Solo Travel Spain: Top places to see in Seville
I’m delighted to share with you my highlights from my five day solo adventure in the city of Seville. This wasn’t my first time in city. I visited several years ago with my ex-husband for a day trip. It was a grey overcast April day (very unusual), and we only got a few hours free time so barely saw the city. This time around I wanted to make my own memories and explore on my own terms. And I’m so glad I did!
Seville has fast become one my top 5 favorite cities I have ever visited. It is a perfect destination for solo travelers – safe, walkable, friendly locals, perfect weather, with lots to see and do. The city is also spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat and drink and it wasn’t expensive compared to other major cities in Spain.
If I’ve peaked your interest, then I hope you continue reading to find out all about the top attractions and sites that await you in this beautiful city.
The Royal Alcazar of Seville
If you have limited time in the city and you had to choose only one place to visit, then it must be the Royal Alcazar. A UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest active Royal Palace in Europe, get ready to be absolutely blown away by the exquisite preservation of this 10th century building. The site has surged in popularity ever since it featured in the hit TV series Game of Thrones. Inside you will find a spectacular blend of Christian and Moorish architecture, with beautiful courtyards and intricate plasterwork and ceramics that rival the splendor of the world famous Alhambra Palace of Grenada. The real highlight is the Ambassadors Hall, with its impressive gilded domed ceiling. The gardens are equally spectacular as the interior, with hundreds of species of plants surrounding you over 60,000 square meters. Be sure to take in the Mercury Pool and walk along the Grutesco Gallery, a stone walkway that gives you wonderful views of the Alcazar and grounds.
Top tips:
· Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours to take in both the palace and the grounds.
· Pre book or miss out! I’d recommend to visit in off peak hours (weekday early or late afternoon) to avoid large crowds and queues.
· You can visit for free on Mondays after 4pm (pre-book online).
Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower
Just a stones throw away from the Royal Alcazar, be sure to step inside the Cathedral of Seville and climb the iconic Giralda tower. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites and the tower is the only surviving structure from the original building that was destroyed in an earthquake in 1356. The interior is just as impressive as the gothic exterior, with towering stone columns and the most impressive altar piece. Inside you will also find the tomb of the renowned explorer Christopher Columbus. Access to climb the Giralda tower is included with your entry ticket and offers the most impressive panoramic views of the city. The tower was formerly an Islamic minaret from when the site was a mosque under Moorish rule and has a continuous ramp, rather than steps (except for a tiny staircase to access the bell tower), to reach the top. This is still an active bell tower, so make sure to be ready for when those bells chime as you stand underneath!
Tops tips:
Keep hold of your ticket as this will give you free access to the impressive Church of El Salvador
Pre-book a guided roof tour, including the popular night tours, in advance.
Plaza de Espana and Maria Luisa Park
The Plaza de Espana is one of the most renowned monuments of Seville and it’s actually my favourite spot in the city. Unveiled in 1929 for the world Ibero-American Exhibition, the impressive semi-circular building, together with a canal, tiled bridges, two towers and a central fountain makes it one of the most impressive places to explore in the city. The Plaza de Espana is a celebration of Spain, with 48 beautifully decorated tiled alcoves at the base of the building, each representing one for each province. It is free to visit the Plaza, where you can hire a rowing boat on the canal, visit a military museum and even catch a free Flamenco show from a local group in the afternoons.
Plaza de Espana can be found in the grounds of the splendid Maria Luisa Park, the largest park in the city. The park is the perfect place to escape the bustling city and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature. Lakes, fountains, gardens, towering trees and an array of wildlife can all be found in this beautiful park. Here you will also find two pavilions, one which is home to the city’s archeological museum and the other a museum of popular arts.
Las Setas
Quite possibly the most unique structure I’ve ever seen, Las Setas (also known as the Mushroom of the Incarnation) is popular destination to get 360 degree views of Seville. The skywalk is open throughout the day, but truly comes alive in the evening with its Aurora light show. Immersive music and dazzling colorful lights make for a truly magical and one of a kind experience that is worth the entry fee. At Las Setas you will also find a selection of restaurants, bars, an indoor market and a chance to get a photo with the ‘I <3 Sevilla’ sign. The basement is home to an archeological museum, where Roman ruins were uncovered during the sites construction which is also worth a visit.
Top tips:
Visit Las Setas early evening to not only enjoy the Aurora, but also for a beautiful Seville sunset.
Entry fee in the daytime is 5 euros and in the evening 15 euros (the additional cost is for the Aurora).
Jewish Quarter / Historic Old Town
One of my favourite things to do when exploring a new city is to simply wander and see what I discover. The Jewish Quarter in Seville is the perfect place to get lost in, with its narrow winding streets, picturesque squares and array of patios all waiting to be discovered. Enter across the courtyard from the exit of the Royal Alcazar and discover the archway that gives you a wonderful shot of the Giralda Tower in the distance. The Jewish Quarter is full of boutique shops and is the perfect place to treat yourself to a souvenir or two. Allow yourself an hour to explore this fascinating network of historical streets and see what you can discover.
Palace de Las Duenas
With quite possibly the most beautiful façade I have ever seen, the Palace de Las Duenas is a place I almost didn’t visit. It was only after a free walking tour got cancelled and I found myself with some free time did I decide to go and I’m so glad I did. Home to the House of Alba, a prominent noble family, I was instantly hit by the spectacular florals that covered the front of this 15th century palace. An informative audio guide will lead you around the grounds before heading into the truly stunning interior courtyard, filled with towering palms, flowers and central fountain. The Palace has welcomed many dignitaries and celebrities, including Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Salavador Dali.
Triana District
Take a stroll across the Guadalquivir River over the Isabel II bridge to one of the most vibrant and charming neighborhoods in the city. Whilst there are no stand out monuments to be seen here, the whole vibe and atmosphere of Triana is what makes it special. The highlights are the bustling indoor market, with fresh produce and many small eateries to sample local cuisine. At the base of the market you can see the archeological remains of the Castle of San Jorge, the setting for persecutions under the Spanish Inquisition. Triana is best known for its ceramic production and here you will find countless pottery shops, along with a ceramic museum which is well worth a visit. The colourful riverside boulevard comes alive at night, with many bars to be enjoyed along with spectacular views the famous Torre del Oro tower.
Casa de Pilatos
Seville certainly has its fair share of stunning palaces and the 16th century Casa de Pilatos is no exception. Unlike the Alcazar of Seville, the Casa de Pilatos is not a big of a tourist hot spot, despite the fact the interior is equally as exquisite. The palace is quite unique as it was influenced by the Italian renaissance period, yet has prominent Moorish and Gothic detailing. The inner courtyard is lined with marble columns and statues, and the interior walls are covered in beautiful classic Andalusian tiles. Here you can also take a stroll through two beautiful walled gardens and be blown away by the gilded ceilings and intricate plasterwork in every room. Home to the Duke of Medinaceli, make sure to pre-book in advance to catch the chance to walk the second floor which is open at limited times when the Duke is not in residence.
Other recommendations:
Tapas Bars – Bar Baratillo and Pepe Hillo are both near the bull ring and served delicious traditional tapas. I also enjoyed Restaurant Alfareria 21 in Triana which is set in an old ceramics factory.
Accommodation – TOC Hostel is boutique hostel which offers private rooms and is located in the centre of Seville near the Alcazar and the cathedral. The hostel offers daily free walking tours linked with other hostels in the city.
I hope this blog has inspired you to visit the beautiful city of Seville. It is in fact my favourite city I’ve been to in Spain to date. Seville is vibrant, friendly and very safe for solo travellers. The city also has great travel connections to other major cities in Spain via the incredible Renfe fast train network, including Madrid, Cadiz, Cordoba and Malaga. If you are looking for the perfect sunny solo destination, look no further than Seville.
Looking to explore a unique destination in Andalusia? Then look no further than the fascinating white village of Setenil de las Bodegas in the Cadiz region. Just over an hour from Malaga city and close to exciting Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas makes for a fascinating day out. It is unique in the fact that many of the buildings here are built beneath rock….