The best things to do in Seville, Andalusia

I didn’t know a lot about Seville, other than that my father had been to Seville and really liked it. Nevertheless, I was definitely not expecting the unique style of Andalusian architecture, the tiles that brought everything colour, and all the sights the city had to offer. There are many things to do in Seville. I stayed 5 days in Seville in March. The weather was not great (a lot of rain..). However, I would advise against visiting Seville in the summer as it can be extremely hot during the summer months.

Things to do in Seville, Andalusia

Cathedral of Seville

One of the first things I did in Seville was climbing the Giralda, the tower of the cathedral of Seville. If you’re not afraid of heights, make sure to climb the Giralda, for you’ll have some amazing views over the city. It is the perfect starting point for your exploration of Seville.

The cathedral itself is also worth visiting. It was completed in the 16th century. At that time, the cathedral of Seville was the largest cathedral in the world. Actually, it is still the largest cathedral in the world, since other larger churches (such as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican) aren’t the seat of bishops.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a neighbourhood in the centre of Seville. It is the city’s tourist heart with the Seville Cathedral and Real Alcázar as its main tourist attractions. Santa Cruz was originally the Jewish quarter of Seville. It is the perfect place to wander in Seville and admire the white, orange, and yellow of the houses.

Metropol Parasol

The Metropol Parasol was a pleasant surprise for me. It is made of wood and was finished in 2011. From the upper level of the construction, you have some very nice views over the city. Below the Metropol Parasol, you can find the ‘Antiquarium’, which is a museum where Roman and Moorish remains discovered in Seville are displayed.

Plaza de España

Another famous attraction of Seville is the Plaza de España, which was built in 1928 (for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929). The square is very large. There are 48 tiled benches/alcoves. Each of these represents a Spanish province. Don’t just take a picture of the Plaza de España and go on, admire the different benches and pick your favourite!

Real Alcázar of Seville

The Real Alázar is probably my favourite building in Seville. It was built in Mudéjar style as a royal palace for the Christian king Peter of Castile. It was built on the same place as an Muslim residential fortress had stood, which the Christians destroyed when they conquered Seville.

The weather and lightning were horrible when I visited the Real Alcázar, and I don’t have pictures that do the beauty of the palace justice. So, you just have to believe me when I say that I have rarely seen a building with an interior as beautiful as the Real Alcázar. Elegant columns and arches, gold, tiles everywhere. I couldn’t get enough of it.

And then the gardens.. The gardens were amazing as well. It was pouring the first time I visited the Alcázar, but even then I could admire its beauty. Therefore, I decided to return to the Alcázar on my last day (when it was sunny) to explore the gardens better. Make sure you have at least half a day to explore the Real Alcázar and its gardens.

La Casa de Pilatos

La Casa de Pilatos may be the hidden jewel in Seville. From the outside it doesn’t necessarily look special, but when you’re inside the building.. everything changes. Elegant arches, explosions of colour because of all those coloured tiles, it’s marvellous.

The palace was built in the 15th and 16th century in a mixture of the Italian Renaissance and the Spanish Mudéjar styles. You can also find some classical statues in this palace. You can either visit only the ground flour or the ground and upper floor. I decided to visit only the ground floor, which gives you a good sense of the splendour of the palace.

Other things to do in Seville

However, these sights are not all there is to see in Seville. There are much more things to do in Seville, such as the archaeological museum (which I sadly couldn’t visit. It was closed because of the rain..). Other things to do in Seville include the Torre del Oro, a watchtower, and La Alameda, which are two Roman columns with statues of Hercules and Julius Caesar, and a very lively square.

Where to stay?

I stayed at The Nomad Hostel. This hostel has a very high rating on Hostelworld and absolutely deserves that rating! The hostel was great: clean, comfortable beds, free breakfast and a good location. So, if you’re planning to stay in a hostel during your say, make sure to check out The Nomad Hostel.

(Half-)Day trips from Seville

Seville is a lovely city, but be sure to explore other places in Andalusia as well. I did a day trip to Cordoba, which is easily accessible by train. I also did one half-day trip to Roman ruins of Italica. These ruins were used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. Malaga and Grenada are great cities for day trips as well. If you’re looking to enjoy the sun, make sure to head to Malaga and explore Malaga’s best beaches.

Click here for several organised day trips from Seville

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