I do this thing where I get back from a trip and write really niche blog posts, completely ignoring the obvious ones. And I’ve done that again post-Seville. I mean sure, I wrote about travelling on a plane with a baby and about whether or not Seville was a baby-friendly destination. Oh and priorities, of course I wrote about the places I ate at in the Spanish city.
But lo and behold boys and girls, I never actually did a bog-standard, here-are-some-cool-things-to-do-in-Seville post. So whaddya know, I knocked one up especially for you. I treat you so well.
What To Do & See in Seville
Plaza De España
One of my favourite things to do in Seville was to visit the Plaza De España in Maria Luisa Park. The landmark was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition World’s Fair and has gorgeous art deco vibes. There’s not much to “do” exactly, but it’s a really pretty building that’s worth wandering. It has little sections dedicated to different Spanish regions and is the ultimate tile porn if that’s your thing. (It’s definitely mine.)
It’s also worth exploring the surrounding Maria Luisa Park as it has lots of little fountains and play areas if you’re travelling with kids. Either way it’s a pretty garden to walk through.
Metropol Parasol
Another attraction I enjoyed was the Metropol Parasol or “Las Setas” as it’s known locally (The Mushrooms). It’s a fairly new structure, built in 2011, which claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world. And it offers panoramic views of the city from the top.
I think it’s one of those things like the Eiffel Tower where locals hate it for clashing against it’s surroundings but tourists love it, y’know? I certainly thought it was pretty cool and definitely recommend going up for nice views. Although weirdly we saw like 6 brides doing photoshoots up there. I get the impression it’s the place to have your wedding photos in Seville…?
Also, it’s worth noting that although there is a lift up to the top, there are small steps all over the pathway, so can be difficult with a pram or wheelchair. Oh and check out Virgin Coffee round the corner for your caffeine fix, it’s A+.
Real Alcázar De Seville
Okaaaayyyy I didn’t actually visit the Real Alcázar De Seville, depite it being a top attraction in the city. You see there are queues out front and it was hot and I had a 10 month old so didn’t fancy waiting. But as it’s kind of a big deal, I figured it was worth mentioning in this list.
Real Alcázar De Seville is a palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site, still used by the Royal family as their official residence in the city. It’s known for it’s pretty tiles and lovely courtyards, and yeah you’ve probably seen 567 photos of it on Instagram. It looks gorgeous but I admit I was put off by the crowds – especially when you see those Instagram vs. Reality posts of it. Worth visiting though if you’re into photography or history I’d say.
Eat Churros
There are lots of delicious things to eat in Seville, from patatas bravas to serrano ham. But churros were one of my favourite Spanish treats. They serve them with hot dipping chocolate here and are for sure the best ones I’ve ever had. I ate them at Bar El Comercio and would totally recommend them – really good and really cheap!
Seville Cathedral
Another landmark to visit if you like history and architecture, is Seville Cathedral. It’s right in the middle of the city so you can’t miss it and is surrounded by the iconic Seville orange trees.
The Cathedral has a bit of a weird history as it was originally a mosque in the 12th century, converted into a Cathedral in the 13th century. So you see elements of both religions inside. The main attraction is La Giralda though, a 105m tall bell tower. You can go inside and climb up 34 sloping ramps to reach the top and get fab views of the city.
Wander Santa Cruz
For me the main appeal of Seville is its lovely little neighbourhoods, or barrios, you can wander for boutiques, little bars and pretty lanes. And Santa Cruz is ideal for this.
Aimlessly wandering, you’ll stumble across secret squares for a glass of sangria al fresco, or a tiny little tapas place for lunch. It also contains a few museums if that’s your thing. But really it’s just a really cute barrio, and very close to attractions like the Cathedral or the Alcazar De Seville. But you wouldn’t guess it, as it feels very far removed from the hustle and bustle.
(It’s also where we gave Indi her first taste of gelato! Obvs loved it.)
Discover the Shops & Cafes in Regina
Another neighbourhood I massively recommend is Regina. It’s just north of the Metropol Parasol, and has a lovely couple of lanes filled with independent shops and cafes to explore. It’s not the rabbit warren that is Santa Cruz, but I found some cooler spots here.
The lovely La Cacharreria is a great shout for brunch with top notch smoothies and lots of food options.
Ride Around On Lime Scooters
Yeah yeah, I know this isn’t a Seville-specific thing to do as you find Lime Scooters in lots of European cities. But they’re just so fun! You download the Lime app and can pick up and put down the scooters all over the city as you need them. They’re so much fun to ride around on, even though I’m a total wimp and won’t go full-speed on them…
Bars & Restaurants in Alfalfa Barrio
One more neighbourhood I would recommend is Alfalfa. It’s not one I heard much about before visiting, and I only ended up spending so much time there as it was near our AirBnb, but I really enjoyed exploring it. It felt a bit more authentic, with more locals, as it’s a bit more out the way from the major tourist spots. But I dig that.
Bar Alfalfa is an awesome spot with good, cheap wine, decent food and plates of serrano ham on offer. The people in there were lovely and every time I passed it was packed. Definitely recommend it.
There’s also a cute square called Plaza De Alfalfa that has some cafes and al fresco restaurants (loved La Escalona). But my favourite part is that it was filled with local kids playing in the park in the middle and people just going about their days – great for people-watching.
Oh and this is also where you’ll find the churro place I mentioned. Worth exploring!
Hopefully that gives you a bit of inspo for your next trip to Seville. If there’s anything else you’d recommend I’m all ears! I really loved this city and think it’s a must-visit destination if you’re in the market for a long weekend in Europe.
Head on over to my Instagram or Twitter for regular updates on my travels, millennial motherhood and life in general.