla aka Royal Residence

The Alcazar of Seville is a royal palace established by Moorish kings and considered as one of the most beautiful not only in Andalusia, but in whole Spain. The upper part of Alcazar still serves as the royal residence and this makes it the oldest palace in Europe that is still in use. Some will say that this is definitely the one thing you shouldn’t miss for nothing while on your visit to Seville. Besides the marvelous palace, you can also take a stroll through stunning gardens, almost  fairytale-like. Just like Plaza de Espana, the Alcazar also served as a filming location, but this time for the famous series Game of Thrones through season 5 & 6. The entrance will cost you 9€ which is pretty cheap price for this kind of experience. However, we suggest buying them online to avoid dreadful queues.

How to get to Real Alcazar:

• By tram line T1 to Puerta de Jerez stop
• By bus lines 05, A3, A4, A8 to Menéndez Pelayo (Jardines de Murillo) bus stop

NOTE: In case you are traveling to Seville by plane, but you don’t know how to reach the city centre, check out our article on all the possible means of transportation from Seville San Pablo Airport.