Have you planned Visit Seville, Are you planning to visit the capital of Andalusia on your next trip? Great idea!
Seville, along with Cordoba and Granada, is one of the most visited cities in the autonomous community. To know Seville is to discover a heritage legacy very extensive, but also immerse yourself in Spanish culture, tapas, art and flamenco.
To help you plan your stay, I have written this guide with The best things to do in Seville.
I'll start with the 7 activities you can't miss, and then we'll talk about itineraries for visiting Seville in 1, 2, 3, or 4 days in a future post. post.
So, What to do in Seville? Where can you eat? Where can you stay? Let's plan your trip to Seville!
1. Seville Cathedral
I'll start this list of the best things to do in Seville with the letter C.Seville Cathedral, the most visited monument in the city.
«"Let's build a church so big that those who see it will think we're crazy."». With these words, the construction project for the third largest temple in the world began. You'll immediately notice that Seville Cathedral was built to impress!
The history of the Cathedral The Cathedral of Seville is fascinating. Its construction began in 1401 on a old Almohad mosque, The last stone of the dome was laid only a century later.
As soon as you enter the Cathedral It's incredibly impressive because of its sense of scale.It's enormous and the interior is lavishly decorated.
Don't forget to visit: The Main Chapel and his Main Altarpiece It consists of 45 panels depicting the life of Christ, as well as the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the jewelry and painting collections.
The visit can last between 1.5 and 2 hours approximately.
The best thing to do is to make a guided tour of Seville Cathedral and discover all the curiosities and history.
2. The Giralda
The entrance ticket to the Cathedral also gives you the possibility of visiting its tower: The Giralda.
This minaret of the old mosque It was modified by the Christians: adding the top part to be able to include bells (more than 24 in total!).
Can climb to the top of the Giralda and admire the wonderful panoramic view of the entire city of Seville. There are no steps to get there, only a series of inclined ramps.
The story legend It was built with ramps instead of stairs so that the imam (at the time of the mosque) could go up there with his donkey during the call to prayer.
3. The Royal Alcázar
Next to the Cathedral and the Archive of the Indies, you will find the second most visited monument of the city: The Alcázar of Seville.
The Alcázar remains today Royal ResidenceWhen he comes to Seville. In fact, it is the oldest royal palace in Europe.
We can enjoy the magnificence of this palace Mudejar art. In the Alcázar, we can see the rich interior decoration, where each room and courtyard is decorated with geometric motifs, vegetation, and tiles.
The place is also worth seeing for its beautiful grounds With fountains, water jets, and flowerbeds. What a delight to stroll through its gardens!
Around two hours That's how long it usually takes to see the Royal Alcázar.
If you decide to visit the Upper Room, You should know this in advance and buy your ticket.
Always remember to buy the tickets to the Royal Alcázar from the official website.
4. General Archive of the Indies
In the Plaza del Triunfo, very close to the Cathedral and the Alcázar of Seville, there is another less touristy place that is worth visiting: the General Archive of the Indies.
The Visit is free and the main interest is the notable architecture of the building. The interior is beautiful!
However, don't expect to see the famous archives; they're kept out of sight, underground and safely stored. And yes, all the cardboard filing cabinets in libraries are empty!
Don't hesitate to Visit it after the Cathedral, It will only take you 15 minutes.
5. Santa Cruz neighborhood
The center of Seville would not be the same without the setting of beautiful neighborhood of Santa Cruz.
That's why it's also a very touristy place!
It's quite an experience: strolling through the pedestrian streets, having a coffee or lunch in one of the many bars and restaurants, and buying souvenirs in one of the numerous shops.
It's a very special cornerpleasant for a walk, with its typical patios, whitewashed houses and pretty little squares.
Don't miss the Courtyard of Flags with a wonderful view of the Cathedral and the Giralda!
5. Plaza de España
Let's continue this list of the best things to do in Seville with my favorite place to stroll and enjoy: the world-famous Plaza de España.
I'm sure you'll be impressed by its size and beauty. Plaza de España has many interesting features and stories.
This square was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 to celebrate the discovery of America by the Spanish conquerors.
To face the river and the arrival of ships from America, the plaza was designed in a semicircular shape.
In Plaza de España you can admire:
- Channels (you can rent a boat) that reflect the magnificent Mudejar architecture.
- 4 bridges which symbolize the 4 ancient kingdoms of Spain Arcades,
- fountains and the famous 48 tiled benches, each representing a province of Spain at the time.
Furthermore, if you go up the stairs on the right side of the square you will reach a terrace with a great panoramic view!
And for fans of Star Wars, It is a must-see, as the Plaza de España was used as a filming location for episode II "Attack of the Clones".
6. Maria Luisa Park
Opposite the building in Plaza de España is the Seville's most famous park: Maria Luisa Park.
It's the perfect place For resting or strolling!: the coolness of its shaded alleyways, ponds, small lakes and fountains.
As you stroll, you will come across America Square, or also known as the “Plaza de las Palomas” by the people of Seville.
A must-see during your walk through the park: the fountain of the frogs, the fountain of the lions and the island of the ducks.
The Archaeological Museum of Seville and the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs They are located at the southern end of the park in the same Plaza de América.
7. Pilate's House
This old building is a palace built in 1540 by the first Marquis of Tarifa.
It is totally inspired by the Italian architecture of the time, the palace mixes several styles such as Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance.
Don't be fooled by the classic and unattractive facade, the Casa de Pilatos really It's worth a visit.!
The visit begins at the impressive patio with a fountain in the center. Afterwards, several rooms around the courtyard and two small gardens are visited.
If you chose this option when purchasing your ticket, you can also visit the first floor. It's a little more expensive.
