10 Best Places to Visit Near Seville

Just one hour south of Seville lies one of Europe’s most beautiful natural wetlands in Doñana National Park. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the diversity of its environments, the marshlands and lagoons are surrounded by pine groves, mobile sand dunes and unspoiled white beaches. Explore the park on your own or join one of the park’s official tours that guide visitors by boat and all-terrain vehicle through the many landscapes.

Doñana is home to more than 230 species of birds including several endangered species like the Spanish Imperial Eagle, recognizable by its rich black-brown plumes and white shoulders. While these are a rare sight, you can expect to see flocks of flamingos and wandering wild horses.

The Rock of Gibraltar sits at Spain’s southernmost tip, and actually, you’ll need to exit Spain to reach it. The 5-km peninsula Gibraltar is a British overseas territory which played a strategic role in the Second World War. The iconic limestone rock cuts sharply out of it, punching toward the sky.

Hiking trails climb from the foot of the rock, each network with a distinct bent: one each for nature lovers, history buffs, and thrill seekers, plus one where you’ll see tons of monkeys. The view from the rock’s peak looks out over the north coast of Africa and the Strait of Gibraltar, which divides Africa from continental Europe.

The UNESCO-listed medieval complex of Alhambra is Spain’s most magnificent example of Moorish architecture. By definition a one-of-a-kind experience, it is the only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period. The complex sits on a plateau overlooking the city of Granada with dramatic views over the surrounding forest. Alhambra is a masterpiece for its scale and artistry, a network of exquisite rooms and gardens connected by shallow pools.

It's best to purchase tickets at least a week in advance and to bring an ID or passport to avoid problems at the door. Give yourself half a day to explore the sprawling grounds and consider booking a tour guide to bring this historic place to life.

The ancient baths, Baños Árabes, in the city of Ronda are the best-preserved Moorish bath complex in Spain. Located in the city’s old Arab quarter, the baths were built around the 13th to 14th century. As you explore the complex, you’ll step back in time and learn the workings of these impressive structures.

You might as well make a weekend out of your visit to Ronda, as the baths aren't its only claim to fame. It has a famous Plaza de Toros, charming rose gardens at Jardines de Cuenca and the stunning Puente Nuevo bridge. The city itself is a sight to behold: one of Andalusia’s pueblos blancos, its whitewashed architecture is perched high on a mountaintop.

Just 45 minutes by train from Seville, Jerez offers a dynamic experience of Andalusian traditions. There’s no better place to sip sherry. This tasty dessert wine is produced exclusively in this region, which has a winemaking tradition going back millennia. It’s also the birthplace of flamenco, and musicians and dancers are a regular fixture in the city’s bars.

Equestrian enthusiasts will not want to miss the Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre. This world-famous riding school hosts daily horse dancing shows featuring striking Carthusian horses. Shows start daily at noon, but it’s best to go early in the morning to observe the saddlemakers at work and the horses in training.

El Caminito del Rey, or “The King’s Little Pathway,” is an exhilarating cliff-side hiking trail. The 8-km path follows a suspended walkway hanging 100 metres over the river Guadalhorce as it winds through two narrow gorges and the forested valley between.

The path offers spectacular views of this natural marvel, where rugged cliffs rocket almost 400 metres high and the sounds of the rushing river echo against their walls. Adventure-seekers will enjoy this hike, as it ends with a journey over a glass-floored suspension bridge crossing the gorge.

There are few architectural masterpieces that so beautifully showcase Spain’s layered religious history as Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral. This World Heritage Site has served as a house of worship for over a millennium. Its halls are a mesmerizing forest of stonework, filled with more than 800 columns linked by distinct red and white striped double arches.

A Visigoth Basilica was the first structure built on this site, followed in the 8th century by the Grand Mosque, which is the basis for the structure you see today. Over the centuries, additional wings were built, and the Renaissance cathedral and bell tower were added. With a history this rich and complex, the Mosque-Cathedral is best toured with a guide.

Italica is an archaeological park famed for its well-preserved ruins of the first Roman city founded in Spain. A highlight of the park is its amphitheatre, which seats 25,000 spectators and was among the largest in the Roman Empire. The park is an easy trip from central Seville, with weekday buses running every half hour from Plaza de Armas.

The ruins are a vivid reminder of the grandeur and engineering achievements of the Roman era. Ancient houses with elaborate mosaic tile floors stand next to thermal baths, temples, and aqueducts. A rare historical specimen, Italica offers a glimpse into the past.

Tarifa is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for wind sports. Situated on the southern Costa de la Luz, the area has 38 kms of beaches facing the Strait of Gibraltar. Two strong winds, one easterly and one westerly, are what draw the wind and kite surfers to this beautiful locale. Of all the sun-kissed fine-sand beaches, Playa de los Lances stands out with its beautiful dune-backed landscape.

The town itself is charming, a cluster of whitewashed buildings housing quirky shops and tapas bars surrounded by ancient Moorish walls. There’s a laid-back energy that likely arrived along with the surfers that frequent these windy shores.

The village of Bolonia is tucked into a sandy bay on the Costa de la Luz. One of few unspoiled spots remaining in beach-loving Spain, it’s relatively secluded, and you’ll need a car to reach it. This is a great hideaway from the hustle of the city.

Bolonia’s beach is pristine, with 4 kms of white sand backed by large dunes that seem to climb into the mountainside. Time stands still in the quaint coastal town. It holds one surprise: just a short walk from the main drag lies the ruins of Baelo Claudia, an ancient Roman city dating back to the 2nd century BC.