You shouldn't miss a visit to María Luisa Park before leaving Seville. It's a stunning location that stretches along the Guadalquivir River and serves as the city's main green space. Most of the park used to be the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo. In 1893, Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier, generously donated these grounds to the city of Seville to create a public park. The gardens, as we see them today, were redesigned by Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, starting in 1911. Subsequently, the park played a crucial role in the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, contributing to its impressive architectural setting.

To prepare for the exhibition, the entire southern part of the city underwent redevelopment, transforming into an expansive area filled with gardens and grand boulevards. At its heart lies the Parque de María Luisa, designed in a "Moorish paradise style" and featuring a half-mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, walls, ponds, benches, and exedras. You'll find abundant plantings of palms, orange trees, Mediterranean pines, and carefully designed flower beds, some of which are hidden by vines.

María Luisa Park also serves as a botanical garden, showcasing a wide variety of plant species, both native and exotic, with informative panels to educate visitors. The park is home to numerous bird species, particularly doves (so much so that a part of Plaza de América is known as "Parque de las Palomas" or Dove Park). Additionally, you'll spot green parrots living in the park's center, as well as ducks and swans in the fountains and lakes.

Why You Should Visit:
The historic buildings, sculptures, and water features make this a unique work of garden landscaping and leafy beauty. There is always something new to explore or do!
At various points, you can join different experiences, such as feeding the birds (Plaza de America), riding a bike (including family cycles), or entertaining yourself taking photos of the incomparable Plaza de España.

Tip:
Make sure you visit during the "golden hour" when the light is the most beautiful in Sevilla (in July it would be around 8-9pm)!

Some say Seville was founded by Hercules. Hercules could not be reached for verification. Waves of Carthaginians, Romans, Goths, Vandals, and Moors have seen Seville since Hercules. None of them have seen the Spain Square.

The square is situated at the edge of Maria Louisa Park, Seville's largest green area. In 1914 Anibal Gonzales, architect, began work in preparation for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Using the styles of Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival and Neo-Mudejar, Anibal created the Spain Square.

The square is embraced by a semi-circle of exotic buildings and towers bordering a moat. The moat encloses a vast open space. In the center of the space is the Vicente Traver fountain. The buildings are reached by four bridges that stretch over the moat. Take a boat ride in the moat and view the square around you. It's like floating in a dream.

The four bridges represent Castile, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre, the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. Around the edges of the square are 52 niches or alcoves. Each is a tiny pavilion of colorful azulejo tiles, depicting a province of Spain. Each alcove has shelves used as a lending library, offering books on the provinces.

The Ibero-American Exposition was meant to show a reconciliation between Spain and her former American colonies and territories. There was a great need to build a modern state and reestablish economic and cultural ties to the New World. The square holds this vision of a glorious past and a promising future, embracing it in the heart of Spain.

Why you should visit:
To experience the soul and grandeur of this city.

The gardens of the Royal Palace of Seville are the grandest late- medieval gardens anywhere in Europe and possibly, the world. After 1248, the year of the Christian Reconquista of Andalusia, the craftsmen and artisans of Seville developed the style known as Mudejar. "Mudejar" means "allowed to stay." The Moorish styles remained.

During the 16th century Seville was the richest city in Spain. The designers of Charles V focused on Renaissance styles when creating follies and gardens. The old garden spaces remained but the pavilions, gazebos and labyrinths were another matter. The alcazar gardens of Peter I enclosed pools, fountains, and niches of glazed tiles.

The plantings of the gardens include palms, cypress, myrtle, berries, magnolia and citrus trees. When the orange trees drop their oranges, the air is filled with the scent of jasmine and oranges. The Alcazar gardens are a cluster of mazes, pools and intimate paths, palm trees and fountains. It is almost too much sweetness to bear.

In the year 712, Seville was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate. Then began 700 years of Arab rule in Andalusia. In 913 Abd al-Rahman III built a fort over a Visigothic church.

This construction was expanded in the 11th century by an addition called "Al Mubarak", The Blessed. Seville became the capital of Al-Andalus and there followed a period of demolishing and rebuilding until twelve palaces had been built one over the other. In 1366 Pedro I built Mudejar Palace. Ferdinand and Isabella made the top floor the royal residence.

Styles followed one another over the years until no hint remained of the original design. They refashioned with Islamic, Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance influences. Then came Baroque, with Islamic overtones. Did we mention tiles? Majolica and arista? Ceramic tiles, Seville had more than anyone. More cigars and more tiles.

La Puerta de Leon (Lion Gate) is the main gate to the palace. It is named for the tile inlay above the entrance depicting a lion holding a cross and a banner in Latin which could be translated as "ready for anything". With all the architectural changes to the palace since 913, the scroll is true wit.

Visit the gardens. All the old Andalusian palaces had gardens which featured fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. They not only provided food but also visual and esthetic pleasure. Water was plentiful in fountains and ponds. In the 16th century the old Muslim wall was turned into a loggia to admire the view of the palace gardens.

Must see items in the palace are the patios and rooms. Some of the names are intriguing. Courtyard of the Dolls, Bedroom of the Moorish Kings, Justice Room, Prince's Room, Courtyard of the Maidens, and there are at least thirteen gardens.

The Seville Cathedral is standing on the Great Mosque. In 1248 the city was conquered by Ferdinand III. The Cathedral replaced the Mosque in the 14th century but not the minaret. The minaret is called the Giralda Tower for the weather vane at its peak. The minaret has no stairs, only ramps so the sultan could ride his horse to the top and enjoy the view.

The cathedral is accessed through the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes. It has five naves. The main nave is 118 feet high. The floor measures 380 feet long and 249 feet wide. The transept rises to 131 feet. Seville Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea. It is listed as one of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1987.

It is told that when the church plan was presented to the church elders, they said "Let us build a church so beautiful and so grand that those who see it finished will think we are mad." Christopher Columbus and his son are buried here. When Hagia Sofia became a mosque the Cathedral of Seville became the tallest cathedral known.

The Giralda Tower was built using local bricks and scrap marble left from Umayyad construction. It was made to resemble the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque of Marrakesh, Morocco. The tower 342 feet high and it is still one of the most memorable symbols of old Seville.

Why you should visit:
Ride the ramp up the minaret like the sultan of old and admire the city.

Tip:
Come early or go online to book the rooftop tour! You can also climb up the Giralda Tower (free on Mondays) to get an eagle's eye view of Sevilla. Don't miss the tomb of Columbus right off the altar, and consider buying the combined ticket with Divino Salvador Church, which is a marvel by itself.

Cristina Hoyos founded the Flamenco Dance Museum. The museum has interactive exhibits and a nightly performance. The museum maintains a history of Southern Spain's flamenco dancing. There are posters, costumes shoes and above all atmosphere.

Each day the line up of musicians, dancers and singers is changed. To see every style of flamenco, you must come more than once, no, many times. All dance museum's dance choreographies are created by Cristina Hoyos. There are Alegrias, Seguirya, Solea, Taranto, and passionate tangos. No videotaping or recording is allowed.

The museum is located in the Santa Cruz quarter near the Alfalfa Square. It offers daily performances of the "Patio Flamenco" show. The museum also provides exhibits and workshops, including dance classes open to visitors. The exhibits are focused on flamenco paintings, drawings and photos. The museum attracts the best flamenco dance talent in Spain.

Tip:
If possible, get there early and try to get a seat near the front facing the show, as sitting at the side could slightly affect the view of the dancers' feet, which is such a big part of Flamenco dancing. Perhaps consider booking tickets for the "VIP" show with a smaller group of dancers, which is more intimate and a little more expensive but you get a glass of bubbly with that one, too.

Museum

In October 1520, the nobleman Don Fadrique Enriques de Rivera returned from a journey to the Holy Land. Inspired by his experiences in Jerusalem, he initiated in Seville the Holy Way of the Cross. The Holy Way traced the path of Christ from Pilate's praetorian to the hill of Calvary. In this case Calvary was a pillar in a field outside the city walls.

The house of Don Fadrique was still under construction when he inaugurated the Via Crucis and it became known as "Pilate's House." People thought of the house as a copy of Pilate's house. Pontius Pilate is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and later ordered his crucifixion. Rooms of the house have names associated with the Passion of Christ. There is "Hall of Praetorian", and "Chapel of Flagellations."

The house is decorated with rare azulejo tiles and surrounded with well maintained gardens. The front gate is of marble in the renaissance style. Beyond the front gate is a courtyard with a fountain and the busts of Spanish kings, 24 in all. There are also a number of busts of Roman emperors. Beyond the emperors and kings are more gardens.

The interiors of the house are decorated with azulejo tiles and ceilings of Mudejar honeycomb design. In a room of the left wing of the tower is a ceiling fresco painted by the Spanish painter Francisco Pacheco. The theme of the frescoe is the apotheosis of Hercules. Hercules is celebrated as the founder of Seville and Cadiz. The house is open year round.

Why You Should Visit:
To see Andalusian design, without the crowds at the Royal Alcázar. The tile work, ceilings, wood, plaster carvings, and colorful gardens are very much worthwhile.

Tip:
Don't miss the cute ceramics shop just outside the Casa; it's an especially good one with some traditional and some original items... better than the regular souvenir shop.

Located in the Plaza del Salvador in Seville, the Church of the Divine Savior is the largest church in the city after the Cathedral. The church was built over the remains Ibn Adabba, the Great Mosque, and an early Christian chapel. It fell into disrepair over the centuries between 1340 and 2008 when it was fully restored to its former glory.

The church is baroque. The facade however, has a mannerist influence. Mannerist architecture developed after the end of the renaissance style and the first signs of the Baroque, about 1610. The building is rectangular and it has three naves. The vaults are a barrel type. Pillars with columns support the vaults. The drum is octagonal.

The main altarpiece was by Cayetano de Acosta in Baroque style. The immaculate Mary appears over the tabernacle. In the center is the Transfiguration of Jesus, surrounded by Archangels. In the central nave the columns have a tracery of eucharistic symbols. There are lions and castles. The church is about the moment Jesus reveals his divinity.

Tip:
Purchase the "combined" ticket here and you'll be able to skip the long line at the Cathedral and Giralda.

The Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza is Spain's oldest bullring and is associated with the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, a venerable guild dedicated to traditional cavalry training. It serves as the venue for one of the world's most renowned bullfighting festivals during the annual Seville Fair in Seville.

The bullring itself is among the city's most popular tourist attractions, drawing a significant number of visitors. It is considered a particularly challenging arena for bullfighting due to its historical significance, unique features, and a demanding audience that is known to be unforgiving among bullfighting enthusiasts.

In Seville, bullfights during the Feria de Abril represent the highlight of the city's bullfighting calendar. The regular bullfighting season typically runs from March or April (depending on the dates of Semana Santa) until late September. Each year, the Real Maestranza commissions a painter to create a poster announcing the bullfighting season at its Royal Bullring.

Regular tours are available for visitors to explore the Bullring and its associated Museum, providing a genuine sense of what both the bull and the bullfighter experience. It's worth noting that you don't need to be a bullfighting enthusiast to find these tours and the history of the place intriguing.

Tip:
If you go on a Sunday to attend a bullfight, make sure you buy tickets in the shade. Don't bring huge hats – you'll probably be asked by irate patrons behind you to take it off since its blocking their view.

The Seville Museum of Fine Arts houses a vast array of Spanish art, primarily focusing on works from the medieval era to the early 20th century. It's renowned for its collection from the 17th century, Seville's Golden Age of painting, featuring prominent artists like Murillo and Zurbarán.

Constructed in 1594, the building is a prime example of Andalusian Mannerist architecture. Designed by Juan de Oviedo, initially as a convent, it maintains its original façade and is organized around three courtyards, a grand staircase, and a church.

The museum, established in September 1835, resides in what used to be the Merced Calzada de la Asunción convent, dating back to Ferdinand III's reign. Notable renovations in the early 17th century were overseen by Juan de Oviedo.

Within its 14 chronologically arranged rooms, the museum predominantly showcases religious art, with modern works displayed separately. Highlights include the medieval art of Seville in the initial rooms, Room 5 with works by Murillo and other 17th-century masters, Zurbarán’s series in Room 10, and Baroque pieces by Valdés Leal in Room 8. The museum also features distinctive 19th and early 20th-century Andalusian paintings, depicting local life and culture, in rooms 12 to 14.

Why You Should Visit:
No great masterpieces but lots of interesting/enjoyable things to look at. Just as impressive as the works on display are the courtyards, staircases, tiles, and the ceilings. Audio guides available, but there are also a few descriptions in English, so you can really focus on the exhibits instead of trying to learn about them.

Tip:
If you are an EU citizen and have some ID you will get in here for free. Non-EU citizens are charged a very modest €1.5 fee. There is a free locker for bags and a leaflet at the entrance that explains the background to the collection.

Metropol Parasol is a wooden structure erected in La Plaza de Encarnacion. It has 113,000 square feet of area and 85 feet in height. It is the largest of its kind in the world. People call it "The Mushrooms" because it looks like mushrooms. It is formed by six parasols in the form of mushrooms.

The design of the mushrooms was inspired by the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville and the ficus trees in the Plaza de Cristo de Burgos. There are four levels. Level zero (underground) is home to the Antiquarium. The Antiquarium is a museum displaying Roman and Moorish remains and artifacts discovered while the Parasols were being built.

The next level is Level One. Level One is the street-level open air public plaza and market. Level One is shaded by the wooden parasols above. Levels Two and Three are panoramic terraces and a restaurant. The Parasol project was not created without controversy. There are cost problems, people disliked the appearance, and there are safety concerns.

Since the 19th century there was a market in the plaza, within a "dedicated" building. Following plans for urban renewal, the building was pulled down in part in 1948. The market remained until 1973 before the remainder of the building was removed. The land stayed fallow until 1990 when the city had finally decided on an underground parking lot.

Then the unexpected happened. The diggers discovered ruins and remains dating to the Roman and Moorish eras. All work was stopped and archeology took over. After an expenditure of more than 14 million Euros, the project went into deep freeze. At last, in 2004 the city tried to resume development and opened a competition for bids.

The winner of the competition was destined to change the profile of Seville forever. The winner was German architect Jurgen Mayer who designed six mushroom shapes as parasols to shelter the public area below. The mushrooms were constructed entirely of imported Finnish wood known for its straightness.

The honey-comb structure provides shade for the shops and market below. Admission is free for residents of the city. For others tickets to the top of the parasol cost a few euros. This includes a free drink. The best time to go is at sunset. The view from the top is magical.

Palace of the Dukes belongs to the House of Alba. It was built in the 15th century in the renaissance style but with Gothic and Moorish accents. The palace has a strong architectural and artistic heritage. Several famous poets and artists were born here and it has become a national monument, a "Asset of Cultural Interest."

The Duke of Alba has been open to tourists since 2016. The palace name is from the monastery of Santa Maria de las Duenas which was home to nuns and servants of Saint Ferdinand and Alfonso X The Wise. The monastery was peripheral to the palace. It was demolished in 1866.

The palace was at one time the residence of Lord Holland, a great fan of Spanish literature. He is the author of a memoir on Lope de Vega and Guillen de Castro. The palace became the property of the house of Alba with the marriage of the 5th Marchioness of Villanueva del Rio with the 4th Duke of Alba.

The palace style is a mixture of Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance. There used to be eleven patios. Only one patio remains, surrounded by a gallery. In the interior there is a staircase under a vaulted roof and a ceiling of alfarje gold. The main attractions are Italian and Spanish paintings, antiques, ceramics, sculptures, tapestries and mosaics.

La Macarena neighborhood is known for housing the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza Macarena ("Our Lady of Hope of Macarena"), seat of the homonymous Holy Week brotherhood. The procession in the early morning of Good Friday is one of the largest, most popular, and fervent in the whole of Spain. The wooden statue of Our Lady of Hope Macarena (or Our Lady of Tears) dates from the 17th century and is widely considered as a national treasure by the Spanish people, primarily because of its religious grandeur during Lenten celebrations. The Neobaroque basilica was built by Aurelio Gómez Millán in the 20th century.

Next to the church is placed the Museum and Treasure of La Macarena, where the huge artistic and sentimental patrimony of the brotherhood is exposed, working as a complete explanation about the famous Holy Week processions of Seville. The museum also has some interesting artifacts related to bullfighting as the Virgin of Macarena is the patron saint of bullfighters.

Why You Should Visit:
Aside for housing the famous "Weeping Virgin", this basilica sits in a lovely area, close to the finest section of the remaining old walls.
To the sides and around the back there are plenty of authentic shops, cafes and tapas bars well worth exploring (most are very affordable).

Tip:
The front of the building faces the main road, so from the church, if you walk towards the road and then go right, you will see the old wall, and across the main road is an old gov't building – both nice photo ops.