Things to do in Seville: top sights and where to go
Seville's headline sights: the world's largest Gothic cathedral with its Giralda bell tower, the royal Alcázar palace and gardens, and the Archive of the Indies in the old centre, with the semicircular Plaza de España and its boating canal to the south. The wooden Metropol Parasol floats above the old town with a rooftop walkway. Roman Italica is 9 kilometres away, and the Mezquita of Córdoba is 45 minutes by AVE train. The airport bus reaches the centre in 35 minutes.
Sights
Seville itineraries
Seville travel guide
Before you go: where to stay, the airport, weather by month, flamenco, tapas, prices and trips to Italica and Córdoba.
Seville on your own: the essentials
- How long
- 2 days, +1 for Córdoba
- Best time
- March–May and October–November
- Food
- Tapas, salmorejo, jamón, oranges
- Visa
- Schengen rules apply
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Euro; cards accepted almost everywhere
- Airport
- San Pablo (SVQ), bus to the centre ≈ 35 min
- Getting around
- On foot, tram, metro, bikes
- Heat
- Summer days can top 40 °C
- Meal times
- Lunch from 2pm, dinner after 9pm
- Time zone
- CET, UTC+1; summer UTC+2
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383Sourcei
UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageSourcei
Wikipedia, Plaza de España (Seville)Sourcei
Wikipedia, SevilleThings to do in Seville
Seville's top sights are the cathedral and Giralda bell tower, the royal Alcázar and the Archive of the Indies, all side by side in the old centre, plus Plaza de España and Metropol Parasol. Outside the city are Roman Italica and the Mezquita of Córdoba. Every place with a YesGo score is in the list above.
| By the cathedral | Cathedral, Giralda | 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza del Triunfo | Alcázar, Archive of the Indies | 3 hours |
| María Luisa Park | Plaza de España | 1–1.5 hours |
| Encarnación | Metropol Parasol | 1 hour |
| Santiponce, 9 km | Italica | Half a day |
| Córdoba, 45 min | Mezquita | A day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes ready-made Seville itineraries.
Seville in 1 or 2 days
One day in Seville means the cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar and Archive of the Indies in the morning, a stroll through Santa Cruz and Plaza de España after lunch, and sunset from the Metropol Parasol rooftop. With two days, add Italica or a flamenco evening, and give a third day to Córdoba.
- Day 1 — the cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar, Plaza de España, Metropol Parasol.
- Day 2 — Italica, the Triana district and a flamenco evening.
- Day 3 — a trip to Córdoba for the Mezquita.
Where to stay in Seville
The handiest base is the old town: Santa Cruz by the cathedral and Alcázar, or the Encarnación area near Metropol Parasol. Triana across the river is a lively district of bars and ceramics, the Alameda is young and affordable, and Santa Justa station suits trips to Córdoba.
| Santa Cruz | First visit, all close | Pricey, busy by day |
|---|---|---|
| Encarnación, Arenal | Centre, bars, markets | Noisy at night |
| Triana | Local life, flamenco | Across the river, 15 min |
| By Santa Justa | Trains to Córdoba | Far from the centre |
Seville airport to the city centre
Seville Airport (SVQ) at San Pablo is 10 km north-east of the centre. The EA bus runs to the centre via Santa Justa station and Plaza de Armas in about 35 minutes. A taxi takes about 20 minutes at a fixed fare. AVE high-speed trains arrive at Santa Justa.
| EA bus | Airport — Plaza de Armas | ≈ 35 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 20 min |
| AVE train | Madrid — Seville | ≈ 2.5 h |
| AVE, Avant train | Seville — Córdoba | ≈ 45 min |
| Bus | Plaza de Armas — Italica | ≈ 25 min |
| Tram | Plaza Nueva — San Bernardo | ≈ 10 min |
Seville weather by month
Seville is hot and sunny, one of Europe's hottest cities: summer days often pass 35 °C and can top 40 °C in July and August. Winters are mild, around 16–17 °C by day. The best time is spring, with the orange blossom, and autumn; in summer, sightsee in the morning and evening.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 16° | 18° | 22° | 24° | 28° | 33° | 36° | 36° | 32° | 26° | 20° | 17° |
| Night | 6° | 7° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 18° | 20° | 20° | 18° | 14° | 10° | 7° |
| Rain | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: March–April and October–November
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 5 days
Mild and sunny.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 5 days
Warm, almond blossom.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 4 days
Spring, orange blossom.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 5 days
Warm, the April Fair.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 3 days
Hot by day, a great month.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 1 days
Hot, summer begins.
- day ≈ 36°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 0 days
Peak heat, over 35 °C.
- day ≈ 36°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 0 days
Very hot, the city empties.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 2 days
Hot but easing.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 5 days
Warm, some rain.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 6 days
Mild, few tourists.
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 6 days
Cool, Christmas lights.
Spring brings Seville's two great festivals: Holy Week, with solemn processions, and the April Fair, with flamenco dresses, sevillanas dancing and rows of casetas.
Flamenco in Seville
Flamenco is part of everyday life in Seville, one of the capitals of the art, which UNESCO lists as intangible heritage. You can see a show in the small tablaos of the old town, in the Triana district and at the Flamenco Dance Museum.
- Tablaos — intimate venues with evening shows.
- Triana — the quarter of guitarists, singers and dancers.
- The Flamenco Dance Museum — history and performances.
- Street performers — by Plaza de España and the cathedral.
- The April Fair — where everyone dances sevillanas.
What to eat in Seville
Seville is a tapas city: locals hop from bar to bar, ordering a small plate at each. In the heat come salmorejo and gazpacho, cold tomato soups, and with wine, jamón and fried fish. The best bars are in Santa Cruz, around Metropol Parasol and in Triana.
- Tapas — small plates in every bar.
- Salmorejo — a thick cold tomato soup.
- Pescaíto frito — crisp fried small fish.
- Jamón ibérico — cured ham.
- Espinacas con garbanzos — spinach with chickpeas.
- Tortas de aceite — thin olive oil biscuits.
Seville attraction prices
Free in Seville: Plaza de España, María Luisa Park, the Archive of the Indies and walks through Santa Cruz and Triana. You pay for the cathedral with the Giralda climb, the Alcázar, the Metropol Parasol rooftop, Italica and the Mezquita in Córdoba.
| Seville Cathedral | 53 | 1 h 45 min | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcázar of Seville | 50 | 2 h 30 min | Paid |
| Giralda | 45 | 40 min | With cathedral ticket |
| Metropol Parasol | 44 | 1 h | Paid |
| Archive of the Indies | 44 | 45 min | Free |
| Mezquita of Córdoba | 36 | 6 h | Paid |
| Italica | 31 | 2 h 30 min | Paid; free for EU citizens |
Free — 1 places: Plaza de España.
Tips
- Book the cathedral and Alcázar ahead.
- In summer, go out morning and evening.
- Evenings are for tapas and flamenco.
FAQ
What should I see first in Seville?
The cathedral and Giralda, the Alcázar, Plaza de España, Santa Cruz and Metropol Parasol.
How many days do you need in Seville?
2 days, plus a day trip to Córdoba.
How do I get from Seville airport to the centre?
By EA bus in 35 minutes or taxi in 20.
What is the weather like in Seville in April?
Around 24 °C by day and 11 °C at night, one of the best months.
How hot is Seville in summer?
Very hot: 35 °C and above by day, sometimes over 40 °C in July and August.
Where can I see flamenco in Seville?
In old town tablaos, in Triana and at the Flamenco Dance Museum.
Where should I stay in Seville?
Santa Cruz, near Metropol Parasol or in Triana.
What should I eat in Seville?
Tapas, salmorejo, jamón ibérico and fried fish.
What day trips can I take from Seville?
Córdoba for the Mezquita and Roman Italica.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383 — Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Flamenco
- Wikipedia, Seville; Seville climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Seville Airport and Seville transport official websites