While any Spanish city can offer tapas, amazing architecture and fascinating museums, there are many unique things to do in Seville. The Andalusian capital has a rich cultural heritage and a huge range of distinctive activities to offer, many of the likes of which can’t be experienced elsewhere.
All of the following things to do can be booked on platforms like Get Your Guide, Viator and Tiqets. Make sure to compare sites in order to get the best deal, and book well in advance if visiting during peak season (June-August).
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Seville’s Royal Palaces
Seville is home to multiple palaces, each home to art collections, Royal artifacts and beautiful gardens. The Real Alcázar of Seville is probably the most famous, and is renowned for its stunning architecture and expansive gardens. Don’t miss the Baths of Doña María de Padilla in the basement, associated with the forbidden love story of King Pedro I the Cruel and his mistress.
The other palaces are Las Dueñas, Casa de Pilatos, Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija (Palace of the Countess of Lebrija), Palacio Marqueses de la Algaba (Palace of the Marquises of Algaba), Palacio de San Telmo and Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop’s Palace).
The best time to visit the palaces and gardens is spring or autumn when the weather is pleasant. Expect to spend around 2 hours in each location; you can also see multiple palaces in one day due to their proximity to each other.
Guadalquivir River Cruises
A river cruise on the Guadalquivir offers a unique perspective of Seville. Options include leisurely cruises by the Torro del Oro and Plaza de España, with drinks and tapas available depending on the tour provider.
Most tours include commentary, either from a local guide or by audio guide (with multiple languages available). Cruises are available throughout the day, with sunset cruises being particularly popular. Allocate around 1-2 hours for this experience.
As well as taking a boat tour, it’s possible to travel along the river by kayak or paddle board. You can either rent the equipment and explore independently, or join a kayaking/paddle boarding tour. Tours are recommended for beginners, as they’ll include a safety briefing and you’ll be accompanied by an experienced guide.
Exploraterra Space: Museum and Replica of the Nao Victoria
Visiting the Nao Victoria replica is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Seville. The Exploraterra exhibition celebrates the historic circumnavigation by the Nao Victoria, the first ship to successfully sail around the world. The replica of the ship, the Nao Victoria 500, is located close to the Torro del Oro. Here, visitors can interact with exhibits and learn about the crew, their journey and destination.
It’s a fascinating museum for maritime history enthusiasts, and will be much less crowded than other museums like the Maritime Museum and the Archivo de Indias. It’s open daily from 9:30am to 6pm, and you can expect to spend around one hour here.
Learn about Flamenco
Seville is the heart of flamenco. Not only can you catch a show, you can also take a class or visit the Flamenco Museum (Museo del Baile Flamenco) to immerse yourself in the passionate art form. The museum is open daily, and typical visits last about 2 hours.
Evening shows are a must-see, with multiple venues around the city. The most popular are Teatro Flamenco Sevilla (the Flamenco Theatre) and Tablao Flamenco Las Setas at Las Setas de Sevilla/Metropol Parasol. Many evening shows include dinner, with options such as tapas and paella coupled with sangria or local wine.
Itálica Roman Ruins
Just outside Seville, the ancient city of Itálica showcases impressive Roman ruins, including an amphitheatre and mosaics. Itálica is famously known as the birthplace of Emperor Trajan, as well as Hadrian (allegedly). The archaeological site also served as the filming location of the Dragonpit in the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
It’s open everyday from 9am to 6pm, and 3pm on Sundays and public holidays. Guided tours are available in English, Spanish, French and Italian, and you should allocate 2-3 hours for a thorough exploration. Some tours include transport, as well as admission to the Medieval Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo and tastings in a local winery.
Plaza de Toros de Sevilla
The iconic bullring of Seville, Real Maestranza, is steeped in history and tradition. Dating back to 1749, it’s one of the most famous bullfighting arenas in the country, and is no stranger to controversy.
Centrally located, it offers tours that include a museum visit, lasting about an hour. The bullfighting season is from April to September, with weekly events. During the annual April Festival (Feria de Abril in Spanish) the arena is host to daily festivities.
El Globo de Sevilla (The Seville Balloon)
While there are plenty of places to view Seville from above, the Metropol Parasol, Torro del Oro and La Giralda can only take you so high. For breathtaking views of Seville, a hot air balloon ride is unmatched, and is by far the most thrilling on this list of unique things to do in Seville.
El Globo de Sevilla, also known as Nao Vigía, is located in the Isla Mágica Theme Park. Balloon rides last around 15 minutes, rising up to 150 metres and offering a bird’s eye view of the city. Other attractions in the park include rollercoasters, fairground rides and a water park.
Cañada de los Pájaros Bird Reserve
This bird sanctuary around thirty minutes from Seville is home to over 200 species, including rare and endangered birds. It’s a peaceful retreat for nature lovers, as is the nearby Doñana Natural Area. The best visiting times are during migration seasons in spring and autumn, and the sanctuary is open daily from 10-6pm. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here; certain ticket options include entry to the Seville Aquarium, so you could easily fit both activities into the same day.
Jewish Quarter Tours
While Spain was technically neutral during the Second World War, with the country’s Jewish history therefore being radically different to the rest of the European continent, there is still plenty to learn. Seville’s Jewish heritage can be explored with a guided tour through the historic Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the former Jewish Quarter.
Tours are available throughout the week and provide a deep insight into the history of the city’s Sephardic Jews. Stops usually include the Plaza del Triunfo, Santa Cruz Square and the Jardines de Murillo. Tours usually last about 1.5-2 hours, and some also culminate in tapas tastings.
Visit an Olive Oil Farm
While tapas classes and vineyard tours are popular for gastronomy lovers, Andalusia is also famous for its olive oil. Visit a local farm to meander through the olive groves, learn about production and enjoy tastings. Tours generally last about four hours and often include transport from Seville. The best time to go is during the harvest season in early autumn, but tours are also available during spring and summer.
There are so many unique things to do in Seville that you won’t get to experience elsewhere in Spain- especially if you’re a maritime history buff or Game of Thrones fan! Just make sure to book early, as Seville’s offerings make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. And if you need any more convincing, check out our article Top Reasons to Visit Seville, Spain.
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