Best museums in Seville that are worth your time

With a history as rich as Seville’s, it’s no surprise the city is packed with museums that tell stories of its past. The best places to visit include museums which focus on art, showing both historical and contemporary pieces. Others explore the distinctive traditions of Andalusia. You can learn about bullfighting, flamenco, or Seville's Easter processions — no matter your interests, Seville has you covered.

1. See the Maritime Museum at the Torre del Oro

History museum

Many visitors only admire the Torre del Oro from the outside. However, go inside the tower, and you'll find Seville's very own Maritime Museum. It's set over several floors and houses maps, flags, and scale models of ships.

Highlights:

Don't miss the paintings and prints of Seville in the 16th century. They show the city in its golden age when the docks were at their busiest.

Address and opening hours:

Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, 41001 Seville. Open daily 9:30 AM-6:45 PM.

2. Learn about the conquistadors at the General Archive of the Indies

History museum

It's hard to imagine a more thorough collection than that of the General Archive of the Indies. This museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Spanish Empire in the Americas, contains over 80 million pages of archive material.

Highlights:

The correspondence here is a scholarly reference library and can be dry for many visitors. However, the collection of New World maps is fascinating and well worth exploring.

Address and opening hours:

Avenida de la Constitución, 41004 Seville. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM.

3. See an open-air museum at Itálica

History museum

If you're interested in ancient Roman history, Itálica is an absolute must. This open-air museum has an enormous, well-preserved amphitheater and some beautiful mosaics. It was also the birthplace of Roman emperors Hadrian and Trajan.

Highlights:

Spend a day immersed in history with a Roman City and Medieval Monastery Tour. After visiting Itálica, you'll stop at the medieval Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo.

Address and opening hours:

Avenida Extremadura 2, 41970 Santiponce, Seville. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.

4. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts for top Spanish artists

Art museum

Painters like El Greco, Goya, and native Sevillian Velázquez all have works on display in the Museum of Fine Arts. This is the second-largest art gallery in Spain and is a real treat. The collections focus on Spanish art from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, as well as the Andalusian Gothic tradition.

Highlights:

To learn more about the history of Spanish art, take a guided tour. Your guide will also tell you more about the wonderfully atmospheric former convent building.

Address and opening hours:

Plaza del Museo 9, 41001 Seville. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 AM-9:00 PM.

5. Admire the extensive collection of the Palacio de las Dueñas

Art museum

Art lovers were delighted When the Duke of Alba opened his home to visitors in 2016. This stately home is a stunning location, with its lemon grove and Moorish gardens. Its art collection is an eclectic mix, from Roman sculptures to Flemish tapestries.

Highlights:

As you explore the Palacio de Las Dueñas, you might be surprised to see a watercolor by Jackie Kennedy, who stayed in the building in 1960.

Address and opening hours:

Calle Dueñas 5, 41003 Seville. Open daily 10:00 AM-7:00 PM.

6. Explore contemporary pieces at the CAAC

Art museum

While most visitors to Seville come for the history, the city is also home to one of Spain's best modern art museums. At the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contempóraneo, you can see works by the best modern Andalusian artists. The center also often hosts jazz concerts and flamenco shows in the evenings.

Highlights:

Check out the design of the building as you explore. It was once a ceramic factory and many of the factory pieces have been integrated into the museum.

Address and opening hours:

Calle Américo Vespucio 2, 41092 Seville. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 AM-9:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM-3:30 PM.

7. Uncover the secrets of Moorish design at the Royal Alcázar

Design museum

The decorations at the Royal Alcázar are unique to Andalusia. You'll see similar tiles and geometric designs at Granada's Alhambra or Córdoba's Mesquita. The Royal Alcázar is Seville's best example of this school of design.

Highlights:

If rivers float your boat, you can book a guided tour of the Royal Alcázar with a cruise for a day that ticks several boxes.

Address and opening hours:

Patio de Banderas, 41004 Seville. Open daily 9:30 AM-5:00 PM.

8. Enter the world of azulejos at the Casa de Pilatos

Design museum

Andalusian design is instantly identifiable, and one of its most distinctive features is the use of azulejo (tiles). The Casa de Pilatos' huge collection includes traditional and unusual tile designs and ancient Roman busts.

Highlights:

One of the best ways to see the Casa de Pilatos is as part of a walking tour through old Moorish sites. It's an intriguing glimpse of Seville's fascinating cultural history.

Address and opening hours:

Plaza de Pilatos 1, 41003 Seville. Open daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.

9. See breathtaking costumes at the Flamenco Dance Museum

Design museum

Seville's world-famous flamenco dancers are known for their passion and intensity – and also for their stunning outfits. At the Flamenco Dance Museum, you'll see lace-trimmed shawls, incredible tiered skirts, and beautiful handcrafted pieces going back decades.

Highlights:

The museum hosts daily flamenco shows every evening, so time your visit to make sure you see a performance in one of the most atmospheric venues in the city.

Address and opening hours:

Calle Manuel Rojas Marcos 3, 41004 Seville. Open daily 11:00 AM-6:00 PM.

10. Question everything at the Museum of Illusions

Science museum

The family-friendly Museum of Illusions is perfect for curious young scientists. Every exhibit is a different kind of illusion that will dazzle you and leave you searching for the trick behind it.

Highlights:

Check out the mystifying collection of holograms, which will delight anyone interested in science.

Address and opening hours:

Calle San Eloy 28, 41001 Seville. Open daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.

11. Explore the world around us at the Science Museum

Science museum

Seville's Science Museum is small but fascinating, with an emphasis on the natural world. You'll find exhibits about Andalusian geology and insects, as well as the intriguing skeletons of sea creatures found off the Andalusian coasts. The humpback whale skeleton is sure to impress the kids.

Highlights:

One of the most interesting zones is a permanent exhibit dedicated to Doñana National Park. It uses 360-degree videos to make you feel like you're taking a road trip through the park, seeing lynxes up close and personal.

Address and opening hours:

Avenida de María Luisa, 41013 Seville. Open daily 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

12. Discover how the city has changed at Las Setas

Alternative museum

In the basement of Las Setas de Sevilla, you'll find the Antiquarium Museum. This small museum is dedicated to archeology and houses the remains of the ancient Roman structures that once stood here. The ultra-modern Setas above presents a fascinating juxtaposition that shows how Seville has changed over the centuries.

Highlights:

As well as housing the basement museum, Las Setas is an art installation. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore this innovative wooden structure.

Address and opening hours:

Plaza de la Encarnación, 41003 Seville. Open daily 9:30 AM-0:30 AM.

13. Discover a unique piece of Andalusian culture at the Macarena Museum

Alternative museum

Every year during Easter week, thousands flock to Seville's streets for solemn religious processions. You can learn more about them at the Macarena Museum, which celebrates one of the city's many Easter brotherhoods.

Highlights:

Don’t miss the elaborately sculpted images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus and the stunning costumes, which are hard to appreciate if you see them during the festival.

Address and opening hours:

San Luís 129, 41003 Seville. Open daily 9:00 AM-2:00 PM and 5:00 PM-9:00 PM.

14. Immerse yourself in the Spanish way of life at the Bullfighting Museum

Alternative museum

For many years, Spain was synonymous with bullfighting. The sport is now controversial in most of the country and even banned in several areas. Andalusians are still passionate about it, though, and the Bullfighting Museum in Seville bullring aims to explain why.

Address and opening hours:

Paseo de Cristóbal Colon 12, 41001 Seville. Open daily 9:30 AM-9:30 PM.

FAQs

What are the must-visit museums in Seville?

The Fine Arts Museum is probably the most famous, while the Flamenco Dance Museum is the best for exploring Andalusian culture.

Are there any free museums in Seville?

Yes. The General Archive of the Indies is always free, while other museums offer free entry on some days, often in the evenings.

Are there any museums in Seville that are suitable for children and families?

Yes. The Science Museum, Museum of Illusion, and Aquarium are all ideal for children.

For which museums in Seville are guided tours recommended?

Taking a guided tour of the Bullfighting Museum is a good idea. That way, you get to learn more about the sport from a passionate fan.

Are there any museum passes or discount cards available for visiting multiple museums in Seville?

No, there are no museum passes that allow you to visit most museums. Some are available for historical monuments, though.