Seville
A Must On Every Trip To Andalusia And A Town That Keeps Leaving You Speechless Over And Over Again
From Roman ruins to Moorish palaces, sun-baked plains, and wooded river valleys, Sevilla province is home to many of Andalucia’s must-see attractions and some lesser-known treasures.
In the center of it all are the flamboyant outgoing city of Seville and its fun-loving residents who not only dress well but know how to party long into the night.
Seville is home to the region’s best-known historical places, but if you can tear yourself away from its magnetic appeal, there is much more to see and do in the province of Seville.
Just nine kilometers northwest of Seville is what remains of the Roman city of Itálica and its wonderfully preserved ruins.
Founded by Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio in 206 BC, Itálica was the birthplace of Roman Emperor Hadrian. During Hadrians’ rule, Itálica thrived while obtaining the highest status of a Roman city.
A peaceful sparsely populated area of rolling hills and woodlands. For some reason, this area of natural beauty is off the tourist map but attracts lots of Sevillanos over the weekends and on holidays.
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Visit Andalusia like a Local!
After calling Southern Spain my home for several years and organizing customized Andalusia trips, it was about time to put the best places in Andalusia into this handy travel itinerary.
Save time and money, avoid tourist traps and see only the very best of Andalusia.
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Most Famous Attractions in Seville
Lorded over by a majestic Gothic cathedral that contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus, Seville is an intoxicating mix of Moorish palaces, baroque churches, and narrow Medieval streets teeming with life.
- Cathedral & Giralda – Awe-inspiring in scale and majesty is Seville’s Gothic cathedral that was built on the site of a former mosque between 1434 and 1517. Make sure to book tickets in advance since it’s one of the most popular attractions of Seville. – Check tickets here
- Real Alcázar – Used as the setting for Dorne in HBO’s Game of Thrones, the Real Alcázar is a former Moorish fortress with stunningly beautiful gardens. – Book tickets here
- Plaza de España – built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, the Plaza de España is an eclectic mix of Spanish architectural styles with a Venetian-like canal.
- Itálica – The well-preserved Roman city of Itálica was the birthplace of Hadrian and has one of the largest amphitheaters ever built. – Check tours here
- Sierra Norte – A natural wonderland in the north of the province with former Moorish towns and the Cascades del Huéznar waterfalls.
- Colegiata de Osuna – The Colegiata de Osuna is a 16th-century church in the Osuna town that contains an impressive collection of art that includes five paintings by José de Ribera
Best Accommodation in Seville
When planning a trip to Seville, the most important thing is finding a beautiful place to stay within your budget.
Seeing as the city of Seville is the capital of the province and has the most attractions, this is where we recommend you make your base. You have many options from the city center when it comes to day trips that range from using public transport, renting a car, or going on a guided tour.
Hostels
Hostels are an excellent option for people on a budget and are particularly popular with backpackers and people just looking for a place to sleep. Hostel prices in Seville can range anywhere from 15€ to 35€, depending on the time of year. Also, expect to pay more on holidays.
Many people don’t realize that not all hostels are dormitory-type shared rooms with some having private rooms available. This can equate to quite a savings when compared to hotel prices.– Check hostels in Seville here
Mid-Range accommodation
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on accommodation in Seville, with many mid-range hotels offering rooms for less than 60€ a night. Most of these hotels are family-run establishments that are centrally located in historic buildings close to all the attractions.
And while they don’t have swimming pools, some have lovely roof terraces with views of the city. – Check hotels here
Family Resorts
If you are looking for a family resort-type hotel where you can chill out with the kids, you might want to skip the traditional hotel and consider a self-catering apartment. This will give you all the space you need plus the ability to cook some of the delicious fresh food you bought at the indoor market.
A word to the wise, Seville can get incredibly hot during the summer, so try and find somewhere that has a swimming pool. – Check family resorts here
Luxury Hotels
If you are looking for 5-star opulence and service, Seville will not let you down when it comes to an upmarket place. Many of Seville’s top hotels are located in former palaces and mansions.
At the same time, a modern contender has to be the Eurostars Torre Sevilla ***** occupying the last 13 floors of Andalusia’s tallest skyscraper. While Paris has the George V and London the Ritz, Seville has the Alfonso XIII – A Luxury Collection Hotel ***** built for the 1929 Expo. – Check hotels here
How to get to Seville
Flights
Seville Airport (SVQ) is the main airport for Western Andalusia with flights from other Spanish cities and select cities in Europe. If you are traveling to Seville from outside Europe, you will need to change planes in Madrid or Barcelona. What we particularly like about Seville Airport is its manageable size and proximity to the center of the city.
Seville Airport is a base for low-cost carriers Vueling and Ryanair. – Check flights here
Train
Seville is easily accessible by Spain’s high-speed AVE trains and only takes about 2hrs and 30mins to get to Madrid. There are 17 direct trains available each day with ticket prices starting at around 24€.
You can also catch a train from Seville to Malaga on the Costa del Sol and Granada to visit the Alhambra. Discounts are available for students and pensioners along with rail passes for multi-city itineraries. – Book tickets here
Bus
If you are traveling within Seville Province, taking a bus might be your only option. Spain has a very well-run bus system making it easy to get just about anywhere.
If you are looking to travel to other cities in Andalusia, always see if you can get there by rail first and use the bus as a backup. – Buy tickets here
Car
Unless you are planning on making plenty of day trips having a car in Seville is not a good idea. Most of the top attractions are within walking distance of each other, and everywhere else is accessible by public transport.
Having a car would be good if you wanted to visit the Sierra Norte or the Atlantic beaches in the neighboring province of Cadiz. – Check car rental deals here
Seville Travel Guide: Booking Resources
In order to make travel planning as easy as possible, we gathered below a selection of our favorite companies. We love them for being reliable and offering the best deals in Southern Spain. All of the recommended companies have top-notch customer service and have been tested by us first-hand.
- Skycanner – Find the best flight deals to Southern Spain
- Omio – THE company to book train or bus tickets online. It’s also a great way to check schedules and stay flexible.
- Discover Cars – Has the best-discounted rates on car rentals in Andalucia
- GetYourGuide – Find the best tours in Southern Spain. They offer great value and we found their prices to be some of the most competitive ones in the market.
- Booking.com – To book the perfect hotel for your Southern Spain trip. We particularly love their review section.
- VRBO – From stunning beach-front villas or gorgeous city apartments, VRBO has the best offers when it comes to vacation rentals.
- Airbnb– Explore Andalucia like a local and stay with local homeowners. It’s a great way to connect.
- Hostelworld – If you travel to Spain on a budget, Hostelworld has the largest selection of hostels in Andalucia.
- Adrenaline Hunter – If you are an adventurous kind of traveler, Adrenaline Hunter will be your favorite resource ever. From kitesurfing to kayaking, it’s basically heaven for outdoor lovers.
- SafetyWing – Never travel without travel insurance. A stupid accident can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. With SafetyWing you can travel worry-free.
- Transferwise – Withdraw money without hidden fees and avoid exchange charges + get a free Mastercard debit card to spend money abroad
When to go to Seville
From a tourist point of view, the best time to visit Seville is in the spring between March and May. Hotel prices go up in the summer, and it is so hot you almost feel as if you are in an oven.
To see Seville at its best, try and visit during the six-day Feria de Abril, a grand event that sees the locals dress up in traditional Andalucian attire. If you visit Seville during the fall, you could be unfortunate and have a week filled with rain.
Seville is less crowded during the winter and more affordable but comes with cold temperatures that make you want to stay indoors.
What to eat in Seville
Life in Seville centers around food, and just like everywhere else in Spain, the main meal of the day is lunch served around 14:00.
You will find in Seville that you are given a free tapa every time you order a drink, which makes going out at night a treat.
- Carrillada de Cerdo: Cooked in a red wine reduction with some carrots and spices, this pork cheek dish is exceptionally tender and full of flavor.
- Espinacas con Garbanzos: With its roots in Seville’s Moorish past, this simple dish of spinach and chickpeas is served with a sizable homemade crouton.
- Rabo de Toro: Rabo de Toro/Bulls tail is a popular dish throughout Andalucia. Slow-cooked for hours in red wine and stock, this hearty dish falls apart when it comes in contact with a fork.
- Flamenquines: Regarded as being the ultimate in unhealthy street food, these delicious croquettes are made from deep-fried ham and cheese dipped in egg and rolled in breadcrumbs.
- Cazón en adobo: Being only an hour away from the Atlantic Ocean fish plays a big part in Seville’s cuisine. Be sure to sample this dish of fried dogfish with a cold beer.
What to do in Seville for Outdoor lovers?
When you get away from the city, you will come upon an incredible landscape full of light where you can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities surrounded by nature.
Encompassing parts of Seville, Huelva and Cadiz the Doñana National Park is a place of unique biodiversity, and home to the endangered Iberian lynx.
In the north of the province, you have the Sierra Norte de Sevilla, a hilly forested area where city dwellers like to escape for the weekend.
- Doñana National Park – The Doñana National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hosts many migrating birds between Europe and Africa and the endangered Iberian lynx.
- Horse riding – Explore the Seville countryside while riding an Andalusian horse in El Aljarafe.
- Canyoning in Almadén de la Plata – Located an hour from the city near the border with Huelva, canyoning will have you repelling down cliffs and swimming in rock-pools. – Check tours here
- Sierra Norte de Sevilla -This sparsely populated area in the north of the province is ideal for nature lovers and is a great place to go hiking.
- Fishing – The Huéznar river is the Sierra Norte de Sevilla’s most crucial watercourse and the only river in the province with trout.
What to do in the surroundings of Seville?
Seville’s location in the southwest of Spain makes it an ideal base for exploring other parts of Andalucia.
Because of Seville’s excellent road and rail network, most places can be reached by public transport. Below is a list of day trips you can make while staying in Seville.
Carmona
Located on the high-speed rail line between Seville and Cordoba, Camona has a wealth of history dating back to the Phoenicians.
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera is the home of sherry and famous for its world-renowned riding school and raceway. Read more about things to do in Jerez, Spain here.
Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda
These two towns are typical Spanish Pueblos Blancos (white villages) and can easily be visited on a day trip either by car or a guided excursion.
Osuna
One the main rail line between Seville and Malaga Osuna boasts many beautiful palaces and mansions dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. The bullring in Osuna was portrayed as the Great Pit of Daznak in Game of Thrones.
Italica
Located just nine kilometers from Seville. The Roman ruins of Italica are some of the best-preserved Roman ruins to be found in Europe and contain the third-largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. – Check tours to Italica here
