With more than 700,000 residents, Seville is the largest city in the Spanish province of the same name.
It’s also the province’s capital and is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Its scenic location on the River Guadalquivir, abundant historical attractions, and vibrant food, art, and cultural scenes make it a popular destination with travelers of all ages and interests.
Seville is most well-known for its flamenco and opera venues, Alcazar palace complex, Roman-era attractions, and cathedrals. It’s also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Below are 15 of the best tours of Seville that warrant a closer look when in the city.
1. Alcazar Guided Tour with Priority Entrance
Source: Massimo Santi / shutterstockThe Alcazar is one of Seville’s premier historic attractions. On this 90-minute tour, guests can opt to experience it with an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide.
The Alcazar’s Islamic architecture is nothing short of breathtaking, and it boasts an equally impressive and intriguing history.
It’s characterized by palaces, patios, and gardens, and the interior is adorned with ornate Moorish carvings and colorful mosaics that look much the way they did when they were originally created.
Guests will also see a number of shooting locations from Game of Thrones season 5, and enjoy priority entrance tickets.
2. 3-Hour Sunset Bike Tour
Source: Simona Bottone / shutterstockSeville is an exotic old-world city that first-time visitors tend to find magical and alluring.
That being said, it takes on a particularly unique aura as the sun begins to set over the River Guadalquivir.
On this 3-hour tour, guests will start their adventure with a bike ride to a few of the city’s most quintessential attractions in several neighborhoods.
Highlights include the Barrio de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Toros, and the Alcazar Cathedral.
At each stop, guests will learn about the amazing things they’re seeing and will have ample time for rest breaks, photo ops, and questions.
3. Triana Tablao Flamenco Show with Drink
Source: leonov.o / shutterstockWhen visiting southern Spain’s Andalusia region, most travelers make it a point to experience a traditional flamenco show at least once.
Flamenco is one of the area’s richest cultural and artistic gems, and it tells a story using dance and music instead of words.
This one-hour show at Triana Tablao is held in one of the area’s premier flamenco venues. It combines elements of ancient history and contemporary society that may just be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
Shows include comfortable seating, a complimentary beverage to get things kicked off, and a truly memorable way to experience Spanish culture.
4. Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride through Seville
Source: Dan Lewis / shutterstockFor those who prefer to sleep in and enjoy a cup or two of Spanish coffee before heading out to see the city’s sights, this mid-morning horse-drawn carriage ride would be a great fit.
Guests will meet their guide and trusty horse in the city’s Old Quarter before embarking on a short but attraction-filled ride that includes stops at the Plaza de España, María Luisa Park, Statue of Bécquer, and the monument to El Cid at the Lope de Vega Theater.
Tours end at the Cathedral of Seville and Alcazar Royal Palace and leave the rest of the day open for other adventures.
5. 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket
Source: Benny Marty / shutterstockFor those working with limited time and meager travel budgets, hop-on hop-off bus tours offer great value.
Not only do they include lots of attractions in one convenient package, but they also allow travelers to spend their time seeing the things that interest them while ignoring those that don’t.
Depending on which option you choose, tour tickets are good for either 24 or 48 hours from the time of purchase. They offer easy access to premium attractions like the Alcazar gardens, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Torre del Oro, to name just a few.
Audio guides are available in multiple languages and offer special narration for children.
6. 2–Hour Guadalquivir River Kayaking Tour
Source: EmanuelePansecco / shutterstockThe Seville region’s mild year-round weather and large tracts of undisturbed natural areas make it a big hit with activity minded travelers and lovers of the great outdoors.
In Arabic, the River Guadalquivir means ‘big river.’ Though it can seem intimidating to the uninitiated, this two-hour kayaking tour is suitable for most ages and levels of physical ability.
Don’t worry if you’re short in the experience department; there’s a safety orientation before things get underway.
From the water, guests will see many of the city’s most singular attractions and learn about how the river has played a major role in commerce and cultural melding over the millennia.
7. Rooftop Terrace Paella Cooking Experience
Source: Marcelo Moryan / shutterstockAs flamenco is to dance, paella is to cuisine.
It’s the country’s most internationally recognized and much-loved dish. For those who’d like to spend an amazing few hours immersing themselves in local culture and learning how to prepare it, this 2 ½-hour cooking experience would be a great fit.
The event takes place on an idyllic rooftop terrace overlooking the heart of Seville. In addition to focusing on paella, guests will try their hand at whipping up a batch of fresh sangria with tasty local ingredients.
Evenings end with a fabulous meal, great company, and stunning city views.
8. Guadalquivir 1-Hour Cruise Ticket and Commentary
Source: Sopotnicki / shutterstockRiver cruises are fun and relaxing activities that allow visitors to see many of the city’s attractions from a unique perspective without spending too much time on their feet.
This 1-hour Guadalquivir River cruise departs from the docks at Marqués del Contadero and includes narrated commentary in multiple languages.
As one of the country’s only navigable inland waterways, the Guadalquivir River has been central to the area’s culture and economy for countless generations. It passes by historical sites, including monasteries, cathedrals, and a number of distinct neighborhoods such as Triana.
Bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun on the water can be harsh.
9. 3-Hour Tour by Electric Bike
Source: Alessandro Tortora / shutterstockE-bikes are a perfect alternative for those who want to experience Seville without being confined to a stuffy tour bus or working up too much of a lather.
Their electric motors provide extra power when riders need it, and they can go places that cars and buses can’t.
After meeting their guide and learning how to use their bikes, guests will explore a number of the city’s premier attractions, like the Alcazar Palace, the monument to Christopher Columbus, and the Plaza de España.
Tours meet at a central location and start mid-morning when the sun usually isn’t at its harshest.
10. City of Queens, Nuns, Sex Work and Witches
Source: Arcady / shutterstockAs is the case nearly everywhere, women have played a variety of roles in Spanish history and culture, and this eclectic tour celebrates them in all their glory.
This two-hour tour touches on segments of society that some prefer not to explore, and therein lies much of its allure for those interested in venturing off the well-worn path.
Guests will learn about the lives of women of royalty, as well as those who turned to menial and unpleasant tasks like prostitution and cigar rolling to make ends meet.
Tours also include aspects of contemporary life and architecture, as well as a stop at a bar frequented by locals for a relaxing break with a refreshing drink.
11. Guadalquivir River Yacht Cruise
Source: Atapialopez28 / shutterstockWhat do the River Guadalquivir, a boat named after America’s most famous city, and lobster salad all have in common?
The answer is that they’re all key components of this small-group, 90-minute river yacht cruise that begins and ends in Seville.
Not to be confused with its more mundane riverboat counterparts, the Nueva York is a luxury launch that features in and outdoor seating, multiple levels, air conditioning, and panoramic views of the city’s most prominent attractions.
Each excursion features traditional music and an amazing meal consisting of local cheese, lobster salad, fresh bread, and paella—all for one surprisingly reasonable price.
12. Off-the-Beaten-Path and Market Walking Tour
Source: Alessio Catelli / shutterstockDiscovering and exploring hidden gems in a new city is one of traveling’s most exhilarating experiences.
On this off-the-beaten-path and market tour, guests will leave most of the city’s tourist hotspots in their wake as they follow their guide into some of Seville’s artsiest, quirkiest, and most underappreciated neighborhoods.
Tour stops include bookstores, galleries, dive bars, and artists’ studios in bohemian enclaves like Alameda and Macarena.
The bustling market on Feria Street is another highlight, and a great place to meet locals and pick up a few keepsakes.
Tours are offered mid-morning and early evening.
13. Seville Jewish Heritage Tour
Source: Joaquin Ossorio Castillo / shutterstockLike many Spanish cities, Seville has a long and fascinating history that has been influenced by a large number of religions and ethnicities over the years.
On this Jewish heritage tour, guests and their knowledgeable local guide will explore a number of attractions like the Jewish Cemetery, San Bartolome, and Santa Cruz, which is most well-known for its winding streets, majestic residences, tranquil patios, and gurgling fountains.
Tours are available in multiple languages. For those unfamiliar with the city, it’s possible to meet the guide at your accommodation.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring some extra cash for drinks, snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
14. Panoramic Segway Tour
Source: Marques / shutterstockLike e-bikes, Segways have become popular means of tour transportation for those looking to have fun in the great outdoors and see many of the city’s most significant attractions.
On this two-hour tour, guests will start by meeting their guide and getting an overview of how to properly use their gravity-defying two-wheeled machine.
Then the group will set to see sites like the Alcazar and cathedral, the Golden Tower, and the Square of the Bulls.
Tours also visit urban parks and stretches of the river where the congestion is limited, and wide-open spaces abound.
Participants also get a complimentary photo to commemorate the experience.
15. 1-Hour Bullring Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket
Source: Alessandro Tortora / shutterstockSeville’s bullfighting arena is one of the city’s premier cultural attractions. On this 1-hour tour, guests will get a behind the scenes look at what makes it so significant.
Tours include audio guide headsets so you’ll benefit from narration at each stop along the way, and each excursion consists of four distinct areas.
The museum is one of the tour’s premier stops. While inside, participants will learn about the sport’s history, the lives of famous bullfighters, and see authentic outfits and bullfighting paraphernalia.
Other highlights include the chapel where bullfighters pray prior to performing, and the main gate that’s the last thing separating bulls from their fate.