Seville is vibrant and alive. Orange blossoms are everywhere. The air is warm and there is a pleasant smell. Old streets lead into open squares. Bars play music, and church bells resound throughout the city. Here, history and everyday life are closely intertwined. Here are 15 things to do in Seville to show you the city.
1. Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is a must-see. The tower and its stone walls are visible from afar. The outside carvings are beautiful and endless. The air inside is heavy and cool. Golden altars gleam against dark stone. The floor is lit by softly colored stained glass. Footsteps echo and then fade away quickly. Here is the tomb of Christopher Columbus. It is a popular attraction that people stop for longer than they expected. It is less important to look at the design than its history.
The Giralda Tower forms part of the cathedral. The builders constructed the minaret long before they built the cathedral. Climbers find the ascent easy because the ramps gradually turn upward. From the top, the view stretches far and wide. White houses, red rooftops, narrow streets, and flat land fill the distance.
2. Royal Alcazar in Seville
The Royal Alcazar, a palace full of detail. Arches lead to courtyards with shade. Tiles in blue and green adorn the walls. Carvings that resemble delicate lace cover the stone surfaces. The sun enters the room in thin strips and then falls on fountains and cool floors. Water is always humming. The gardens are filled with flowers, palms and long paths. Birds fly through the trees.
A palace that shows multiple centuries at once. The palace has both Gothic and Islamic rooms. Later kings added additional layers. Although the styles are different, they still blend together. The Spanish royal family still uses the palace, but the city mostly owns it. It takes time to walk through, as each turn leads to another hall, arch, or quiet corner.
3. Barrio Santa Cruz
Barrio Santa Cruz feels like a maze. The streets are narrow and whitewashed on both sides. The balconies are bursting with flowers, and the small windows overlook the street. The area is quiet during the day. Footsteps travel far. Orange trees shade benches and fountains in small squares.
Lamps glow at night on corners. Bars are filled with music and voices. Outside, people eat tapas and drink wine while laughing with each other. The charm of this place is that it is easy to get confused. There is something new around every corner. A hidden square. A shadowed lane. Barrio Santa Cruz feels timeless.
4. Flamenco Shows
Flamenco is Seville’s speciality. It is a combination of music, rhythm and movement. The guitar plays sharp notes. The voice of the singer is strong and rough. The dancer’s steps are fast and hard. Tablaos are small, intimate venues where shows take place. The rooms are dark and close.
The music fills the room, and there is silence in between songs. Faces of performers tell the story. Flamenco is more than just a performance. Flamenco is the expression of emotion through sound. On stage, anger, pride, pain, and love are all present. Seville offers a unique experience.
5. Plaza de Espana
The Plaza de España has a wide, bright surface. At each end of the plaza, towers rise and archways stretch out in a semicircle. Below, small arches cross the canal. The walls feature tiles adorned with blue and yellow patterns. Alcoves on the plaza display designs from each Spanish province. The people walk slowly and stop at each of them. Children play in the open. Families rent boats to row along the canal. Near the steps, musicians play. The square is both formal and playful.
6. Maria Luisa Park
Maria Luisa Park is a large green area that extends next to the plaza. Here, the air is cooler. The paths are lined with palm trees and cypress. Fountains splash gently. The walkways are lined with benches. Behind hedges are small gardens, quiet and shaded. Locals bring their families. Some people walk, others cycle, and some just sit under the trees, eating and drinking. Birds fill the branches, and the sounds of the city fade behind the leaves.
7. Metropol Parasol
Metropol Parasol stands in Plaza de la Encarnacion. The people call it Las Setas or the mushrooms. The structure is made of wood and looks like a giant umbrella. The curves look strange and futuristic from below. The city is visible from above. The top walkway is spacious and open at night when the roofs are glowing. Below is a market that sells goods and food. A Roman and Moorish archaeological site displays ruins. The Parasol links Seville’s ancient layers with its modern face.
8. Triana District
Triana is located across the river. The streets are vibrant and colourful. Ceramic shops and brightly painted houses line the streets. Pottery is still a strong tradition in this area.
The market is alive. Small stalls sell fish, meat, fruits, and tapas. Fresh bread and fried foods fill the air. Cafes and bars along the river look back at the old town. The view is stunning at sunset with the skyline shining behind the water. Triana is a local area with a more relaxed atmosphere than the city centre.
9. Archivo General de Indias
The Archivo General de Indias has a lot of history. The building is simple and calm, with quiet courtyards and long halls. Maps, letters and records of the Spanish empire are included. The documents tell the tale of the trade, the voyages and the discovery across the Atlantic. It is a massive undertaking, spanning centuries. It is a must-see for anyone who loves history. The weight of the contents is matched by its silence.
10. Tapas Culture
Tapas is a central part of Seville. Shared small plates are preferred to large meals. There are many bars in the city, all with their own favourite drinks. The menu includes everything from fried cod to Salmorejo (a thick tomato-based soup) to Jamón Iberico. Each bar has a different menu. Atmosphere is just as important as food. The counters crowd with people. Glasses clink together, voices collide, and hands quickly pass plates between each other. Tapas are part of everyday life and not just for dining.
11. Guadalquivir River Cruise
The Guadalquivir River runs through the city. In the past, ships used to sail from here to America. Boats now take visitors past these landmarks. The city is different from the water. Overhead, bridges are arranged in a cross-over pattern. Torre del Oro is at the edge. Triana is on one side, and the old town is on the other. Other cruises offer music or dinner. Some cruises offer dinner or music. The lights of Seville are softly reflected on the river at night.
12. Torre del Oro
Torre del Oro is located on the banks of the river. Builders constructed it in the 13th century to guard the port. Its name comes from the golden reflection it gave in the sunlight. A small maritime museum inside explains the history of Seville in terms of ships and trade. Models and maps show the city’s appearance during its golden age. The view is spectacular from the top. It is a small tower compared to other ones, but it has a large place in history.
13. Semana Santa
Semana Santa is a week-long celebration that takes place in the weeks leading up to Easter. Slowly, processions make their way through the streets. The Virgin Mary and Christ are carried on large floats, decorated with candles and flowers. Men hidden underneath the floats carry them. Drums and brass are played by bands. The sound is powerful, slow and steady. As the floats move by, the crowds are often quiet. Many find it deeply religious. Visitors can experience the spirit of the city.
14. Feria de Abril
The Feria de Abril starts two weeks after Easter. The fairgrounds are ablaze with colour and music. Families gather under casetas – small tents with lanterns and stripes. Women wear brightly colored flamenco dresses, and men wear suits. Horses are paraded through the grounds. The music and dancing continue throughout the day and into the night. It is a celebration of food, drinks, and fun. Seville is a city full of joy, and this festival spreads throughout the entire city.
15. Local Markets
Seville’s market shows the daily rhythm. Triana Market has many food stalls, small tapas bars and a lively atmosphere. Feria Market has narrow aisles, a more traditional feel and is older. Mercado de la Encarnacion stands under the Parasol, above ancient ruins. The stalls are filled with fish, meat, fruits, and spices. The vendors shout, and the aroma of fresh food fills the air. Visitors can either eat there or purchase items to take home. The markets are about more than just shopping. Markets are a part of the way that the city lives.
Conclusion
Seville’s streets, monuments and people are what make it a vibrant city. Seville’s history is reflected in the cathedral, Alcazar and plazas. Tapas bars and flamenco performances, as well as markets, show the daily life of its people. These things to do in Seville, Spain are best for your adventure. You can find the rest by walking, listening, and looking. Seville is more than just what you see; it’s also how it makes you feel.