Written by Celine Fournier, David Garcia, Javier Garcia
30/08/2025
Hub JACQU, Pexels
Seville, Spain, is a vibrant Andalusian city renowned for its rich history, captivating Moorish and European architecture, and passionate flamenco culture. It offers an authentic Spanish experience through its historical sites, lively streets, and renowned culinary scene.
For socializing, the Santa Cruz neighborhood is a popular and iconic area filled with tapas bars and flamenco venues, set amidst charming cobblestone streets. Across the river, the Triana neighborhood also offers a lively atmosphere with flamenco clubs, tapas bars, and discotheques, providing a more local experience. Additionally, areas like Alameda de Hércules in the San Lorenzo district are known as sociable hangouts. Many hostels in Seville actively foster a social environment through events, rooftop terraces, and communal spaces, making it easy for solo travelers and backpackers to connect.
Top 6 Things to do in Seville
Exploring Seville involves immersing oneself in the city's iconic architectural marvels, vibrant cultural performances, and rich culinary traditions.
1. Visit the Royal Alcázar of Seville
Step into the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use, a UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases a breathtaking blend of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. Wander through ornate courtyards, intricate tilework, and lush, expansive gardens where peacocks roam freely. Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully explore. Booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended to avoid long queues.
Cost: General admission typically ranges from €13 to €19 for online purchases. Guided tours, often providing deeper historical insights, start from around €34. Reduced rates are available for students (14-30 years) and seniors (over 65) for approximately €8. Free entry is possible on Mondays during specific late afternoon hours, but requires advance booking and fills up quickly.
Transport: The Royal Alcázar is centrally located within walking distance of many hotels in the historic center.
2. Explore Seville Cathedral and Climb the Giralda
Discover the world's largest Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site built on the site of a former mosque. Inside, admire the grand nave, stunning altarpiece, and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The highlight for many is ascending the Giralda bell tower, which was originally the mosque's minaret. The climb offers panoramic views across Seville's rooftops and the city's landmarks, providing a unique perspective. Allow 1.5-2 hours for the visit. Booking skip-the-line tickets online is advised.
Cost: General admission tickets for the Cathedral and Giralda are approximately €13-€17.50 when purchased online. Guided tours, offering detailed historical context, can start from around €20-€25. Combination tickets with the Alcázar are also available, starting from approximately €49. Free entry is available for children under 14 and on Sundays during specific afternoon hours with prior online reservation.
Transport: Located directly adjacent to the Royal Alcázar, it is easily reachable on foot from the city center.
3. Stroll Through Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa
Experience the grandeur of Plaza de España, an architectural masterpiece built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Admire its semi-circular building, ornate ceramic benches representing Spain's provinces, and the small canal where you can rent a rowboat. The Plaza is nestled within the sprawling Parque de María Luisa, a beautiful green oasis with fountains, ponds, and shaded pathways, perfect for a leisurely walk or cycling. This is a great spot for photography and relaxation.
Cost: Visiting Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa is free. Rowboat rentals on the canal cost a few euros.
Transport: Both the Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa are a pleasant walk from the city center (approx. 15-20 minutes from the Cathedral) or accessible via local buses.
4. Witness a Flamenco Show
Immerse yourself in Seville's passionate flamenco culture, as the city is widely regarded as its birthplace. Attend an authentic 'tablao' performance, where dancers, singers, and guitarists express deep emotions through intricate footwork, soulful singing, and rhythmic clapping. Look for venues in the Triana or Santa Cruz neighborhoods for a traditional experience. It is a powerful and moving art form that provides a true taste of Andalusian spirit.
Cost: Ticket prices for a flamenco show vary depending on the venue and what's included. Expect to pay between €24 and €37 for a show with a drink. Shows with tapas or dinner can range significantly higher, from approximately €100.
Transport: Many flamenco venues are located in the central Santa Cruz and Triana neighborhoods, which are easily accessible by walking or a short taxi ride.
5. Ascend Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
Experience Seville's modern side by visiting Metropol Parasol, locally known as 'Las Setas' (The Mushrooms). This impressive wooden structure in the Plaza de la Encarnación offers elevated walkways on its rooftop, providing unique 360-degree panoramic views of the city, which are particularly stunning at sunset or after dark when the structure is illuminated. Below the structure, you can explore an archaeological museum, Antiquarium, showcasing Roman and Moorish remains.
Cost: General admission to the Metropol Parasol viewpoint typically costs around €16-€18.69. This often includes access to the 360º viewpoint, a virtual experience, and sometimes double entry within 48 hours.
Transport: Metropol Parasol is located in the Plaza de la Encarnación, a central square easily reached on foot from most parts of the historic center.
6. Indulge in a Tapas Tour
Embark on a culinary journey through Seville by joining a tapas tour. This allows you to experience the city's vibrant food scene like a local, hopping between several traditional tapas bars and 'bodegas' (taverns). A local guide will introduce you to authentic Andalusian flavors, explaining the history and culture behind each dish and drink, often leading you to hidden gems away from the main tourist crowds. It's a fantastic way to taste a variety of local specialties, from Iberian ham to fried cod, often paired with local wines or sherry.
Cost: Tapas tours typically cost between €45 and €85 per person. This usually includes a selection of approximately 10 tapas dishes and 3-4 drinks across multiple venues.
Transport: Tapas tours are generally walking tours concentrated in the historic center and nearby neighborhoods like Triana and Santa Cruz.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
