Visiting the south
of Spain? You have to plan at least 3 days in Seville, the beautiful capital of
Andalusia! Whether travelling solo, as a group or as a family with kids, there
are an abundance of fun things to do in Seville for visitors of all ages. So
many that we’ve narrowed it down to help out. In this post you’ll find our top
11 things to do in Seville. Our list includes what we think is the best
flamenco in Seville as well as great activities when in Seville with kids.
Where to Stay in Seville
The first thing to
consider when planning your visit is where to stay in Seville. Travelling as a
family of five, our options were limited but we found a wonderful little apartment
just a stone’s throw from both Nueva Plaza and the Seville Cathedral.
Sevilla Plaza Suites is an apartment complex in a great location within walking distance to the most popular things to do in Seville. The staff were wonderful (coming after hours to assist a neighbor that locked herself out of her flat). The apartment is rather plain but it was perfect for our family of five.
The living area 
The internal courtyard
It also has a fantastic rooftop patio that overlooks the Seville Cathedral.
Rooftop view at day 
Rooftop view at night
Weather in Seville in Summer
One of the first
questions many travelers ask is, what is the weather like in Seville. We can
only help with respect to summer but there is truly one word to describe
Seville in summer …. HOT!
Our arrival was
breathtaking … literally! It was 40C and that temperature was far hotter than
anything we’ve ever experienced before. We did acclimatize to it over our visit
but wow, it was hard to start.
We arrived by airplane from spending 3 days in Barcelona and once checked in to our apartment, we started walking towards the Triana neighbourhood. Our plan was to explore a little as we walked along each side of the river but we had to take it easy and find water and ice cream as the kids were not handling the heat very well. In retrospect, it was a nice slow way to introduce ourselves to the city but I’m so glad our flat was air conditioned!
The following day,
while visiting the Alcazar, Lucas became lightheaded and our guide quickly
realized that he was suffering from mild heat stroke. She poured water over his
head and he rested often that day.
Our Advice: If
visiting Seville in summer, make sure to pace yourself according to the
temperatures. Take it slow and always carry cold water. When booking an
apartment or hotel, ensure it is air conditioned. You will need it!
3 Days in Seville Itinerary with All the Best Things to Do!
Day 1 of 3 Days in Seville – Arrival Day
What better way to
introduce yourself to a new city than to take a walk!
On arrival in
Seville, head to the Guadalquivir River which divides the city. Wander across
both the Isabel II bridge and Puente S Telmo bridge, taking one across the
river and the other back. It’s a wonderful circle allowing you a chance to
visit many of the river sights. If you have time, try and take a sightseeing tour of Guadalquivir River.
Triana is a lovely area to start exploring and is high on our list of the best things to do in Seville. Located on the west side of the Gualdalquivir River, Triana is known for its bullfighting heritage and the ceramic manufacturers that thrived many years ago. The Mercado de Triana can be found right at the end of the Puente Isabel II bridge. It is filled with wonderful stalls and small restaurants providing some of the best tapas in Seville.
The Mercado de Seville was built on top of the ruins of Castillo de San Jorge, a 12th century castle that was once the headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition in Seville.
Continue walking along Calle San Jacinto. By the time we arrived in this area on our arrival day, we were famished. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Taberna Miami.
Calle San Jacinto
is the break off point for you to explore Triana. Wander the side lanes off
this pedestrian street in search of ironworks and colourful ceramic tiles. You’ll
pass several ceramic tile workshops and may even find a few open for a visit. A
wonderful little loop includes Calle Alfareria, Calle Antillano Campos, and Calle
San Jorge.
A Friendly
Note: One thing to keep in mind, which we hadn’t realized, is that siesta holds
strong in Seville. Make no wonder considering the summer heat! If you arrive
midday as we did, you may prefer to save this exploration of Triana for an
early morning when the ceramic shops will more likely be open for visitors.
As you explore Triana, be sure to notice the Church of Santa Ana on Calle Pureza and wander along Calle Betis, which borders the west shore of the river. Calle Betis is also known for its wonderful restaurants (something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a great place to eat in Seville).
Return back to the
Old Town area of Seville via Puente S Telmo bridge. The views are wonderful.
You’ll see Torre de Oro and if you need a record of the heat, as our kids did,
you’ll see a large sign emblazoned with the temperature!
While you’re here, stop in to see the Torre del Oro. It is over 900 years old and was built to prevent ships from entering Seville’s port without permission. It was named after the yellow tinged plaster that is made of lime, straw and mortar. Today, the Torre del Oro is the Maritime Museum.
It wasn’t busy at all when we were there and it’s a great thing to do in Seville during the midday heat. We found that the stone keeps the building relatively cool. The price is more than reasonable and it was a really interesting, short stop. I remember my parents having small versions of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria (Columbus’ ships) when I was little. It was pretty cool to see models of these ships in the tower.
And the views from
the top balcony are amazing!!
As you continue wandering along the east side of the Guadalquivir River, you’ll pass Seville’s famous bull ring.
If you’d like to do a tour on another day, drop in to make a reservation. They fill up quickly. While we are totally against the ‘sport’, it is a part of Spanish culture so we did plan to visit the grounds and the museum. For us, it was definitely on our list of things to do in Seville
Day 2 of 3 Days in Seville
The second day of
our Seville itinerary is filled with two of the best things to do in Seville: a
visit to the Royal Alcázar and the Seville Cathedral!
Morning
Today is the day
for you to explore Old Town Seville! The first stop is the incredible Royal
Alcázar of Seville and then, the Seville Cathedral. We recommend getting an early
start to avoid crowds and the midday heat.
Because we wanted
to do so much, we hired a guide for the morning. Maria from Guia en Sevilla was
very nice and incredible knowledgeable. She worked really well with the kids
and even handled Lucas’ bout of heat stroke quite well by pouring her bottled
water over his head.
As you probably know by now, we love hiring private guides in Europe. Did you know that for a larger family, they’re often less expensive than group tours? There are so many reasons to hire a private guide but if you don’t, that’s ok. You can definitely explore the Royal Alcázar of Seville and the Cathedral without one.
Royal Alcázar of Seville
The Real Alcázar of Sevilla is at the very top of our list of great things to do in Seville. This was our first introduction to Moorish architecture in southern Spain and it is truly remarkable. Similar in style to the incredible Alhambra in Granada, the Royal Alcazar of Seville is filled with incredible geometric tiles, stunning archways and beautiful gardens. It’s no wonder this incredible building has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.
The Royal Alcázar
of Seville was originally built in the middle ages by the first caliph of
Al-Andalus (presently known as Andalucia). It was modified and expanded upon over
hundreds of years of Moorish rule. Over time, very little of the original
building remained; however, some areas have been wonderfully preserved.
After the
Christian Reconquista, the Alcazar became home to the Christian monarchs, Queen
Isabella and King Ferdinand in the 1200s. Today the upper floors remain the
residence of Spanish monarchy when visiting Seville.
The Royal Alcazar
of Seville is absolutely a blend of Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic architecture
and design that beautifully blends together.
Note: While we
really liked our guide, the route we travelled in the Alcazar was more than a
little confusing as we started with the more recent gardens and travelled back
in time to end with the Moorish times. We highly recommend starting in the past
and working forward especially if you are in Seville with kids. They did find
it a bit confusing.
Tickets to
the Royal Alcazar of Seville
Entrance fees for
the Royal Alcazar are incredibly reasonable considering its position at the top
of everyone’s favourite things to do in Seville. At the time of writing,
children are free, tickets for students aged 17-25 and seniors are only 2 euros
and tickets for adults are 11.50 euros. We recommend purchasing your tickets in
advance online at the Alcazar’s official
website. This will allow you to skip the, often very long, line at the
ticket office.
Seville
Cathedral
The Seville
Cathedral, Santa Maria de la Sede, is located beside the Royal Alcazar of Seville
so it makes for a perfect second stop on day 2 of our 3 days in Seville.
It is the largest
gothic cathedral in the world and visiting is absolutely one of the most
recommended things to do in Seville. Legend has it that the builders said: “Let
a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it built will think we
were mad.” It is 23,500m² large and, it is said, contains over 88,000lbs
(40,000kg) of gold and 41,000lbs (19,000kg) of silver!
Like the Royal Alcazar,
the cathedral has been named a UNESCO world heritage site. It was built on top
of a great mosque in the 1400s such that the only remaining Moorish aspects are
the Patio de Naranjas (the Orange Tree Courtyard), the Puerta del Perdon (the Gate
of Forgiveness) and the Giralda (formerly, a minaret).
The interior of
the Seville Cathedral is stunningly beautiful. The main chapel (Capilla Mayor)
has a gold alter that was meticulously carved from wood over a 100-year period.
It depicts 44 bible stories and includes over 200 saints. The altarpiece is covered with real gold
brought back from the Americas during the Age of Discovery.
The altar 
A closer view
Make sure to
wander the side chapels, including the Royal Chapel, and experience the incredible
carvings, tapestries and other works of art. As you explore, enjoy the cathedral’s
beautiful stained-glass windows and the incredible Jubilee altar is made with silver
from the new world.
We were fascinated
by Columbus’ tomb. It is one of the main attractions in the cathedral and seeing
it is one of the top things to do in Seville.. The incredible detail and design
of the explorer’s tomb is fascinating and if you are visiting Seville with
kids, they will be fascinated by it. The four people carrying the tomb
represent the Spanish kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarra.
The cathedral has
15 doors. You have to seek out the Puerta del Lagarto and look up! You’ll
see a crocodile, an elephant tusk and what looks like something used on a horse.
If you’re in Seville with kids they’ll love this story! The Sultan of Egypt
wished to marry the daughter of King Alfonso X. It is said he gifted the king
with a crocodile, an elephant and a tame giraffe. The marriage never took place
but the animals were left to roam the Alcazar gardens for the remainder of
their lives. Upon death, the crocodile was stuffed. Today, a wooden recreation
is at the church entrance along with a tusk of the elephant and what is believed
to be the bit used in the giraffe’s mouth.
The Giralda is one remaining aspect of the original Moorish mosque upon which the cathedral was built. Originally, the Giralda was a minaret, calling the Moors to prayer several times each day. It was recreated to become the cathedral’s bell tower.
We highly recommend climbing to the top as its one of the most unique things to do in Seville. The boys told me the views are wonderful! Rather than hundreds of steps, most of the climb is on a ramp. We were told that this is because the elderly person calling Muslims to prayer from the minaret five times a day would ride his donkey to the top. While it is a ramp and not stairs, don’t underestimate the climb! I made it 7 ‘flights’ up and returned to base while the boys continued on to the top.
As we mentioned
earlier, two of the existing remnants from the mosque are the Patio de Naranjas
and the Puerta del Perdon. If you haven’t visited these areas yet, you can take
a relaxing break with the orange trees and then exit through beautifully
detailed Puerta del Perdon.
Afternoon
Having visited both
the Royal Alcazar of Seville and the Seville Cathedral this morning, the
afternoon is best suited for a more relaxed pace. Now is a great time to find
lunch. We really enjoyed our meal at Taberna Alvero Peregil but there are many
more in the area to choose from.
After lunch you
can explore the narrow streets of Seville’s Santa Cruz area, shop for souvenirs
such as wonderful fans or castanets, or return to your accommodation for a nice
siesta.
Evening
During your 3 days
in Seville we highly recommend doing a walking tour and a tapas tour. We opted
to do one right after the other and had a wonderful time with Sarah and
Caroline from Not Just A Tourist.
Our Seville
walking tour allowed us to explore the outside of the Cathedral, the old tobacco
factory, the buildings from the World Fair of 1929, the Plaza d’España as well
as a short walk through Maria Luisa Park. If you have more time, I highly
recommend extending your walk through the Santa Cruz area, the old Jewish
Quarter of Seville.
If you don’t do a
walking tour, evening time would still be a great time to visit all these
places, especially if visiting in the summer when the days are long and the midday
sun is so hot.
We continued along the river towards Triana where our wonderful guides brought us on a tapas tour. We don’t usually do food tours but we really enjoyed it! We made three stops and ate, what we think, is some of the best tapas in Seville!
Cheers! 
John and the kids with our wonderful guides
Taking a tapas tour is a really cool thing to do in Seville in part because the tapas experience is so unique.
Day 3 of 3 Days in Seville
On the last of our
3 days in Seville, we recommend a relaxed day with a variety of activities that
will allow you to experience some of the most unique things to do in Seville.
Visit the
Real Maestranza de Caballeria de Sevilla: The Seville Bullring
After breakfast,
head directly to the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. The Plaza de
Toros is the third most visited monument in Seville. There is no way we would
ever watch a bull fight and we truly wish it would be banned throughout Spain
but, that said, it is an important part of Spanish culture and heritage so we
wanted to visit the museum to learn a little more about it. If you too wish to
visit, it is best to go a day or two in advance to reserve tickets for the one-hour
visit.
The Real Plaza de Toros
is located near the waterfront on Paseo de Colon. There are five gates inside
the massive bullring, each with its own purpose. The Real Plaza de Toros provides
a guided tour inside the ring and then allows visitors to explore the museum
area which is filled with paintings, sculptures, costumes and capes and the
Bullfighters’ Chapel.
Explore Plaza
Nueva
We really enjoyed
exploring Plaza Nueva and surrounding area. It’s a nice area for shopping,
snacking and enjoying a little local flare. At the center of tree-lined Plaza
Nueva, you’ll see a statue of King Ferdinand III who, along with Queen
Isabella, freed Seville from Moorish rule in 1248.
Wander down Calle Tetuan
and Calle Cuna to find flamenco dresses and flamenco inspired clothing and
Calle Sierpes to find the store for football club Real Betis. Caiden collects a
football jersey from each place we visit. One of our guides was a huge Betis
fan so he was thrilled to find the Real Betis shop. Along Calle Sierpes you can
also find hand embroidered silk shawls, peinetas (combs for hair) and other
Andalusian accessories.
How cool is this?!? You never know what you’re going to find as you wander!!
Visit the
Metropol Parasol
Did you know there
is a giant mushroom in Seville?!? Well, not really a giant mushroom but this
architectural masterpiece sure looks like one! The Metropol Parasol is located
at Plaza de la Encarnación, a short 15-minute walk from Plaza Nueva.
Known as Las Setas
(the mushrooms), the Metropol Parasol is a wooden structure with an incredible
winding walkway and lookout near the top. During its construction, Roman ruins
were found which are now located in the museum Museo Antiquarium at the base of
the structure. Sydney and I explored on our own in the afternoon and enjoyed a
drink and snack at one of the Metropol Parasol’s restaurants.
Attend a
Flamenco Show
What better way to
finish your 3 days in Seville than going to a flamenco show! Before leaving home,
we purchased flamenco tickets at Casa del Flamenco on Calle
Zimenez de Enciso because we had heard it was the place to see some of the best
flamenco in Seville.
The Casa del
Flamenco is a very small venue and on arrival 30 minutes before showtime, there
was a long line to enter. Seating was on individual chairs in a semicircle with
the small stage on the open end. We highly recommend arriving early to ensure
getting seats in the front row.
Waiting for the show! 
Amazing!
John and I really
enjoyed the performance. The music and dancing were incredible. That said, it
was a bit long for the kids.
All shows as Casa
del Flamenco are one hour in length and take place at 19:00 and 20:30 with an
additional 22:00 show during the spring and summer months. It’s best to confirm
times and prices with their official website though.
A Final Note
Seville is a wonderful city with an array of things to see and do for visitors of all ages. If you can at all visit during holy week in Seville you really should.
It also makes for a wonderful base to explore other areas of Andalusia. If you have more than 3 days in Seville, we highly recommend doing a few day trips. Due to its’ location, there are many options for day trips from Seville. Imagine splashing in the Atlantic, watching majestic horses, wandering the white villages of Andalusia or exploring the magnificent Mezquita. There’s so much to see and do in and around Seville!!
We also recommend that you travel east to spend at least 2 days in Granada and a few days along the Costa del Sol.
10 Comments
John and Susan Pazera · February 20, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Great post! We are heading there in April. Thanks for the information.
Cheers!
John and Susan
Expats in Medellin, Colombia
Tania Muthusamy · February 20, 2020 at 4:36 am
I really want to go to Seville and reading your post has provided me with some fabulous ideas. I would like to visit the Royal Alcázar palace and its gold altar, especially since it’s a UNESCO site. A tapas tour would definitely be on my list of things to do here, and a flamenco dance show too.
Lara Dunning · February 17, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Reading this post made me want to go back to Seville! Unfortunately, I wasn’t much of a foodie back then and now I’d totally be into going to the Mercado de Triana and trying all the different tapas. Yum! We didn’t see any flamenco the entire time we were in Spain and I’d love to see a show and learn more about the dance. Thanks for the tip on where to see it!
Renee Hannes · February 17, 2020 at 7:18 pm
It looks like you saw and did a lot in those 3 days, and in that heat too! Such a good idea to join a walking and tapas tour, I’m sure you picked up some interesting information and discovered places you might not have on your own. Curious, which did you prefer- Barcelona or Seville? I’ve been to Barcelona, and have Been thinking about returning to go to Seville.
Rhonda Albom · February 16, 2020 at 4:41 pm
I also love Seville and we did much the same as you, even the same Flamenco show. However, we were so hot and tired, that we forgot to climb the tower in the Cathedral. We didn’t even realize until a few hours later and then we couldn’t be bothered to go back. Love the memories this post brought back. Sorry about your hubby’s heat stroke, but glad the guide knew what to do.
Joanne · February 16, 2020 at 5:35 pm
I love that we planned the exact same trip!! It’s too bad you missed the tower but I only went part way and left the rest of it for the kids LOL.
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