If you are an experienced traveler, you know that to enjoy a city, you must take it slow. Otherwise, you run from one corner to another without really enjoying the city.

This list of 21 things to do in Seville gives you all the possible activities you can think of for holidays in the Andalusian capital. 

So, if you are one of those that run from one corner to the city to another, pick the activities that you consider the most important and truly enjoy them. 

My advice is if you are only visiting for two or three days? Star with the hop on, hop off bus! That way, you get a full, informed tour of the city and can deepen into the activities and landmarks that interest you the most. 

1. Discover the beauty of the Alcázar Palace

Even though the Real Alcazar of Seville shows many rooms with Islamic themes and decorations, it’s essential to know that only a few structures from the times of the Muslims are left in the current palace. 

This is not an article on history, so I will keep the explanation short. History records state that the first structures of the Real Alcázar Palace date to the 10th century when the Caliph of Cordoba, Abdurrahman III an-Nasir, ordered a new place for the royals. Approximately two centuries later, between the 11th and 12th, the Abbadids and the Almohads extended the fortress to the Guadalquivir. 

In the 13th century, the Spanish monarchs took over and turned the fortress into the stunning Mudejar Palace that it is today. From the Reconquest, the Spanis monarchs like Isabella and Fernando added new stages to finish the residence. 

There is so much to say about the Real Alcazar that it deserves its own article. The important thing to remember is that if you visit Seville, I recommend you book a tour!

Plus, here’s a broader description on this landmark, in case you’re interested:

15 Iconic Landmarks in Seville and Must-Visit Attractions

I visited Seville a year ago and went to the Real Alcazar on my own. I walked the main halls, felt awed at the beauty of the mosaics in the ceiling, and wandered through the gardens, but I only learned a little from the short explanations in the guiding plaques. 

So, a must-thing to do in Seville discovers the Real Alcázar Palace with a tour, especially if you want to understand the evolution of its architecture and the history behind it. 

👉 Tickets

2. Visit the largest Gothic Church in the world

Seville is home to the largest Gothic Church in the world! It is an impressive architecture that dates back to the 16th century.

The Cathedral is 76 meters wide and 116 meters long, making it the world’s most enormous church in Spain. It has nine doors, but only a few are used to let tourists into the Cathedral itself and to the Giralda. This stunning architecture is also home to paintings from Murillo and Zurbarán, two recognized Spanish artists. 

Again, a lot could be said about the Cathedral of Seville, but my best recommendation is to book a ticket in advance to skip the long queue. 

When Iñigo and I visited, we went all the way to the top and witnessed a stunning view of Seville during the Spring.

👉 Tickets

3. Experience street flamenco at Plaza de España

Plaza de España is a monument close to Maria Luisa Park, built between 1914 and 1929 for the Iberoamerican Exhibition. This huge complex has 48 banks representing the forty-six provinces of Spain and the two archipelagos. 

Another famous feature of Plaza de España is the pond of 500 meters in which visitors can rent about and row while enjoying the city’s sun. 

But what some people enjoy the most about Plaza de España, besides its stunning architecture, is the street flamenco you experience. 

I remember the last time we visited, the artists were located in the center of the plaza, on the stairs under the roof. There was, of course, a guitarist and, if I remember well, two or three dancers who alternated the show between one and the other. 

Experiencing street flamenco is one of the coolest things because you can see the artists’ passion less than one meter away. They put so much love and dedication into it that the performance can totally absorb you. 

You don’t have to pay any ticket to visit and stroll around Plaza de España, but I recommend taking some cash so you can support the street flamenco artists. 

4. Climb the “Setas” of Seville

The Metropol Parasol, mostly known as “Setas” of Seville, is a structure in the city center famous for its attractive, modern shape in the middle of the Sevillian old town. 

The structure is supposed to imitate the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville. Still, people ended up associating the architecture with the shape of a giant mushroom or “seta” (Spanish translation). 

The “Setas” of Seville house a traditional market and restaurants on the first floor, a performance square, and the Antiquarium Archeological Museum. The structure also has a terrace that offers a panoramic view of the old town.

Visiting the Metropol Parasol is a different and magical thing to do in Seville if you do it at sunset or maybe at night during its “aurora” moment. This is when the “Setas” imitate the colors and movements of the Aurora Boreal lights. 

👉 Tickets

5.Visit Mercado de Triana

If you visit Seville, another thing you can’t miss is the Mercado de Triana in the namesake neighborhood.  

A curious fact about this market? It was built over the Palace of San Jorge, an old inquisitorial court of the Middle Ages. It was abandoned for centuries until, in 1823, the municipality decided to build a food market for the Universal Exhibition of Seville in 1992. While doing so, workers discovered the remains of the palace and a Muslim cemetery. 

The current structure was built in 2001. 

What can you get in this market? Absolutely everything. From tapas to flowers, from your Spanish ham to a hair cut. Mercado de Traina is the perfect place to eat traditional food and find unique souvenirs for your trip.

7. Visit the museum at “Torre de Oro”

If you are curious about the maritime history of Seville, the best place you can go to is the “Torre de Oro” (Tower of Gold) in Seville. The iconic tower is right in front of the Guadalquivir River, and you can get a beautiful view of it from the Triana or San Telmo bridge. 

Besides getting to know the city’s maritime history and the importance of Seville as a port city, the tower also offers a panoramic view, especially over the Guadalquivir River. 

Disclaimer! Even though it is a bit obvious, “Torre de Oro” is Seville and is not made of gold. Historians are not sure where the name comes from, but one of the theories is that the tower takes a golden color when the sun reflects the rock. 

👉Tickets

8. Enjoy a horse ride through the city center

We have all seen at least one movie where characters ride a romantic horse carriage in a beautiful city. Well, this same scene can be re-lived in Seville!

Another attractive thing to do in the city is doing an hour tour in a carriage, going through the old town of Seville like people used to before cars were a thing.

The carriages can take up to four persons, costing around €45 an hour. You can think of this activity as the first hop-on hop-off ride (although you can’t technically hop off). 

If you enjoy horses and romantic scenery, then this should be one of your top things to do in Seville!

9.Walk the “Jardines del Prado de San Sebastian”

The Prado of San Sebastian Garden is a lovely green area of Seville right next to Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park. 

These gardens are perfect for escaping the sun of the south while finding shelter under the many trees. 

Visit the “Jardines del Prado de San Sebastian” for nice walks with family, friends, or your significant other. 

Interesting fact! Queen Isabel II created this garden in the 19th century in her plan to transform Seville. Nowadays, it is also a place for cultural events and exhibitions.

10. Take a tour in the Mestranza Plaza de Toros

Bullfighting is still a very famous activity in Andalusia, and Seville has one of the most important rings in the country. 

Whether you agree or not with bullfighting, visiting the Maestranza bullring is an exciting thing to do in Seville because it will immerse you in the history of this Spanish tradition. 

The Mestranza Bullring is an 18th-century, Baroque-style building that took over 120 years to complete. Contrary to La Monumental (Plaza de Toros of Barcelona), the Maestranza is still used for bullfights and is a fundamental stage for Seville’s April Fair. 

Besides getting a tour of the ring, you can visit the “Museo Taurino,” dedicated to the history of bullfighting in Seville, which displays original customers, photographs, and memorabilia. 

If you want to include this activity in your list, get your tickets here 👉 Real Maestranza tickets.

11. Rent a boat in Plaza de España

If you are up to a touristy activity in the great Plaza de España of Seville, then you can rent a rowboat in the semicircled pond of the plaza. 

The pond is not very big to maneuver but is a lovely experience to share with family, friends, or your partner. 

The rowboat has space for up to three people, and the price is €6 for 35 minutes. On top of that, the ticket booth will ask you to leave a deposit of €4 in case you don’t leave the boat after your initial 35 minutes. 

So, to be more clear, if you row the boat for more than 35 minutes, the total price is €10.

12. Enjoy slow walks in the Seville streets

I know I already mentioned that you should take your time to walk the Santa Cruz neighborhood, but on top of that, enjoy slow walks in all of Seville’s streets.

One of my favorite and most popular streets in Seville is the “Avenida de la Constitución,” from Puerta de Jerez to Plaza Nueva. 

If you walk this entire avenue, you will see the Adriática building, the Cathedral, the “Archivo de Indias,” and you will end up next to the Real Alcazar. 

While walking the “Avenida de la Constitución,” you will find unique stores where you can get souvenirs for the entire family back home!

13. Visit Palacio de las Dueñas

If you walk into the northern direction of Seville’s old town, you will enter the Regina neighborhood. This is a more modern neighborhood of Seville, but between its modern stores, building, and restaurants, you will find the Palacio de las Dueñas. 

The Palacio de las Dueñas is a 15th-century palace of the Dukes of Alba famous for its Gothic, Reinassance, and Mudejar style. 

If you visit the palace, you can enjoy a stroll through its stunning gardens and get a glimpse of the lifestyle sevillanos used to have decades ago.   

If you are interested in this activity during your trip to Seville, check out the tickets here 👉 Palacio de las Dueñas tickets.

14. Visit the Palacio de Condesa de Lebrija

The late Countess of Lebrija was an art collector who gathered the best Roman mosaics of Europe in her house. 

If you are interested in art and culture, then this palace is a must thing to do during your trip to Seville!

The Palace of the Countess of Lebrija homes over 4,000 square feet of mosaics discovered back in the 20th century by the countess herself. 

The mosaics date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and are all unique and special pieces of ancient mythology and the everyday life of the former Roman Empire in Spain. 

You can book your tickets online at the following link 👉 Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija tickets. 

15. Enjoy the views from “La Giralda.”

“La Giralda” is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville, but it did not always serve this purpose. 

This stunning tower of Seville was built in the 12th century as a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville. After the Christians took over, they added a bell on top, and two centuries later, they also added a statue of women to represent the faith. 

Like enjoying the views from the top of the Cathedral, you can climb “La Giralda.” It is 104 meters tall, and once on the top, you will get a more beautiful view of the Cathedral ceiling and the city. 

I totally recommend this activity in Seville, so I will leave you the link to the tickets right here 👉 “La Giralda tickets.”

16. Walk the Maria Luisa Park

Another of Seville’s green hearts is the Maria Luisa Park, donated by the Infanta Maria Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier, in 1893. 

This park is over 40 hectares, and while walking through it, you will find the Plaza de España, several museums and galleries, including the Archaeological Museum of Seville, and a variety of wildlife, such as peacocks. 

Once again, this is a nice activity in Seville if you will not be running around from one corner of the city to another. I recommend you take your time to explore it and even get some ice cream or churros (depending on the season) while walking through the park. 

17. Eat as much tapas as possible

Just like in any other city in Spain, you must try as many tapas as possible during your trip to Seville. This is a must thing to do in Seville with one, two, or three days in the city because there is always time for eating!

Three top bars to visit while you travel to Seville are:

1. El Rinconcillo: This is a 17th-century bar, the oldest in the city, where you must try the jamón de bellota.
2. La Brunilda: This trendy tapa bar gives a twist to traditional Spanish appetizers. It is usually crowded, but the food is 100% worth it!
3. Bodeguita Romero: This tapa bar is five minutes away from the Cathedral, and the most-try here would be the montaditos de pringa, which is a small sandwich filled with stewed pork, chorizo, and blood sausage

I know you will love all of these bars; there is much more to this! 

Best advice? Ask the people from the stores or tour guides! They will always tell you what’s the crême de la crême.

18. Experience a flamenco show on stage

Most people know that flamenco comes from Andalusia, so in Seville, you can’t miss experiencing a show. Watching a flamenco show is an activity you can’t miss in Spain, so I will give a short list of the most recommended places in Seville. 

Here are some top places you can go to:

1. Tablao Flamenco El Arenal
2. Palacio Andaluz
3. El Patio Sevillano

20. Take a water ride in the Guadalquivir

If you are looking for a different type of tour, then you can hop on a Guadalquivir cruise to sail around the city while knowing its history. 

The cruise usually goes under the nine bridges of the city, plus both the traditional and modern sides of Seville. 

This tour could be a fun alternative to the traditional hop-on and hop-off tours as you will get as much historical information without leaving the cruise. 

Tickets to the Guadalquivir river cruise right 👉 here!

21. Take a day trip to Ronda!

If you stay in Seville for more than three days, I recommend visiting one of the hidden gems outside the city!

Ronda is a beautiful mountaintop city in the east-southern side of Seville; you can get there by train in 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can check out the tickets on the website of Renfe!

Once in Ronda, you must see the old town full of charming streets, historic buildings, and the iconic “Puente Nuevo,” which, as an 18th-century bridge, once name the highest bridge on Earth.  

Have you made your choice already? If you stay for a week in Seville, you can easily do all of these activities in the Andalusian capital. But if you are only staying for two or three days, you have to make some choices.

Don’t forget to comment if you do any of these things in Seville, or share your opinion of the city if you have already visited!