Seville could be described as a grand city. The architects of its cathedral are famed to have said “Let’s build a church so big that we shall held to be insane” and that is exactly what they did. The Cathedral dominates the city skyline and its Moorish tower “La Giralda” is Seville’s best known landmark. The Cathedral however, is not the only remarkable building in this city. The Alcazar which stands next door was inspired by the Alhambra in Granada and the whole city is dotted with remains of elegant pavilions, plazas and parks.

One thing is for certain, when you visit Seville you will be inspired to take photographs at every corner you turn.

1. The Cathedral & Giralda Tower  

The cathedral dates back to 1401 and is one of the largest Cathedrals in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site. The Giralda tower, which you can climb, has become an icon of this beautiful city, and provides a stunning view from the top.

You can pre-book your tickets online, which is a bit cheaper than buying them on the door. The Cathedral offers audio guides for a few Euros extra.

2. Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de España

A short stroll from the Cathedral you will find the Parque de Maria Luisa, which was once the gardens of the adjacent San Telmo Palace, but is now an urban park, providing some respite from the sun and the city among its shrubs and trees. The park is particularly characterised by the extensive use of fountains, ponds, sculptures and furniture made from ceramic tiles. 

The Plaza de España sits adjacent to the park. This enormous plaza was originally built for the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929 but is now mainly a place to hire boats to take out on the lake. Around the square there are painted ceramic benches representing all the provinces of Spain and the atmosphere is enhanced by the busking flamenco dancers dotted around.

3. Real Alcazar

The Royal Palace of Seville, still used by the Royal family when they visit Seville, is a palatial complex of stunning architecture and has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site.  The name ‘Alcazar‘ means castle in Spanish and is derived from the Arabic word al-qasr (fortress or palace). The Real Alcazar Palace is an extremely popular attraction in Seville and should not be missed during your stay. The number of visitors at any one time is restricted, so to avoid queuing, do buy your tickets in advance online or if you are there on a Monday, entrance is free.

4. El Museo de Bellas Artes

If you only visit one museum while you are in Seville make it this one. The roll call of artists’ works displayed there makes an illustrious list including Spanish masters Velazquez, El Greco, Zurbaran and Murillo. In the convent chapel, the baroque ceiling vies for a for attention with the works of art below, so be sure to look up as you wander around.

5. Barrios & tapas bars

No visit to Seville would be complete without wandering the streets of the different barrios (districts) of the city, to sample the unique atmosphere of each and of course the tapas bars. Barrio de la Cruz (the old Jewish quarter), Alameda and Triana are all worth a visit.

6. Archivo de Indias

This building dates back to 1785 and houses around 43 thousand documents, 80 million pages and 8 thousands copies of drawings and maps relating to the administration of the Spanish colonies. There are said to be over 9 km of shelves full of important archives, which visitors can explore. The building itself is also quite spectacular. It is free to visit and many of the documents can also be consulted digitally.

7. The Jewish Quarter or Santa Cruz district

This district is so named due to the times when Seville had a large Jewish population. The king allocated them an area of Seville in which they could build their synagogues. The neighbourhood is a maze of narrow streets and alleys where you can wander around and enjoy one of the many restaurants and squares. It is the most touristy area of the city.

8. The Mushrooms

This modern structure is over 150 metres long and 26 metres high. Also known as the Metropol parasol, it is made out of wood and is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. On top of the mushrooms is a walkway and terrace with a beautiful panorama of the city.

9. Palacio de San Telmo

Palacio de San Telmo is one of Seville’s most impressive buildings with its Ionic columns and distinctive façade. The baroque palace , dating from 1682, was built to serve as a marine academy and is named after St Elmo, the patron saint of navigators. Located between the hotel Alfonso XIII and the river, it is currently the seat of the regional government. The palace is only open to visitors by guided tour.

10. Casa de Pilatos

This 16th century palace in the district of Santa Cruz is one of the most well-preserved buildings from this period and is an opportunity to see how aristocrats used to live.