# Metropol Parasol, Seville > Metropol Parasol, known locally as Las Setas (the Mushrooms), is a giant wooden structure over Plaza de la Encarnación in Seville's old town. It opened in 2011 and is billed as the world's largest wooden structure. A walkway winds across the top with city views, a market and cafés sit below, and a museum of Roman ruins lies under the square. The rooftop is paid; allow about an hour. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/metropol-parasol - City: [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville), Spain - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h - Entry: Paid - With kids: Fine with kids - Rooftop: Paid, pricier in the evening - Hours: Daily until late evening - Size: ≈ 150 × 70 m, ≈ 26 m high - Time needed: About an hour - Below: Market, cafés, Antiquarium museum - Location: Plaza de la Encarnación, old town - Coordinates: 37.39325, -5.99188 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **2011** — Metropol Parasol opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 26 m** — height of the structure (source: English Wikipedia) - **3,500 m³** — of laminated Finnish pine (source: English Wikipedia) - **65** — entries in the design competition (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Metropol Parasol Metropol Parasol is modern Seville's symbol, fondly called **Las Setas** (the Mushrooms) by locals. Six huge 'parasols' of pale wood open over Plaza de la Encarnación and join in a wavy canopy. The structure covers roughly **150 by 70 metres** and rises about **26 metres**. The design was chosen from **65** entries in a city competition, by German architect Jürgen Mayer. Construction ran late, but in **2011** the Setas opened and quickly became one of the city's most visited sights. Built from **3,500 cubic metres** of laminated Finnish pine, it's billed as the world's largest wooden structure. ## What's at Metropol Parasol - **The rooftop walkway** — a stroll along the wavy top. - **The panorama** — the cathedral, the Giralda and old town roofs. - **The market** — a traditional market under the canopies. - **Cafés and restaurants** — in the shade of the wooden parasols. - **The Antiquarium** — an underground museum of Roman ruins. - **A performance plaza** — on the second level. ## The rooftop walkway The highlight is the **rooftop walkway** winding over the top. A lift takes you up, and from there you follow the wavy deck as it rises and dips between the mushroom 'caps'. The whole old town spreads out below: the Giralda, church domes, tiled roofs and distant hills. It's especially lovely at **sunset** and after dark, when the lights come on: the wood glows and the walkway becomes a ribbon of light above the city. Evening tickets usually cost more than daytime ones, but many think they're worth it. Bring a jacket, as it can be windy up there. > **When to go up** The best time is an hour before sunset: you'll see the city by daylight, the sunset and the evening lights in one visit. Summer days are hot on the roof with little shade. Tickets are sold at the desk on the lower level and online, and evening queues can be long. ## The market and Antiquarium At street level under the Setas is a **market** selling fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, as this square always has. Bars and cafés surround it, good for a coffee or tapas in the shade of the wooden canopy. Locals shop here, so the place keeps a lively neighbourhood feel. Beneath the square lies the **Antiquarium**, an archaeological museum. Building work uncovered Roman and Moorish houses with mosaics, columns and streets. Rather than covering them over, the builders laid glass walkways, so you can stroll right above the ancient ruins. The museum has a separate ticket. ## How the Setas changed the area For years Plaza de la Encarnación was an empty lot after the old market was demolished. Metropol Parasol gave it back to residents: people shop, stroll and meet here again, and concerts and festivals take place on the open platform under the canopies in the evenings. Around the Setas begins a lively quarter of narrow streets, bars and small shops. From here it's an easy walk to the Palacio de las Dueñas and the old town churches, or north to the busy bars of the Alameda. It's a fine example of modern architecture living happily alongside an old city. ## How to get there 1. On foot from the cathedral, about 15 minutes north through the old town. 2. Buses to Plaza de la Encarnación. 3. Metro line 1 to **Puerta de Jerez**, then a 20-minute walk. 4. From Plaza de España, about a 30-minute walk. ## Tips for your visit Wear comfortable shoes on the rooftop, as the wooden deck slopes in places. Children can go up, with high railings along the path, but keep little ones by the hand. A buggy is harder going up top because of the ups and downs. Pair the Setas with an old town walk: the cathedral and Alcázar in the morning, sunset on the rooftop and dinner in the bars around the square in the evening. The market below is handy for fruit and water. For a good shot of the Setas themselves, step back into the side streets: from below and at a distance you see the wavy roof floating over the square. At night the lights change colour and the structure looks especially futuristic. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Arrive an hour before sunset - [ ] Walk the whole rooftop path - [ ] Spot the Giralda in the panorama - [ ] Go down to the Antiquarium - [ ] Have a coffee by the market ## Places in Seville: compare and choose Places in Seville rated by YesGo. - [Giralda](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/giralda) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · With cathedral ticket - [Metropol Parasol](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/metropol-parasol) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Paid ## Don't mix it up Metropol Parasol and Las Setas de Sevilla are the same structure on Plaza de la Encarnación. ## Tips - Go up an hour before sunset. - Evenings cost more. - It's windy on top. - Roman ruins below the square. ## Questions ### How much is the Metropol Parasol rooftop? It's paid; evening tickets usually cost more than daytime ones. ### When is the best time to go up? An hour before sunset, to catch both daylight and the lights. ### How long do you need? About an hour on the rooftop, plus the museum and market. ### What's under the Setas? A market, cafés and the underground Antiquarium museum of Roman ruins. ### How do I walk there from the cathedral? About 15 minutes north on foot. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Metropol Parasol - Official website, setasdesevilla.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.