Sevilla is far and away one of the most beautiful cities I've been to, and I feel like I've been lucky enough to visit some of the world's most beautiful (Sydney, Wellington, Vancouver and Porto come to mind, among others).
I spent five glorious weeks here from the middle of February through to late March absorbing the seemingly endless sunshine, oggling at the incredible architecture, practicing my very mediocre Spanish, going for long runs along the river and making the most of everything Sevilla has to offer.
Sevilla is Spain's fourth largest city, after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, and has historically always been a key port city with the deep river leading directly out to the ocean. Sevilla offers a dreamy, relaxed escape, enticing visitors to let loose and lap up the beauty.
I flew into Madrid and then took the high speed train which took just two and a half hours down south to Sevilla; a total breeze. The main station is just north of town and easily connected with public buses into the city. Sevilla is so easy to walk around and the recommended method of exploration, however public buses run regularly and often and are super affordable for the trips that are a bit further away. Pick up a 10-trip bonobus card at an "Estanco" to save big time on bus trips!
I find that the best way to acquaint yourself with a new city is to join a free walking tour to get the lay of the land, before then venturing out on your own to go back and spend more time at places you enjoyed. I did a two-hour tour with Sevilla Free Tours.
As I was here for five whole weeks, working remotely by day, exploring the city in the afternoons and traveling around the region on weekends, I've compiled a number of blog posts you may find useful for your own trip planning in this region; check out my Spain category!
I also have recommendations for the best local things to enjoy in the city:
- Bodega Santa Cruz and La Bartola for tapas
- La Carbonería for free live flamenco!
- Carambolo for dancing on Friday nights (the entire Alameda district is the place to be on weekends!)
- Monkey Piper is also a fun bar with great music on the river front
- El Viajero Sedentario for the best cafe in the city to work from - unlimited wifi, open late and yummy oat milk chai lattes and vegan muffins
Otherwise, if you're after a guide to the best things things to see in Sevilla, then you've landed in the right spot. I absolutely adored Sevilla, and my time here went way too quickly. So, without further ado, here are my eight picks for what to see in Sevilla:
1. STREETS OF SEVILLA
No list of Sevilla spots to see is complete without first acknowledging the beauty of the streets. Quite literally every single street I stumbled upon was pretty and photogenic, from the colourful facades to the pretty draping flowers and the shutters lining the windows. Aesthetic and idyllic.
2. Setas de Sevilla
This famous wooden bridge sits in the northern part of the city and is an architectural statement. There's a walkway up top with views you can pay to enter, or you can just join the locals and hang out on the steps below, taking in the bustling scenes around you.
3. Parque de María Luisa
On the southern end of the city, a lush park offers a tranquil oasis and a peaceful escape into the cool shade of the trees and sparkling sunlight. And bonus, there's free toilets.
4. Plaza de España
One of the many iconic spots and such a photogenic playground, the Plaza de España is home to the local government buildings which are sprawling and really quite exquisitely designed. I spent a few hours just wandering the grounds, taking photos and enjoying the scenes of people rowing little boats along the moat, and watching a live flamenco performance under the pillars!
Flamenco!
5. Plaza de la Alianza
This little plaza is the perfect spot to get some respite from the sunshine by settling into one of the many chairs lining the tree-lined perimeter; perfect for people-watching.
6. Patio de Banderas
Built as part of a palace back in the 10th century, this outdoor is home to one of the most well-known photo spots in all of Sevilla, with the famous Giralda tower rising behind the orange trees. Today it's the exit point of the Alcazar, but well-worth a stop in itself. In fact, it's probably one of my favourite quiet spots in the city.
7. Catedral de Sevilla & La Giralda
This exquisite cathedral is the fourth largest in the entire world. It's massive. Among incredible other treasures housed inside its lofty interior, this is also the final resting place of the infamous Christopher Columbus, which is quite something.
The La Giralda tower that rises out of one side is the most famous tower in the city and an icon on the skyline for miles. Instead of steps inside to climb up, there's a ramp circling all the way up inside which was designed to enable donkeys and horses to carry up the prayer-caller so he wouldn't have to walk it five times a day! Nowadays, you can walk up the trek yourself and be greeted with just about the best view of the entire city.
Buy tickets to visit the Cathedral and Giralda here. Well worth it, and a euro cheaper if you buy online. No need even to buy in advance; I bought my ticket on my phone right outside the entrance.
Christopher Columbus' tomb
A mirror in the floor!
8. Royal Alcázar of Sevilla
By far the most popular attraction - and for good reason - here in Sevilla is the exquisite Royal Alcázar, nestled right in the heart of the city. A massive expansive palace complex with incredible architecture, stunning design, and the most peaceful gardens to wander through, this is one you should put aside at least half a day for and simply enjoy.
Check out my detailed guide to visting the Royal Alcázar here!
CHECK OUT MY VLOG OF SEVILLA HERE!
6 DAY TRIPS TO TAKE FROM SEVILLA
While based in Sevilla, I made sure to spend my weekends exploring the regions nearby, hopping on trains to visit some of the nearby beautiful views, towns and cities. Click on each picture below for a full guide to each destination!
Córdoba
Cádiz
Málaga
The Alhambra, Granada
Ronda
Gibraltar
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
Who else loves exploring on wheels? I did a bike tour in Sevilla last month and it was a game-changer.
Efficient, fun, and you see so much more. Highly recommend!
Great post by the way!
David
Author
Sounds like an amazing experience! I love Sevilla so much.