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Experience Spain’s vibrant culture on a Seville cruise, departing from the historic port of Cadiz. Drenched in Andalucian sunlight and scented with orange blossoms, the city sprawls along the Guadalquivir River. It boasts a rich Moorish legacy with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, featuring gracefully adorned towers and palaces showcasing intricate Mudejar design.
On your Spain cruise, explore the layers of Seville's history, from the world's largest Gothic cathedral, a former mosque, to ornate mansions echoing Spain’s colonial past. Wander through old neighborhoods, delight in leafy parks, and enjoy the region's iconic flamenco and sumptuous tapas.
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This ornate structure was built for the lavish Ibero-American Exposition in 1929. A massive, neo-Moorish and Renaissance building with a tower at each end sweeps around a vast plaza bisected by a canal, along which you can row in a small boat. The building’s wall is lined with 48 alcoves, one for each of Spain’s provinces. Each depicts a map painted on exquisite azulejos (ceramic tiles). There are great photo opportunities here on the four elaborate bridges that arch over the canal.
This fortified royal palace dates back 1,000 years and is still an official residence of the Spanish royals. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella received the explorer Columbus here, and the palace was the epicenter of Spain’s trade with the New World. Uncover layers of history as you wander through ornate salons decorated with beautiful tiles, carved wooden ceilings, and elaborate plasterwork, and feel the breeze in flower-filled sunken gardens with reflecting pools.
This towering 15th-century Gothic masterpiece dominates the center of Seville. The cathedral took more than a century to build and lies on the site of a former mosque, of which the Giralda, now the bell tower, is a remnant. The massive altar depicts 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ, while there are 80 intricate side chapels, as well as priceless works by Goya and Murillo. Explorer Christopher Columbus is buried here.
A former minaret, the delicately carved Giralda Tower was the tallest building in Seville for more than 800 years. Today, it’s the bell tower of the cathedral, standing 322 feet high. The original crescent moon was replaced by a Christian cross. Climb to the top for stupendous views over the city. There are no stairs—the original sloping ramps were designed to be ascended by the muezzin, who would call the faithful to prayer on a donkey.
This sprawling park near the Guadalquivir and the Plaza de España is a blissful oasis of mature, exotic trees, Moorish-style fountains, shaded avenues, and colorful benches. Locals come here to picnic, meet friends, and cool off in the shade, and it’s a wonderful place to stroll or cycle. You’ll see some of the lavish Expo buildings dotted around, each one representing the architecture of a former colony of Spain.
You’ll have a taste of Seville’s former Jewish quarter when you visit the Cathedral and the Alcázar, but take time to explore the tangle of colorful streets where houses are painted bright yellow and white. Tiny alleys lead to cobbled squares lined with orange trees, while the cool, garlic-scented interiors of tapas bars beckon. You’ll find galleries and craft shops, and there’s even a Flamenco Museum telling the story of Spain’s iconic dance.
Seville is the heart of Spain’s tapas culture, and you can’t beat an afternoon on a shaded terrace digging into jamón Iberico, anchovies, salty cheeses with quince jelly, spinach with garbanzo beans, creamy croquetas, pork cheek, and fried fish. Wash all this down with a chilled glass of sherry from nearby Jerez, or a ruby-hued rioja.
The Spanish love eating in food markets, and you’ll find tiny, hole-in-the-wall bars in every market where you can select dishes from the display and order wine by the glass. When visiting in summer, it’s also fun to visit one of the many terrazas de verano (open-air bars) that pop up on the banks of the river.
Seville was founded by the Romans, but it was the Muslims, who ruled southern Spain for 500 years between 711 AD and 1248 AD, who really shaped the city. You’ll see their architectural legacy everywhere, from the Torre del Oro to the Giralda Tower, parts of the Alcázar, and the Patio de los Naranjos.
The Christians reconquered Andalucia in 1492, and Seville entered a golden age of expansion and exploration of the New World. Many Moors stayed behind, which gave rise to the beautiful Mudejar art form which developed as Moorish craftsmen were employed by Christian rulers.
Nowadays, the city is a center of financial services, trade, education, technology, and tourism. You’ll find a vibrant culture with passionate flamenco at its heart, as well as a long tradition of bullfighting and a thriving tapas scene. Seville is one of the hottest cities in Spain, so in summer, many businesses still close for siesta in the afternoon.
When visiting Seville on a cruise, you won’t actually dock in the city. Instead, your ship will pull into port in Cadiz, which is located about 80 miles south of Seville. Cadiz has two cruise terminals, both offering restrooms and free Wi-Fi. The Alfonso XIII pier has snacks and souvenir stalls, as well as tourist information. Cadiz’s city center is just five minutes’ walk away. There’s a train service to Seville, which takes about an hour and a half, though most visitors find a shore excursion more convenient.
Seville has excellent public transportation, although many of the main sights are walkable if you pace yourself in the heat. There’s one tram line, Metrocentro, which connects Plaza Nueva and the San Bernardo train station via four stops, including the Cathedral and the Alcázar Palace. You’ll also find an efficient bus network and a small metro system, used mainly by commuters. Taxis are widely available, as are rideshare services. One of the best ways to get around is on two wheels; Seville has miles of safe cycle paths and an easy-to-use bike rental program called Sevici. The city is flat, so you shouldn’t get too tired, and there are plenty of e-bikes available.
Seville has excellent shopping, from high-end designers to chic Spanish department stores such as El Corte Ingles on Plaza del Duque, as well as boho markets and independent boutiques. Calle Sierpes is the place to head for designer fashion, while Calle Tetuan, which runs parallel, is another option for shoes, souvenirs, and clothing. Cross over the Guadalquivir River to the indoor Triana Market, and browse the Triana neighborhood for beautiful ceramics. Other souvenirs to look out for include painted tiles, frilly aprons, pretty folding fans, and flamenco dresses.
The currency in Spain is the Euro. There are ATMs all over Seville, although most places accept contactless cards and cash transactions are increasingly rare. Spain does not have a strong tipping culture; if you’ve received good service in a restaurant or tapas bar, it’s customary to leave 10 percent. A good tour guide would appreciate €5 to €10 in cash, but it’s not necessary to offer any more.
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