15 Unique Experiences to Enjoy in Seville, Spain

Seville quickly captivates visitors. While you'll soon feel at home in the city, its rich diversity will invite endless exploration.

The historical richness of this Andalucian capital is beautifully intertwined with modern life, ensuring that every experience you have reflects its heritage—whether it's dining in an ancient Moorish bathhouse, experimenting with traditional music, or uncovering the artistry and culture of past civilizations.

Begin planning your adventures with our guide to the top experiences in Seville.

1. Revel in the grandeur of the Real Alcázar

Located in the heart of Seville’s Barrio Santa Cruz, one of Europe's most exquisite historic palaces dates back to the 10th century. Initially built by the Moors and later expanded by Spanish royalty, the Real Alcázar boasts a sprawling ensemble of majestic palaces, fountain-laden patios, and royal chambers, all leading to a lavish garden retreat. The Palacio de Don Pedro, featuring its stunning gold-tiled dome and intricate geometric plaster designs, is a standout attraction. During your visit, enjoy quiet moments as you seek out peacocks among the myrtle maze, admire the artesonado (decorative wooden ceilings) in the numerous side rooms, or relax in a shaded patio while a nearby fountain gently flows.

Tip for planning: Secure your tickets ahead of time through the only official website. Entry is by designated time slots, and tickets often sell out several days in advance. Once inside the palace, you can linger as long as you like until closing. The earliest entry is at 9:30 am, which is also the most sought-after ticket as it allows access to the Real Alcázar during the quietest hours.

2. Master the art of flamenco dancing like an expert

Flamenco is an essential part of the Andalucian experience. Rich in melody and emotion, it transcends mere musical style; it embodies a profound feeling, a lament through the ages, often performed in intimate settings where the subtleties resonate deeply. The shared moments between performers and audiences can be both intense and profoundly moving.

Flamenco consists of four key elements: the toque (guitar) and jaleo (crucial for rhythm) form the musical backbone, while the cante (song) and baile (dance) complement it. Palmas, a unique clapping style, is integral to the jaleo. To explore more about flamenco, visit the Museo del Baile Flamenco. For a deeper dive, check out the Taller Flamenco, where you can take unique classes in flamenco guitar, clapping, or singing from local experts.

Planning tip: Seville boasts at least a dozen venues, known as tablaos, that host nightly flamenco shows. You might even stumble upon an impromptu performance at various other locations throughout the city, like the La Carbonería tavern.

3. Discover Christopher Columbus’s tomb at Catedral de Sevilla

The Catedral de Sevilla is often regarded as the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Officially named Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, it inspires awe in every visitor. With its lavish Gothic and Baroque decorations, the Giralda bell tower, masterpieces by Goya and Zurbarán, and an intricate gold-leaf altarpiece, there’s much to admire. However, amidst all this grandeur, one detail can be easily overlooked: a carved catafalque supported by four sturdy figures houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus, whose remains were confirmed by DNA testing in 2006.

Planning tip: Ascend the 35 ramps leading nearly 100 meters (328 feet) to the summit of La Giralda tower in the morning when temperatures are cooler and crowds are smaller. The panoramic views of Seville from the top are breathtaking.

4. Take a leisurely stroll along the Metropol Parasol walkway

One of Seville’s more unique landmarks is the Metropol Parasol, a massive wooden lattice structure located in the heart of the Centro district. Completed in 2011, it quickly earned the endearing nickname Las Setas (the Mushrooms). This towering structure overlooks much of the city, and you can access a winding walkway at the top via an elevator. Tickets are available in the lower concourse beneath the shaded plaza created by Las Setas. While you’re there, be sure to explore the Antiquarium, where a collection of Roman ruins and mosaic patios were unearthed during the construction of Las Setas.

5. Savor local tapas like a sevillano

Dining out in Seville is one of the highlights of visiting the city. Traditional tapas include solomillo al whisky (pork in whisky sauce) and salmorejo (a creamy gazpacho made from tomatoes, bread, and garlic), often garnished with ham and egg. The nearby Sierra de Aracena is famous for its acorn-fed black pigs, producing the renowned jamón ibérico de bellota. Many tapas bars near the cathedral serve these regional delights, each with its own captivating history. Check out Cerveceria Giralda Bar, nestled in an ancient Moorish bathhouse, Casa Morales, known for its albondigas (meatballs), and the historic Antigua Taberna de Las Escobas, operating since 1386.

By Andalucian standards (which means finding vegan options can be quite challenging), Seville boasts a vibrant culinary scene with numerous excellent tapas restaurants catering to vegetarians (Petra, Taquería La Lupe, Levies) and vegans (Veganí, Vegan Rock).

6. Discover remnants of the Expo '92 site

Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage to the Americas in 1492. The 500-year anniversary was celebrated in Seville with Expo ’92, themed 'The Age of Discovery,' held on La Cartuja island. While many pavilions have since been repurposed or demolished, intriguing remnants remain, including a replica of the Ariane 4 space rocket, a satellite, a giant globe known as the Esfera Bioclimática, and a large Olmec-style stone head from the Pabellón de México. This area offers a fun and photogenic experience for urban explorers.

Tip for planning: Rent a bike from one of the many Sevici docking stations or grab an e-scooter from Lime to reach La Cartuja more quickly. Utilize the network of green bike lanes along the main roads for a safer ride.

7. Discover Seville from the water

Kayak or try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the River Guadalquivir with various companies like Kayak Sevilla and Paddle Surf Sevilla. While commercial shipping has diminished in recent years, reflect on how this river once served as the primary launch point for expeditions to the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries. Ships laden with Conquistadors and supplies would depart from these banks, returning with treasures like gold and silver from the Americas. This influx of wealth contributed to the rise of a prosperous merchant class that transformed much of that fortune into the city’s striking baroque architecture and churches, which remain among Seville’s top attractions today.

You can also hire rowing boats in Plaza de España to paddle along the D-shaped canal surrounded by the C-shaped neo-Mudéjar architecture.

8. Admire Seville’s Golden Age masterpieces

During Seville’s Golden Age in the 16th and 17th centuries, baroque art and architecture flourished spectacularly. You can find works by local legends like Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and Diego Velázquez throughout the city, particularly at the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes and the cathedral. The largest collection resides in the Museo de Bellas Artes, alongside masterpieces from other greats like El Greco and Goya.

9. Enjoy a night out at Alameda de Hércules

Roman columns frame the ends of the 370-meter-long (1214ft) Alameda de Hércules, Seville’s premier nightlife destination. This area features a variety of venues, from the eclectic 1987 Bar, celebrating all things 1980s, to smooth jazz at Gallo Rojo. It’s also the heart of the city's LGBTIQ+ scene, with fantastic spots like Alameda Ritual Club. However, as rising rents push some of the coolest bars out of the Alameda de Hércules, they are beginning to appear along the nearby Calle Feria.

10. Experience life as a gladiator at Itálica’s Roman amphitheater

Situated northwest of Seville’s city center, accessible by bus, lies the ancient Roman city of Itálica. This site is notable for being the birthplace of two Roman emperors—Hadrian and Trajan—and boasts an impressive collection of mosaic floors. The centerpiece of the ruins is the expansive 25,000-seat amphitheater, where well-preserved corridors and weathered stands continue to spark the imagination.

Planning tip: The M170 bus (A or B) leaves hourly from the Plaza de Armas bus station, stopping close to the entrance of the Itálica ruins. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes.

11. Discover Seville’s stunning baroque architecture

From Gothic to Mudéjar to Mannerist styles, Seville showcases an array of architectural movements throughout its landscape. However, it’s the baroque architecture that truly distinguishes the city. Primarily constructed and financed during Seville’s Golden Age, remarkable examples can be found in churches like the Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador, where lavish altarpieces adorned with gold leaf reach the domed ceiling. For a less crowded baroque experience, consider visiting the Parroquia de Santa María Magdalena or the Hospital de la Caridad.

Planning tip: If you’re also visiting the cathedral and La Giralda, you can save money by purchasing a combined ticket that includes entry to the Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador.

12. Explore a former tile factory in Triana

Historically, Triana was a neighborhood known for its ceramics, with many locals employed in the potteries producing Seville's famous azulejos. While pottery has been made here since Roman times, using clay from the riverbanks, the peak of this commercial activity occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, although the factories have closed, one has been transformed into the Centro Cerámica Triana, where you can explore exquisite tiles and the evolution of design over the years.

13. Wander through the historic streets

One of Seville's most delightful experiences is absolutely free: exploring its historic streets. The Barrio Santa Cruz is a maze of narrow cobblestone paths that lead to sun-dappled plazas filled with orange trees. Along the way, you might encounter remnants of the old city wall bordering the Real Alcázar or stumble upon the intricate Baroque architecture of a 16th-century church. The thrill lies in the journey of getting lost; you’re sure to find a prominent landmark to guide you back. The city’s mild weather makes this a year-round adventure.

Planning tip: Seville’s old town, known as Casco Viejo, comprises various smaller neighborhoods with very few major thoroughfares. If you find yourself on a main road with multiple lanes, you've likely reached the boundary of Casco Viejo.

14. Discover bones among sacred relics

Spain’s deep-rooted religious devotion reaches a striking level at the Iglesia de San Luis de los Franceses, where the bones of devoted practitioners are intricately woven into the church's architecture. The Jesuits, even seen as extreme by the standards of the 18th-century Spanish Inquisition, were expelled in 1767, but they left behind a remarkable masterpiece. If you observe the ornately crafted altarpieces closely, you’ll notice the presence of human bones, housed in beautifully adorned reliquaries, said to belong to saints and monks.

15. Join the festivities like a true sevillano at major annual celebrations

For a vibrant and lively experience in Seville, time your visit with one of the major annual spring festivals that take over the city. The festivities kick off with Holy Week (Semana Santa) during Easter, featuring numerous religious brotherhoods parading floats through the streets in their iconic conical hats. Just two weeks later, the Feria de Abril showcases the rich food and culture of Andalucia. Both events present a unique glimpse into the city's character, so be sure to secure your accommodations well in advance.