Seville
Seville Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
Famous worldwide for its huge cathedral, soaring La Giralda tower, architectural masterpieces, beautiful monuments, flamenco dancing, culture, artistic heritage, and traditions, Seville is the largest city located in Southern Spain. This is where the exciting Easter processions occur.
Since Seville is brimming with history everywhere you look, this makes it one of the most fascinating cities to explore in Spain. Learn what are 9 most famous must-see tourist attractions in Seville by using my Seville travel guide. I have left the best for last.
1. La Giralda & Cathedral in Seville
A ton has been written and said about the Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la Sede and the Giralda, one of Spain's highest-ranking attractions. Obviously, the attraction is UNESCO World Heritage listed. La Giralda was once the minaret of the old mosque that was erected in the 15th century.
Seville used to be the proud capital of the Iberian Peninsula during the Almohad domination; as its largest mosque centuries ago, the building boasts two different styles, Christian and Muslim. In 1355, during Christian times, was when the high-standing minaret and golden balls crowned La Giralda.
Highlights not to miss while visiting:
- Tomb of Christopher Columbus
- The Royal Chapel, which was dedicated to King Ferdinand lll of Castile
- The treasure room
- Several paintings by Lusis de Vargas, Goya, Murillo, and Pedro de Campana
- Gate to the Patio de los Naranjos
- Pierre Dancart's masterpiece, regarded as one of the world's finest altarpieces
- Montañés' Cristo de los Cálices, situated in the Sacristy.
2. Torre del Oro
One of Seville's icons,Torre del Oro is a 12 sided, 36-meter tall fortress tower dating from 1220, the period of the Almohade, originally part of Alcazar. When it was erected a heavy chain connected it to another tower on the opposite side of the river.
Believed to be adorned with gilded tiles that explains its name, it was part of the Moorish city wall. The tower's purpose was to regulate shipping on the Guadalquivir. Some time later it turned into a prison. But today it houses a small maritime museum. Torre del Oro has gotten a high review score of 8.5 from tourists.
3. The Real Alcazar
The Real Alcazar received a UNESCO World Heritage Site status on account of its Hispano-Muslim architectural importance. As Europe's oldest royal palace and known as the Alcazar of Seville, it was constructed to serve as the residence for the Christian king Peter of Castile. It's still in use.
An incredible combination of Christian and Mudejar architecture, the royal palace complex is a stunning spectacle. The site, originally developed as a fortress back in 913, has been renovated several times throughout the 1100 years of its existence, and most notably in the 14th century when King Pedro made the addition of the lavish Palacio de Don Pedro. The Alcazar was featured as a site for the Game of Thrones TV series.
4. Parque de Maria Luisa
As a marvelous oasis of greenery, the wide-spanning Parque de Maria Luisa makes the ideal place for escaping the city's hustle and bustle, with landscaped gardens, duck ponds, and walkways shaded by towering trees. The land, previously the property of the Palacio de San Telmo, was given as a donated gift to the city in the 19th century.
Among the lush gardens, the park hosts a number of noteworthy attractions such as Plaza de Espana, which is the showiest structure that saw completion for the 1929 Expo; a huge brick-and-tile confection which features mini-canals, fountains, and gaudy tile images portraying historical scenes from Spanish provinces. Here, you could rent a rowboat to go around the canals.
In the southern part of the park, the Museo Arqueologico houses fabulous Roman mosaics, statues, and sculptures, of which several were discovered from the archaeological site of Italica, not far from Seville.
On the other side stands the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares, which is dedicated to local traditions, customs, and costumes.
The park is a fine place for kids to run around, to enjoy a nice picnic, and even to take a fun bike ride on a four-person quad bicycle that you can rent here in 30-minute intervals.
5. Plaza de España
Situated within the Parque de Maria Luisa, Plaza de Espana is regarded as Seville's most renowned square. Designed specifically for the Ibero-American exhibition in 1929, this half circular square strikes one with its amazing scale, outstanding decoration and style. With a gigantic fountain in the middle, the square features balustraded balconies of a Neo-Moorish Renaissance-style structure. It even got the nickname of "Venice of Seville" due to its bridges and canals.
6. Casa de Pilatos
Dated to the 16th century, the resplendent palace stands in the Santa Cruz district of Seville. Its unique name, Casa de Pilatos, refers to the son of the original owner who went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Also, there exists a belief that it's a replica of Pilato's home in Jerusalem.
The palace blends in various styles from Gothic, Mudejar to Italian Renaissance. As one of the best-preserved structures from that era, Casa de Pilatos is definitely a must-see attraction with its fabulous patios and elegantly adorned gardens.
7. Barrio de Santa Cruz
In the center of Seville, today the aged Jewish quarter is one of the most attractive and touristic sites. Feel the authentic atmosphere of Seville's old quarter by strolling along its narrow, cobblestone streets, many patios, plazas, and colorfully bright houses adorned with flowers. Moreover, its narrow and hit-and-miss alleys is a characteristic that makes the Barrio de Santa Cruz strikingly unique. Keep walking to see some of its famous streets, courtyards, as well as to delight in its cultural wealth.
8. Metropol Parasol
Known by the locals as Las Setas, the Metropol Parasol is an iconic modern landmark in Seville. In 2011, German architect Jurgen Mayer H. designed the colossal sunshade which mesmerizes with its undulating honeycombed canopy and huge support trunks. It's reputed to be the biggest wooden-framed structure in the world.
Elevators take you up from the underground level to the top where you could admire breathtaking vistas from a winding pathway.
The structure covers a previous dead zone area in Seville's main district. Roman and Moorish ruins discovered during the plaza's excavation were skillfully added to the Parasol's foundations.
9. Museo de Bellas Artes
Hosted in a great Mannerist palace, what used to be Convento de la Merced, the Museo de Bellas Artes is a major art museum in Spain. Its collection from the 15th to 20th centuries, features Spanish and Sevillan sculptures and paintings; however, its main focus is religious paintings from the 17th century Siglo de Oro, Golden Age. Highlights to look for are the following:
- Convent's former church
- Inmaculada concepción
- Cristo crucificado
- El Greco's portrait of his son Jorge Manuel
- Valazquez's Cabeza de apostol
- portrait by Goya in Sala Xl
- Gonzalo Bilbao's Las Cigarreras, depicting scenes of life in Seville
