8 ideas for guided tours of Seville

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Looking to visit the most beautiful spots in the Andalusian capital? To help you, here are our eight ideas for guided tours of Seville.

Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs – all have left their mark on Seville, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations. Along with Granada and Cordoba, Seville forms a trilogy that must be seen at least once in a lifetime. And what better way to make sure you don’t miss a thing than to take one of the many guided tours available in Seville?

Let’s discover Seville with 8 ideas for guided tours!

Seville in a nutshell

Seville attracts visitors with good reason. A city break in Seville promises unforgettable moments of discovery of its cultural past, as well as all that the Andalusian art of living has to offer.

Seville’s Mudéjar architecture is a testament to the beauty of its cultural mix. It’s also azulejos, sumptuous palaces, patios to keep out the heat, not to mention flamenco and gastronomy. The city has everything for those in search of discovery and exploration. And there’s no mistaking it, as Seville is the port of discovery of the New World. The city of Christopher Columbus and Magellan. However, it would be a mistake to believe that the city is only interested in its past. It’s a lively city that you’ll discover thanks to these ideas for guided tours in Seville.

Visit Seville in French

Seville, Espagne

Photo credit: Flickr – Dani Oliver

Most guided tours in Seville can be conducted in French. Many guide agencies offer online tours for French speakers, whether to visit a must-see monument or to discover a neighborhood. The same applies to bike and segway tours, where you can also book a tour in French. Some of the more specialized tours are only available in English, but these are rare. Flamenco and gastronomy tours, for example, are also available in the language of Molière.

Historical tours

L’Alcazar

Alcazar, Séville

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Mistervlad

The Royal Palace is one of Seville’s top guided tours, and if you don’t want to miss out on anything, it’s highly recommended to take one with you. The first castle was built in the 10th century under the reign of the first caliph of Al-Andalus, and was modified and enlarged several times by his successors before returning to the hands of the Catholic kings. Its Mudejar architectural style, with Moorish and Christian influences, bears witness to this. Interestingly, it’s the oldest palace in Europe still in use, as the king stays here when he’s in Seville.

All tourist agencies offer guided tours of the palace. But if you’re looking for a more original theme, some guides suggest discovering the palace through the Game Of Thrones series, as it was the setting for the kingdom of Dorne.

The Cathedral

Cathédrale de Séville

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Migel

Its full name is the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede. Built in the Gothic style, it is said to be the world’s largest in this architectural style and houses, among other things, the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Like the palace, it is a building dating back to the Arab-Muslim kingdom, since it was originally a mosque. The Giralda is the last surviving minaret from that era. A visit is included in your ticket.

Speaking of tickets, booking a guided tour for this venue means you can leave it to the guides to buy your tickets. This is a great advantage if you want to avoid long queues. And if you’re in the mood for something a little more unusual, there are guided tours of the building’s rooftops, with exceptional views and unforgettable memories guaranteed!

Both the Alcazar and the Cathedral are included in the

City Pass

. A practical and economical way to visit the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

Neighborhood tours

Santa-Cruz

Le quartier de Santa Cruz, idéal pour une visite guidée à Séville

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Irina Sen

This is the historic district that everyone visits in Seville, thanks to its world-famous monuments. But how many tourists leave having truly discovered its secrets? Not many. Now’s the time to take a guide who will show you the Sephardic way of life in one of Spain’s oldest Jewish quarters. You’ll learn a little more about the story of Carmen and other fictional characters inspired by the atmosphere of the typical corrales of Santa-Cruz, before finishing this guided tour of Seville in style at the Plaza de España.

Triana

Centro Ceramica Triana, Séville

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Anibal Trejo

If you can, visit Seville and discover the local crafts with a guide who will take you to the various workshops in Triana. This is Seville’s old gypsy quarter, home to sailors and potters. A guided tour of Triana will give you a more detailed insight into local life. No huge monuments here, but narrow streets and courtyards, artisan potters’ stalls and colorful houses, let yourself be guided away from the crowds of tourists…or almost.

La Macarena and Cartuja Island

La puerta de la Macarena, à admirer lors d'une visite guidée de Séville

Photo credit: Shutterstock / lunamarina

If you’re looking for a guided tour of Seville off the beaten track, take a trip to the Macarena district. Here, you’ll discover the history of Seville’s most venerated Virgin, as well as the city’s ramparts. You can stroll along the Rue de la Feria, home to Seville’s oldest market, and sample some tapas away from the crowds. Some guides take you as far as the Isla de la Cartuja, where the Gothic-Mudejar monastery was converted into a contemporary art center for the 1992 World Fair.

Around flamenco

Les Sévillanes, habillées en tenue traditionnelle lors de la Feria d'Abril

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Carlos Amarillo

It’s impossible to miss this dance and the famous sevillanas! Many of Seville’s guided tours offer an introduction to this dance, which first appeared in the 18th century. Its origins remain a mystery, even if flamenco music was traditionally played and danced by the city’s gypsy population. Flamenco has Arab and Jewish influences, bearing witness to the incredible cultural richness of Andalusia.

Flamenco has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2010. Guided tours usually take place in the evening, ending in a flamenco tablao where you’ll be treated to a show.

Free tours of Seville

La Porte du Pardon, lieu privilégié pour une visite guidée de Séville

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Alexandre Rotenberg

Looking for a free tour of Seville? With tour and activity platforms, you can book a free tour of the Andalusian capital. Such a tour will focus on the city’s rich history. You’ll discover many of the city’s landmarks, including the Cathedral, the Giralda, the narrow streets of Santa Cruz and the Pardon Gate.

On a positive note, the free tour is conducted in French. So you can enjoy the tour without any misunderstandings.

Gastronomic tours

Tapas

Photo credit: Shutterstock / MisterStock

How about a guided tour of Seville where the main activity is tasting? Many guides offer 3-hour tours to help you discover the wonders of local gastronomy. Of course, it’s advisable to arrive on an empty stomach, as you’ll be discovering cheeses, wines, tapas, fish, hams, pastries and much more. And all this while strolling through the city. After all, the guides are keen to stop off at different places.

The different ways to visit Seville

With the massive development of tourism, any means is good for discovering a city. Seville is no exception to the rule, and here are the different means of transport you can choose from.

On foot

Faire une visite guidée de Séville, à pied

Photo credit: Shutterstock / s4svisuals

This is the most traditional and popular way to take a guided tour of Seville. The main monuments are concentrated in Santa-Cruz, while other districts such as Triana and La Macarena are easily accessible. This is also the best way to discover Seville. You’ll be able to take your time to stroll around, take a closer look at a detail, and perhaps take a break to better appreciate the atmosphere that reigns in these alleys steeped in history.

By bike

Faire une visite guidée de Séville, à vélo

Photo credit: Flickr – Sandra Vallaure

A city on a human scale, flat and blessed by the sun’s rays, Seville has all the ingredients to develop cycling, and it has! With 170 kilometers of bike paths and 24-hour bike terminals, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the city’s cycling facilities.

Seville’s tour operators understand this, so you’ll have no trouble booking one. Most prices include bicycle hire. All you have to do is choose your itinerary, and you’ll be on your way for several hours.

By bus

Faire une visite guidée de Séville, en bus

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Rob Wilson

To get your bearings, why not opt for a guided tour of Seville on the hop-on hop-off buses? Audioguides are available, and you can hop on and off at any stop you like. What’s more, several options are available, some of which include museum entrance fees and guided walking tours.

By segway

Découvrir les rues de Séville en segway

Photo credit: Flickr – Marco Maas

Guided tours of Seville are no exception to these two-wheeled machines either. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll take a panoramic tour of the city and its must-see monuments for just over an hour. The perfect combination of history and entertainment.

By boat

Au bord du Guadalquivir

Photo credit: Flickr – Benoit LERAY

Seville is crossed by the Guadalquivir River, which is closely linked to its history. Indeed, it was thanks to this river that Seville became Europe’s leading commercial center in the 16th century. It’s also where the ships set sail on Magellan’s round-the-world voyage. So why not opt for a guided tour of Seville from the river’s point of view? Boats are available to take you on a tour of the city from the water, allowing you to admire the colorful quayside facades and historic monuments such as the Gold Tower. For the more sporty, you can follow a guide on a kayak or even a paddle.

Tell us about your guided tours of Seville in the comments!