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Guided tours2 hoursFree cancellation up to 24h before

Seville: Guided Walking Tour with Plaza de España Visit (2h, Metropol Parasol → Plaza de España)

2-hour guided walking tour of Seville from Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) to Plaza de España, passing Hotel Alfonso XIII, University of Seville and María Luisa Park. Official guide in English or Spanish. Operator: Sevillian Stories. Wheelchair accessible. From €32.

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Practical details

Duration
2 hours
Guide languages
Spanish · English
Mobile ticket
No need to print
Instant confirmation
Right after booking
Wheelchair accessible
Yes · flag it when booking
Minimum age
No restriction
Pets
Not allowed
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before

Highlights

  • 2-hour walking tour CULMINATING at Plaza de España — Seville's most photographed monument
  • Itinerary: Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) → Hotel Alfonso XIII → University of Seville (former Royal Tobacco Factory) → María Luisa Park → Plaza de España
  • Official licensed guide in English or Spanish
  • Wheelchair accessible (entire route is level or with ramps)
  • Operator: Sevillian Stories (licensed guides focused on city history)
  • Free 24h cancellation
  • Easy meeting point: under Las Setas (operator's sign visible)

Our take

The **ideal tour to discover modern Seville culminating at Plaza de España** — one of the most photographed urban spaces in Spain. Operated by Sevillian Stories (licensed guides), the 2-hour itinerary connects Metropol Parasol (modern 2011 icon) with Hotel Alfonso XIII (1928, Belle Époque luxury), University of Seville (former 18th-c. Royal Tobacco Factory) and Plaza de España (1928, Ibero-American Exposition), passing through María Luisa Park. **Plaza de España is FREE** if you go independently — the tour charges €32 for guide + efficient itinerary + historical context. If your only interest is the Plaza, go independently and save. If you're interested in Seville's transition from the 19th to 20th century (industrialization, Ibero-American Exposition, Aníbal González's Madrid), the tour is worth it. **Who it's for:** Seville first-timers wanting a first contact with the modern city, travellers interested in 20th-century architecture (regional modernism + neo-Mudéjar), couples and families valuing leisurely pace, wheelchair visitors (fully accessible), amateur photographers (Plaza España at the end is the visual climax). **Who it's NOT for:** 1-day visitors prioritizing UNESCO monuments (better Cathedral+Giralda+Alcázar combo), German/Italian/French speakers (this tour is only ES and EN), agile visitors who prefer to see Plaza España quickly without historical context (go independently by metro).

What's included

  • 2-hour guided walking tour
  • Official licensed guide in English or Spanish
  • Exterior visit to Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
  • Hotel Alfonso XIII view (exterior)
  • Visit to University of Seville (former Royal Tobacco Factory)
  • Visit to María Luisa Park
  • Visit to Plaza de España (exterior)

Not included

  • Interior entries (University, Plaza España are outdoor monuments)
  • Food and drink
  • Transport to meeting point
  • Gratuities (optional)

Good to know

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes (2 hours walking, ~3 km)
  • Water (especially in summer)
  • Camera or smartphone (Plaza de España is very photogenic)
  • Hat/cap in summer (part of route is outdoor)
  • Sunscreen in summer

Not suitable for

  • Visitors in a rush who only want Plaza de España (you can go independently by metro)
  • Those seeking interior entries (this tour is exterior — Plaza España, University, María Luisa are outdoor)
  • Anyone needing German, Italian, French (only ES and EN available)

Things to keep in mind

  • Tour runs rain or shine — bring an umbrella in autumn/winter
  • Operator: Sevillian Stories — licensed guides with good reputation
  • Tour ENDS at Plaza España — you can stay there afterwards taking photos or crossing the canal bridges
  • Plaza de España has rowing boats for rent (~€6 for 35 min) — very popular activity after the tour
  • Near Plaza de España there are restaurants — Casa Tomate, Ovejas Negras, Az-Zait
  • If going in July-August, prefer morning sessions (9:30-10 AM) — midday heat makes the tour hard

Meeting point

Meet your guide at **Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)**, in the main square under the structure, next to the Encarnación Market. Large and easily recognizable area in the city center. The guide holds a sign with the tour name. Arrive 10 minutes early.

Metro: Encarnación (line 1, own stop under Las Setas). Bus: lines 27, 32 (Encarnación stops). MetroCentro tram: Plaza Nueva (5 min walk). Las Setas are visible from 100 m — huge wooden structure that looks like giant mushrooms (hence the colloquial name). The guide is in the lower square under the structure, NOT up on the walkway. Arrive 10 min early — tour starts on time. Route covers ~3 km in 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

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The experience

What you'll see

A 2-hour guided walking tour from Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) to Plaza de España, passing through Hotel Alfonso XIII, University of Seville and María Luisa Park. Operated by Sevillian Stories with official guide in English or Spanish.

  • Metropol Parasol (Las Setas): laminated wood structure built in 2011, designed by Jürgen Mayer. The largest wooden construction in the world in its category. Exterior view + context on Seville's transition to modernity.
  • Hotel Alfonso XIII: 1928 Belle Époque luxury, built to host illustrious visitors during the Ibero-American Exposition. Neo-Mudéjar style. Exterior view.
  • University of Seville (former Royal Tobacco Factory): 18th-century building, setting of Bizet's opera Carmen. Today university faculties.
  • María Luisa Park: 34 hectares of gardens designed for the 1929 Exposition. Peacocks, themed gardens, gazebos, fountains.
  • Plaza de España (tour climax): semicircular 1928 complex, tiled benches of Spain's 48 provinces, 4 bridges representing the ancient kingdoms of Spain, canal navigable by rowing boats. Appearance in Star Wars Episode II and Lawrence of Arabia.

How it works

Book your date, time and language (Spanish or English).

Arrive 10 min early at Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) — in the main square under the structure, next to the Encarnación Market. Metro Encarnación (line 1). The guide holds a sign with the tour name.

Show your mobile voucher. Tour starts on time at the booked hour.

Follow the 2-hour itinerary with stops at Las Setas → Hotel Alfonso XIII → University → María Luisa Park → Plaza de España. Leisurely pace (~3 km in 2 hours).

Tour ENDS at Plaza de España — you can stay as long as you want (photos, rowing boats €6, walking the province benches). Returning to the centre: metro Prado de San Sebastián (5 min walk) or bus lines 1, 5, 6.

Who I recommend it to

  • Seville first-timers wanting a first contact with the modern city.
  • Travellers interested in 20th-century architecture (modernism + neo-Mudéjar + Aníbal González).
  • Couples and families valuing leisurely pace.
  • Wheelchair visitors (fully accessible).
  • Amateur photographers (Plaza España at the end is the visual climax).

Who I do NOT recommend it to

  • 1-day visitors prioritizing UNESCO monuments (Cathedral+Giralda+Alcázar combo).
  • German, Italian, French speakers (this tour is only ES and EN).
  • Agile visitors who prefer to see Plaza España quickly without context (go independently).
  • Those seeking interior entries (this tour is only exteriors).
  • Visitors with very tight budget (Plaza España is free independently).

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible — entire route is level or with adapted ramps. Las Setas has level access; Avenida de la Constitución (path to Plaza España) is wide and accessible; María Luisa Park has paved accessible paths; Plaza de España has ramps to the canal bridges. No blocking steps in the route.

Cancellation policy

FREE cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time — full refund. Within 24 hours: no refunds. Tour runs rain or shine. Date changes subject to availability.

Frequently asked questions

Why does it start at Las Setas and not Plaza de España directly?
**The itinerary is designed in optimal geographic order:** Las Setas (north) → historic center → Plaza España (south). This allows (1) walking Seville in chronological order — Las Setas is the modern monument (2011) marking the city's transition from old to modern; (2) ending the tour at PLAZA DE ESPAÑA, the visual climax of the route — one of the most photographed places in Spain; (3) not wasting time retracing steps. If you only want Plaza de España and nothing else, you can go independently by metro/bus in 20 min — but you'll miss the historical and architectural context.
What is Plaza de España and why is it important?
**Plaza de España** was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, designed by **Aníbal González**. It's a semicircular complex with: (1) a main building with two symmetrical towers (north and south), inspired by Spanish Renaissance; (2) a water canal surrounding the plaza, navigable by rowing boats; (3) four bridges representing the ancient kingdoms of Spain (Castile, León, Aragón, Navarre); (4) tiled benches with scenes of Spain's 48 provinces — one of the best examples of 20th-century tile art. Featured in films like Star Wars Episode II and Lawrence of Arabia. One of Seville's most photographed places.
What's the difference vs. `seville-small-group-city-highlights-walking-tour`?
**This tour (Plaza España, t1277605):** Specific itinerary Las Setas → Plaza España with focus on modern architecture + 1928 Expo. 2h, ES+EN, from €32. RECOMMENDED if your priority is to see Plaza de España with context. **City Highlights (t491716):** Classic itinerary Cathedral + Giralda + Royal Alcázar (exteriors) + Barrio Santa Cruz + Plaza España. 2h, max 10 people, 4.9/5. From €26. RECOMMENDED if you want a classic overview of UNESCO monuments. Key difference: this one focuses on Plaza España as destination; the other focuses on monumental old town.
Why does it cost more to visit Plaza de España here vs. going independently?
**Plaza de España is FREE** — it's a public outdoor space. You can go independently by metro (Prado de San Sebastián stop, 5 min walk) or bus (lines 1, 5, 6 stop nearby). The €32 cost of this tour covers: (1) **official licensed guide** explaining history, architecture and context of each stop (without guide it's just «photo tourism»); (2) **efficient itinerary** Las Setas → Plaza España with 5 intermediate stops you discover without planning; (3) **historical context** about Seville's transition from the 19th to 20th century. If your only interest is to see Plaza España and take photos, go independently and save. If you're interested in history and architecture, the tour is worth it.
Is there time to see the Plaza inside at the end of the tour?
The tour ENDS at Plaza de España — the guide says goodbye there and you can stay as long as you want. Most visitors stay 30-60 min more for: (1) photographing the plaza from different angles, (2) walking the 48 province benches (find yours or your region's), (3) crossing the canal bridges, (4) renting a rowing boat (~€6 for 35 min, ticket booth at the pond), (5) sitting in the porticoes admiring the ensemble. For sunset, golden light on the tiles is spectacular — afternoon session recommended for photos.

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