Self-guided audio tour in Seville

Besides our audio guides, there are many other ways to discover Seville. Here are some suggestions that can enrich your visit:

• Alcázar of Seville: This stunning royal palace combines Moorish and Renaissance architecture. Book ahead to avoid the notoriously long queues while learning about this UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Seville Cathedral: The world's largest Gothic cathedral houses Christopher Columbus's tomb. Visiting this sight offers fascinating insights into this architectural marvel.
• Flamenco Show: Experience authentic Andalusian culture at a Flamenco Show , where passionate performers showcase this UNESCO-recognized art form.
• Guadalquivir River Cruise: See Seville from a different perspective on a Guadalquivir River Cruise passing iconic landmarks like Torre del Oro and Triana Bridge.
• Plaza de España: This magnificent semi-circular plaza features stunning tilework representing Spain's provinces. Rent a rowboat on the canal or simply admire the architecture.
• Metropol Parasol: Locally known as "Las Setas" (The Mushrooms), this modern wooden structure offers panoramic views of the city from its walkway.
• Triana Market: Cross the river to explore this vibrant food market housed in the former Castle of San Jorge, with excellent tapas bars and local products.
• Parque de María Luisa: Seville's most beautiful park offers shaded paths, ornate fountains, and peaceful gardens—perfect for escaping the afternoon heat.
• Barrio Santa Cruz: Wander through the former Jewish quarter with its narrow streets, flower-filled patios, and charming squares—one of the best areas to explore in Seville.

Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures for Seville walking tours, avoiding the scorching summer heat that regularly exceeds 40°C/104°F. April brings the famous Feria de Abril and spectacular orange blossoms, while October offers warm days with fewer crowds. Winter remains mild and provides a more authentic experience of the city without tourist crowds.

Getting There
Seville Airport connects to major European cities, with a convenient bus service to the city center (€4, 30 minutes). The Santa Justa train station offers high-speed connections from Madrid (2.5 hours) and Barcelona (5.5 hours). Within the city, the compact historic center makes self-guided tours Seville's best exploration method, though the efficient tram, metro, and bus network (€1.40 per journey) helps cover longer distances.

Opening Hours and Holidays
Most Seville attractions open around 10:00 AM and close between 18:00-20:00, with many observing the traditional siesta from 14:00-17:00. Museums typically close on Mondays. Shops follow similar patterns, though El Corte Inglés and shopping centers remain open throughout the day. During Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Feria de Abril, expect altered schedules and advance booking requirements for must-see places in Seville.

Comfort on the Go
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating Seville's cobblestone streets. Carry a water bottle, especially between May and September, and consider a hat and sunscreen as shade can be limited in plazas. Many historic buildings lack air conditioning, so a handheld fan (a local souvenir) proves useful. The city offers numerous public drinking fountains with safe, refreshing water.

Local Customs and Etiquette
Sevillanos typically eat lunch around 14:00 and dinner after 21:00—arriving earlier marks you as a tourist and may mean limited menu options. When ordering tapas, start with 2-3 plates per person and add more as needed. Tipping isn't obligatory but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated. When visiting churches or religious sites, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected.

How much time should I plan for a visit to Seville?
You need at least one full day to experience Seville's highlights. Our self-guided tours Seville can be completed in 3-4 hours if walked continuously, but the beauty of our audio guide is the flexibility to pause whenever you want. Most visitors spend a day exploring, stopping for tapas in Plaza Alfalfa or cooling off with horchata in a hidden courtyard.

What makes Seville different from other cities in Spain?
Seville embodies authentic Andalusian culture with its unique blend of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian influences. Unlike Barcelona or Madrid, Seville maintains a more intimate atmosphere with its orange-tree lined streets and the world's largest wooden structure (Metropol Parasol). The city is also the birthplace of flamenco and home to Spain's oldest royal palace still in use.

Why choose an audio guide instead of a guided tour in Seville?
An audio guide gives you complete freedom to explore Seville without a guide dictating your schedule. You can start whenever you want, take breaks for tapas or shopping, and revisit favorite spots—all impossible with traditional Seville sightseeing tours. Plus, our audio guide costs significantly less than group tours while providing deeper historical context than guidebooks.

Do I need internet while walking?
No, once downloaded, our Seville walking tours work completely offline. All maps, audio files, and directions function without data or WiFi. This is particularly useful in Seville's narrow streets of Santa Cruz and Triana where network coverage can sometimes be spotty. Just download everything before starting your exploration.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, though our audio guide is primarily written for adults, children from about 12 years old will enjoy the stories about Seville's hidden gems, legends of the Alcázar, and tales of Christopher Columbus. Younger children might appreciate the visual splendor of Plaza España and the gardens, though they may not follow all historical details.

Can I share the tour with my travel companions?
Absolutely! Our Seville walking tours can be enjoyed by multiple people. Each person can use their own smartphone with headphones, and we offer attractive discounts for multiple purchases. Check our Seville product page for current multi-user pricing options.

What else is there to do in Seville?
Beyond our audio guide, consider visiting the Archivo de Indias which houses documents from Spain's American empire, taking a cooking class to learn authentic Andalusian recipes, or enjoying sunset views from the Guadalquivir riverbanks. See our "Things to do in Seville" section for more complementary activities.

Is there a free tour in Seville?
While "free" walking tours exist in Seville, they typically expect tips of €10-15 per person, making them often more expensive than our audio guide. These large groups also make it difficult to hear guides in busy areas like the Cathedral square. Our self-guided tours Seville offer better value with guaranteed quality, privacy, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Who is CityAppTour?
We're a team of travelers passionate about sharing local stories. Our Seville audio guides are created by historians and locals who know which hidden courtyard houses the city's best orange trees and why certain streets curve in seemingly random directions. We transform ordinary walks into journeys through time.

How can I see Seville in one day?
To see Seville in one day, start early with our audio guide covering the historic center, then visit either the Alcázar or Cathedral in the afternoon (pre-book tickets to avoid lines). End your day with sunset views from Metropol Parasol or a riverside walk. Our route efficiently connects major highlights while including hidden spots most day-trippers miss.

When is the best time to avoid crowds at major attractions?
For the best experience at Seville's popular sites, visit the Cathedral before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM, and the Alcázar right at opening (9:30 AM) or during lunchtime (2:00-3:30 PM). The Plaza de España is magical around sunset when day-trippers have departed, and most tour groups avoid the summer heat between 1:00-5:00 PM—making it an excellent time for indoor attractions.

Where can I find authentic flamenco in Seville?
For authentic flamenco, skip tourist-oriented shows and head to La Carbonería for free performances or small venues in Triana like Casa Anselma. True aficionados should visit during the Bienal de Flamenco (held in even-numbered years) when world-class performers gather. Spontaneous performances sometimes occur in bars around Alameda de Hércules, especially after midnight on weekends.

"Le guide audio m'a révélé un côté totalement différent de Séville de celui que j'avais lu dans les guides touristiques. Les histoires sur les orangers et les cours cachées m'ont donné l'impression de découvrir la ville avec un ami connaissant bien l'endroit, plutôt que de suivre un itinéraire touristique classique." — Paul, France

"I've visited Seville three times before, but this self-guided tour showed me hidden gems I'd walked past without noticing. The freedom to stop for tapas whenever we wanted made this the most relaxed city exploration we've ever had." — Michael, Canada

"Als iemand die het haat gehaast te worden door must-see plekken in Sevilla, was deze audiogids perfect. Ik kon interessante secties opnieuw afspelen, alle foto's nemen die ik wilde, en toch fascinerende historische details leren die ik anders volledig zou hebben gemist." — Dirk, Nederland