Where to eat, drink and go out in Seville: 29 picks for study-abroad students, with student-vetted picks marked and prices in dollars.
Cafe · Seville centre
Student-vetted pick.
A coffee shop that study-abroad students use for breakfast, bagels and study breaks.
Best for: a bagel breakfast, studying
Best time: morning or a study break
From a student who went: “Refreshing bagels and great staff.”
Brunch · Alfalfa
Student-vetted pick.
A café-bar in the Alfalfa known for brunch, with cocktails and live music later on.
Best for: a hangover brunch, drinks and live music later
Best time: late morning
From a student who went: “The best hungover brunch place.”
Restaurant · Santa Catalina
Said to be Seville's oldest bar, from 1670: tiles, hams and tabs chalked on the bar. Order the espinacas con garbanzos and the carrillada.
Best for: a classic tapas dinner
Best time: dinner
Live music · Santa Cruz
A small flamenco venue near the cathedral with short, intimate shows: the honest way to see flamenco.
Best for: seeing real flamenco before dinner
Booking: Book a show time ahead; the room is small.
Best time: 7:30 or 9 PM show
Bar · Santa Cruz
A packed standing tapas bar where waiters chalk your order on the bar. Cheap and lively.
Best for: cheap tapas near the cathedral
Best time: evening
Restaurant · San Lorenzo
An award-winning tapas bar known for creative small plates like its slow-cooked egg.
Best for: a top tapas dinner
Booking: Expect to wait at the bar; the restaurant side takes bookings.
Best time: dinner
Restaurant · El Arenal
Bright, modern tapas; the Galician-style octopus gets the praise.
Best for: modern tapas
Booking: Go off-peak or expect a queue.
Best time: dinner
Bar · Centro (near the cathedral)
An 1850 bodega with huge clay wine jars and simple tapas.
Best for: an old-Seville drink
Best time: early evening
Bar · San Lorenzo
Open since 1898, with Holy Week decor and famous croquetas.
Best for: croquetas
Best time: evening
Restaurant · San Lorenzo / Alameda
Creative tapas that guides rate among the city's best.
Best for: a creative tapas dinner
Best time: dinner
Sight · Santa Cruz
The royal palace of tiled courtyards, arches and gardens. The thing to see in Seville.
Best for: the one essential Seville sight
Price: $ — roughly $18
Booking: Book a timed ticket on the official site; slots sell out.
Best time: first slot of the morning
Sight · Centro
The vast Gothic cathedral; the visit includes climbing the Giralda bell tower by ramps for the view.
Best for: the view from the Giralda, the big cathedral
Price: $ — roughly $15
Best time: morning
Sight · Parque de María Luisa
A huge semicircular plaza of tiled alcoves, bridges and a canal, inside the María Luisa park. Free.
Best for: free photos, a park afternoon
Best time: late afternoon
Viewpoint · Encarnación
The giant wooden 'mushroom' canopy with a walkway on top over the old town's roofs.
Best for: sunset over the city
Best time: sunset
Walk · Triana
Across the river: ceramics shops, the Triana market and riverside bars on Calle Betis with views back to the city.
Best for: a walk and a drink by the river
Best time: late afternoon
Area · Centro
The square in front of El Salvador church where crowds drink on the church steps before dinner.
Best for: a cheap pre-dinner drink outdoors
Best time: early evening
Garden · south of the centre
The shady park around Plaza de España, with tiled fountains and pavilions.
Best for: a free green afternoon
Best time: afternoon
Club · Plaza de la Legión (by the Plaza de Armas bus station)
Student-vetted pick.
A big three-floor club in the old Córdoba railway station, with a terrace and different music on each floor; often the last stop after the Paseo de Colón bars.
Best for: the big end-of-night club
Best time: after 2:30 AM, Fri–Sat
From a student who went: “The best club in Seville.”
Cocktail bar · by the Guadalquivir river
Student-vetted pick.
A cocktail bar with a terrace looking over the river.
Best for: a sunset cocktail by the river
Best time: sunset
From a student who went: “Great drinks and an outdoor atmosphere with college students.”
Pub · El Arenal (Calle Gamazo 3)
Student-vetted pick.
A busy beer bar with about 15 taps and 250+ bottled beers from around the world, plus simple Andalusian tapas.
Best for: beer that is not Cruzcampo
Best time: evening
From a student who went: “A great bar with a lot on draft and good vibes.”
Pub · Centro (Calle Canalejas 12)
Student-vetted pick.
One of Seville's oldest Irish pubs, open since 1999: dark wood, three floors, a pool table, sport on TV, English-speaking staff and an Irish breakfast.
Best for: a pint of Guinness, watching sport, an easy night with friends
Best time: evening; sport on the screens
From a student who went: “My favorite. It has Guinness and good ciders.”
Rooftop · Seville centre
Student-vetted pick.
A terrace and rooftop bar with views over the city and a cocktail menu.
Best for: a sunset cocktail with a view
Best time: sunset
From a student who went: “Amazing views and amazing cocktails.”
Bar · Santa Catalina
A tiny, cheap beer bar where locals drink small cold beers standing in the street.
Best for: a cheap first drink, local crowd
Best time: early evening
Area · Alameda
A long tree-lined square lined with bars and terraces: the young, alternative heart of Seville at night.
Best for: a bar night, terraces, a mixed crowd
Best time: from about 11 PM
Bar · Centro (Calle Boteros)
A theatrical bar covered in Holy Week religious decor. Order the "Sangre de Cristo".
Best for: the strangest bar in Seville
Best time: late evening
Bar · Alameda de Hércules
A café by day and cocktail lounge by night on the Alameda.
Best for: a relaxed drink on the Alameda
Best time: evening
Rooftop · Plaza Nueva
A hotel rooftop bar with views of the old town skyline and the Giralda.
Best for: a sunset view
Best time: sunset
Club · Isla de la Cartuja
A large club in a former Expo 92 pavilion; smart-casual dress code.
Best for: a big club night
Price: $ — entry roughly $12–29
Best time: after 1:30 AM
Heads up: Smart-casual dress code.
Live music · Alameda de Hércules
An indie and alternative live-music club on the Alameda that runs very late.
Best for: indie music and a late night
Best time: late