Tips for Visiting Sevilla
A few tips you may find helpful before you arrive…
Monuments
Sevilla is a great city for just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere of the historic neighbourhoods, but while it’s nice to do things spontaneously during your visit, with the ever increasing number of visitors, especially in the spring and autumn seasons, we do recommend that you book your tickets for both the Alcázar and Cathedral in advance. This can easily be done online.
A word of advice – as tapas bars are only open for lunch 1-4 pm it’s best not to book other tours, activities or visits during these hours.
Cathedral
Recommended visit time: 1 hour
The Giralda Tower is part of the tourist visit, and highly recommended.
You can either purchase tickets in advance online, or at the Salvador Church in Plaza San Salvador
General information about the visit.
Purchase tickets online
Alcázar Palace & Gardens
Recommended visit time: 2 hours
Purchase Tickets online
Metropol Parasols (AKA The Mushrooms)
Best times to visit are Tues – Sat mornings when the Encarnación market is open, or at sunset.
There is a ticket office out front and for 15€ you have access to the Antiquarium (Roman ruins), a couple of “interactive” activities and the walkway on top of the structure, which in the evening includes the light show. If you only want to go up to the walkway the price is 10€.
Plaza España in the Maria Luisa Park
Built for the 1929 Spanish-American exhibition.
Lesser Known Museums
Palacio de Las Dueñas (Casa de Alba)
15th century palace that was the home of the Duchesses of Alba, and where the present Duke of Alba still resides.
Museo Bellver
A new museum in a 16th century Casa Palacio in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, with exhibits from a donated private collection giving a good idea of life in Sevilla and Andalucía.
Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
16th century palace with an impressive collection of art, including Roman mosaics and other antiquities as well as Asian art, paintings by European masters and European decorative arts.
Getting Around
Much of the old centre of Sevilla is pedestrianised, and you can get almost anywhere on foot within 10-30 minutes.
Airport Taxi
If you are taking a taxi, be aware that there is a flat rate charge to anywhere in Sevilla. I tell you this because, unfortunately, some taxi drivers are notorious for “adding on” charges, which is illegal.
The flat rate fees are:
24.98 Mon-Fri 7 am- 9pm
27.84 Mon-Fri midnight-7 am
27.84 Mon-Fri 9 pm-midnight / Sat-Sun-Holidays
If you don’t speak Spanish it’s a good idea to write the name and address of your hotel or apartment on a piece of paper like this and give it to the driver.
ADDRESS
FLAT RATE PRICE (see above)
MALETAS INCLUIDOS (this means luggage included)
Airport Bus
Regular airport bus usually runs about every half hour, and stops at the railway station, the Prado San Sebastian (connection to city centre tram), and the Plaza de Armas.
Price €5, ticket purchase on the bus.
Timetable
Taxis/Buses from RENFE Santa Justa
There is a 2€ surcharge for taking a taxi from the Santa Justa station.
Bus stops for services 21, 32 and C2 are directly in front of the station (1.20€), and connect to the inner ring road and city centre (32).