Is Seville Worth Visiting? 8 Top Reasons to Visit
Are you wondering, “Is Seville worth visiting”? In this article, I give you my honest opinion on why Seville should be on your list.
Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is one of the most charming destinations in Spain. It’s famous for its culture, outstanding historic buildings, delicious cuisine, and flamenco, among other things. I totally believe everyone should visit Seville once in their lifetime.
Although Seville isn’t my hometown, it’s very close to my heart. After all, I’m half Sevillana, and I have family there. After reading this blog, I hope you book that trip to Seville. It won’t disappoint you!
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What is so special about Seville?
Seville is one of those Andalusian cities full of charm, but it’s sometimes difficult to explain what’s special about it. There’s something about Seville that can’t be described with words; you need to go there to understand why travellers fall in love with the place.
Some reasons to visit Seville include the numerous impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout the city, the friendly and helpful locals, comforting food made with love, a lively atmosphere, and cultural events like Feria de Sevilla.
Overall, Seville is the perfect city to experience the authentic Andalusian culture.
8 Top reasons to visit Seville
Below are my top reasons why it should be your next Spanish getaway:
1. It has one of the most beautiful squares (Plaza de España)
Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. This masterpiece, built by architect Aníbal González in 1929, attracts many travellers worldwide.
It’s the perfect place to wander and contemplate the beautiful Andalusian tiled benches that represent Spanish cities and their intricate architecture, to ride a boat on the canal, and to take photos.
It isn’t a surprise that many events are held in this square – from fashion shows to concerts, so you may want to check the event calendar.
Plaza de España and its park (María Luisa Park) are unmissable places to visit in Seville.
Insider tip
If you want to avoid the crowds, go either when it opens or when it closes. Personally, I love watching the sunset at Plaza de España. It’s very romantic and magical.
2. The impressive architecture at the Royal Alcazar of Seville
One of the best things to do in Seville is to visit the Royal Alcazar, located a stone’s throw from Seville Cathedral.
This is an incredible palace complex with a rich history and culture from the early tenth century to the present.
The palace also features impressive Mudejar architecture, beautiful fountains, and spacious gardens, so you should give yourself time to explore all its corners.
Due to its popularity, you need to book your tickets in advance, and if you want to avoid queues, buy a skip the line ticket online.
3. It has one of the biggest Gothic cathedrals
Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la Sede, is the biggest Gothic cathedral in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an unmissable attraction.
No matter from which angle you see the cathedral, it will impress you – from its exterior facades and orange courtyard to its tower and sculptures – as this was the main purpose of the cathedral, as per this sentence:
“Hagamos una Iglesia tan hermosa y tan grandiosa que los que la vieren labrada nos tengan por locos”
The translation is, “Let us build a church so beautiful and grand that those who see it finished will take us for mad.”
When visiting the cathedral, you can’t miss the opportunity to climb La Giralda, its bell tower. From here, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. However, I don’t recommend climbing it if you don’t like narrow spaces. The stairs are narrow and steep, and you may feel dizzy at times.
4. Its unique palaces like Casa de Pilatos
Casa de Pilatos is another Andalusian palace that is worth visiting in Seville.
It’s much smaller than the Real Alcazar of Seville, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful or less impressive.
Walk around the palace’s rooms to contemplate the beautiful Andalusian tiles and their unique blend of architectural styles, learn about the building’s history, and relax in its lush green garden.
5. The Setas de Sevilla viewpoint
Who doesn’t love a good view? Las Setas de Sevilla, also known as Metropol Parasol, is a structure in the shape of a mushroom on which you can walk.
This viewpoint is amazing; you can visit it in the morning or the evening. If you go to Las Setas at sunset or in the evening, you’ll see a light display with incredible views of Seville. However, you can also get great views from the many rooftop bar terraces in the city.
6. The food is incredibly good
One of the reasons I love Seville is the food. My grandma is from Seville, but luckily, she now lives in Malaga. I enjoy it when she cooks traditional Sevillian dishes, especially espinacas con garbanzos (like the one you can see in the photo above).
Other typical dishes in Seville are rabo de toro (Oxtail Stew), which is also very popular in Cordoba, huevos a la flamenca (Gypsy Eggs), and carne mechada.
You can also have other Andalusian dishes like fried fish and salmorejo, or classic Spanish dishes like paella. Yes, paella isn’t from Seville, but there are great restaurants where you can have paella.
There are plenty of good tapa bars in Seville. Dúo Tapas is one of my favourites! However, if you aren’t in Seville for long or don’t want to spend time researching where to eat, going on a tapas tour is a good idea.
7. The flamenco culture
Did you know that flamenco originated in Seville? Many travellers think flamenco is widely danced in Spain, but this is a misconception. Many Spaniards don’t dance or like flamenco.
This traditional dance is more popular among us Andalusians! I must admit I’m not the biggest fan of flamenco, but many of my family members love it. Actually, I remember when my mum signed me up for flamenco lessons when I was a kid.
If you love flamenco music or dance, you must watch a live flamenco show during your time in Seville. You might also want to visit the Flamenco Museum in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.
8. Its traditional events
Seville and the rest of Andalucia have some traditional events you don’t want to miss.
One of the main events in Seville is Semana Santa (Holy Week), during which you can see processions like the one above in the city centre for a week. Locals are very passionate about Easter; the main activity is watching the processions.
However, I also recommend trying some traditional Easter dishes, like Potaje de Vigilia (a stew made with cod, chickpeas, and hard-boiled eggs), and sweets like Torrijas (similar to French Toast) and Pestiños.
Another unmissable event is Feria de Abril (Seville Fair). It’s considered one of the best fairs in the country. I haven’t attended it yet, but it’s a unique festival where locals dance, drink rebujito (an alcoholic drink made in Seville), and take their kids to the numerous rides at the fair.
Visiting Seville in winter? Then, make sure to check out the nativity scenes and attend the Three Kings’ Parade on January 5th.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seville
How many days should I spend in Seville?
Ideally, you need more than two days to explore Seville. While it’s possible to see the main attractions in two days, you won’t have enough time to enjoy them and fully explore beyond the city centre.
3 to 5 days allow you to see the must-see attractions in Sevilla, explore charming neighbourhoods like Triana, and even go on a day trip to Cordoba or another Andalusian town.
Is Seville expensive?
Seville is a budget-friendly destination. Compared to Barcelona and Madrid, Seville is cheaper. However, you still need to know where to stay, where to eat and which attractions are worth visiting.
If you’re travelling to Seville on a budget, I highly recommend checking the websites of the attractions you plan to visit. Many of them offer free entry on specific dates and times.
Let’s say you want to go to Casa de Pilatos. Instead of paying €12, you can enter for free from 3 pm to 6 pm on Monday. Unfortunately, this is only applicable to EU citizens.
Another top tip for visiting Seville on a budget is choosing your accommodation wisely. Avoid staying near historic buildings like the Cathedral, as you’ll pay more for a view of this attraction.
Instead, stay somewhere like La Alameda, which isn’t far from the city centre, and you’ll save money.
How safe is Seville?
Personally, I haven’t had any issues when visiting Seville, and I feel it’s a safe destination. Nevertheless, it’s still important to know these things:
- Pickpocketing happens in Seville. It isn’t as common as in Madrid or Barcelona, but it does happen. Therefore, avoid leaving your bag, camera equipment, or any belongings unattended, and wear your bag at the front in crowded places.
- Some Romani women will try to give you rosemary to read your future. The best thing to do is go in another direction and avoid them. If they read your future and you don’t tip them, they’ll wish you bad luck or argue with you. These women tend to be in key locations, such as outside the Cathedral and the Plaza de España.
- Be aware of the bad neighbourhoods in Seville. For example, don’t visit Las 3000 Viviendas as it’s considered a very conflicting area.
When should I visit Seville?
The best times to visit Seville are March to May or October to December, but every season, except summer, has something to offer.
For example, if you want mild weather and an authentic experience, go to Seville in April. The Feria de Abril, the fair of Seville, usually lasts a week at the end of April.
Attending this event is a unique experience — you’ll see the locals dancing flamenco, try a rebujito (Seville’s typical cocktail made with white wine and Sprite), enjoy the attractions, and soak up the lively atmosphere.
The worst time to visit Seville is summer, when temperatures soar. Expect an average summer temperature of 40 degrees (104°F), which makes sightseeing very difficult.
Is Seville a walking city?
Yes, Seville is a walkable city. If you’re staying closer to the city centre, you won’t need to use any public transport as most attractions are in the same area.
I don’t recommend hiring a car to travel around Seville due to the cost, traffic, and crowded parking in the tourist areas. If you really need to get somewhere quickly, you can easily book an Uber, which isn’t expensive.
If you plan to stay in Seville longer than a weekend and want to explore beyond the city, check whether the destinations you want to visit are accessible by train or coach. But if you want more freedom, then you’ll need to rent a car.
Are there any beaches near Seville?
Seville and its towns don’t have beaches, so if you’re after a beach holiday or a mix of culture and beach, go to other Andalusian destinations like Malaga or Cadiz.
However, if you’re looking for a beach day trip from Seville, the closest beaches to Seville are:
- Beaches in Cadiz city centre (1 hour and 10 minutes drive)
- Matalascañas in Huelva (1 hour and 15 minutes drive)
- Punta Umbría in Huelva (1 hour and 20 minutes drive)
Insider tip
Avoid going to the beach on a Sunday. This is the busiest day, as many locals don’t work on Sundays and often go to the beach with friends or family.
So, is Seville worth visiting?
Absolutely! There are many reasons to love Seville. Not only is it a destination with lots of history, culture, and fantastic landmarks, but it’s also a great base from which to start a road trip around Andalucia.
If you do have time, visit other beautiful Andalusian cities and towns because Southern Spain has so much to offer, and it certainly won’t disappoint you.
If you have any questions about visiting Seville or Andalusia, drop a comment below.
Safe adventures!
Cristina x
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Top things to check before visiting Seville
- Check cheap flights to Seville Airport (SVQ) with Skyscanner.
- Discover all the fantastic activities you can do in Seville with Get Your Guide.
- Enjoy a free walking tour in Seville with Guruwalk.
- Have a look at this Andalusian food guide to indulge yourself in eating authentic and traditional dishes in Seville.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Seville? Book your accommodation with Booking.com
- Book travel insurance. It’s a must for any trip!
I’d love to spend a few weeks or longer in this part of Spain particularly to enjoy the beaches and the food. Thanks for the inspiration.
Absolutely. Seville is incredible and there are plenty of beautiful beaches in Southern Spain.
I had no prior knowledge of Seville so thanks for introducing me! I love a good cathedral and also enjoy visiting UNESCO sites. I also love budget friendly destinations and appreciate the safety tips!
I am glad you have discovered a new destination. I hope you can visit Seville one day.
I agree with you – Seville has SO much to offer visitors. I was so impressed with the city when I visited, especially since I had never heard of it before! Your pictures make me want to go back to Spain so badly
I am glad you agree! I hope you can go back to Seville one day 🙂
Was looking at visiting the middle of March , normally like a beach as well , any ideas for a location to do both , Thankyou
Hi Cindy!
Seville doesn’t have beaches, so you’ll need to travel to other Andalusian cities located on the coast. My recommendations are Cadiz (1 hour and 30 min by train) and Malaga (1 hour and 50 min by train), both cities have lots of cultural activities and beaches next to the city centre.