With kids · Seville · Spain
Seville with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alonso de Mendoza, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Seville suits families thanks to flat streets, shady parks and early-evening street life where children are welcome everywhere. Plan outdoor visits for mornings and evenings in the warmer months. Top picks: Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa and Isla Mágica. Families usually base themselves in El Arenal.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- El Arenal
- Rainy-day options
- 0
- Busiest months
- April
Best things to do with kids
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Architecture · Parque de María Luisa
1.Plaza de España
Aníbal González's semicircular brick-and-tile complex was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. A canal crossed by four tiled bridges curves in front of it, and along the walls are tiled alcoves representing Spanish provinces, each with a map and historical scene. You can rent a rowing boat on the canal.
Come in the early morning or the hour before sunset, when the light warms the brick and the crowds and heat ease.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
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Park · Parque de María Luisa
2.Parque de María Luisa
Seville's main park is a shady landscape of palms, orange trees, ponds, tiled benches and fountains laid out for the 1929 Exposition. The Plaza de América at its southern end holds the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Popular Arts, and the doves in the square are popular with children.
Use the park as a cool, shady route between Plaza de España and the river on hot afternoons.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Theme park · Isla de la Cartuja
3.Isla Mágica
A theme park on the site of the Expo '92 world's fair, themed on the age of exploration, with roller coasters, water rides, shows and an adjoining water park, Agua Mágica. It opens seasonally, mainly from spring to autumn.
On hot days, go late in the afternoon and finish at the water park.
- Time needed
- A full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
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Palace · Barrio Santa Cruz
4.Real Alcázar
Built largely for King Pedro I in the 14th century by craftsmen from Granada and Toledo, the Alcázar is the finest Mudéjar palace in Spain, with the Patio de las Doncellas, the gilded Hall of Ambassadors and acres of gardens with pavilions, fountains and peacocks. Its upper floors are still used by the Spanish royal family, and it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Cathedral.
Book the first entry slot of the day and save the gardens for the end, when the palace rooms get crowded.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Timed tickets sell out days ahead in spring and autumn; buy on the official site in advance.
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Landmark · El Arenal
5.Torre del Oro
The 13th-century Almohad watchtower on the riverbank once anchored a chain across the Guadalquivir to protect the port. It now houses a small naval museum, and its terrace looks over the river towards Triana.
Combine it with a walk along the river promenade towards the Triana bridge at sunset.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Experience · El Arenal
6.Guadalquivir river cruise
One-hour boat trips leave from the quay beside the Torre del Oro and pass the Triana bridge, the Maestranza, the pavilions of Expo '92 and the Plaza de España end of the river. Sunset sailings are the most pleasant in summer.
Take a sunset sailing in summer, when the breeze on the water is a relief from the heat.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for families, first-timers and food lovers
El Arenal
Between the Cathedral and the river, El Arenal was the port district when Seville controlled trade with the Americas. Today it is home to the Maestranza bullring, the Torre del Oro, the Teatro de la Maestranza and traditional bars around Calle Adriano. Its flat streets and river promenade make it an easy, central base.
- Good
- Central and flat; Riverside walks; Traditional tapas bars
- Watch out
- Fewer budget options; Busy around the bullring on event days
- Nearby
- Torre del Oro, Plaza de toros de la Maestranza, Seville Cathedral, Triana Bridge
Family travel tips
- Rent a rowing boat on the Plaza de España canal; children love it.
- Avoid midday sightseeing from May to September; follow the local pattern of a long afternoon break.
- Children are welcome in tapas bars and stay out late with their families.
- Carry water and sunhats; the Alcázar gardens and Parque de María Luisa provide shade.
- Holy Week crowds can be overwhelming for small children; watch processions from quieter side streets.
Day trips for families
- Itálica (About 25 minutes by bus) — The ruins of the Roman city where the emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born include one of the largest amphitheatres in the Roman world, mosaic floors and street grids.
When to go with children
The best months overall are March–May and October–November. April is the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seville good for kids?
Seville suits families thanks to flat streets, shady parks and early-evening street life where children are welcome everywhere. Plan outdoor visits for mornings and evenings in the warmer months.
+What can kids do in Seville?
Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, Isla Mágica, Real Alcázar and Torre del Oro.
+Where should families stay in Seville?
El Arenal: Riverside quarter of the bullring, Torre del Oro and old-school bars.