Traveling to Seville is an unforgettable experience for most visitors. This city casts a spell of enchantment on those who visit it, walk through its picturesque cobbled streets and stroll along the palm-lined boulevards. Elegant buildings and horse-drawn carriages create a magical atmosphere, and the views are as impressive as the atmosphere.
If you have thought about traveling to Seville, take a look! Here we will tell you what the best plans to enjoy this magical Andalusian city are.
The best plans to enjoy when traveling to Seville
Tour the Cathedral of Seville
This is the largest Gothic cathedral in Christendom, unmatched in its impressive scale and abundance of artistic treasures. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incomparable monument was built between 1402 and 1506 on the site of the city’s main mosque.
When entering the cathedral, visitors are amazed by the huge proportions of the nave. The five-aisle interior stretches 117 meters long and 76 meters wide and rises to 40 meters high. This overwhelming space is the greatest Gothic interior in Spain.
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Visit the Real Alcázar
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Real Alcázar was originally the medieval fortress of the Moorish rulers and later of the Christian kings. The palace was built in the 10th century for the Moorish rulers.
Be sure to save a lot of time exploring the gardens. These beautifully manicured grounds are filled with lush palm trees, sweet orange trees, and colourful roses. In traditional Andalusian style, patios, decorative pools and refreshing fountains are the centrepieces of the landscaping.
María Luisa Park and Plaza de España
Within María Luisa Park, Plaza de España is one of the most impressive landmarks of Seville due to its scale and grandeur. The massive 50,000-square-meter square is surrounded by the balustraded balconies of a Neo-Moorish-style Renaissance building. This semi-circular building curves around, following the shape of the canal that runs through the square.
Charming historic buildings and colourful tiled benches add to the dreamy atmosphere of the park, and the landscape features decorative flower beds, shady avenues, Moorish fountains, and ornamental pools.
Explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz when traveling to Seville
Overflowing with old-fashioned charm, the Barrio de Santa Cruz is one of the most charming places to explore in Seville. It was the Jewish quarter during medieval times under Arab rule, when many of the churches of the neighbourhood were originally synagogues. Barrio of Santa Cruz is located between the cathedral and the Alcázar of Seville.
This medieval neighbourhood is characterized by its maze of cobbled pedestrian streets, whitewashed houses with attractive courtyards, and picturesque squares with sidewalk cafes.
One of the special things to do in Seville is stroll through the Jardines de Murillo, which are beautiful gardens full of palm trees, fountains and benches with coloured tiles. For an excellent view of the cathedral, head to Plaza del Patio de Banderas.
The Museum of Fine Arts
Seville has an exceptional museum of fine arts, located in the evocative 17th-century Convent of La Merced. This museum is considered to have the best collection of painting in Spain after the Prado in Madrid. The collection covers works of art from the Gothic period to the 20th century.
The representation of works by Spanish painters from the 17th century is particularly noteworthy. Visitors will see some of the best paintings by famous Spanish artists such as El Greco, Pacheco, Velázquez, and Alonso Cano. The museum has a special focus on Murillo’s masterpieces, as well as works from the Sevillian school of the 17th century. Zurbarán’s religious paintings are also excellent.
Go to the Flamenco Dance Museum
Seville is famous for its flamenco, a flamboyant art form with roots in gypsy culture. The Flamenco Dance Museum celebrates the beauty of flamenco with exhibits on all aspects of the art: dancing, singing, and guitars.
This innovative museum features flamenco dresses, creative video displays, and other educational exhibits. The museum also has a flamenco school and hosts professional flamenco performances. Attending a flamenco show is one of the most popular activities in Seville at night.
Another place to see authentic flamenco dancing is the Palacio Andaluz, a traditional tablao-style theatre (small venue), which offers intimate performances. This 19th-century theatre is near the Basilica de la Macarena. For free flamenco shows, La Carboneria is a popular spot, but get there early to get a seat.
Stroll through the Barrio de Triana when traveling to Seville
This historic centre of Seville has its own distinctive character and identity. Across the river from the main tourist attractions in Seville, the neighbourhood has the feel of being a world apart. Similar to the Barrio Santa Cruz, the Barrio de Triana is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleys that lead to atmospheric squares. What distinguishes it is its heritage as a traditional potters’ neighbourhood, as well as its gypsy community. For centuries, the people of this neighbourhood have used clay from the banks of the Guadalquivir River to create authentic Andalusian pottery.
Boutiques in this neighbourhood also sell beautiful decorative ceramic plates, mugs, jugs, serving pieces, and other household items. After exploring the little shops, you can eat at one of the riverfront neighbourhood restaurants; many have outdoor terraces with views of Seville’s monuments.
Visit the Museum of Archeology
Located within María Luisa Park, the Archaeological Museum of Seville is in a neo-Renaissance pavilion built for the Latin American Exposition of 1929. The collection begins with the early Paleolithic; it continues with the Phoenician, Greek and Roman antiquities, and ends with Moorish and Mudejar elements from the Middle Ages.
The ground floor shows the artefacts discovered in the archaeological site of Itálica (nine kilometres away) in the province of Seville. Among the highlights are the gold jewellery and a statue of Diana.
Another remarkable piece is the Carambolo Treasure from the Tartesian period, which is exhibited in its own room on the first floor. This room contains a reproduction of the gold treasure and a sanctuary dedicated to the Phoenician deities.
See the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija
The Lebrija Palace is a beautiful Sevillian aristocratic mansion. The palace was designed to impress, with its grand staircase leading to the second floor and beautiful coffered ceilings. The walls are decorated with Arabic-style Plateresque ornamentation and the patio is filled with Andalusian plants. This palace also displays archaeological treasures, including ancient mosaics, vases, and sculptures.
Tour the Monastery of Santa Paula
This Monastery of Santa Paula was founded by Doña Ana de Santillán in 1473 for the Jerónimas nuns. For five centuries, this monastery has been dedicated to divine worship and the study of the Scriptures. Within the cloisters of the building, the monastery has an important art collection. Tourists can visit the monastery to discover its artistic heritage. Sometimes nuns can also be found here selling their handmade cakes and sweets.
ALFA