Seville holidays & city breaks

What to do in Seville

Besides getting lost exploring web of tiny streets and stopping for bites of tapas and a glass of sherry along the way, Seville offers visitors plenty to keep you busy, particularly if you’re a fan of architecture or history.

Real Alcazar

Seville’s answer to Granada’s Alhambra is the Real Alcázar, a royal palace that perfectly combines Mudéjar Islamic and Christian architecture. Originally a fort built in the 10th century, it was later transformed into a palace in the 14th century by King Pedro. A maze of sumptuous rooms, arched doorways, intricate carvings and serene pools, the Alcázar was in fact one of the filming locations for the TV series Game of Thrones.

La Giralda

La Giralda is the Moorish minaret of Seville Cathedral. Built in 1195 during the Moorish rule of Spain, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city and was once the minaret of Seville’s mosque. In the 15th century, the cathedral was built in its place and the minaret was turned into the bell tower. Standing at 103m (338ft), visitors can climb the tower to see one of the most spectacular views over the city.

See a flamenco performance

Seville and its surrounding areas were the birthplace of the Spanish flamenco, so there’s no better place to catch a performance than here. Whether you want to watch the professionals on a stage, an intimate show in a restaurant or an impromptu performance in an underground bar, Seville’s got it all. Some of the best places to watch a flamenco show include the Museo del Baile Flamenco, Teatro Flamenco Triana and La Carboneria.

Plaza de España

The grand Plaza de España is one of Seville’s most iconic sights. Located within María Luisa Park, it was built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition. Designed in Spanish Renaissance and neo-Moorish style, it comprises a grand semicircle of elegant pavilions, tiled arches, fountains and pools. Explore the plaza along its canals by boat, discover it by horse and carriage or simply on foot.

Casa de Pilatos

There are so many gorgeous buildings in Seville that it can be hard picking just one to visit. The Casa de Pilatos, however, should be near the top of your list. A 15th-century palace just outside the old town, the house was the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli and combines Italian Renaissance style with that of the Mudéjar-Gothic and Romantic. Your visit will take you on a tour through several tranquil indoor gardens and pretty courtyards.

Where to stay in Seville

For families

Located right between the river and the cathedral, El Arenal is a great option for families, lying within walking distance to many major sights and offering a good range of accommodation options. If you’re looking for somewhere quieter to stay with the little ones, opt for Los Remedios, a modern residential district with a good array of mid-range hotels, as well as self-catering options.

For travellers on a budget

The old atmospheric quarter of Barrio de Santa Cruz offers a vast array of accommodation options for a cheap Seville holiday. You’ll find some great budget choices inside the historic houses of the neighbourhood, and will have plenty of affordable tapas bars on your doorstep. Just northeast of here you’ll find Alfalfa, which also has many moderately priced hotels.

For food and drink

The Barrio de Santa Cruz is where you’ll find the best concentration of tapas bars, there’s one hidden around almost every corner. You’ll find everything here from historic hole-in-the-walls to modern gastro bars. Another great foodie neighbourhood to stay in is the hip district of Alameda de Hercules, home to a variety of both traditional and fusion restaurants.

For nightlife

If you’ve come to Seville to party, you’re in luck as the city has a pulsating nightlife scene, which lasts well into the early hours of the morning. For cool alternative or hipster style joints, base yourself around Alameda de Hercules. If its local bars and flamenco spots you want, stay in Triana. Paseo Cristobal Colon, along the river, offers swanky clubs and swish bars, mainly open in summer, while Alfalfa is a lively area, attracting mainly a student crowd.

For culture

Barrio de Santa Cruz is one of Seville’s oldest and most atmospheric neighbourhoods, a puzzle of tiny streets and cute plazas. The neighbourhood has a good range of hotels and is home to some of the city’s major cultural sights, including the cathedral and La Giralda minaret and the Real Alcázar. An alternative spot for culture lovers to stay is across the river in the old flamenco district of Triana. Today, it’s still home to some of the city’s best flamenco venues, as well as numerous ceramic workshops, which have a tradition going back hundreds of years.