As the center of flamenco rhythms and a lively Andalusian ambiance, Seville enchants visitors with its rich traditions. Explore the grandeur of the Seville Cathedral, discover the Moorish splendor of the Alcazar de Sevilla, or get lost in the labyrinthine Barrio de Santa Cruz. On the outskirts, explore small villages like the historic Carmona or Osuna, each with their own unique past. We’ve fallen victim to Seville’s irresistible charm ourselves. So, why is Seville, Spain, famous? Take our recommendations on what to see and do, and you’ll be packing your bags to this Andalusian capital quickly!
The Cathedral of Seville (Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede)
The Seville Cathedral, known as the Catedral de Sevilla, holds the distinction of being the third-largest Christian temple worldwide and is an unparalleled masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It stands as one of the select few churches globally, alongside St. Paul’s Cathedral in the Vatican, to have a coveted spot on UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage Sites list.
The sheer magnitude of the Seville Cathedral is awe-inspiring. Legend has it that the architect and clergy in charge said, “Let’s build a church so beautiful and so grand that those who see it finished will take us for mad men.” To get an idea, the church is longer and wider than a soccer pitch. While the construction date remains a subject of debate, reliable records confirm it started in 1434.
The cathedral was built over a mosque, like many other churches, as an expression of religious superiority. The mosque’s minaret, a beautiful Moorish-style tower used for calling to prayer, was still standing. They transformed that minaret, now called La Giralda, into a bell tower and adorned it with a Gothic belfry. It’s 104.5m (about 342.85 ft) high, and it really towers over the cathedral (pun intended!), making it the highest point in Seville. If you’re up to the challenge, climb up a ramp to visit the Giralda, where the views are spectacular. Fun fact: The Giralda is featured in Sim City, the video game.
The inside of the cathedral is equally gorgeous. The main altar piece, or Retablo Mayor, has more than 200 carved, gilded figures depicting the life of Christ. But what really draws your attention to it is its sheer size, surpassing the dimensions of an IMAX screen. It’s said to be the largest of its kind, a testament to the dedication and artistry that went into its creation, spanning an impressive 82 years for its completion.
You can also see the grandiose monument to Christopher Columbus’s tomb inside the cathedral. There was debate around the veracity of the remains. When Cuba declared its independence from Spain, they allegedly brought the remains back to this city and built this tomb to house them. However, in 2006, DNA tests proved that at least some of the remains were authentic.
The Alcazar de Sevilla
The Alcazar is a complex of buildings built on a plot that had Roman and Visigoth remains. At first, it was a Moorish keep with defensive walls, then it was a citadel. It also housed harems and royal courts. Today, it stands as a beautiful palace built mainly by Christian rulers upon those Moorish remains. Notably, the second floor is the residence of the Royal Family when they visit Seville, making this the oldest continually used royal residence in Europe.
Comparing this palace to the Alhambra in Granada is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. The Alhambra was built earlier, by the Moors, and the Alcazar was built later, by Christians. This heavily Moorish style that Christian rulers used is called Mudéjar, owing its name to the skilled Mudejares, who were Moors who stayed behind after Christians took over their empire. (Mudejar is really a derogatory term meaning “tamed”.) The result of combining Royal indulgence and skillful artisans is this extraordinary place. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as the Palace of Dorne.
Some of the most interesting rooms, gardens, and patios to see are the beautiful Patio de las Doncellas, or Courtyard of the Maidens, and the smaller, but still striking, Patio de las Muñecas, or Courtyard of the Dolls. It’s in the latter where Pedro I, “el Justo” (the “just”) or “el Cruel” (“the cruel”) depending on where you stood, killed his half-brother. It’s also where he had Abu Said of Granada murdered for his jewels, among them a big ruby he eventually gave to Edward, Prince of Wales, which is now a part of Britain’s crown jewels. In these and other patios and rooms, you can see beautiful, finely carved stucco decorations in intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy and admire the touches of color and the tilework.
Another dazzling room is the Salon de los Embajadores, or Ambassadors Room, with its magnificent wooden dome painted in red, green, and gold and its walls and arches decorated with painted stucco. Another surprise is in the Salon de los Tapices, or Tapestries Room, where Flemish tapestries depict the victory of King Carlos V in Tunis. They are based on the drawings of the king’s painter, who’d been present in the war. Check this out when you’re there: The tapestry of the map shows it all upside down, as that was the view of the world at that time.
The gardens are peaceful places of leisure, kept in the original Moor palace. You can appreciate the scent of jasmine and orange blossoms as you amble about. Worth visiting are the Baños de Maria Padilla, or Maria Padilla’s Baths. They say that this was where Miss Padilla, King Pedro’s mistress, took her baths, but they are just the water reservoirs for the palace. Nonetheless, they make for awesome Instagram pictures.
The Barrio de Santa Cruz
The Barrio de Santa Cruz, or neighbourhood of the Holy Cross, is one of the most visited neighbourhoods in Spain. It is a charming part of the old city where hidden plazas, narrow cobblestone streets, and whitewashed buildings beg you to wander without a map. Getting lost in its streets is a welcome rite of passage for many. The streets are narrow, so you are walking mostly in the shade, which is a good respite from the sun in one of Europe’s warmest cities.
The Barrio de Santa Cruz became the Jewish quarter of Seville when King Fernando III took over the city in 1248, and he sent all the Jewish people to this neighbourhood. He gave them permission to convert three of the existing mosques in and around the Barrio into synagogues. Of those, only two remain, now turned into churches. It was the Jewish quarter for over 200 years until 1492, when all Jewish people were expelled from the peninsula.
When you wander through these tiny streets, you will come across little plazas lined with orange trees and others with tile benches, houses adorned with colorful geraniums, and iron wrought gates through which you can delight in the picturesque patios of private homes. You’ll find tapas joints everywhere, but mostly on Calle Mateos Gago, the main food corridor in the Barrio.
Check out the Museo del Baile Flamenco, where you can learn all about this unique dance and culture; if you’re into music, there’s also a guitar museum in the same building. If you’re into art, the Hospital de los Venerables, founded 300 years ago to take in old or disabled members of the clergy, now houses a modern art collection and works of Murillo, Velazquez, and Zurbarán.
Other Seville Sights for Longer Stays
Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is a gorgeous, half-circle structure built for the 1929 Expo in the Parque de Maria Luisa. The park is a beautiful and extensive area of lush greenery with tiled fountains, pavilions, ponds, and peacocks, great for a leisurely walk. To the side of this park stands the Plaza, with its fountain front and centre, and a canal crossed by four bridges that represent the four old kingdoms of Spain: Navarra, Aragon, Castile and Leon.
The plaza is adorned with gorgeously crafted tiles depicting significant events from each of Spain’s provinces. Additionally, you’ll find references to some of Spain’s most illustrious figures, including Seneca, Quevedo, Magallanes, and Velazquez. Fun fact: This monumental pavilion was chosen as the Palace of the Kingdom of Naboo in the film Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
Barrio de Triana, or Triana Neighbourhood
Across the Guadalquivir River, over the old iron bridge, the colorful domes of the Chapel of Virgen del Carmen welcome you to Triana, the barrio where the gitanos (gypsies) lived when they were not allowed inside the city walls. Today, it’s famous for its ceramics, flamenco artists, and sailors, like Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first to circumnavigate the world, with Triana being kilometer zero. There is an Inquisition Museum in the remains of St. Jorge’s Castle, the seat of the Inquisition at the time, underneath what is now the Triana Market. You can browse around the market and grab a tapa and a beer before continuing your way.
Triana, or as locals call it, the “Independent Republic of Triana,” is historically and socially separated from Seville, more so than by the Guadalquivir River. But two features make Seville special: Flamenco and ceramics have their roots on this side of the river. Tile-making techniques are explained in English in the Centro de Cerámica de Triana Museum, and tile and ceramics shops showcase their goods. You can also enjoy a flamenco show at any of the local tablaos, venues with wooden platforms for dancers, after an evening tapas crawl in one of the many quality bars around.
Las Casas Palacio, or Resident’s Palaces
Back when riches were coming in from the New World, right through Seville, locals built many magnificent homes. You can visit a few of the Casas Palacio that have been restored. Most have outstanding collections of art, gardens, furniture, and decorations. Among them are:
The Casa de Pilato, the largest privately owned of these palaces, belongs to the Dukes of Medinaceli. Casa de Pilatos is the precursor of the Andalusian Palaces. Around 150 different patterns of glazed tiles adorn its walls. There are statues from ancient Rome, a Greek one from 500 BCE, and paintings and frescoes.
The Palacio de Lebrija is a museum in one of the finest houses in Seville, belonging to the Countess of Lebrija, an educated, cultured lady with a passion for archeology. The valuable antique collections she gathered are as varied as they are interesting. The most impressive is the 580 m2 (about the area of a basketball court) of Roman mosaics. Recently renovated, it includes a visit to the upstairs winter rooms and a 4000-book library.
The Casa de las Dueñas was the home of the famed Duchess of Alba. Not only is this palace a significant historical landmark, but it also houses a treasure trove of 1400 antiquities, including paintings, tapestries, and ceramics. The accuracy and originality with which it has been conserved make it a unique choice to visit.
Las Setas (Metropol Parasol)
Las Setas is a structure that ignites strong opinions. It’s a polarizing architectural masterpiece – some adore it, while others find it out of place in Seville’s historic surroundings.
The story behind this colossal wooden marvel is fascinating. Seville wanted to revitalize the Plaza de la Encarnacion, and Berlin architect Jurgen Mayer’s setas (“mushrooms”) project achieved just that. As the largest wooden structure in the world, 3500 pieces of lumber are joined by 16 million screws. It provides a large, shaded area for social activities on the ground floor, where there’s also a market. Underground is an antiquities museum that holds the artifacts found during the excavations. To go up the structure and enjoy a 250-meter-long walkway with panoramic views, take the elevator adjacent to the entrance of the antiquarium.
Seville Aquarium
While it may not claim the title of the largest aquarium, Seville Aquarium offers a change of pace, especially for young travelers who might be feeling a bit “museum-ed” out. There are over 700 specimens of about 400 species that include more than ten species of jellyfish. The aquarium is divided into Atlantic, Guadalquivir, Amazonian, Pacific, and Indo-Pacific areas following the Magallanes round-the-world voyage of 1519.
Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Sevilla (The Popular Arts and Traditions Museum of Seville)
The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Sevilla has exhibitions of Andalusian traditions, artisanal workshops, heritage, and everyday household items. It covers everything from period furniture and clothing to guitar and wine making, among many other processes. Look into learning about the way of life in bygone areas.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla (Fine Arts Museum of Seville)
Art lovers will appreciate this collection from Spanish artists like Murillo, Zurbaran, Velazquez, and El Greco. The museum is arranged chronologically, from medieval and baroque to the Renaissance to early 20th century. As with most museums, your enjoyment will be determined by your interests, so if you’re not much into religious art but more into modern art, head for the top floor and make your way down. If your significant other is not into art, the building alone is enjoyable, the entrance is inexpensive, and they might want to check it out before waiting for you, sitting outside in the pleasant shade.
Museo de Arqueología de Sevilla (Archeology Museum)
The Museo de Arqueología de Sevilla traces the societies that have lived around Seville from prehistory to the modern age. Most of its focus is on the Roman period, with its proximity to Itálica and all the artifacts found there. Nevertheless, you’ll also learn about the region’s prehistory, protohistory, the last Bronze Age, the Phoenicians, and the Tartessian cultures. It also houses Islamic and Visigoth pieces.
While the information is primarily presented in Spanish, the museum’s layout gives you an understanding of each era’s way of life. For English-speaking visitors, printed guides are available upon request at the entrance.
Museo Histórico Militar de Sevilla (Historical Military Museum of Seville)
The Museo Histórico Militar de Sevilla is often underestimated because it’s small, but it’s ideal for anyone who wants to learn about the history of warfare. Although not exactly laid out in chronological order, the exhibits touch on the Napoleonic invasion, the Spanish Civil war, and other local bellicose events. You’ll find military uniforms and weapons, model soldiers, ammunition, gas masks, cannons, bombs and swords. Don’t be put off by the toy soldiers on display at the entrance! It gets better further in.
FAQs
What is unique about Seville?
Seville has a unique blend of Roman, Moorish, Christian, and Gypsy influences, among others, evident in its stunning architecture, music, and history. As the birthplace of flamenco, it resonates with passionate rhythms and dance. Its architectural monuments, like the Seville Cathedral and Alcazar, display a fusion of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Today, it’s a beautiful, lively city that honors ancient traditions like the Semana Santa processions and the festive April Fair.
Why do people love Seville?
People adore Seville for its welcoming people and beautiful architecture of Moorish-influenced intricate tilework, horseshoe arches, and ornate facades. The passionate spirit of Flamenco music and dance moves the soul, while the Barrio de Santa Cruz’s winding streets offer romantic walks. You can also enjoy Seville’s extraordinary culinary scene of tapas at affordable prices. Above all, it’s the welcoming, lively atmosphere and genuine hospitality of its people that make Seville truly beloved.
Why is Seville worth visiting?
Seville is worth visiting for its warm people, Moorish architecture, and lively traditions. The Seville Cathedral, Alcazar, and Plaza de España, are iconic landmarks. Seville’s picturesque streets, charming plazas, and delightful cuisine create an inviting atmosphere.
Discover the enchanting allure of Seville, Spain, where vibrant Andalusian traditions are still alive. Why wait? Let the charm of Seville and beyond inspire your next adventure! Need help planning an itinerary in Spain? Let us know, and we can chat about your trip to Spain!
