#What to do on a short trip to Seville

In January 2025 we went on a short trip to Seville. The capital city of Andalucia is very beautiful and in January, which is off season, you can enjoy the city without unbearable heat and with cheaper prices for hotels.

We stayed at the Hotel Petit Palace Puerta de Triana in the city center for two nights with breakfast and payed approx. 200€ including parking. The hotel is modern and chic.

The breakfast at the hotel was varied and catered to different preferences, offering a wide range of options. It was also suitable for individuals with allergies, with many choices specifically designed to accommodate various dietary restrictions.

The location of the hotel was perfect to explore the city by foot.

On our first day we went to the Palacio de Las Dueñas. The Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville is a historic palace that combines Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance architecture. Built in the 15th century, it has gardens, courtyards, and a collection of art and antiques. The palace was once home to Spanish nobility and is now a museum open to visitors.

The entry fee is 14€ per person and compared to other attractions in Sevilla it is quite expensive, as it is not that big and we were finished in one and a half hours although we did not rush.

On the other hand the garden is very nice and the palace itself has many interesting details to offer.

After that we went to see the Setas. The Setas (mushrooms in englisch) in Seville, also called Metropol Parasol, is a wooden structure in La Encarnación Square. Designed by Jürgen Mayer, it consists of large mushroom-shaped canopies. Visitors can walk on top for views of the city, but we didn’t do that on this trip as it was raining. For the walk on top of the Setas, there is an entry fee und you can buy tickets here. Instead we decided to take a break and found a nice café with “Setas”-view.

The next day our first stop was the Alcázar of Seville. The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace originally developed by Moorish kings. It features a mix of architectural styles, including Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The palace is known for its beautiful gardens, intricate tilework and historic significance. It is still used by the Spanish royal family for official events. It is not possible to visit the Alcázar when the Spanish royal family is staying there. The areas used by the royal family are typically closed to the public during their visits. It is always a good idea to check for any specific closures or restrictions before planning your visit.

You can buy tickets here and a visit of the Museo de la Cerámica de Triana and the Antiquarium is also included in the ticket, but we didn’t make use of it.

After the Alcázar we made a lunch stop at restaurant Malquerer, which we can recommend. They have some vegetarian options as well and we ate some tapas and went for some Natas for dessert after that. Although Natas are portuguese, they were very good and the place was crowded, even though there was no seating.

Our next stop, which is almost mandatory when in Seville, is the Plaza de España. There is no entrance fee yet, although Seville’s mayor already announced there will be one in the near future for conservation and ensuring the safety of the place.

The architecture of the Plaza de España combines the Renaissance and Moorish style. It was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition to celebrate Spain’s ties with Latin America. The plaza’s walls feature ceramic tiles representing Spain’s 48 provinces. It has a canal with four bridges, each symbolizing a historical Spanish kingdom. The place was a Filming Location for several times and Featured in movies like Star Wars: Episode II and Lawrence of Arabia.

You can rent a boat to go across the canal, but we wouldn’t recommend it in the summer heat, as we have seen people hiding from the sun under the bridges. If you go there in the summertime, it is best in the early morning or evening.

Also there are often free Flamenco shows on the Plaza.

At night we went to a very nice Restaurant close to the Setas, so we could combine seeing the Setas at night and having dinner. It is called Taberna Zurbarán and has various plates and tapas, also vegetarian friendly.

On our last day we first went to Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla and did not buy the tickets online upfront, but on site for 10€ per person. You can also buy them online here.

The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla is the oldest bullring in Spain, built in 1761. It has a beautiful Baroque design with a yellow and white façade and a unique oval shape. The bullring is the center of Seville’s bullfighting tradition and hosts the famous Feria de Abril, one of Spain’s biggest bullfighting events. Inside, there is a museum with historical costumes, paintings, and bullfighting memorabilia. Although we are no bullfighting fans, we wanted to take a look at this big part of Spain’s history and culture.

Our final stop, after a quick lunch at the Bar Restaurante Casa Román, was the Catedral de Sevilla. It is definitely worth a visit as is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cathedral of Seville, also known as Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, was built on the site of a former mosque and it still features the Giralda, a stunning minaret-turned-bell tower with a lot of stairs, but a beautiful view over the city. Inside, you’ll find the tomb of Christopher Columbus, making it a significant historical landmark. The cathedral’s massive gold altarpiece, the Retablo Mayor, is one of the largest and most impressive in the world, covered in intricate carvings and gold leaf.

You can buy tickets for the cathedral online in advance on the official website. The entrance fee online is about 13€ and cheaper than buying it on-site.

There are many websites that offer tickets online, but they are mostly more expensive, so it is always worth comparing and buying the tickets on the official websites.

Image Rights: photographs by Lilli Butzbach, Juan C. García Arrocha; and:
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