Things to Do in Seville
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Seville, Spain, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Seville. Siesta's not optional here, adapt accordingly, home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, a royal palace still used by the Spanish royal family, and the acknowledged birthplace of flamenco. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Seville: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the heat. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Seville Cathedral
An enormous Gothic cathedral in Seville is the largest of its kind in the world and holds Christopher Columbus's tomb, so large it has its own microclimate, practically, Columbus is buried inside, held aloft by four statues representing the kingdoms of Spain, a dramatic monument even by Spanish standards, worth allowing a proper couple of hours given the cathedral's sheer scale.
The Giralda, the cathedral's bell tower and former minaret from the building's earlier life as a mosque, is worth climbing, a ramp rather than stairs (originally built so guards could ride horses to the top) leads up to sweeping views over the city.
Hours Mon–Sat roughly 10.30am–6pm, shorter Sundays
Address Seville Cathedral, Seville
The Real Alcazar
A grand palace complex, still used by the Spanish royal family, showcases stunning Mudejar architecture in Seville, the Real Alcazar, Alhambra is the other famous one, over in Granada, both frequently confused by tourists, worth knowing the distinction, though both are worth visiting if your itinerary allows, the Real Alcazar's intricate tilework and courtyards are among the finest examples of this architectural style anywhere in Spain.
Book timed entry ahead, this sells out during peak season, and the upper royal apartments, still used occasionally by the royal family today, require a separate, additional ticket if you want to see them.
Hours Daily, roughly 9.30am–7pm, shorter in winter
Address Real Alcazar, Seville
Flamenco
Seville is considered the birthplace of flamenco, a passionate, dramatic style of Spanish dance, a lot of stamping and very serious facial expressions, I respect the commitment, worth seeking out a proper flamenco performance at an established tablao (venue) rather than a purely tourist-oriented dinner show, the Triana district, historically associated with the art form's development, holds several smaller, more authentic venues.
It's worth booking ahead for reputable venues, the better shows sell out, and note this is a serious art form, worth approaching with real respect rather than treating it purely as tourist entertainment.
Best time Evening
Address Triana district, Seville
Best time to visit Seville
March through May and October through November give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's brutal heat.
Seville's summer heat is extreme, regularly well past 40°C, worth avoiding July and August if possible, or planning sightseeing for early morning and evening if you do visit then, the siesta tradition here exists for good reason.
Getting around Seville
Central Seville, including the cathedral and the Real Alcazar, is walkable. Trams cover destinations further out.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Seville worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, the Real Alcazar's Mudejar architecture, and flamenco's birthplace together make it one of Spain's most historically and culturally significant cities.
- How many days do you need in Seville?
- Three days covers the cathedral, the Real Alcazar, and a proper flamenco evening comfortably.
- Is Seville expensive?
- No, generally affordable, comparable to or slightly cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona for food and accommodation.
- What is Seville famous for?
- Its cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and Christopher Columbus's burial site, the Real Alcazar, a royal palace still in use today, and being the birthplace of flamenco.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
