Visiting Spain

Top 10 Things to Do in Seville

Moorish Design in Seville’s Alcazar

Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and offers visitors a wide variety of things to do and see. From beautiful gardens to stunning cathedrals, the city has something for every taste. To help you narrow down the choices, below is my list of the top 10 things to do in Seville.

1. Take a stroll through the temporary exhibitions and the archives of Spain’s colonial past in the Archivo de Indias.

2. Visit Seville for Semana Santa or Feria in the springtime and witness some of the biggest parades and celebrations of the year.

3. Get lost in the small winding streets of the old city.

4. Pick up some meats and cheeses at the Mercado de Triana market and have a picnic on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.

5. Go for a tapas crawl for dinner at some of the best tapas bars in Seville.

6. Walk through the Parque de Maria Luisa and stand in the semi-circular Plaza de Espana.

7. Take a spin through the historic old city of Seville in a horse-drawn carriage.

8. Go to a flamenco show to see some of Andalusia’s most famous dancing.

9. Walk through the Seville Cathedral and climb the Giralda tower for great views over the city.

10. Visit the stunning historic Alcazar palace. Make sure to leave plenty of time to explore the gardens.

Visiting Seville for Semana Santa

Semana Santa Procession in Seville

Semana Santa is one of the best times of year to visit Seville. With parades and processions filling the streets from Palm Sunday through Good Friday, the city comes alive during festival.

Semana Santa runs from the Sunday before Easter through the Friday before Easter each year. During Semana Santa, or Holy Week, brotherhoods from around Seville parade through the streets in long robes carrying elaborate floats with the Virgin Mary on top.

People from all over Andalusia come to the city during Semana Santa to watch or participate in the parades, and visitors from all over the world visit Seville during Semana Santa to witness the events.

Because the festival is such a popular time to visit Spain, the city gets crowded during the week. This is especially true on the Thursday and Friday. As such, if you are planning on visiting Seville for Semana Santa, make sure to book your hotel accommodation and flights or trains well in advance.

Also note that during Semana Santa not everything will be open. Many stores, museums, and churches have shorter opening hours than usual, so try to plan ahead to make sure that you can visit the places you want to see while you are there.

This includes the Cathedral in Seville, which is closed on Sunday and Tuesday of Semana Santa and has reduced opening hours during the rest of Holy Week (opening at 11:00 and closing at 13:30 or 16:00).

Some shops and restaurants also close for Semana Santa in Seville, but many remain open late into the night to take advantage of the increased population in the city during the week.

You can call or ask your hotel concierge if you have questions about the shortened opening hours of specific restaurants and shops in the city during Semana Santa.

Best Tapas in Seville

Tapas Bar in Seville

Seville boasts of having some of the best tapas in Spain, and the city is small enough that you can walk between many of the city’s most famous tapas restaurants.

Below is a list of the best tapas bars in Seville, as well as their addresses. Click here to see a map of their locations.

Enrique Becerra
Address: Calle Gamazo, 2, 41001 Seville, Spain
This bar serves up great authentic Andalusian and Sevillian tapas. It is an ideal place to go if you want authentic local cuisine.

Las Columnas / Bodega Santa Cruz
Address: Calle de Rodrigo Caro, 1A, 41004 Seville, Spain‎
This crowded bar is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Be prepared to stand in a sea of papers discarded by previous patrons. It’s all part of the experience.

Bodega San Jose
Address: Calle Adriano, 10, 41001 Seville, Spain‎
This establishment offers classic Sevillian specialties and great wine and beer. Don’t miss the grilled gambas.

Las Teresas
Address: Calle Santa Teresa, 2, 41004 Seville, Spain
The friendly staff at this long-time favorite are happy to help you pick out a perfect set of tapas paired with a great glass of wine.

La Cava del Europa
Address: Puerta de la Carne, 6, Seville, Spain
For those feeling adventurous, this great tapas bar in Seville specializes in fusion cuisine. If you’re tired of the same old tortilla, make sure to stop by for some refreshing new flavors.

Bodega Morales / Bar Hijos de E. Morales
Address: Calle Garcia de Vinuesa, 11, Seville, Spain
A rustic atmosphere and walls lined with old sherry casks make this tapas bar one of the most traditional in Seville.