# Plaza de España, Seville > Plaza de España is Seville's most spectacular square: a huge semicircular building with two towers, a canal with rowing boats and little bridges, and dozens of painted ceramic alcoves dedicated to Spain's provinces. It was built in 1928 for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition at the edge of María Luisa Park. It's free and open around the clock; allow an hour or so. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/plaza-de-espana-seville - City: [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville), Spain - YesGo score: 54/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 1 h 15 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Hours: Open 24 hours - Boats: Rowing boat hire on the canal - Time needed: 1–1.5 hours - Nearby: María Luisa Park - Location: South of the old town - Coordinates: 37.37708, -5.98690 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1928** — the square was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **1929** — the Ibero-American Exposition (source: English Wikipedia) - **Regionalism** — a blend of Renaissance, Baroque and Mudéjar revival (source: English Wikipedia) - **Free** — entry to the square (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Plaza de España Plaza de España was built in **1928** for the **1929 Ibero-American Exposition** held in Seville. Its chief architect, Aníbal González, designed it as a symbol of friendship between Spain and Latin America, so the vast building opens in a semicircle, as if embracing its visitors. The architecture is a showcase of **Regionalism**, mixing Renaissance, Baroque and Mudéjar revival styles. Red brick, marble columns, wrought-iron lamps and painted ceramics give it a festive look. Today the building houses government offices, and the square is one of the most visited and photographed in Spain. ## What to see on the square - **The semicircular building** — galleries, columns and two tall towers. - **The canal** — rowing boat hire all along the curve. - **The bridges** — four bridges with ceramic railings. - **The province alcoves** — tiled pictures and maps. - **The fountain** — in the middle of the square. - **The upper galleries** — a view over the square. ## The province alcoves and ceramics Along the building run the **province alcoves**, small benches decorated with painted ceramics. Each is dedicated to one of Spain's provinces, with its coat of arms, a map and a scene from the region's history or life. Many Spaniards seek out their own province's alcove and take a photo on its bench. Ceramics are the square's signature. They cover the bridge railings, benches, lamp posts and balustrades. The tiles were made by craftsmen from Triana, the district across the river famed for its potteries for centuries. Look closely and you'll find coats of arms, floral patterns and portraits of famous people. > **When to go** The square is free and always open. The best light is early in the morning, before the crowds, and just before sunset, when the brick glows warm orange. Summer middays are very hot with little shade, so retreat into the building's galleries or the neighbouring park. ## Boats, bridges and galleries You can hire a rowing boat on the **canal** that curves around the square. Boats go out for half an hour, and it's a favourite with visitors and families. From the water the square looks especially striking, and gliding under the bridges gives welcome shade. Climb the wide staircases at either end to the **upper galleries** for the best view of the whole semicircle, canal and fountain. Many people know the square from the cinema: it has appeared in famous films, including a science-fiction saga set in a galaxy far away. ## María Luisa Park The square sits at the edge of **María Luisa Park**, Seville's main park, also laid out for the 1929 exposition. It has shady avenues, palms, duck ponds, fountains, tiled benches and exposition pavilions that now house museums. It's worth a stroll after the square: it's noticeably cooler in the heat, and locals walk their children and dogs here in the mornings and evenings. You can hire a bike or take a horse-drawn carriage, which wait around the square. Plaza de América at the far end of the park is known for its flocks of pigeons that children love to feed. ## How to get there 1. On foot from the cathedral, about 15 minutes south. 2. Metro line 1 to **Prado de San Sebastián**. 3. Tram to **Prado de San Sebastián**, then 5 minutes. 4. Buses to Avenida de Isabel la Católica. ## Tips for your visit Street flamenco dancers often perform near the square; watch a short show and leave a few coins. Watch out for pushy sellers of rosemary sprigs and fans: just politely decline and walk on. The square pairs easily with the cathedral and Alcázar, a 15-minute walk away through the Murillo Gardens. If you're there in the evening, stay until dark, when the lamps and floodlights make it especially romantic. It's great with kids: boats, pigeons, wide open paving and a fountain. It's buggy-friendly, though the bridges have steps. Bring water and hats, especially in summer. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Come in the morning or before sunset - [ ] Take a boat on the canal - [ ] Find a favourite province's alcove - [ ] Climb to the gallery - [ ] Stroll through María Luisa Park ## Places in Seville: compare and choose Places in Seville rated by YesGo. - [Plaza de España](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/plaza-de-espana-seville) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · Free ## Don't mix it up Seville's Plaza de España isn't the same as the Plaza de España in Madrid, with its Cervantes monument, or the one in Barcelona below Montjuïc. ## Tips - Free and always open. - Boats on the canal. - Sunset is the best time. - María Luisa Park is next door. ## Questions ### Is Plaza de España in Seville free? Yes, it's free and open 24 hours. ### Can you take a boat out? Yes, rowing boats can be hired on the canal. ### When was Plaza de España in Seville built? In 1928, for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. ### How long do you need at the square? 1–1.5 hours, longer with the park. ### How do I walk there from the cathedral? About 15 minutes south through the Murillo Gardens. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Boat hire prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Plaza de España, Seville - Seville tourism portal, visitasevilla.es --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.