10 Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville

Seville is the capital and largest city in Andalusia, Southern Spain. It is also the fourth-largest city in Spain, after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. The city has a long and rich history and and has a lot to offer to a first time visitor. From the old Cathedral with the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the Giralda overlooking the entire city, to the most beautiful plaza in the country within the green park. Seville is a wonderful place to spend a few days while traveling in Andalusia, and is close to other great destinations like Cordoba, Granada and Gibraltar.

 

1. Plaza de España 

Every city in Spain has a square called Plaza de España, but the Plaza de España of Seville is the most beautiful one. It is located in the Maria Luisa Park (more on the park below) and was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition World’s Fair that took place in the park the following year. The large plaza features a small artificial river where visitors can rent a small rowing boat and row under the small yet remarkable bridges. It has small towers and a central fountain, all built in Renaissance Revival style. The Plaza de España was used as a location in several movies, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962)Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and The Dictator (2012)

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Plaza de España

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Plaza de España

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Plaza de España

 

2. Seville Cathedral 

Built between 1401 and 1528, the Seville Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See is the third largest church in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The immense structure features more than 1,000 figures covered in gold leaf depicting the life of Jesus, as well as the tomb of Christopher Columbus and many other interesting artifacts. The cathedral along with the Giralda (the cathedral’s bell tower, see below) is the pride of the city and its prime tourists attraction, with a constant line of visitors waiting to enter the landmark

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Seville Cathedral (source: Ingo Mehling)

Best Attractions In Seville

The tomb of Christopher Columbus, Seville Cathedral

 

3. La Giralda 

The Giralda is the bell tower of the Seville Cathedral and is the only remaining structure of the 12th century mosque that once stood where the cathedral is now. The 104.1 meters (241 ft) tower was built by the Moors and became one of the symbols of Seville, since medieval times till today. The entrance to the tower is located in the cathedral’s northeastern corner and visitors are welcome to climb the 35 ramps of the tower to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: La Giralda

Best Attractions In Seville

A panoramic view of Seville from La Giralda

Best Attractions In Seville

A panoramic view of Seville from La Giralda

 

4. Alcázar of Seville 

The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace. It is still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence, which makes it the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. There’s a long history to the grounds where the Alcázar stands: It was built as a fort in the 10th century, then in the 11th century the Moors turned it to a palace, and it underwent more significant changes in the 13th and 14th centuries. The World Heritage Site palace is known as one of the most beautiful palaces in Spain, and one of the top attractions of Seville

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Alcázar of Seville (source: Cat)

 

5. Torre del Oro 

The Torre del Oro or Gold Tower is a 13th century military tower located on the bank of the Guadalquivir River. It was built to control access to the city through the river, and later on served as a prison. Today the monument servers as a small Maritime museum and visitors can reach the top of the tower to enjoy a great view of the city and the river. The name Gold Tower comes from the golden reflection the tower casts on the water

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Torre del Oro

 

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Torre del Oro and Guadalquivir River

 

6. Maria Luisa Park 

The Maria Luisa Park is the main urban park of Seville. A great refuge from the noises of the city for both locals and visitors, the green park stretches along the Guadalquivir river and is home to the beautiful Plaza de España as well as the Museum of Arts and Traditions and the Archaeological Museum, both located in the Plaza de América inside the park

Best Attractions In Seville

Plaza de América in Maria Luisa Park, with the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Sevilla in the background (source: Barcex)

 

7. Barrio Santa Cruz 

The most touristic neighborhood in Seville is the old Jewish quarter. The neighborhood is built of narrow streets and alleys and is closed for vehicles, giving an authentic middle-ages feel. There is also no shortage of restaurants, cafes and of course tapas bars in the area. Santa Cruz is also home to the Cathedral of Seville and the Giralda, and other old monuments. This is one of the best areas to stay in the city

Best Attractions In Seville

A typical street in Barrio Santa Cruz (source: SI B via wiki)

 

8. Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza 

Built in 1758, the oldest bullring in Spain can accommodate 14,000 spectators and holds one of the most famous bullfighting festivals in the world. The ring along with its nearby museum are considered one of the city’s top attractions, and there are tours to the museum and the ring regularly

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza (source: Lukasz Lukomski)

 

9. Casa de Pilatos 

Another wonderful palace, the La Casa de Pilatos was built in the 16th century and is a prime example of an Andalusian palace. The building architecture is a mix of Renaissance Italian and Mudéjar Spanish styles, and some of its features are a series of bullfight paintings by Francisco Goya, a 16th-century marble gate and a remarkable grand staircase

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Casa de Pilatos (source: Taks)

 

10. Metropol Parasol

Claimed to be the largest wooden structure in the world, the Metropol Parasol is 150 by 70 meters (490 by 230 ft) monument and reaches a height of 26 meters (85 ft). The structure is divided to 4 levels: the first holds a display of Roman and Moorish remains that were discovered during the construction. The next levels holds the Central Market, and the next two levels are panoramic terraces offering a great view of the city. The structure was designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann and was opened to the public in 2011

Best Attractions In Seville

Best Attractions In Seville: Metropol Parasol

   

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