10 Things To Do In Seville With Kids
The Andalusian capital of Seville is a magical place. Visiting Seville brings you in contact with the vibrant culture of southern Spain, and can make for an unforgettable trip almost from the moment you arrive. The narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz drip with historic charm, and stunning historical monuments like the Royal Palace of Real Alcazar and Seville Cathedral make this a city like no other.
But if you're planning a family trip, you'll need things to do in Seville with the kids. You need activities the whole family can enjoy when you visit Seville. And you've come to the right place.
Culturally, Spain is an extremely child-friendly place. And being somewhere new can activate the imaginations of children like nothing else. Check out some of these kid-friendly activities on a family vacation in Seville, and you'll be able to strike a balance between keeping the kids entertained and seeing those parts of the city you want to see too.
Of course, visiting Seville with kids means bringing plenty of luggage, especially if you have younger kids. You can make things easier on yourself by dropping off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Seville. There are convenient storage locations near the Plaza de Armas, Seville Airport, and Sevilla Santa Justa Station. The last thing you need on your family trip is to have to worry about where to put your bags, so let Bounce deal with your belongings while you concentrate on enjoying yourself.
Maria Luisa Park
Located in the center of the city, the legendary Maria Luisa Park is not only one of the most beautiful parks in this wonderful city, but it's also one of the top free things to do in Seville with kids. The park offers a riverside location with tons of shady trees that will help you beat the heat of southern Spain, and the well-kept grassy lawns are the ideal place to have a picnic or toss a ball around. Check out the quirky fountains with their animal statues, or see the real thing on the Isleta de los Pajaros, home to ducks, swans, and peacocks, among other birds. Young kids can also feed the white pigeons that call the park home, and older kids can burn off some energy scaling the Monte Gurugu, the highest point in the park that offers impressive views of Seville. There are also playgrounds dotted throughout the park, making this a must-see location when you visit Seville with kids.
Plaza de España
Located within Maria Luisa Park, Plaza de España deserves its own entry on this list of things to do in Seville with kids. Built in 1929 for the World Fair, the impressive buildings combine Baroque, Gothic, and Moorish architecture to make this one of the most striking public squares in the city. Kids may not care about that, but Star Wars fans of any age will be more impressed to know that the Plaza de España was used to film scenes set on the planet of Naboo in Attack of the Clones.
Besides its impressive architecture, Plaza de España offers a circular canal where you can rent a boat and explore from the water, making this a great family activity. And since it's so close to one of Seville's most popular parks, there's no reason not to enjoy this iconic location.
Isla Magica Theme Park
Sometimes, when the kids are bored or you just need a break on your family vacation, only a theme park will do. Seville's Isla Magica has a Spanish colonial theme, so while it doesn't offer the recognizable characters you'll find at Disney World, it is at least culturally appropriate for the region. The rides and games in the park will keep kids busy and happy for hours, and you can also find plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can take a break and get something to eat. The park also contains a 4D cinema and an attached waterpark, Agua Magica, which is the ideal place to beat the summer heat of Seville.
River Cruise
Over the centuries, Seville has been shaped and defined by the presence of the Guadalquivir river. Many of the city's most important historic buildings lie along the river, the only navigable river in Spain, which is what made Seville such a major port during the glory days of the Spanish Empire.
Nowadays, the river is a great place to take a cruise and learn more about the city in the most relaxing way possible. But if that's a little boring for your kids, you can also rent a boat and explore by yourself. You can rent everything from paddle boats to rowboats to kayaks, so depending on the ages of your kids and their activity levels, you can have a real adventure on Seville's river. Plus, getting out on the water is a great way to combat the sometimes oppressive heat of southern Spain. Just remember to bring plenty of sunscreen.
Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a true icon of the city. Therefore, you can't really go to Seville and not see the Cathedral for yourself.
Depending on their ages, kids may not get as much out a visit to the Cathedral as adults. But if they've been learning about Christopher Columbus in school, they may find it interesting to see the impressive tomb of the explorer located just inside the door of the Cathedral. More likely, they'll enjoy a climb up Giralda bell tower, accessible by 35 ramps that lead to the very top. The view of the city center from up there is stunning, and the climb will help tire the kids out so that maybe, just maybe, you'll get a quiet night afterward.
Seville Aquarium
Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Seville with kids, Seville Aquarium boasts interactive exhibits and over 7000 animals to meet. Staying true to Seville's history, the Aquarium is organized according to the voyage of Magellan in 1519, and covers five different natural habitats. There's the city's own Guadalquivir river, the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon River, the Pacific Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. Each zone contains some of the animals Magellan and his men would've encountered on their globe-spanning voyage. Kids may not be too impressed by the history, but they certainly will be by the animals on display.
The aquarium also offers special events like summer camps and behind-the-scenes tours for kids. For a night out like no other, you can even sleep with the sharks, camping out in the glass tunnel underneath the shark tank and watching these ocean predators glide all around you. It's certain to give the kids a thrill during your family trip.
Flamenco classes
Andalusia is the home of flamenco dance, and seeing flamenco shows is one of the top things to do in Seville for visitors of any age. Although the noise may be a little much for younger children, older kids and adults alike may well be inspired by the passion of the performance.
If your kids are artistically inclined, consider taking them to a flamenco class. There are several kid-friendly classes taught by professional flamenco dancers throughout the city, and learning a few moves is a great way to let your children discover more about this culturally significant practice. Plus, it's a fun way for the entire family to get some exercise and celebrate the local culture while visiting Spain.
Real Alcazar
Located right next to Seville Cathedral in the barrio Santa Cruz, the Real Alcazar, the former royal palace of Seville, is an icon of the city and a truly unique building. The Arabic-inspired architecture is a legacy of Spain's period of Moorish rule, and the building is one of the top attractions in the city, making it a must-visit on your trip to Seville.
It can also be a great place to bring kids. Children under 16 get free admission, and you can also purchase an audio guide that will help bring the history to life. The palace and its gardens are absolutely huge, so bring good walking shoes. The many fountains and ponds of the sprawling palace have a way of fascinating kids, and the seemingly endless rooms are a great location for a game of hide and seek. Just make sure you don't get too lost in this majestic palace.
Tapas bars
Tapas is a fundamental part of Spanish culture, and you'll find that Seville is absolutely packed with tapas bars where you can enjoy the variety of small plates that can be eaten as a snack or as part of a larger meal.
If your kids aren't picky eaters, trying a variety of different tapas dishes is a great way to experience local culture while sampling delicious food. You can even take a kid-friendly tapas tour which will take you to some of the best tapas bars in the city to try a huge variety of classic Spanish and Andalusian dishes. If your children can keep an open mind about what they eat, this is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Seville with kids.
Torre del Oro
Built in the 13th century, the Torre del Oro or Golden Tower is another of Seville's iconic historic monuments. The small naval museum inside is free to enter, but may not be of too much interest to children. Unfortunately, even the best museums in Seville, fascinating as they are, can be a snooze for kids. Instead, they'll probably prefer the great view of the city from the roof of the tower and have fun climbing the ancient fortification that has guarded the river for centuries. Plus, it's also a great way to burn off some of their energy.
What are the best family activities in Seville?
Maria Luisa Park is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with kids in Seville. Seville's weather is practically perfect for outdoor activities, and this is a wonderful place where they can play and you can relax, making for a great family vacation for everyone. Plus, it's completely free to visit, which can help with the family budget.
Isla Magica is usually a hit with kids too, but if you don't feel like spending your holiday in a theme park, taking a boat out on the river is a great way for kids to have fun and for you to enjoy some of the culture of the city. Plus, you may be surprised by how much your children enjoy exploring the massive Real Alcazar. And if your kids aren't picky eaters, a tapas tour is a classically Spanish activity that the whole family can enjoy.
Conclusion
Historic cities are often beautiful, but sometimes lack things to do to keep kids entertained. Seville's ancient history that stretches back before the Roman Empire may not appeal all that much to youngsters, but fortunately, the city does have much more to offer to families than just its ancient buildings. With so many beautiful parks (and excellent weather to enjoy them in), great restaurants, and fascinating culture, Seville has more than enough to make your family trip an exciting one.
Traveling with kids presents plenty of its own challenges, so the last thing you need is to be carrying more than you need to. Dropping off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage will make it far easier to relax and have a good time while you see everything Seville has to offer.