Seville is a must on your Spain adventure, as it has old world charm with a mix of modern; providing something for everyone. When we were here, especially in the old town, I felt like we were in a storybook! I hope this guide helps you find hidden gems and easily discover what to see in lovely Seville!
Where to Stay in Seville: The Hotel Alfonso is an incredible, historic hotel set in a central location of Seville. You won't be disappointed you stayed here; with it's beautiful atrium, spacious rooms, and central location (and I love that it is a Marriott)!
What to Do in Seville:
Flamenco Show at Teatro Flamenco Sevilla: Seville is home to Flamenco, so I recommend saving this experience for your time in Seville! We loved this theater, as it was located near lots of shops and offered an intimate experience during the show. We mentioned it was our anniversary and were greeted with complimentary drinks to celebrate after the show!
El Alcazar: El Alcazar is a stunning palace featuring intricate Moorish architecture and beautiful gardens with so many spots for great photos. It is a very popular attraction, so purchase your tickets online and go early to beat the crowds and the sun! For those who love history, you can arrange a tour in advance or if you are spontaneous bring cash and join one of the tours outside the palace (there will be tour guides that work for El Alcazar asking if people want to join). As you exit El Alcazar, be sure and check out the beautiful tile paintings that Danish artist, Sarah Guldberg, paints in watercolor (cash only). If you are an art lover, I highly recommend this! We bought a handful for our home and just love them!
Barrio de Santa Cruz: Barrio de Santa Cruz is Seville's historic neighborhood that you can literally lose yourself, wandering through its narrow streets and magical architecture. Be sure to take photos of the colorful homes, decorated with beautiful flowers, and enjoy a drink at a neighborhood café.
Plaza de Toro: Bull fighting has incredible historical significance to the Spanish culture and is quite interesting to see what one of these stadiums looks like in real life. I personally couldn't stomach one of these in real life but it was so interesting to read about the history here. This museum is fairly quick to get through and no need to buy tickets in advance.
Plaza de España: Plaza de España is located in Maria Luisa park and walkable from the central part of Seville. This building is featured in Star Wars as the city of Naboo! I recommend grabbing a snack or having a sunset picnic, and then strolling through the beautiful gardens.
Make your own Espadrilles at Avarcas: Avarcas is a shoe store where you can customize your own shoes! Check this out for a unique experience and a fun souvenir to bring home!
Check out Triana!: If you want to see a different side of Seville, make your way to the neighborhood of Triana. You can use Triana Market as your reference point as it lies right on the riverbank and at the start of the neighborhood. This neighborhood felt very local and we enjoyed eating lunch here and seeing the art market called Paseo de Arte, which takes place along the river (check before hand to make sure it is open when you go)!
Where to Eat in Seville: Indulge in Seville's culinary delights at these exceptional dining spots:
El Pinton: Enjoy this stunning restaurant and make reservations in advance, as it tends to book up.
Petra: This was our favorite restaurant in Seville - incredible tapas and such a reasonable price! We went when they first opened for lunch and had no problems getting a table but for dinner you'll need to most likely book in advance.
Recoveco: Treat yourself to a memorable dinner at Recoveco and request a seat outside to enjoy the stunning rooftop view!
Justa Rufina: Another great rooftop spot for drinks before dinner; they typically have live music you won't want to miss!
Considerations:
There is Limited Uber availability from the train station into Seville. We ended up standing in the taxi line for about 20-30 minutes before getting one, so recommend getting straight in line instead of trying to call an Uber like we did!
Make reservations: Due to the popularity of restaurants and attractions in Seville, make reservations in advance to secure your preferred dining time.
Seville is a pretty pedestrian friendly or bike friendly city, so take advantage of the opportunity to explore its charming streets and iconic sites on foot (wear comfy shoes)!
We loved our time in Seville so much we didn't do any of the notable day trips, like the Alhambra, Cordoba or Grenada - so if you have some extra time, I would recommend squeezing these in!
Oh goodness, I hope you have such a lovely time exploring this city and all its beauty!