Plaza de España: reviews, price and practical tips

+39
recs
5/5 9 reviews
Plaza de España- Avenida Isabel la Catolica, 41004 Seville, Spain
Plaza de España- Avenida Isabel la Catolica, 41004 Seville, Spain
Free guided tour of Plaza de España and Seville with Civitatis
Booking recommended
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Plaza España de Séville
Splendeur de la ville
Splendeur de la ville

Visiting the Plaza de España

Whether you notice its sheer architectural scale or its intricate detailing first, the Plaza de España is undeniably grand. Built for the Ibero-American Exposition held in Seville in 1929, its construction took 14 years and a workforce of a thousand men. The result is a masterwork, easily standing as one of the most stunning public squares in the city. Its striking design makes it a major cultural hub and gathering space on the edge of Maria Luisa Park.

A palace, a canal, and national symbols

It is easy to forget that this sprawling 50 000 m² site was designed in the last century, given how deeply rooted in history it feels. Every design element here represents a different facet of Spain, framed by the sweeping curve of the grand semicircular building. That single structure is a stunning palace of brick and marble, fronted by a continuous covered gallery supported by elaborate arcades. Two 80 m towers frame the composition, drawing inspiration from the Giralda, the former minaret of the great mosque, while also symbolizing the king and queen. From sculpted bas-reliefs to decorative statues reflecting a mix of Neo-Renaissance, Gothic, and Mudéjar styles, craftsmanship is everywhere. The waters of the 500 m canal mirror the curve of the palace where small rowboats drift by, crossed by four bridges representing the historic kingdoms of Spain (Aragon, Castile, León, and Navarre) that lead onto the 31 000 m² paved plaza. At its center stands a monumental fountain, surrounded by benches decorated with painted ceramic tiles, known as azulejos, representing the 48 Spanish provinces.

Urban planners rarely achieve this level of grandeur, and standing before the incredible Plaza de España, you have to hand it to architect Anibal Gonzalez. The stakes were high back then, as the exposition aimed to reconnect the country with the New World while driving urban expansion in Seville. The magic was immediate in 1929, and nearly a century later, it continues to shine just as brightly.

Free guided tour of Plaza de España and Seville with CivitatisBooking recommended
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Reviews of Plaza de España

Summary of 9 reviews
5/5
Average rating
+39 recs +39 -0 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
5
As a couple
5
With friends
4.9

Avygeo ranking

#22
in the world
#22
in Europe
#5
in Spain
#2
in Seville

absolute must-see !!!

A must-see spot in Seville. You can admire the architectural details there, and flamenco artists perform regularly.

35
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Architectural marvel of Seville

This is one of the iconic spots in the city of Seville, and it is easy to see why! It is a very beautiful place, the building architecture is truly magnificent, with its little turquoise canals and the way the sun reflects off them! But do not miss the entire Maria Luisa park, which is well worth a visit for a walk, especially the little Isleta de los Pájaros kiosk, which I find very pretty.

99
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A real wow effect

The Plaza de España is truly impressive with its huge semicircle.
Each of the benches represents a Spanish province. I really love this place, it is always very lively, with many musicians and street performances.

68
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Absolutely exceptional

Plaza de España is an absolutely exceptional place.
The architecture, the bridges, and the azulejos make it a site of great beauty where you can easily spend hours just walking around.
You can get there on foot from the center of Seville, even if it is not exactly close by.
It is definitely better to visit outside of the hottest hours of the day.
A must see. I loved it.

15
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Iconic spot

A bit away from the city center of Seville, you can find this extraordinary plaza.
Built in a semicircle, this imposing square surprised me with its original architecture, and the tallest towers reach 80 meters high!
I loved the azulejos that represent each Spanish province.
If you can admire the site at night, it is even more beautiful!

12
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An extraordinary square

When I was a kid, I discovered this magnificent plaza, which represents Naboo in Star Wars I. Ever since, I had been dreaming of going there. This place amazed me with its grandeur, its unique oval shape, and its architecture. In the center, the huge palace dominates everything and offers a splendid view with the fountain. The first floor is interesting to visit. I was also surprised to discover bridges adorned with pretty azulejos, as well as canals. I recommend going in the late afternoon because the light is beautiful. Just a heads up, access to the esplanade closes at 10 PM.

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Can't miss it

It's The Place to Be! One of the few squares in the world where you can spend the whole day because the details are just insane! The atmosphere at night is clearly different. Just like the Alcazar, it is a must-visit place.

10
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A bit far but very beautiful

I thought the Plaza de España would be in the heart of downtown Seville. It is actually surrounded by gardens and you have to walk a little bit from the old center to get there.
But the trip is worth it because the plaza and especially the palace surrounding it are very beautiful.

10
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A must-see spot

While the Plaza de España in Barcelona didn't really impress me, the Plaza de España in Seville seemed magnificent. I went there while taking a walk through Maria Luisa Park, with its pretty paths and pleasant rest areas. Then you arrive at the Plaza, which is gigantic and really something to see. Its architecture is quite original, with all those painted ceramics. The semicircular canal adds to the charm of the square with its 4 bridges. You can even take a boat ride if you want. There is always something going on, music... in short, it is very beautiful and worth the trip. As someone who loves film locations, I also learned that it was a filming location for Star Wars Episode II, as the courtyard of the Theed palace!

10
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