Night Tours in Seville

When night falls, Seville turns into a fairytale city. Strolling through its alleys is like taking a trip back in time. You will feel as if you were in the Golden Age, when Seville was a central axis of trade with America. After sunset, the monuments glow in the dark and the waters of the Guadalquivir reflect the light. Can you imagine being told stories as you stroll through the Andalusian capital at night? Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Seville at night is a guided tour and these are the best.

We start with a classic route that touches on some monuments and points of interest before concluding at a tablao. As usual, these routes focus on the area around the Palacio de San Telmo and include the following stages:

• Plaza de España, the jewel of Aníbal González. It occupies an area of 50,000 square metres and is dominated by a palace in the regionalist style. In the lower part, tiles represent the Spanish provinces and a navigable canal runs around the perimeter of the square. This marvellous place has been used as a set for the big and small screen; films ("The Dictator", "Lawrence of Arabia", "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones", etc.) and series ("Game of Thrones") have been shot here.
• Torre del Oro, a watchtower built in the Almohad period. It delimited the access to the old port of Seville.
• María Luisa Park. The most beautiful garden in the city is located a stone's throw from Plaza de España and is a true oasis of peace. It contains ponds, fountains, monuments and the Archaeological Museum. It bears the signature of the French gardener Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, who also designed Mount Gurugú, a miniature replica of the mountain of the same name in Melilla. It is a tribute to the fallen of the Rif War. From the top you can enjoy one of the best views of Seville.
• Plaza de América, an elegant space inside the park. A pond with water lilies frames a pavilion from the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition which now houses the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs.
• Casino de la Exposición, a small palace built by the Valencian architect Vicente Traver y Tomás in neo-baroque style. It currently hosts art exhibitions and cultural activities.

As you will have understood, these tours focus on the legacy of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, an event that changed the face of Seville. After the walk, the guide will take you to a flamenco tablao where you will enjoy the dancers' performances. These tours usually include a drink and one or more tapas.

• Duration: more than 3 hours
• Price: from €50

Triana is the most famous and picturesque quarter of Seville. It is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir and its history is linked to both the river and maritime explorations.

It was home to a School of Seafarers that trained the crews that sailed to America. For example, Magellan and Elcano's famous round-the-world voyage started from here.

Triana is many things: cradle of flamenco, home of the first Spanish aeronautical industry, centre of the Inquisition and, above all, a neighbourhood with its own identity.

A nocturnal visit will give you the chance to see its monuments illuminated by street lamps and, with a bit of luck, by the luminescence of the full moon. The routes usually have the following stages:

• Capilla del Carmen, an icon of the neighbourhood. It is located next to the Isabel II bridge and is nicknamed "el mechero" (the lighter) because of its resemblance to the old tinder lighters. The project was designed by Aníbal González, the same architect who designed one of Seville's must-see monuments, Plaza España.
• Castillo de San Jorge, a defensive bastion that became the centre of the Seville Inquisition. It now houses a museum dedicated to religious repression.
• Patio de Monipodio, a house on the corner of Calle Troya and Calle Betis. Miguel de Cervantes "used" it as a backdrop for his novel "Rinconete y Cortadillo".
• Capilla de los Marineros (Chapel of the Sailors), the temple that houses the Virgen de la Esperanza de Triana. In addition to the figure of Mary, the chapel is known for its richly decorated red pinewood ceiling.
• Cava de los gitanos, today's Calle Pagés del Corro. It was home to a large gypsy community and flamenco is considered to have been born in this part of the city.
• Isabel II Bridge, the elegant footbridge built by the French engineers Steinacher and Bernadet. It was the first bridge to cross the Guadalquivir.

Triana is beautiful and when night falls it takes on a magical touch. Make the most of the opportunity to listen to the guide's explanations and take suggestive photos. Please note that these tours do not usually include food and drink. If you stop for a drink, it's at your own expense.

• Duration: about 2 hours
• Price: between 10 € and 5 €.

Did you know that Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world? It was built in several stages and is a true symbol of the city along with the Giralda, the bell tower attached to it. If the exterior is already a jewel in its own right, inside there is much more to discover...

In addition to the tombs of Christopher Columbus and other kings and aristocrats, you will see numerous altars, chapels and sculptures moulded by the best artists of the time. Night tours often include a walk below deck. You'll get a bird's eye view of the Cathedral and discover the stories of the people who built it.

Please note that the temple is very busy and tours often sell out quickly. I recommend booking your tickets in advance. For more info I recommend you to read the post how to visit Seville Cathedral and the Giralda.

• Duration: 1 hour and a half
• Price: around 20 €.

Long before the Reconquest, the Caliph of Cordoba Abderrahman III ordered the construction of a fortress on the foundations of a Roman building: thus was born the Real Alcázar of Seville.

The building was extended and modified both by his successors and by the Christian kings, and today has five different styles: Mudejar, Gothic, Mannerist, Renaissance and Baroque.

The Real Alcázar of Seville is the oldest royal residence in use in Europe. It is located in the heart of the city, a stone's throw from the Palace of San Telmo and the Cathedral of Santa María. Its main attraction is the Palace of Pedro I, a collection of rooms, gardens and corridors for the exclusive use of the monarch. Other highlights include the Casa de la Contratación, the Cuarto Real Alto (the official residence of the Kings) and the Gothic Palace, among others.

The night visits are usually dramatised and revolve around the painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. He was the master of chiaroscuro and tenebrist techniques, which he learned from Flemish artists, Velázquez and the Italian Renaissance. He almost always lived in Seville and the Real Alcázar houses one of his paintings: San Francisco Solano and the Bull.

The show begins with the representation of a young Murillo who arrives at the Palace of King Don Pedro after having been rejected from a ship bound for the Americas. From this the whole story unfolds. The evening tours take place during the weekend and are for groups of a maximum of 45 people.

• Duration: 1 hour and a half
• Price: around 15 €.

Before the edict of Granada and the subsequent expulsion of the Sephardim, the Santa Cruz quarter was the Jewish quarter of Seville. In these streets time seems to have stood still, and if you visit it after sunset you will enjoy its relaxed atmosphere even more. The night-time routes will help you discover the most important corners and monuments:

• Church of Santa María la Blanca, one of the most beautiful churches in Seville. Although the exterior is rather plain, behind the threshold hides a marvellous interior. Its richly decorated vault is spectacular, as is the figure of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows).
• Plaza de Santa Cruz, the place that gives its name to the neighbourhood. A synagogue used to stand on this very spot.
• Calle del Agua, a street named after an ancient aqueduct.
• Murillo Gardens. Until 1862 they formed part of the Royal Alcazars of Seville, while today they are one of the most attractive spots in the Andalusian capital. You will walk under orange trees, ficus and magnolia trees.
• Calle Fabiola and the remains of the old city walls.
• Plaza de la Alfalfa, the heart of Roman Seville. Here you will find some of the best tapas bars in the city.

More than a big city, this part of Seville is reminiscent of an Andalusian village with its typical alleyways lined with orange trees.

The guide will tell you the stories linked to the neighbourhood and the legend of the Susona, a Jewish woman known for her great beauty. The tours usually start in front of the Casa de la Memoria, a cultural centre that hosts flamenco performances and exhibitions (Calle Cuna 6).

• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Price: about 10 €.

The centre of the Andalusian capital concentrates the main mysteries of the city. In these streets, ghosts and mysteries are more common than you think and thanks to these itineraries you will discover a different side of Seville. The routes stop at all or some of the following attractions:

• Ghost Restaurant, Seville's Bermuda Triangle. Electronic devices stop working and some objects change places for no apparent reason. The guide will tell you about all the terrifying happenings in this place.
• Facultad de Bellas Artes, the former Casa Profesa de la Compañía de Jesús in the heart of the old town. A few years ago, some cleaners noticed that something strange was going on here...
• Hospital de las 5 llagas, the seat of the Andalusian Parliament. The deputies are not the only ones to walk its corridors...
• Former Vilima warehouses, an icon of the city that was never the same after a devastating fire. It is located in Calle Lagar, a short distance from the Setas de Sevilla. By the way, from the top you can enjoy one of the best views of the Andalusian capital.
• Cuna maldita, a little bed where you wouldn't leave your child for a minute.
• British Institute, the academy in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. A few years ago, during renovation work, the remains of a young girl were found along with a bronze candelabrum.
• Casa de las Sirenas, a romantic mansion in the Alameda de Hércules. A lost soul still enjoys its elegant rooms.
• Plaza San Leandro, a peaceful urban corner with a fountain known as Pila del Pato (Duck's Basin)
• Casa Fabiola, a 16th century palace that houses the Bellver Museum, a collection of more than 500 works by various artists. Those who work here often see inexplicable phenomena...

In addition to the explanations of an experienced guide, the routes often include images and audios recorded in these same places. This way you can immerse yourself in the stories and enjoy the tour even more. The tours usually start in a central location such as Plaza de la Encarnación or Plaza del Triunfo.

• Duration: between 1.5 and 2 hours.
• Price: around €15

It may be because of the reflections on the river or perhaps because of the silhouette of the Giralda illuminated in yellow. One thing is certain, Seville is even more beautiful at night. Its monuments gleam in the darkness creating a romantic picture of rare beauty.

Moreover, it can be an ideal option if you visit the city in summer. During the day, temperatures often reach 40ºC and walking becomes difficult.

It depends on the day and the means of transport. Metro Sevilla is an easy and economical option. You can't go wrong: it has a single line. The price of a single ticket depends on the sections and ranges from €1.35 to €1.8. As for the timetable, it works as follows:

• from 6:30 to 23:00 (Monday to Thursday)
• from 6:30 to 2:00 (Fridays and on the eve of public holidays)
• from 7:30 to 2:00 (Saturday)
• from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Sunday and public holidays)

Buses in Seville are managed by the company TUSSAM. It has dozens of lines operating at different times. They generally start at around 5:00 and finish at midnight, although there are exceptions.

I recommend you to have a look at the official website. For more info I recommend you to read the post about how to get around Seville.