Seville is captivating. A richly storied capital, it’s now seeing a new generation of chefs, designers and hoteliers taking cues from the past while doing things on their own terms. There are decadent boutique hotels, stylish restaurants, and quietly fascinating artisan boutiques.
The Alcázar, the cathedral and the Giralda draw crowds, of course, but Seville is also about tiled patios glimpsed through open doorways, the scent of azahar blossom from the orange trees, and sipping a glass of chilled manzanilla in a bar where little has changed in decades.
Over the years, we’ve explored the heart of this remarkable city. What follows is a personal selection, shaped by long lunches, slow afternoons, and hotel stays that left a lasting impression.
Eat
Cervecería Salmedina
In the lively Alfalfa area, Cervecería Salmedina feels like the kind of place people return to again and again. Created by brothers Eduardo, Jaime and Pedro, the same team behind Seville’s fine dining favourite Tribeca, this is a more informal space, but with the same dedication to produce and precision. Eduardo’s seafood, sourced from the Bay of Cádiz, is at the heart of the menu.
Tables are set outside under the striped awnings or inside the cool, air-conditioned dining room. The atmosphere is relaxed, a true barrio bar with a long counter and a few high tables.
Our waiter, Luis, was knowledgeable and easy-going, guiding us through a short but tightly curated menu. We started with Gildas, then papas aliñadas con melva and cecina de bonito. The ‘Verano Azul’ — toasted bread with tomato, spring onion and flame-seared bonito — is a playful nod to a nostalgic summer TV series from the 80s, and surprisingly elegant. A gratinated sea urchin, finished with prawns and roe, brought richness without heaviness.
This is a neighbourhood place with a clear point of view. Excellent seafood, a thoughtful kitchen, and a casual tone that invites you to linger.
https://www.facebook.com/cerveceriasalmedina
Restaurant Tribeca Seville
Set in upscale Nervión, a residential area with wide pavements and quiet terraces, Tribeca feels far from the old town crowds yet conveniently in the city centre. hree connected spaces open, designed by architect Francisco Barrionuevo, feel spacious and elegant. The setting is minimalist. Pedro Giménez ´Capitán de Tierra’ leads the kitchen. He was born here but trained in London and Madrid before returning home to open Tribeca with his brother Eduardo. Eduardo ‘Capitán de la flota’ is on the docks, in Cadiz. He oversees the boats, speaks with the fishermen, selects each catch by hand. In a city where most people dine standing or crowded around pavement tables sharing tapas, Tribeca Seville invites you to sit down properly. It gives you the time, the space to enjoy a truly authentic and sophisticated experience.
https://www.restaurantetribeca.com/
Sr. Cangrejo Restaurant
Tucked away in an unassuming side street this contemporary bar-restaurant, with interiors of shining aluminium and steel, Sr. Cangrejo has a surprisingly relaxed and welcoming vibe, despite its cool, urban look. Sr. Cangrejo is all about innovative dishes delivered with creative flair, in a setting that somehow blurs the lines between a typical Seville tapas bar and a city centre gastronomic restaurant.
Ricca Pizzería
Here, the founders of Seville’s Kinu Japanese Restaurant have extended the omakase experience to Italian cuisine with the opening of Ricca Pizzería Se0villa. At first, the idea sounds unorthodox, but in execution, it is absolutely thrilling, a genuine feast for all the senses. The restaurant has a strong commitment to authenticity, following the notion of ‘La Pizza è Italiana,’ using only ingredients imported from Italy to create traditional pizzas that are baked in ovens made by Valoriani, from Figline Valdarno, in Florence.
Kinu Sevilla
Kinu Sevilla is very much part of the pioneering energy in the city. This gastronomic Japanese restaurant would be equally at home in New York City or London, with its on-trend minimalist design, gastronomic Omakase bar and striking restaurant serving authentic cuisine. Kinu Sevilla though is not just a homage to Japanese traditions, it also tales a contemporary perspective to each dish with a delicious mix of authentic Japanese ingredients with local produce. The Omakase experience is one to book ahead. Only 6 guests can share this personalised experience, where you leave dining decisions to the chef, who prepares each plate before you, inspired by the season.
Ovejas Negras Restaurants
Ovejas Negras restaurants offer diverse, authentic dining experiences across Seville, a city that is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly its tapas bars. This quintessential Spanish way of eating is of the reasons overseas visitors flock to this historic city with its grand and elegant landmark sites. One company, Ovejas Negras, (or Black Sheep in English), has established itself as a leading name in the city’s gastronomic scene with a collection of much-loved restaurants already open across Seville, each one offering an authentic dining experience, from gourmet tapas to lively fine dining.ç
https://ovejasnegrascompany.com/restaurantes/
Canabota Fish Restaurant
Lovers of fresh seafood dishes will not want to miss the chance to dine at Canabota, which can be found in the heart of Seville and was opened in 2016 by Juanlu Fernandes. While the dishes here tend to be on the gourmet side, dining is a more casual affair and diners are invited to sit at the counter so that they can watch as the talented chefs perfectly prepare the fish and grill it. Diners are greeted with a huge display of fresh shellfish and fish and diners will want to make sure that they bring a hearty appetite so that they can sample several different dishes. Some of the celebrated signature dishes include the complimentary cold fish soup with fresh lemon foam, onions and seaweed, delicate white prawns with sliced mushrooms, hot fish soup with tempura rockfish and corvine served with Swiss chard, boiled potatoes or Padron peppers.
Do
Visit Real Alcázar
Located just across the square from Christopher Columbus’ tomb, Alcazar Palace is quite beautiful. The palace was built in 913 and King Alfonso and later Queen Isabella ruled the whole of the Iberian peninsula from the Palacio de Don Pedro that can be found within the palace and the grounds feature excellent examples of Moorish decoration. Guests will also want to make sure that they allow plenty of time to explore the magnificent tropical garden, which boasts plenty of shady spots to unwind while soaking in the surrounding natural beauty.
Visit Plaza de España
The Plaza de Espana is another grand edifice with a crescent-shaped facade and some beautiful mosaics, and fountains in the large open area in front. On a smaller, more human scale, the Barrio de Santa Cruz has narrow, winding streets which offer glimpses into the courtyards of local houses. The photogenic façade of the grand Plaza de España is one of the city’s favourite relaxation spots and this large and lovely square comes complete with spouting fountains and mini-canals in the ‘parque’ fronting it. Of the many churches that can be found in this part of the city, the Basílica de la Macarena is by far the most famous. The Museo de Bellas Artes, which is also known as the Fine Arts Museum, is the most notable of the city’s many excellent museums.
Visit Metropol Parasol
People who want to gain an insight into contemporary Seville should pay a visit to Metropol Parasol, which is known locally as Las Setas de la Encarnación in recognition of the fact that this interesting and unusual structure resembles a cluster of mushrooms. There are six different mushroom-shaped parasols set on four levels and the design was inspired by the historical vaults of Seville Cathedral as well as the ficus trees that can be found in Plaza de Cristo de Burgos. A large Antiquarian can be found in the underground where visitors can view a large collection of Roman and Moorish remains. A public plaza is set at street level and this spacious area is often used to host special events, while the second and the third levels are set with several excellent restaurants and provide visitors with stunning views of the city centre.
Aire Ancient Baths
Set just a few steps from the Catedral de Sevilla in the vibrant Santa Cruiz neighbourhood, the Aire Ancient Baths offer visitors the chance to unwind in style and indulge in a little pampering while also soaking up some of the city’s rich history and culture. Visitors make their way through the grounds of a magnificent Mudéjar-style palace that boasts more than five centuries of history. Visitors are guided by candlelight across the Andaluz-style courtyard to a large number of stunning bathrooms that are filled with water at different temperatures and are found distributed throughout the palace. Visitors can lay back in their own private hot tub while they receive a relaxing head and shoulder massage, while there are larger bathrooms that are designed for couples to share and others where visitors can swim laps if they wish. Floating on top of the surface of the thermal baths is a truly relaxing experience, while visitors are offered a range of treatments that are sure to make them feel fantastic from head to toe such as hot oil massages, facials and body scrubs. Read our expert review here.
Sleep
Hotel Casa del Limonero
This new boutique hotel offers a refined, intimate stay that blends contemporary creativity with centuries-old Andalusian heritage. Within this restored Sevilla mansion, guests discover a tranquil courtyard, a lush walled garden, a private pool, and a rooftop with views of the Giralda, all curated with the eye of the Parisian art collector owner, and the warmth of a gracious host, General Manager Martina Cam. Each of the 14 rooms of Casa del Limonero is its own small universe. They span three floors and combine original features with bespoke design, filled with art pieces. Through corridors, the public salons, the library, and the rooms you can see hundreds of works, including pieces by Olga de Amaral, Manolo Valdés, Joana Vasconcelos, and photography by Malick Sidibé.
http://www.hotelcasalimonero.com/en
Hotel Casa Palacio Don Ramón
Taking the name from a legendary figure who set his goal to create the most charming place to stay, Casa Palacio Don Ramón is a masterclass in refinement and elegance, a privileged address in the centre of the city that is steps from sights of old town. With a few minutes you can be marvelling at the architecture of Las Setas, said to the world’s largest wooden structure, browsing the captivating boutiques of Calle Sierpes, listening to the buskers on the Plaza de San Francisco, or standing in awe at the magnificence of the city’s cathedral and the iconic La Giralda tower. The hotel focuses on the comforts of a noble house, where you can dine well, indulge with a cocktail or two, relax in elegant surroundings, retire to a fabulous room. There’s also a delightful roof terrace with bar and pool for those sultry Seville days when really you just want to sip a chilled manzanilla and snooze in the sun.
https://www.hoteldonramon.com/en/
Ocean Drive Seville
Ocean Drive Seville brings the playful, artsy urban vibe that OD is renowned for in the Balearics and Madrid to the Andalucian capital. Found on Plaza de la Encarnación, a city centre square that has emerged as an emblematic destination thanks to the vast organic structure locally known as ‘Las Setas’. Designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer, the Metropol Parasol is known for its unique shape, which resembles a series of giant mushrooms or “setas” in Spanish. The 49 rooms, ranging from Superior to Deluxe and Suite formats, are meticulously designed to offer a harmonious balance of luxury and warmth. Each room boasts full-height windows that flood the space with natural light, and some offer balconies, while the spacious suites have large terraces with sun beds offering sweeping views of the Las Setas and the city skyline.
https://www.od-hotels.com/en/ocean-drive-seville
Mercer Sevilla
Set in a nineteenth-century palace in the lively El Arenal district, this twelve-room Mercer Seville is four minutes along a narrow cobbled street from the Plaza Nueva metro station, and slightly further to the cathedral. Rooms have all amenities, with some boasting balconies, or terraces complete with orange trees. Other facilities include a rooftop bar next to a plunge pool and an on-site restaurant and cocktail bar. A lounge area is overlooked by a traditional courtyard and fountain, featuring the original marble spiral staircase in one corner. Read our expert review here.
Hotel Casa 1800 Seville
Superbly situated in the historic Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz, with the Giralda as a backdrop, this family-friendly converted mansion is an ideal starting point for flamenco clubs, tapas bars and the main shopping drag. The Flamenco Dance Museum is a must-see before you take in a show at La Casa del Flamenco. The Casa 1800 Sevilla has individually-decorated rooms sport hand-carved furniture, marbled bathrooms, and all facilities, while suites have terraces and outdoor Jacuzzis. Chandeliers light up the elegant public areas and the central patio. The rooftop salt-water pool carries a reflection of the bell tower, and boasts amazing vistas. Read our expert review here.
Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
A de luxe establishment in an eighteenth-century palace, the hotel’s bedrooms benefit from high ceilings and wooden floors. Amenities are in keeping with its five-star rating, while upgrades feature sitting areas, or suites with living rooms and iMac computers, with some rooms having balconies and views over the city. Clients can take advantage of the wellness facilities, including a steam bath and a gym, and then relax in one of three typically Spanish courtyards. Or take a dip in the rooftop pool and enjoy the sight of the nearby Giralda. Read our expert review here.
La Verdecita exclusive rental
La Verdecita is very much part of Seville’s rich history. A fabulous historic property, a noble house with classic Andalucian light-filled atrium, which has been reimagined through thoughtful renovation and stylish interior design, into a thoroughly 21st century luxe vacation rental in the heart of Seville. From the chic, private rooftop terrace, 5 stylish guestrooms, a secluded hot tub, to the understated aesthetic of the open plan ground floor, La Verdecita really makes an impact.
https://holaseville.com/en/847811/la-verdecita
Coral de Rey
For a luxury city centre stay, in the heart of Seville’s labyrinthine old town, then choose the family-owned Hotel Corral del Rey Seville, a historic property full of eclectic, creative style and upscale elegance. Corral del Rey is one of the most established boutique hotels in the city. Created by a family with a consistent track record in luxury hospitality, the property is within converted ‘casa palacios’; striking noble houses once homes to the city’s wealthy when Seville was at the epicentre of world trade with the Americas.
