Reading about the same old tourist attractions in Seville can get pretty repetitive, right? That’s why I’ve put together this list of hidden gems in Seville plus more fun things to do that you probably won’t find on most tourists’ travel itineraries.
If it’s your first time visiting Seville you can get some great itinerary ideas for your trip by reading my article on how to spend 3 days in Seville where I talk more about the “must-see” attractions in town. However, if you’ve already seen all the top tourist destinations or you’re based here and just want to find the non-touristy things to do in Seville, read on for my comprehensive list of the seven best hidden gems in town.
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1. Watch a film at Cine Yelmo in style
Located in Lagoh shopping center (Centro Comercial Lagoh Sevilla), Cine Yelmo is hands down the best cinema in Seville and a must-visit if you want to see a film in Seville. If you’re in the center of Seville and you want to catch a flick, your two closest options are Avenida 5 Cines and mk2 Cinesur Nervión Plaza. The former is quite charming yet very uncomfortable while the latter fails to provide enough showtimes for films in original audio (which are usually labeled “VOSE” or versión original con subtítulos en español).
Cine Yelmo, on the other hand, blows both of these central cinemas out of the water and is absolutely worth the short car journey to get there. If you’re looking for alternatives to tourist attractions while you’re in Seville, you should visit Cine Yelmo. Here’s just a few reasons why it’s the best cinema around and one of the top hidden gems in Seville:
- Bigger and better sound: Is there a particular blockbuster movie you’re desperate to watch on the big screen? Maximize the experience by watching it here where the speakers’ immense sound will blow your socks off.
- Comfortable and adjustable seats: Plunge yourself into these huge leather seats and you’ll never want to watch another 2 hour feature film anywhere else. These immensely comfortable also come with a neat control panel built into the armrest that allows you to adjust the angle of both the foot rest and the back of the chair.
- More bang for your buck: Avenida 5 Cine is probably the cheapest cinema in Seville but unfortunately you do get what you pay for. mk2 Cinesur Nervión Plaza is very overpriced but Cine Yelmo is definitely worth the money considering the overall experience you get. Find out what’s on and their prices here.
Did I mention that the cinema is also inside the biggest and best shopping center in Seville? Once you’ve finished your movie you can continue to explore the Lagoh shopping center or get a bite to eat in any of the various restaurants inside the food plaza.
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How to get there
If you’re in the center of Seville, the cheapest way to get to Centro Commercial Lagoh Sevilla is by taking the number 3 bus from Paseo Colón to Paseo de Europa to Bolonia. Once there you can walk to cinema in about 10 minutes. If you can’t be bothered with all that, a taxi should get you there in less than 10 minutes for about 9 or 10 euros.
2. See the city at night from the top of Las Setas
If you’re at all familiar with this place, you might be scratching your head wondering why I included this in my list of hidden gems in Seville. Visiting Las Setas de Seville (Metropol Parasol) is probably on most people’s travel itineraries and I even included it in my recommendations of essential things to do in Seville, which you can check out in my comprehensive guide to visiting Seville here.
But Las Setas’ appeal at night is often overlooked as most people prefer to go up during the day. At night, however, the unique structure lights up with an array of colors that brings further life to an area already buzzing with restaurants and bars. If you want cool stuff to do in Seville, head to the top of Las Setas de Sevilla at night and enjoy this unique experience with friends or family before heading down for a tall drink or some evening tapas.
Top tip: Book your tickets for around sunset and you can enjoy the best of both worlds (day and night) if you want to stick around long enough. I don’t recommend visiting the top during the middle of the day as it will probably be extremely hot depending on the time of year and you’ll struggle to get great photographs with the sun so high in the sky anyway.
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3. Have some responsible fun in Casino Admiral
I lived here for a good couple of years before I realized the city had a casino and Casino Admiral was definitely a very pleasant surprise. The reason this casino managed to evade me for so long is because it’s not actually in the city center. You’ll have to take a metro out to Tomares if you want to visit but it’s definitely worth the effort. In fact, there are many incredible places you can visit outside the city center while you’re in Seville. Click here and discover the 7 best day trips from Seville.
If you’re used to frequenting big casinos, you might find Casino Admiral quite small inside but remember that Spain isn’t generally known for them. However, it’s certainly one of the less well known things to do in Seville that won’t be packed with tourists if that’s what you’re looking for. The casino has a dedicated poker room where you can participate in poker tournaments or there’s other games on offer like bingo and countless slot machines.
It’s perhaps one of the more unusual things to do in Seville but it’s not a bad way to mix up your travel itinerary while you’re here. There’s also a number of highly recommended restaurants inside such as Kaori, a delicious Japanese restaurant that serves some of the best sushi in Seville.
How to get there
From the center of Seville — let’s say Torre de Oro — you can take either the M-140 or M-143 bus to Hipercor from Paseo de Cristóbal Colón before walking 15 minutes to the casino or taking a taxi. Alternatively, you can take the metro from Puerta Jerez metro station to San Juan Alto and then walk 10/15 minutes to the casino or jump in an Uber.
4. Make a splash paddle surfing on Rio Guadalquivir
Actually, the aim of successful paddle surf should be to make as few “splashes” as possible. Nevertheless, this definitely qualifies as one of my top hidden gems in Seville — especially in summer. As I’ll explain further, stand-up paddle surfing is perfectly possible for anyone to enjoy, not just the locals. So next time you see people making their way up the Rio Guadalquivir on paddle boards and want to give it a try too, rest assured that there are good options available to you.
Kayaking is also available and it’s definitely easier than paddle surf if you’re interested in something a little less physically taxing. Paddle surfing on the river is also perfect if you’re interested in fun things to do in Seville and want some alternatives to the usual tourist hot spots. The water on the river is almost always very calm and the only ripples that may throw you off balance will be from boats passing by through the middle of the river.
Where to find kayaking and paddle surfing in Seville
Check out the two best places for stand-up paddle surfing in Seville:
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5. Enjoy panoramic views from the top of Torre Sevilla
It’s by far the most noticeable building in Seville but did you know it’s also home to one of the best hidden gems in Seville? Terraza Atalaya is located at the very top of the skyscraper and visitors can choose from a variety of cocktails to sip on while simultaneously drinking in the magnificent 360° views of Seville.
The bar also has a food menu if you feel like eating there but I recommend grabbing food elsewhere before ending the night with a drink here. You can visit during the day for a small fee but if you visit during the evening remember that you’ll have to pay double (although a cocktail is included in the price).
Torre Sevilla is not slap bang in the center so you’ll have to walk there.
How to get there
I recommend walking into Triana and then to the Torre Sevilla from there. You can head there by following the road through the Triana neighborhood but I recommend walking by the river for a more scenic route where you can see boats, kayaks, and paddle surfers pass by.
6. Soak up the good vibes in AIRE Ancient Baths Sevilla
A trip to AIRE Ancient Baths Seville will be like no other spa day you’ve experienced before. Just meters from the famous Catedral de Sevilla, this stunning Mudejar-style bath house is home to numerous baths and spa treatments. Inside you’ll feel like royalty as you bathe in what feels like an Arabic palace and the terrace even has some of the best views of the famous Giralda next to the Catedral de Sevilla.
This really is one of the most underrated places to go in Seville and it’s not somewhere most tourists often hear about prior to visiting Seville. Less well known places like this are a treat to discover though and only add to the mystery and allure of this charming city.
This establishment also offers a variety of experiences and treatments to choose from. You can enjoy everything from athlete targeted massages to wine orientated experiences. However, keep in mind that prices here are far from cheap. For example, the “Signature Wine Experience” which includes access to a wine bath and various massages is 150€ per person. It’s not cheap but some experiences worth remembering rarely are!
If you have the money, I highly recommend booking an experience here while you’re in Seville as I believe it to be one of the most amazing hidden gems in Seville — this place will really impress you.
Summary
It’s quite a task finding a new city’s best kept “secret” spots if you’re not familiar with the area already. And that’s why we like to give you content that’s written by locals that know the city they’re talking about inside out. These hidden gems in Seville are some of my favorites but they’re by no means the only gems around.
Keep your eyes peeled for a part 2 to accompany this post, which will give you even more non-touristy things to do in Seville. And make sure you follow us on our social media channels so that you don’t miss out.
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