Seville

The main building of the University of Seville was once the Tobacco Factory of Seville, and was constructed between 1728 and 1771 by Sebastián Van der Bocht. Over the main entrance, the triangular façade ends in a statue of La Fama (fame). The tobacco factory was then the largest industrial building in Spain. A monopoly assured high income, which is reflected in the factory's architecture and surrounding gardens. Its chapel and prison complement the main building. In the interior you find impressive stairways, fountains and Patios. It was the setting for the first act of Bizet's opera Carmen. In 1953 the factory was converted into the main building of Seville University. Just behind the tobacco factory, the María Luisa Park borders the historic centre of Seville to the south. Although it's open to the public (as all university buildings are), the building is used for academic purposes. Be respectful: don't venture into closed rooms and disrupt lectures.

The palace is considered the 'best paved house-palace in Europe' owing to its collection of Roman mosaics and marble floors in the 'opus sectile' geometric style, which paved practically the whole of the ground floor. There is also a collection of well parapets, vases, amphora, columns and sculptures of incalculable worth. On the upper floor you can visit the residences previously inhabited by the Countess and her descendants, up to only a few years ago; extremely well-preserved, they are today filled with ornaments and furniture from all over the world, priceless artwork by Van Dyke, Bruegel, Alonso Cano, among others, as well as collections of porcelain and glass.

A 16th-century palace and generally thought to be one of the best in the city.

It is in the historical section of the city and is home to various clergy and the Archbishop. On the outside you only can catch a glimpse of the patio but on the inside there are important works of art.

This Renaissance building houses extensive archives relating to the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in the collection are the diaries of Columbus. The archive hosts rotating special exhibits.

An enormous wooden structure, designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann, inspired by the Cathedral of Seville and in the form of giant mushrooms. Known to locals as 'las setas' (the mushrooms), the structure covers the Central Market and the Antiquarium; the top level contains a restaurant and provides some of the best views of Seville.

Considered by some as the second most important fine arts museum in Spain after the Prado in Madrid. The museum building is a former mercy convent renewed in the 17th century and the 15 exhibition rooms show a comprehensive picture of Sevillian art from the Gothic period to the early trends of the 20th century. The square just outside hosts an open-air art market on Sundays until around 13:30. Plenty of original paintings on local topics, although some not so interesting bits as well!

It has one of the best collection of Roman-era artifacts in Spain, brought from nearby Italica.

A museum with excavated Roman and Moorish remains, discovered during construction of the Metropol Parasol. You can enter for free if you show your ticket for the alcazar, even if the ticket is a few days old.

Contemporary art museum in the former Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria of Las Cuevas, which has a fascinating history as a clay mine, monastery, and ceramics factory. The site and expansive grounds are worth a visit in their own right, including a striking rose window, industrial chimneys, and orange orchards. This was one of the places where the remains of Christopher Columbus were buried, before ending up in the Cathedral.

Offers an experience for all the senses with ambiental music, videos, touch-screens and artifacts to be found in this 18th century building at the heart of the historical Barrio Santa Cruz. On Friday and Saturday evenings a spectacular show is hosted at a discounted price for visitors to the museum. Flamenco art and photography exhibitions are also on display and dance, singing, percussion and guitar lessons are offered.

A good spot to see real flamenco.

Offers free flamenco shows nightly. Arrive early for good seats.

The sombre Easter week processions feature thousands of people and go on all week, a spectacular display of conspicuous Catholicism.

Also known as "Feria de Sevilla" - a release after the somberness of Semana Santa. To say this is a huge party would be an understatement. Most if not all of Seville takes a week's holiday (the Wednesday of Feria week is a public holiday) and they plan for the fair months in advance. The fair is close to the river. It covers a huge area and contains hundreds of private and public casetas which are laid out to form streets. Casetas are small marquees and you can only get into the private ones if invited. The public ones are large but just as much fun. The day is naturally split in two and between 12:00 and 20:00 the streets of the fair throng with horses as riders and carriages strut their stuff dressed in traditional Spanish robes. After 20:00 the streets are cleared and "Calle del Inferno" comes to life. This must be one of the best funfairs in Europe – it takes weeks to assemble and pack up. Experience traditional dress, flamenco dancing (and the "sevillanas", the traditional dance of the region of Seville), guitars, fino, great tapas and participants who dance with gusto and eat and drink the day and night away.

Capacity 60,700. Their women's team play in Liga F (their top tier) at the nearby Luis del Sol training ground.

Capacity 42,500. Their women's team play in Liga F at Ramón Cisneros training ground 5 km southeast of the centre.

Bullfighting is not a sport for all; those who are either squeamish or have convictions on animal welfare should stay clear, as the event concludes with the killing of the bulls. Failing that, a visit to the arena and the attached museum of bull-fighting is well worth the time. While it is not the largest, it is considered the most attractive bull arena in Spain due to its history.