Make the most of your stay in the capital of Andalucia with the best Seville tours. Guided excursions allow you to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time while learning about the city’s storied past.
While all tours have a historical element, it’s possible to choose from a wide variety of formats. This guide focuses on walking, bike, bus, and riverboat tours. Let’s take a look at the best tours in Seville for budget travelers, history buffs, and outdoorsy explorers.
The Best Seville Tours
There are hundreds of thrilling and cultural things to do in Andalucia but it all starts in Seville. Encompassing Seville walking tours, cycling trips, dinner cruises, and kayaking, this post has an activity to suit all travelers.
Traveling on a budget? Scroll to the end for the lowdown on Seville free tours.
Climbing to the top of the Seville Cathedral bell tower is one of the best things to while you are visiting the city.
1. Seville Cathedral, Giralda, and Royal Alcázar Guided Tour
Click open any list of things to do in Seville and you know the number one item will be the Royal Alcázar.
This royal residence was built on top of a former Moorish palace and exemplifies Mudejar architecture. Even today, the oldest royal palace in Europe is used to house the Spanish royal family whenever they pass through Seville. It’s possible to visit the Royal Alcázar and its gardens independently. However, if you visit as part of a tour you’ll gain so much more insight into the history and significance of the complex.
This Cathedral, Giralda, and Royal Alcázar guided tour is one of the best Seville tours in terms of value. As well as visiting the palace, you will swing by the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede and climb up the Giralda. Once a Moorish minaret, this later became a belfry. The tour concludes in the palace gardens where you can spend as long as you wish.
The Royal Alcazar was made so much better with a tour guide who could explain the history and architecture.
2. Small-group Guided Walking Tour of Seville
Get down to basics on this option for a guided small-group walking tour in Seville. The route replicates the stops typical of a Seville itinerary, such as the Royal Alcázar, Plaza de España, Setas de Sevilla, and the cathedral. The guide service is available in both English and Spanish. Book this small group option here.
Of all the walking tours in Seville, this one provides the most value. It’s kind to the wallet and packs a lot of value into two hours. Furthermore, the group size is capped at 15 pax and is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers. If you fancy upgrading the activity, you can book the morning slot that includes breakfast.
3. Guadalquivir River Sightseeing Eco Cruise
Cool down in the summer months with this one-hour Guadalquivir River sightseeing eco-cruise. The tour departs from the centrally located Muelle de Nueva York and glides past the Torre del Oro, Seville Cathedral, and Torre Schindler. It’s a special way to see the city sights while resting your legs and avoiding the heat.
This is also one of the most informative riverboat tours in Seville. The cruise is supported by a recorded narration and the solar-powered vessel means it’s easy to hear everything (and great for the environment, too!). The tour is pretty inexpensive so you shouldn’t feel guilty about grabbing a drink from the onboard bar.
Food tours are the best way to get to know the food culture of a city and to eat yummy local bites.
4. Tapas, Taverns, and History of Seville Tour
Another choice selection of Seville walking tours, this tour of Seville Tapas, Taverns, and History also has you covered for supper. The tour concentrates on the oldest (and tiniest!) bars in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. Rather than sitting down, there’s quite a bit of eating while standing – but that’s the way to graze like a true Sevillano.
At four hours, this one does chew up a large chunk of your itinerary. However, it’s an all-inclusive Seville tour of history and cuisine. The historical commentary is broken up by stops at four bars where you’ll enjoy at least 10 tapas overall and five drinks. As it’s a small tour capped at 10 guests, you’ll have plenty of chances to ask questions. Plus, the format is great for solo travelers as well as sociable couples and groups.
5. Highlights of Seville Bike Tour
This highlights of Seville bike ride is perfect if you’re short on time as you’ll cover so much more of the city than by foot. But, it’s also a really fun way of seeing the monuments and getting a sense of the city’s layout.
The tour covers the Santa Cruz and Triana neighborhoods as well as Maria Luisa Park, Torre del Oro, Seville Cathedral, and the Royal Alcázar. It’s managed by a local guide who’ll steer you along a bike-friendly route with minimal traffic. Given the route, this is one of the best bike tours in Seville for first-time visitors.
In addition to the bike and tour service, the package includes a helmet and a small basket to store your bag. Along the way, you’ll also stop to take photos and pick up insider tips on where to eat in Seville.
Boat and bike tours in Seville will take you past some of the city’s most popular monuments like the Torre del Oro.
6. Private Seville River Cruise with Dinner and Drinks
An alternative option for sailing enthusiasts, this private river cruise with dinner and drinks is one of the memorable boat tours in Seville to mark a special occasion. It’s fully private and inclusive of a 1.5-hour sailing trip, a meal, and two drinks. The meal is designed to be shared between a couple or small group and gives you a choice of three set menus.
In addition to the two drinks, you have the option to buy a bottle of bubbles. While you sail and eat, the crew will talk you through the sights and monuments on the riverside. But, you’ll also have moments of solitude to focus on the food and experience.
With the price starting at $400 for a couple, it isn’t an option for the budget traveler. However, the price per head does decrease if you have a larger group, so a great option if you’re traveling with friends. It’s also one of the best tours in Seville for a honeymoon or anniversary trip.
Be sure to take your time after the tour to explore the gardens at the Royal Alcazar.
7. City of Queens, Nuns, Sex Work, and Witches Walking Tour
One of the most unique tours in Seville, the City of Queens, Nuns, Sex Work, and Witches walking tour focuses on the women who shaped the city’s history. Most of the names and stories you’ll hear are omitted from history books.
Accounts of the role of women in Seville will be shared as you wander past the Costurero de la Reina and through Santa Cruz and Maria Luisa Park. At the Old Tobacco Factory, you’ll learn about how women were employed to make cigars – on account that the managers could pay them less.
All in all, the tour delivers on political history, social affairs, literature, and scandal. There is the option to stop for a drink partway through the two-hour walking tour.
Take in the views of the city from the top of the cathedral. You will get the chance to do this on a tour of the cathedral or on your own once the tour is over.
8. Electric Bike Tour of Seville
A second pick of fun bike tours in Seville, this electric bike option demands minimum effort. The bike lets you cycle as much or as little as you like as you cruise past Plaza de España, Seville Cathedral, the Royal Alcázar, and the Torre del Oro. This is especially fantastic during the searing hot summers in Seville.
As the electric bike spares you from using up your energy, you’ll visit outlying the neighborhoods of El Arenal and Triana without breaking a sweat. Before you depart, the guide will run through a few pointers about how to get the most out of the e-bike and provide a safety briefing. Sporting a helmet and a sense of adventure, you’ll follow them through the streets and dismount at principal points of interest to hear historical anecdotes.
Two people are required per booking on this tour and the group size is limited to 10 participants to ensure a safe and intimate experience.
9. Guadalquivir River Kayaking Tour
See Seville from the “Big River” in this two-hour Guadalquivir River kayaking journey. The waterway actually has a curious history and played an important role during Seville’s Golden Age.
Spanning 408 miles (656 km), the river runs down from the Sierra de Cazorla mountains through Córdoba and Seville before meeting the Atlantic Ocean in the Bay of Cadiz. Surprisingly for an inland city, Seville was a major port. Marking the final stage at which ships could sail on the Guadalquivir River, it transported such goods as gold, silver, and tobacco.
Nowadays, the river is used purely for recreation and this kayaking activity is one of the best Seville tours for adventurous travelers. The guide will talk you through the history of the river but the emphasis is placed on paddling and ogling pros from the local rowing clubs gliding up and down the water.
Soak up the streets of Seville with a bike tour or move a little quicker on a tuk-tuk!
10. Private Eco Tuk Tuk Tour of Seville
Hang on tight as you hurtle around the sights via one of the best Seville tours for an unusual day out. This private eco tuk-tuk ride is delivered from an electric vehicle that accommodates four passengers. Larger groups can reserve two tuk-tuks.
The itinerary covers Santa Cruz, Triana, and El Arenal. Principal sights are inclusive of the Palace of San Telmo, the Royal Tobacco Factory, Plaza de América, and the Maestranza building. You’ll also venture as far as Isla de La Cartuja where the 1992 Expo was installed.
Overall, the tour lasts around two hours. You’ll cover far more ground than you could on foot or by bike yet the electric tuk tuk helps reduce your carbon footprint.
11. Seville City Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour
There’s a reason hop-on, hop-off bus tours never fell out of fashion. They’re flexible, affordable, and awesome in all weather conditions.
This City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus ticket invites you to explore Seville at your own pace. The ticket is valid for 24 hours and the route covers 14 stops just outside the center. If you decide to stay on board for the entire loop, it will take around one hour to complete. All double-decker buses offer commentary in 15 languages.
Ultimately, you have total flexibility while the mobile ticket streamlines the activity. In addition, the price covers free or reduced admission to several attractions and a choice of walking or bike tours in Seville. This is one of the best Seville tours for families with kids or those traveling with elderly relatives.
Explore the city by night and learn about some of the ghosts that roam the streets on a paranormal Seville tour.
12. Paranormal Walking Tour in Seville
Get your spook on with one of the creepiest walking tours in Seville. This paranormal walking adventure occurs after dark and concentrates on the Santa Cruz neighborhood. You’ll hear about ghostly sightings at the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts and learn about the resident ghouls at Casa Fabiola.
On the course of the walking tour, you’ll also hear about gruesome crimes and unexplained events. The guides are charismatic and will prompt even the most skeptical to question the supernatural world. The tour maxes out at 15 participants to ensure an eerie atmosphere. It’s family-friendly but there’s always the risk of a nightmare or two.
13. Exclusive Guadalquivir Riverboat Tour with Tapas
One of the coolest boat tours in Seville rolls sightseeing, dining, and an epic ambiance all into one package. This exclusive riverboat ride with tapas passes beneath the iconic Isabel Bridge II and cruises north towards Isla de La Cartuja where you’ll see the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition.
Keep a sharp eye and you’ll spot Plaza de Toros de La Maestranza, Torre del Oro, and Palacio de San Telmo. The captain will provide live commentary while you tuck into Andalucian tapas and sip a cold beer or glass of sangria.
Get out and explore Seville with a tour guide or grab a map from the tourist center and walk the streets on your own, either way, you’ll soon discover the beauty of this city.
14. Free Seville Walking Tour
Preserve your vacation money by booking a free Seville tour. Free Tours By Foot runs the Essential Free Tour in Seville twice daily which you can read more about here. The two-hour walking tour focuses on the Santa Cruz neighborhood and grants a view of the cathedral, Royal Alcázar, the Giralda, and more.
The historical commentary covers Romans, Visigoths, and Arabian influences on the modern city and the relations between the various civilizations that claimed Seville. It’s recommended to book your free slot online although it’s also possible to turn up. You can also browse additional Seville free tours via their website.
As with all cities, Seville free tours technically work on a gratuities basis. Therefore, you’ll need to take cash in euros to tip your guide. Most tourists tip in the region of €10-15 per person.