Seville

Visiting the incredible The Alcazar of Seville (Reales Alcázares de Sevilla) is a bucket-list experience that will remain in your heart and mind long after you leave the hallowed halls. You do not have to be a history buff or architecture enthusiast (although a little background information will greatly enhance your visit) to appreciate all you will see as you tour this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the oldest palace in Europe that is still in use.

The palace is absolutely beautiful and you will discover new architectural and historic gems around every corner. Highlights of your tour will include the Courtyard of the Maidens, the Hall of Ambassadors and the spectacular gardens, fragrant with the scent of orange blossoms.

The Alcazar of Seville, Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004, Seville, Phone: +3-49-54-50-23-24

The Antiquarium de Seville is a modern archaeological museum located right in the center of the city in the basement of the architecturally unique Metropol Parasol installation. The antiquarium protects and showcases a collection of Roman and Moorish ruins that were uncovered during excavations for a parking garage. You can admire the remains through huge glass partitions and underfoot along walkways.

There are eleven areas to explore, including seven houses with semi-intact mosaic floors, columns, and wells. The Casa de la Columna is probably the highlight of the visit – it is a large house that was built in the 5th century AD and features a pillared patio and a wonderful mosaic floor. You will also be able to spot ancient fish-salting vats and various other relics.

Antiquarium de Sevilla, Pl. de la Encarnacion, 37, 41003, Seville, Phone: +3-49-55-47-15-80

Anyone interested in ancient history and archaeology should be sure to add The Archaeological Museum of Seville to their tour itinerary. The museum occupies a neo-Renaissance style pavilion built for the Latin American Expo in 1929, which is well worth seeing in its own right.

Once you walk through the doors you will find yourself surrounded by a significant collection of ancient relics dating from the early Paleolithic period to Moorish and Mudéjar items from the Middle Ages, presented in chronological order. A notable highlight of the museum is “Carambolo’s Treasure” from the Tartessian period, which is displayed in a dedicated room on the first floor.

The Archaeological Museum of Seville , Plaza America, s/n, 41013 Seville, Phone: +3-49-55-12-06-32

A visit to the Seville Aquarium is a must for any visitor travelling with children, or anyone who has an interest in wildlife. This modern attraction opened in 2014 is home to over 7,000 aquatic animals and features excellent interpretive exhibits. The aquarium is themed around the voyages of discovery of the Spanish adventurer Ferdinand Magellan (1519–1522) and your tour will lead you in his footsteps from Spain to the Amazon and beyond.

Children will enjoy the chance to get up close to aquatic creatures at the petting tank and there is an enormous shark tank featuring a walk-through tunnel. The colorful reef tank is home to brightly hued fish from the tropics and you can pick up a souvenir at the shop after your visit.

Seville Aquarium, Muelle de las Delicias, s/n, 41012 Seville, Phone: +3-49-55-44-15-41

Even the most dedicated history and architecture buffs can suffer from sensory overload after a few days of exploring Seville’s national treasures. If you would like to escape the city for a few hours, you could consider an Ecotono Birding or Nature Tour, which will get you into the countryside for some exercise and wildlife watching.

Ecotono will customize your tour based on your wildlife or nature preferences – one option is to visit the Sierra Norte Mountains outside Seville for bird watching and nature walking. Birding tours are accompanied by a qualified ornithologist and everything you need for a successful excursion – English-speaking guide, binoculars, viewing scopes, and so on – is provided.

Ecotono Birding Seville, Pje Mallol, 41003 Seville, Phone: +3-46-25-49-86-09

If you enjoy combining sightseeing with a little exercise, then Elecmove Electric Bikes may be just the thing you’re looking for. You can feel the sunshine on your arms and the cool breezes in your hair as you set off to explore the wonders of Seville on two wheels.

Elecmove Electric Bikes offer bike rentals that enable you to go it alone at your own pace, or you can join one of their carefully curated group or private tours. The Introducing Seville Tour will take you to all the highlights of the city, while Adventurous Seville digs a little deeper to reveal some of the city’s hidden gems. The Cycling and Tapas Tour is self-explanatory and there are several other options to choose from.

Elecmove Electric Bikes, Calle Castelar, 9, 41001 Seville, Phone: +3-49-54-21-59-25

The iconic Giralda has been standing guard over the city of Seville for hundreds of years and had the distinction of being the tallest structure in the city for over 800 years. The 103-m structure was originally built as the minaret of the Aljama mosque in 1195 and features a series of 35 gently ascending ramps that were originally used by horses or donkeys to carry the muezzin to the top of the minaret.

Today the Giralda is the bell tower of the cathedral and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb to the top of the bell tower to admire sweeping views of the city, the Alcazar, and the entire Santa Cruz area and to get an up-close view of the intricate Gothic details of the cathedral’s architecture.

The Giralda, Seville, Spain, Av. de la Constitucion, s/n 41004, Seville, Phone: +3-49-54-21-49-71

You can get a whole new perspective on the city of Seville by embarking on a scenic cruise on the Guadalquivir River with Guadaluxe River Cruises. The company offers visitors a variety of cruise options on a selection of eco-friendly boats, which produce no carbon dioxide emissions – the electrically powered boats are easy on the environment and totally silent.

You can opt to follow an established tour route to see some of Seville’s lovely river bridges and historic attractions or put together your own unique water-tour itinerary. You can also choose a tour that combines a river cruise with a flamenco show or a delicious on-board catered dinner – a great way to celebrate a romantic occasion in beautiful Seville.

Guadaluxe River Cruises, Calle Betis, 69, 41010 Seville, Phone: +3-46-61-27-88-26

If you are a new visitor to Seville, you can unlock the secrets of the city and greatly enhance your experience by going on a guided walking tour with GuiArte Tours. The 2.5-hour free walking tour will lead you along a cultural route, show you many of the prominent city landmarks, and tell you all about the history of the city.

This tour is offered every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11.00an and starts at the Metropol Parasol – you can rest assured that your guide will go out of their way to bring Seville to life and earn a good tip. The company also offers several other options, including tours of the historic Jewish Quarter, the gardens of Parque Maria Luisa, and the Alameda de Hercules, Europe’s oldest public garden.

GuiArte Tours, C/Parras, 9, Bloque B1, 2°B, 41002 Seville, Phone: +3-46-58-26-83-01