Seville's parish churches display a fascinating variety of architectural styles. Several are converted mosques with belfries built over their minarets, others range through Mudejar and Gothic (sometimes in combination), Renaissance and Baroque.
This castle once housed the headquarters of the Catholic Church's "Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition". The impressive remains, located underneath Triana market, are now used as a stunning exhibition space.
As you arrive in the city, look out for remnants of ancient stone walls marooned in the centre of busy roads, plus an impressive, well-preserved 400-metre section in Macarena, near the Andalucian parliament building. These are the remains of the city walls, or murallas, dating from the 12th century - Seville was once the most strongly fortified city in Europe.
Las Setas (the Mushrooms), named due to its short pillars and broad shades, is the most ambitious, expensive and controversial urban project in Seville since Expo 92. Opened in 2011, and designed by German architect Jurgen Meyer H, it is now one of Seville's architectural icons, along with the Giralda, Torre del Oro, Plaza de España, and the Alamillo bridge.
This opened in 2008, and is used by over 23 million passengers a year. It is small-scale, using just five passenger coaches, and 22 stations. But it's clean, efficient and regular and has proved a success. It is especially useful during Semana Santa and Feria when parking near these events is both scarce and pricey.
SEVici, Seville´s public bike rental service which started in 2007, has 2500 bicycles available from 250 stations around the city, approximately 300 metres apart. There are 120 km of cycle lanes in the city, making it one of the best-served cities in Spain for this extremely clean, green and healthy means of transport.
Taxis are white, with a yellow stripe; look for the green light on the roof to indicate it's free. Extra charges for luggage, weekends, holidays and night time - see below for details. A taxi from the airport will cost around 20 euros.
Don't drive in the old centre, the casco historico, unless it's unavoidable. If your hotel has a garage, that's ideal, but you're best off driving straight there when you arrive, and straight out again when you leave.
These aren't so much ways to get around, as ways to see the city, whether by horse-drawn carriage, open-top bus tour, or a boat trip on the river. A new, eco-friendly way to see the city is a Segway, a two-wheeled upright electric vehicle, with zero emissions. Especially useful in the centre, on traffic-free roads.
Seville has an extensive bus network, covering all barrios around the city. Most buses leave either from Puerta de Jerez (south of the centre) or from Plaza Ponce de Leon (east). The circular buses, C3 and C4, follow the ring road around the old city centre. One small bus takes a circular route inside the centre, the C5.
Seville has some of the most beautiful city parks in Europe, the Parque de Maria Luisa and the Plaza de España, as well as numerous plazas and open spaces where you can happily people watch for hours. For a leisurely stroll, it's hard to beat the Paseo de Colon on the banks of the Guadalquivir river which stretches from the bridge leading to the characterful area of Triana to the magnificent Toro de Oro.
If it’s after-dark ambience you’re after, this one’s ideally located for you – you can’t get closer to the action than on the Alameda de Hercules itself. Once notorious for its louche inhabitants, the Alameda is the heart of bohemian Seville. This broad, tree-lined avenue, with its year-round buzzing outdoor scene, is lined with innovative restaurants and bars.
See the Museums in Sevilla city and Sevilla province: Museo Arqueológico de Itálica, Museo de la Ciudad, Museo y Necrópolis Romana and more.
A hand-picked selection of luxury hotels in Seville city centre, generally five-star hotels.
The Sevilla Fair might be all about drinking, dancing and parading about on horseback, but don’t think for a minute this means there are no rules for participants; in fact, the rules are very strict.
Visitors to Seville will notice a symbol on many signs around the city, from taxis and buses to sewer covers, consisting of the letters ´NO8DO´. This is the city´s logo, and legend says that it originates from the 13th-century coat of arms awarded to Sevilla by King Alfonso X the Wise.
Things to See in Seville, 10 min video tour A walking tour of the highlights of Seville by Simon Standish in 2016, take you round the main sights.
The Duquesa de Alba was one of Spain's most famous aristocrats, and one of Seville best-loved personalities, until her death in 2014. With palaces and castles all over Spain, Cayetana was happiest in her home in the historic city centre, Casa de las Dueñas.
Much of Seville's interesting history can be seen first hand at one of the many buildings and other sites still standing in the city. Alternatively there is an abundance of museums and art galleries where one can gain insight into the past and present culture that makes up Seville.
Below we have included a bit more information on some of the finer details worth knowing. Learn about the different neighbourhoods or districts that make up the city or read up on the fascinating facts that everyone should know.
Seville is a marvel. It’s a city of various diverse (and wildly beautiful) neighbourhoods: the narrow alleyways of the Barrio de Santa Cruz are lined with glorious old palaces and stunning plazas… the Alfalfa, Triana, the Macarena and Santa Catalina, meanwhile, all teem with life.
