Must-visit attractions in Seville
Posted on 13 December 2023
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Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and a must-visit when exploring this part of the country. It makes for a great road trip destination with a car rental from Malaga, being home to an array of fantastic attractions. To whet your appetite for what to expect, read this guide for the Seville attractions you won’t want to miss.
Plaza de España
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The Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful spots in Andalucia, let alone Seville. Located in the equally picturesque Parque de María Luisa, the Plaza de España is an architectural marvel, combining the best of Baroque, Renaissance and Moorish Revival styles.
Seville is a very romantic city, but the plaza can’t be beaten for things to see in Seville for couples. The plaza is a huge half-circle complex accessible by four pretty bridges over a picturesque canal. It’s easy to see why the plaza has been used as a filming location in numerous movies.
There’s a stunning palace-like building adorning the background, a fountain, wonderfully illustrated benches, and a ton of fascinating details that reveal information about Seville’s fascinating history. It’s well worth getting a tour guide to point out the plaza’s various hidden secrets.
Speaking of tour guides, A Born Traveller blogger, Seyamie was once a tour guide in Seville and has lots to reveal about this special location. Seyamie shares: “The place you have to visit if you ever go to Sevilla, has to be Plaza de España! It’s one of the most incredible places in Spain, in my opinion.
“The reason there are four bridges is because every bridge represents one of the four old kingdoms of Spain – León, Castilla, Aragón, and Navarra. The water body represents the river Guadalquivir, which flows through Sevilla. It symbolised the way forward to America. Now you can row with a boat to have a cool experience.”
READ ALSO: Where to watch the sunset in Seville
Seville Cathedral
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Seville Cathedral is one of the region’s most spectacular churches, a marvel from the 16th century and one of the very best Seville attractions.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site has to be seen to be believed, even if you have witnessed some of the other majestic cathedrals in Spain. The goal was to create a cathedral so beautiful that people would think the designers had gone mad.
It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the largest Gothic cathedral anywhere. From its staggering scope and its intricate facades to its 80 chapels and jaw-dropping ceilings, there’s so much to admire.
Its most popular feature, however, is the Giralda bell tower, a remaining feature from a former mosque that stands 105 metres tall. Visitors love to climb to the top to enjoy the scenic views available of Seville.
Federico and Kemkem from the blog Next Bite of Life have visited Seville Cathedral and recommend climbing the tower despite it being a bit of a slog in the hot Seville weather:
“The views from the top are awesome. It is definitely worth the climb up just to see the architecture of the Cathedral from the top. I loved seeing the gargoyles and the garden below. Access to the Giralda tower is included in the price of entry to the Seville Cathedral.”
READ ALSO: Free things to do in Seville
Royal Alcazar of Seville
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The most famous landmark in Seville isn’t the stunning cathedral or the serene Plaza de España but the iconic Royal Alcazar of Seville. This royal palace has origins in the 10th century, and the royal family of Spain still occupies the upper stories.
The Alcázar of Seville boats masterful architecture amid luxurious surroundings. It’s a must-see during any visit, featuring a splendid mixture of Moorish and Christian influences. As a result, the Alcázar is the perfect representative of Seville’s fascinating and turbulent history.
Visitors can enjoy wandering its immaculate courtyards and patios, spending quiet time in its peaceful chapels, and meandering through the pretty orange-tree-lined gardens.
Travel blogger Jana Meerman has enjoyed visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville, saying it’s her favourite attraction in the city: “There are many incredible things to do in Sevilla, but the crowning glory of them all is, of course, a visit to the Royal Alcázar, the massive palace complex in the heart of the city.”
Jana offers this tip for future visitors: “As this is the most popular attraction in town, it gets busy, so I recommend going in the first slot in the morning so you have the most time to enjoy it calmly. The tickets include a free audio guide, which was really exceptional (so you don’t need to pay extra for a tour!) and set the ambience for the space. Set aside at least four hours to properly enjoy your visit as the grounds are huge and the gardens are particularly spectacular, and you don’t want to rush!”
READ ALSO: Interesting facts to know about Seville before you visit
Archivo de Indias
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When it comes to museums and attractions for history buffs, the Archivo de Indias is one of Seville’s top attractions.
Housed in the buildings of Seville’s ancient merchant’s exchange, visitors can look forward to seeing an 80-million-strong collection of incredibly valuable archival documents relating to the history of the Spanish Empire.
These 16th-century buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, yet another gorgeous location to explore in Seville, and is actually adjoined to the city’s incredible cathedral.
It’s not all books, documents, and architecture, however, as you can also see a collection of maps from the Spanish Empire, paintings, and a 17th-century canon.
READ ALSO: Where to Eat in Seville
Casa de Pilatos
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One of Seville’s best attractions and best-kept secrets is the wonderful Casa de Pilatos. This hidden treasure is a 15th-century mansion that comes complete with idyllic gardens and matches the Royal Alcazar when it comes to sheer beauty.
The fact that it is lesser known than some other Seville attractions is a positive, allowing visitors to have a more peaceful exploration of this majestic house. Built around a central courtyard in traditional Andalucian style, its beauty is undeniable.
The Casa de Pilatos is the official residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli and is also renowned for its collection of azulejo – a type of Spanish ornamental tilework. The palace has also been used as a filming location in movies like Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven.
Speaking about her experience visiting the Casa de Pilatos, Joëlle from the travel blog World Wanderista shares: “Casa de Pilatos is an absolute dream to visit though, and it will always be one of my absolute favourite things to do in Sevilla. The first courtyard you will encounter when you enter, will captivate you with its overwhelming gloriousness.
“I could sit on one of the benches and stare at this courtyard forever. Simply because there are so many details to admire. Every time I come here, there is something new I discover!”
Things to see and do in Seville
– Plaza de España
– Seville Cathedral (giralda tower)
– Royal Alcazar of Seville
– Archivo de Indias
– Casa de Pilatos
As you can see, there is a fantastic selection of top attractions to visit in Seville. If you are a fan of beautiful architecture and fascinating history, or just want to take in some local culture, Seville has everything you need for a fantastic trip. For more tips, guides and advice, visit our blog.
If you are looking to visit Seville as part of a road trip from Malaga, book a car rental with Helle Hollis from our location next to Malaga Airport.