Plaza de España

While the buildings of the Plaza de España mostly house government offices, the tiled alcoves make for a pleasant stroll; each of the 48 alcoves depicts scenes from one province of Spain. Due to the plaza’s popularity, it’s almost always included as a stop on Seville sightseeing tours (walking tours, bike tours, and river cruises), along with other points of interest like the Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla), Alcázar royal palace (Real Alcázar), and the Santa Cruz quarter.

• The Plaza de España is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Seville.

• Don’t forget to wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat, as the central portion of the plaza doesn’t offer much shade.

• Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk; the plaza is the size of five football fields.

• The flat plaza is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers, as are some of the surrounding sights.

The Plaza de España sits near the river in the historic district (Centro Histórico) of Seville. It’s easily (and best) accessed on foot; bear left upon entering Maria Luisa Park.

While the alcoves are shaded, much of the plaza is exposed to the intense Spanish sun, so plan to visit from September to May when the sunshine is welcome rather than scorching. To experience the plaza with the fewest crowds, visit first thing in the morning or in the early evening.

If you spend some time observing visitors within the plaza, you’ll likely notice Spanish couples and families having their pictures taken in front of the colorful ceramic tiled alcoves. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for visiting Spaniards to snap a photo on their home province’s bench.