15 Incredible Things To Do in Seville

Seville is the kind of city that makes you forget to check your phone. One minute you’re wandering through tiled alleyways with orange trees overhead, the next you’re standing in front of a palace that looks like it was designed to make you whisper “how is this real?”

It’s warm, colourful, a little chaotic in the best way—and somehow every corner feels like it’s trying to outdo the last. But with so many iconic sights, cute neighbourhoods, day trips, and tapas spots, it’s also ridiculously easy to feel overwhelmed and waste time zigzagging across the city.

That’s exactly why I put this guide together: a curated list of the most incredible things to do in Seville, mixing the big “wow” places with the smaller moments that make a trip feel personal. Expect practical tips, smart timing suggestions, and honest notes on what’s truly worth prioritizing—based on what it’s actually like to visit, not just what looks good on a checklist.

Visiting other parts of Andalusia? Don’t miss my guides on The 10 Most Beautiful White Villages In Andalusia and a 7 day road trip through Andalusia.

Quick guide to Seville
15 Very Best Things to do in Seville
Where to stay in Seville

Quick guide to Seville

Short on Time? Here’s My Quick Guide to Seville:

Can’t miss things to do – Visit the Plaza de España for sunrise, grab some tapas et El Reconcillo (the oldest tapas bar in Seville), climb the Giralda Tower for an epic view over the city and visit the Royal Alcazar for a royal experience.
Where to stay – EME Catedral Mercer Hotel, a 5-star hotel which immediately stole my heart due to its iconic location and epic views of the Seville Cathedral and Giralda.

15 Very Best Things to do in Seville

1. Casa de Pilatos

Casa de Pilatos is a 16th-century aristocratic palace that blends Mudéjar, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, so you get that classic Sevillian mix of intricate details and airy calm all in one spot.

The second you step into the main courtyard, you’re surrounded by glazed azulejos, delicate arches, and a marble vibe. It’s not as crowded as the Alcázar, which honestly makes it even better for actually soaking it in (and taking photos without a hundred heads in the background).

Take your time wandering the courtyards and gardens, because the magic is in the details here—tilework that goes on forever, carved doorways, little fountains, and shady corners that feel made for escaping the heat.

Opening hours – 9am to 6pm
Entrance fee – €12
Buy your ticket online

2. Royal Alcázar of Seville

Visiting the Royal Alcázar of Seville feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale—except it’s 100% real, and somehow even prettier in person. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site (together with Seville Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias), and you can feel those layers of history the moment you walk in.

The absolute show-stealer is the Mudéjar architecture: intricate tile work, carved stucco, Arabic inscriptions, and that “I don’t even know where to look first” level of detail—especially around the Palace of King Don Pedro and the famous Patio de las Doncellas with its long reflecting pool.

Once you step outside, it’s palms and orange trees, peacocks wandering around like they own the place, tiled benches, and fountains doing their soothing little soundtrack thing. If any of it feels oddly familiar, you’re not imagining it: parts of the Alcázar were used as a filming location in Game of Thrones (hello, Dorne vibes).

💡TIP – Book a timed entry slot ahead of time because they control access by time windows and it can sell out.

Opening hours – 9.30am to 7pm
Entrance fee – €15.5

3. Archivo General de Indias

The Archivo General de Indias is one of those places that people skip because it sounds “serious”… and then you walk in and realise it’s actually stunning and not crowded at all. The building itself is a crisp Spanish Renaissance beauty, designed by Juan de Herrera (yes, the same architect linked to El Escorial), and it sits right next to the Cathedral in the historic centre.

Depending on what’s on show, you can see items signed by names like Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, or Francisco Pizarro, plus historic maps and archival pieces that make Seville’s “gateway to the New World” role feel very real.

Opening hours – 9.30am to 4.30pm, except on Sunday when it’s open from 10am to 1.30pm. Closed on Monday.
Entrance fee – Free

4. Catedral de Sevilla

From the moment you step inside, it’s all soaring Gothic vaults, dramatic light, and that quiet echo you only get in places this grand. Give yourself time to actually look up (your neck will forgive you later) and don’t just rush to the highlights—some of the side chapels and details are genuinely stunning.

And then there’s the Giralda. Yes, you should climb it—no, it’s not as brutal as you think because it’s mostly ramps rather than stairs (still a workout though, let’s be real). The views at the top are the payoff: terracotta rooftops, palm trees, and the whole city laid out like a postcard. If you can time your visit for later in the afternoon, even better—Seville’s light gets softer, the cathedral feels cooler inside compared to the streets, and that final look over the city from the Giralda just hits different.

💡 TIP – If the online website mentions that tickets are sold out for that day, no worries. Simply head to the main entrance and you can still purchase tickets at the booth.

Opening hours – 11am to 6pm
Entrance fee – €13

5. Plaza de España

Plaza de España is one of those places in Seville that you absolutely can’t miss! And the biggest tip I can give you is to visit at sunrise! It’s huge and covered in the kind of details you keep spotting long after you think you’ve seen it all—glazed tiles, carved bridges and little fountains.

The tiled alcoves (bancos) are the real show-stealers. Each one represents a different Spanish province with a colourful map and storytelling scenes, and it’s honestly fun to wander along and look for places you’ve been (or suddenly add new ones to your wish list).

And yes, you can rent a little rowboat for the canal if you want the full “main character in Seville” moment, but even if you skip that, just sitting on a bench with a cold drink and people-watching is amazing.

6. Plaza America

Tucked inside Parque de María Luisa, it’s wide, elegant, and surprisingly calm—perfect for a slow wander when you need a break from the busier historic centre. The square is framed by grand pavilions with arched galleries and decorative tilework.

The buildings here are gorgeous—especially the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares and the Museo Arqueológico—and even if you don’t go inside, the architecture alone is worth the detour.

7. Plaza del Patio de Banderas

It’s tucked by the Real Alcázar, lined with those classic white façades and pops of greenery, due to the orange trees. The best part is the view: from the patio you get a gorgeous glimpse of La Giralda rising above the rooftops, which makes it a sneaky little photo spot (and a great place to just sit for a minute and take it all in).

If you haven’t bought your ticket for the Real Alcazar online, this is where you line up for its daily ticket booth. Be warned, lines can get pretty long, pretty fast.

8. Plaza del Cabildo

You slip in through a little passageway near the Cathedral and suddenly you’re in this semi-circular plaza wrapped in creamy-white arcades, with blue-and-white tiles lining the walls and a tiny fountain in the middle.

If you’re there on a Sunday, the plaza gets a totally different vibe thanks to the little market that pops up, with stalls selling stamps, coins, and all kinds of vintage bits and pieces. Even if you’re not collecting anything, it’s fun to browse for a few minutes.

9. Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador

Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador was built on the site of Seville’s former main mosque, and the church you see today came after the old structure was deemed too ruinous and demolished in the late 1600s.

The first thing that hits is the sheer amount of gilded detail and the sense that every surface is trying to outshine the next. Give yourself a minute to look up, slow down, and let your eyes adjust, because it’s not a “walk in, snap a pic, walk out” kind of church.

Entrance fee – €7

10. Palacio de las Dueñas

Palacio de las Dueñas is an easy, worthwhile stop in Seville if you want something quieter than the main sights. It’s a privately owned palace with a few courtyards and gardens, and the visit is straightforward to do in under an hour. The architecture is a mix of Gothic-Mudéjar and Renaissance styles, and it has a couple of calm outdoor areas that make it a good break in the heat.

Inside, it’s more of a personal collection than a “big museum” setup. The palace displays a large decorative arts collection (over 1,400 pieces) and includes paintings by artists like Sofonisba Anguissola and Jusepe de Ribera. There’s also a small archaeological collection with Roman marble heads/busts, including figures like Augustus, Trajan, Nero, and Tiberius.

Opening hours – 10am to 7pm
Entrance fee – €15
Buy your ticket online

11. Setas de Sevilla

Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol) is a quick, easy win if you want a different view of the city without committing to a full-on museum visit. It sits right at Plaza de la Encarnación, so you’ll probably pass it anyway, and going up to the walkway is a fun break from wandering streets at ground level. The structure itself is modern and a bit unexpected in Seville, which makes it stand out even more.

Time it for late afternoon or sunset if you can. The light is better, it’s cooler, and the views over the rooftops feel more rewarding.

12. Seville Museum of Fine Arts

The Seville Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) is an easy “yes” if you want a break from the heat and a dose of proper Andalusian culture without battling crowds all day. It’s set inside the former Convent of La Merced, so the visit feels calm.

This is also one of the best places in Seville to understand why the city’s Baroque era was such a big deal, because the collection really leans into the artists who shaped it.

Opening hours – 9am to 9pm (on Sunday until 3pm)
Entrance fee – Free

13. Have lunch at Mercado del Barranco

It’s a sleek food market right by the river, perfect when you want variety without committing to one restaurant for a full sit-down meal. You can keep it simple—grab a couple of tapas from different stalls, add a glass of something cold, and call it lunch. The vibe is lively but low-effort, and it works whether you’re starving after sightseeing or just want a casual, graze-your-way-through kind of midday break.

14. Walk along the water for a view over Triana

Stick to the promenade by the Guadalquivir and you’ll get that wide, open view straight across to Triana—colourful buildings, little balconies, and the calm hum of the neighbourhood on the other side.

Aim for the stretch between Mercado del Barranco and Puente de Triana (Isabel II). You’ll pass boats, palm trees, and plenty of benches for a quick pause. If you want the best “wow, that’s Triana” viewpoint, stop on or just next to the bridge and look back—river in the foreground, Triana behind it, and Seville doing that effortlessly pretty thing it does.

15. Visit the Sevilla Aquarium

Visiting the Sevilla Aquarium is such a nice “reset” activity, especially if you’re doing Seville in warm weather or you’re travelling with kids (or just want a break from churches + tiles + walking). It’s an easy, indoor plan that still feels fun and different—dim lighting, cool air, and you can take it at your own pace without feeling like you have to rush anything.

The highlight is the big ocean tank (the one that makes everyone stop and stare for a minute), plus the tunnel-style sections where fish and rays glide past right above you. Give yourself around 1–2 hours, then pair it with a stroll in Parque de María Luisa afterwards since you’re already in that area—perfect if you want to keep the day feeling relaxed and not too packed.

Opening hours – 10am to 6pm
Entrance fee – €18

Where to stay in Seville

During our citytrip in Seville we stayed at EME Catedral Mercer Hotel, a 5-star hotel which immediately stole my heart due to its iconic location and epic views of the Seville Cathedral and Giralda.

We stayed in one of their Junior Suites which came with two typical Andalusian balconies, a double bed, a free cot, a separate seating area and a bathroom with a large bathtub. And lots of space for César to run around after a day of exploring. The only thing missing for me were closets. Instead there was a one big clothing rack, which is not that convenient for storing away clothes.

Seville with a Toddler - Everything you need to know

EME Catedral Mercer Hotel at a glance

Location: In the heart of Seville, within 10 minutes walking distance from most highlights. This does however come with some nighttime noise.
Overall vibe: It’s not cozy-Andalusian-charm as much as stylish boutique with a cool edge—clean lines, moodier lighting, and a design-y feel.
Room Types: EME Catedral Mercer) keeps the room categories pretty clean and view-focused. On their official “Rooms & Suites” page, these are the core room types you can book: Superior, Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Grand Deluxe Views, Junior Suite Views, Suite Views.
Amenities: One of its best features is their outdoor rooftop pool with direct views over the Giralda and Cathedral and a rooftop bar for those gorgeous sunset views (unfortunately not for hotel guests only). There’s a 24-hour gym, a spa, a winebar and two on site restaurants.
Food: AL LADO restaurant is a space for a modern and intercultural cuisine at and Mercer you can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet every morning. At Maestro they have a selection of over 150 national and international wines that can be served by the glass and they are completed with local tapas and the “maestros” (masters), a gourmet interpretation of classic sandwiches.
Budget: $$

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15 Incredible Things To Do in Seville

Quick guide to Seville