Right, it’s knowledge that Soph and I love to explore by hop on hop off buses. We’ve done it in places like Vegas in August, Singapore and numerous other cities, so I decided to go city sightseeing Seville during our May escapade to Andalusia. And blimey, what a treat! May in Seville is absolutely gorgeous—temperatures hovering around a pleasant 33°C with gloriously long, sunny days. The famous Andalusian heat hasn’t quite reached its summer peak, making it ideal for open-top bus exploration.
The Routes: Navigating the Orange Blossom City
Seville’s City Sightseeing bus offers a more straightforward approach than say Madrid’s with just one main route that loops around all the major attractions. For roughly €22 for a 24-hour ticket (I went for the 48-hour option at €26—absolute bargain), you get access to a comprehensive circuit that takes approximately 75 minutes to complete if you stay on for the entire journey.
The buses run every 15-20 minutes, which I found to be reliable even during the busy May festival season. Each bus comes equipped with those little earphones for the audio guide, which wasn’t exactly Bang & Olufsen quality, but did the job of explaining the fascinating history behind Seville’s magnificent sights.
My Seville Must-Sees
Plaza de España
My word, what a place to start! This semi-circular wonder with its beautiful canal, bridges, and tile work representing all of Spain’s provinces is something straight out of a fairy tale. I hopped off here first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and spent a good hour wandering around, admiring the tile alcoves and watching tourists row little boats along the canal. It’s like Venice but with more flamenco and less flooding!
Seville Cathedral and La Giralda
Next stop was this absolutely massive cathedral—the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, if you don’t mind! Christopher Columbus is supposedly buried here, though apparently half of the Caribbean claims to have his remains too. The climb up La Giralda tower had me puffing and panting, but the views over Seville were worth every step. You can see the entire city laid out before you like a terracotta patchwork quilt.
Real Alcázar
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan like me, you’ll recognize the Alcázar as Dorne’s Water Gardens. This royal palace is an absolute feast for the eyes with its Mudéjar architecture and stunning gardens. The bus stop is conveniently located just a short walk away. Top tip: book tickets online beforehand to avoid the horrific queues. I didn’t and ended up waiting longer than it takes to get served at a Spanish bank!
Torre del Oro
This medieval watchtower on the Guadalquivir River has quite the history. It was once covered in gold tiles (hence the name “Gold Tower”), though they’re long gone now. I hopped off here and took a lovely stroll along the riverbank, watching the cruise boats drift by. There’s a maritime museum inside which is worth a peek if you’re into that sort of thing.
Triana District
Across the river from the main tourist areas, Triana feels like a different world. Once the home of Seville’s gitano (gypsy) community, it’s the birthplace of flamenco and still maintains its bohemian character. I wandered through the market, admired the colorful ceramic shops, and eventually found myself at a tiny bar called La Antigua Abacería, where I had some of the best tapas of my trip while watching impromptu flamenco performances from the locals.
Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
Known locally as “Las Setas” (The Mushrooms), this modern wooden structure looks like something the Martians would build if they were into sustainable architecture. It’s a bit of a Marmite attraction—you either love it or hate it—but the views from the top walkway are cracking, and there’s an archaeological museum underneath showcasing Roman and Moorish ruins discovered during construction.
Barrio Santa Cruz
The old Jewish quarter of Seville is a labyrinth of narrow streets, hidden plazas, and orange trees. I got properly lost here (in the best possible way) after hopping off the bus. The whitewashed houses with their colorful flower pots and the occasional glimpse of beautiful inner courtyards made for some smashing Instagram fodder. I ended up at a little place called Bar El Comercio having churros and hot chocolate—a proper treat!
Foodie Finds in Seville
Salmorejo
While gazpacho gets all the press, its creamier, thicker cousin salmorejo stole my heart. I had a divine version at El Rinconcillo, Seville’s oldest tapas bar (est. 1670!). It’s essentially a cold tomato soup thickened with bread and topped with jamón and boiled egg. Perfect for a hot May day!
Espinacas con Garbanzos
Spinach with chickpeas doesn’t sound particularly revolutionary, but the Sevillanos have turned this simple dish into something special with the addition of cumin, garlic, and a splash of sherry vinegar. I tried it at Bodega Santa Cruz, where they serve it on bread as a tapa. Washed down with a cold Cruzcampo beer, it was heaven.
Carrillada
Slow-cooked pork cheeks in a rich wine sauce that melt in your mouth? Yes, please! I discovered this gem at Casa Morales, another historic tavern near the cathedral. The meat was so tender you could eat it with a spoon. Absolutely worth getting off the bus for!
Torrijas
Think of it as Spanish French toast, but somehow even better. During Easter season (which had just finished when I visited in May), these sweet treats are everywhere. I had some at Confitería La Campana, where they soak the bread in sweet wine before frying it and dousing it in honey. Not exactly diet-friendly, but when on holiday…
Vino de Naranja
Orange wine! Not the trendy natural wine that’s all the rage in Hackney these days, but actual wine infused with Seville’s famous bitter oranges. I picked up a bottle at a little shop called Flores Gourmet near the Cathedral. It’s sweet, tangy, and absolutely delightful as an aperitif.
Fiestas and Festivities
May in Seville is festival central! I just missed the famous Feria de Abril (April Fair) by a week, which was probably for the best as hotel prices drop significantly afterward. However, I was lucky enough to catch the “Cruces de Mayo” (May Crosses) festival, where neighborhoods compete to create the most elaborate floral crosses. The squares throughout the city were decorated with these beautiful crosses made of flowers, and there was flamenco dancing and rebujito (sherry mixed with 7-Up—dangerously drinkable) flowing freely.
I also stumbled upon a procession for Corpus Christi, with children dressed in their First Communion outfits throwing rose petals in the streets. The bus tour actually makes special announcements about any festivals happening on the day, which was a nice touch.
Value for Money: Seville Style
At €26 for a 48-hour ticket, the Seville Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour is slightly cheaper than its Madrid counterpart, and I’d argue it offers even better value. Seville’s historic center is more compact than Madrid’s, but the scorching Andalusian heat (even in May) makes walking everywhere a bit of a challenge. The open-top bus provides a welcome breeze and respite for tired feet.
The bus also takes you to some spots that are a bit far off the typical tourist trail, like the Plaza de América and the Isla Mágica theme park, which I wouldn’t have bothered visiting otherwise.
Practical Tips for Seville Explorers
- Timing Is Everything: May is one of the best months to visit, as the famous orange blossoms are still lingering and the summer tourists haven’t descended en masse. The bus gets particularly busy between 11 am and 2 pm, so plan accordingly.
- Siesta is Sacred: Many attractions close during the afternoon siesta (roughly 2-5 pm), so use this time to stay on the bus and complete the full circuit while planning your later stops.
- Water, Water, Everywhere: The Seville sun is no joke, even in May. Each bus has a small vending machine selling water, but it’s overpriced. Bring your own bottle and refill it at public fountains (perfectly safe to drink).
- Front Row Seats: The best views of this beautiful city are from the front row of the upper deck. I’d make a beeline for these seats each time I hopped on.
- Evening Ride: Consider doing a full circuit in the early evening when the golden hour light makes Seville look particularly magical. The audio commentary continues throughout, but the crowds thin out considerably.
- Combo Tickets: Look out for combo tickets that include the bus tour plus entry to major attractions. I snagged one that included the Alcázar and saved about €5.
- Track the Bus: Download the City Sightseeing app to track the location of the next bus—dead useful when you’re trying to decide if you have time for one more tapa before heading to the stop!
The Verdict
As a slightly sweaty Brit abroad, I found Seville’s Hop-On Hop-Off bus to be an absolute godsend during my May visit. It provided sanctuary from the heat, an informative introduction to the city’s history, and convenient transport between all the major sights. Parking can be a problem in the busy months, be aware of this.
While purists might argue that Seville is best explored on foot (and parts of it certainly are), the bus offers a fantastic orientation on day one and a practical way to reach the more far-flung attractions on day two.
So there you have it—if you find yourself in Seville, particularly during the gorgeous month of May when the city is dressed in its flowery best, do yourself a favor and hop on one of those bright red buses. Your sunburnt forehead and blistered feet will thank you, and you’ll see sides of Seville that many tourists miss. It’s proper brilliant, innit?
