Top things to see in Seville Andalusia on your first visit

Any tourist includes a visit to this unique square on their list of things to do in Seville Spain: its semi-elliptical shape spans 200 meters, symbolizing Spain’s embrace of its former colonies. The plaza features 48 colorful tiled benches representing Spanish provinces, offering visitors a unique cultural experience.
This iconic landmark has gained international fame as a filming location for classic movies like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.” Covering 50,000 square meters, the plaza boasts a long canal where visitors can enjoy boat rides, and four bridges representing Spain’s ancient kingdoms.
The construction of the plaza began in 1914 and lasted until 1928, facing numerous challenges, including interruptions due to World War I and political issues with Morocco.

The Cathedral of Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an impressive monument that took over a century to build, reflecting the city’s wealth and ambition since the discovery of America.

A Seville cathedral tour offers visitors a chance to explore this architectural wonder, which began construction in 1434 and was symbolically completed on October 10, 1506, when the last stone was placed atop the dome. However, work continued until 1593, totaling 159 years of construction.

The origin of the Alcazar Seville dates back to the 10th century when Abd al-Rahman III, the Caliph of Córdoba, ordered the construction of a fortified palace in a strategic area of the city to ensure its security and serve as a residence for Muslim rulers.

After the reconquest of Seville in 1248 by Fernando III of Castile, the Alcazar was adapted as a Christian royal residence. Pedro I in 1366 ordered the construction of the Mudéjar Palace, an architectural jewel that combines elements of Islamic and Christian art.In the 16th century, Renaissance elements were introduced, and in the 18th century, Philip V and his court resided in the Alcázar, making new reforms.

Construction of the Setas de Sevilla began in 2005 to revitalize Plaza de la Encarnación. The project faced challenges, including a 2007 report questioning its technical viability. A solution was found by using laminated birch wood from Finland, increasing costs to 100.6 million euros. Despite proposals to modify the design, the structure was inaugurated in March 2011 with its original design intact.

The Metropol Parasol consists of six large wooden parasols reaching 26 meters high. Its wavy design is inspired by Seville Cathedral’s vaults and nearby ficus trees. The structure covers about 3,500 square meters over Plaza de la Encarnación and Plaza Mayor.

With four levels, the Setas de Sevilla offers a top-level walkway and viewpoint, a restaurant and panoramic walkway below, the elevated Plaza Mayor for events and markets, and the Antiquarium museum in the basement displaying Roman and Andalusian archaeological remains.

Located south of Seville town centre, Maria Luisa Park serves as the city’s green lung. Inaugurated in 1914, it was originally part of the Palace of San Telmo’s private gardens, donated to the city by Infanta Maria Luisa Fernanda de Borbón in 1893. French landscape architect Nicolas Forestier redesigned the park in 1914, and it underwent a radical transformation for the 1929 Universal Exhibition.

The park boasts majestic monuments, ornate fountains, and several pavilions. It’s an ideal destination for families, offering activities like feeding ducks and pigeons, climbing Mount Gurugú, hiring pedal carts, or enjoying a picnic. Visitors can explore the park on foot or by bike, with four-person quad bikes available for rent at €14 per half-hour.

Maria Luisa Park houses two significant museums. The Archaeological Museum, located in the Renaissance Pavilion, showcases a rich collection of Roman artifacts, including sculptures, mosaics, and statues from the nearby Roman city of Itálica. Its basement houses the El Carambolo treasure, a remarkable example of Tartessos culture metalwork. Opposite is the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares, dedicated to local customs and traditions, featuring collections of ceramics, clothing, jewelry, and the notable Díaz Velázquez lace and embroidery collection.

The Barrio de Santa Cruz, known for its narrow, winding streets, white-washed houses, and flower-filled patios, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Here are some fascinating facts about this iconic neighborhood:

The Casa de Pilatos, constructed in the late 15th century by Pedro Enríquez de Quiñones and Catalina de Ribera, is one of the most emblematic buildings of Andalusian noble architecture. Expanded by their son Fadrique Enríquez de Rivera after his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the palace incorporates Italian Renaissance elements inspired by his travels. Its name originates from the supposed similarity between the distance of its Via Crucis route and that of Pontius Pilate’s house to Calvary in Jerusalem.

The palace features a stunning central patio surrounded by marble columns, Roman busts, and Mudéjar decorations. Its gardens are adorned with loggias, fountains, and sculptures, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David. The Casa de Pilatos also houses an impressive art collection with classical sculptures, archaeological pieces, and Renaissance reliefs such as “Leda y el cisne.”

Founded in 1670, the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is a noble corporation that has played a pivotal role in the Seville history, particularly in the realm of equestrian training and bullfighting. Its origins date back to the conquest of Seville by King Fernando III “The Saint” in 1248, when the knights who accompanied him founded a Chivalric Brotherhood dedicated to San Hermenegildo.

The bullring of the Real Maestranza, owned by the corporation, is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Spain, with a capacity for 12,538 spectators. Its construction began in 1761 and lasted over 120 years, resulting in an irregular polygon with 30 unequal sides, reflecting the challenges faced during its building.

Under King Felipe V, the corporation received the title of “Real” (Royal) in 1730, and its principal became one of the king’s sons. Since then, the Real Maestranza has been presided over by members of the Spanish royal family, with His Majesty King Felipe VI currently holding this position.

The Iglesia del Salvador, also known as the Church of the Divine Saviour, stands as the second largest church in Seville after the Cathedral. This baroque church, completed in 1712, was built on the site of the main mosque of Islamic Ishbiliya, which itself was constructed in the 9th century over the remains of a Roman basilica.

The current structure, designed by Leonardo de Figueroa, features a magnificent baroque interior with a soaring dome and extravagant gold altarpieces. The main facade, facing Plaza del Salvador, showcases mannerist influences and was completed in the late 19th century.

Plaza del Salvador, once the central square of the ancient Roman city of Hispalis, has been a vibrant civic space since the 1st century BC. Today, it serves as a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, surrounded by baroque facades, shops, cafes, and wine cellars.