Velá de Santiago y Santa Ana

The oldest inhabited royal palace in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Mudéjar architecture, the tiled Patio de las Doncellas and gardens of fountains and labyrinths make it Seville's essential visit. A filming location for Game of Thrones, it breathes Almohad and Christian history in equal measure.

The largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church by floor area, built on the site of the former Almohad mosque. La Giralda, its 97-metre bell tower, is Seville's undisputed symbol. Inside lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The ticket includes access to the tower, which has no steps — only ramps.

A monumental neo-Renaissance and neo-Moorish semicircle built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition in the Parque de María Luisa. Its 48 tiled benches represent every Spanish province. The central canal invites boat rides, and its bridges and north and south towers make for perfect photographs at sunrise.

The medieval Jewish quarter of whitewashed alleyways, flower-filled courtyards and squares shaded by orange trees. Nestled beside the Alcázar and the Cathedral, it is the romantic heart of Seville. Wandering streets like Agua or Vida, discovering the Hospital de los Venerables and sitting in the Plaza de Doña Elvira are experiences that capture the very soul of the city.

A 13th-century Almohad watchtower on the banks of the Guadalquivir, one of Seville's great defensive symbols. Its name comes from the golden tiles that once covered it. It houses the Naval Museum, with historical maps and objects from the American expeditions. The view from Puente de Triana at sunset is breathtaking.

The largest wooden structure in the world, designed by Jürgen Mayer H. and inaugurated in 2011 in the Plaza de la Encarnación. Its elevated walkways offer the best panoramic views of Seville. At ground level it houses the Antiquarium, with Roman and Arab archaeological remains from the 1st century. Not to be missed at sunset.

Seville's Holy Week is free and open to all: you only pay for seats and grandstands along the Official Route. In 2026 it runs from 29 March to 5 April, with the eve celebrations on the 27th. Its peak is La Madrugá, when five major brotherhoods process from 1:00 a.m. until noon.

Two weeks after Easter, Sevilla sets up its Real in Los Remedios: around 1,059 casetas (up to ~1,250 plots with the expansion), flamenco dresses, horses and sevillanas. Entry is free, but most are private and only accessible with an invitation from a member. Only around 14–16 are open to the public.

Every first half of May, Córdoba opens around 53 privately owned competition courtyards for free — plus a dozen institutional spaces: geraniums, bougainvillea, and recycled terracotta pots in living, inhabited patios. UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2012, with an official competition running since 1921. Free entry, no booking required, split daily hours.

Córdoba's Semana Santa is free and open to all, with processions moving through the medieval Jewish quarter from dawn into the early morning hours. Its defining feature in Spain: since 2017, the Carrera Oficial passes through the interior of the Mezquita-Catedral, a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Thirty-nine of the 42 brotherhoods take part. The festival holds National Tourist Interest status.

One June night, Córdoba scatters free flamenco across its historic old town. The Noche Blanca del Flamenco falls on the summer solstice (20–21 June) and sets up around ten simultaneous stages, running from 22:30 until 5:00 in the morning. No ticket, no booking: you walk in, listen, and drift from square to square.