Seville is the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region, located in the southernmost part of the country. Rich in history, architecture, and some of Spain’s best food, Seville is a must-see on any itinerary.
I spent 1.5 months in Seville over the course of two trips and will show you some of the wonderful wheelchair accessible things to do there.
General wheelchair accessibility in Seville
Before we jump into the variety of wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville, let’s first touch on the city’s overall accessibility.
There are many places in Seville that are wheelchair accessible. However, in some cases, getting to those places is far from accessible.
Seville is a city packed with cobblestone, narrow streets, and sidewalks too small for even people without a wheelchair to comfortably stand on when a car passes.
It’s beautiful to look at, but in many cases, it’s easiest- and safest- to travel from one point to the other by car.
That being said, the area around the river and the streets that the tram runs through in downtown offers excellent accessibility. Plus, you don’t have to worry about hills in Seville; the city is completely flat.
Wheelchair accessible parking in Seville
There are a number of wheelchair accessible parking spaces in and around downtown Seville.
You can view the exact locations of these parking spaces here: Accessible parking in Seville.
Wheelchair accessible restrooms in Seville
Below are the accessible restrooms I encountered in Seville:
- Alcázar
- Seville Cathedral
- Chain restaurants such as Starbucks and McDonald’s
Wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville
Now that you’ve got a feel for general wheelchair accessibility in Seville, let’s talk about the beautiful places the city has to offer. Without further ado, below are thirteen wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville.
1. Seville Cathedral
There is perhaps no place in Seville more mesmerizing than the Seville Cathedral. Seated in the heart of Seville’s historical center, the cathedral is a reference point to nearly everything in the city.
Entrance to the Seville Cathedral is free for wheelchair users and the cathedral offers good accessibility throughout the first floor. There are ramps leading to all the main places within the cathedral and even some ramps leading up into the areas where tombs and other important Catholic items are located.
Speaking of tombs, Christopher Colombus’ remains are held in the Seville Cathedral…all of the few ounces of them.
As it turns out, other churches wanted a part of Christopher Colombus, too!
In addition to visiting the Seville Cathedral, wheelchair users have the option to roll up most of the Giralda bell tower.
Originally built as a minaret by the Moors, a ramp was installed instead of stairs.
Why, you ask?
Seville is the warmest city in continental Europe. Therefore, in order to make life easier on the person in charge of announcing the Muslim call of prayer five times a day, they built the ramp. This way, they could ride a mule to the top.
While the path up the bell tower is wide and the brick is quite smooth, the inclines make this an activity better suited for power wheelchair users.
Sadly, there are steep staircases at the very end of the bell tower, so you won’t be able to get to the viewing area. However, there are small windows along the way where you’ll get to enjoy views of Seville.
2. Réal Alcázar
The Réal Alcázar, along with the Seville Cathedral, are the two most visited places in Seville that involve an entrance fee (for non-wheelchair users, that is, since the fee is waived for wheelchair users).
Although located a stone’s throw away from the Seville Cathedral, if you’ll be spending a few days in Seville, it’s best to visit the Alcázar and Cathedral on two separate days; the lines are atrocious, especially during the high season.
Wheelchair accessibility at Seville’s Alcázar is fairly good. You’ll get to leave cobblestone behind as you explore the various palaces that have a combination of smooth brick and marble. Ramps lead to all the main areas and even some off-the-beaten-path nooks.
An elevator offers full access for wheelchair users on the second floor of the palace. That being said, if you’re traveling with able-bodied folks, make sure they purchase their tickets to this portion of the palace well in advance since tickets are known to sell out.
While the palaces offer good wheelchair accessibility overall thanks to ramps replacing stairs, there are many areas that have small ledges that you’ll need to pass over.
Gardens at the Alcázar
Once you’ve soaked in the incredible architecture of the palaces, the grand finale will be seeing the gardens. The gardens at the Alcázar are accessible via the Gothic Palace.
From there, you’ll be able to go out on a balcony where you can enjoy views of the most iconic gardens at the Alcázar.
Unfortunately, these gardens aren’t wheelchair accessible. Therefore, after you’ve taken in the views from the balcony, head to the left where you’ll pass through the Marchena door and encounter gardens that are accessible, thanks to wide, dirt and brick paths.
From these gardens, you’ll get to soak in views of orange trees, flowers, palm trees, and a portion of the Alcázar wall.
The Alcázar offers one wheelchair accessible restroom. You’ll need an employee to open it for you, but staff are usually in abundance since they’re spread about monitoring that people don’t damage the site.
3. Plaza de España
Seville is filled with plazas ranging in size, but there’s no denying that the plaza pride and joy of Seville is Plaza de España. Therefore, visiting it should be a must-do on your quest to explore wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville.
Plaza de España is semi-circular and was built in 1928. It encompasses the best of Sevillian architecture- ceramic tiles and a combination of Moorish, Baroque, and Renaissance style.
There’s a tightly packed dirt path in the frontmost part of Plaza de España. This offers a nice view of the plaza itself. However, the real magic is exploring inside the plaza.
A ramp is located at the far end of both towers. From there, after passing over about a 2-inch ledge, you’ll have access to arguably the most impressive part of Plaza de España- the tiled sections dedicated to each province in Spain.
When Plaza de España first opened, books about each province were stored in the little ceramic bookshelves for the public to read. Nowadays, there aren’t any books since people took them, although you might see a stray book here and there from people trying to keep up the tradition.
While wheelchair users have access to the upper and lower sections of Plaza de España, the plaza isn’t entirely accessible. Most notably, the four bridges have stairs, and there are stairs leading to the viewpoints on the second story floor.
4. MarÃa Luisa Park
Wedged between Plaza de España and the Guadalquivir River, visiting MarÃa Luisa Park is a no-brainer after you’ve filled your camera with photos of Plaza de España.
The path at MarÃa Luisa Park is mostly tightly packed dirt. The paths are wide and the park usually isn’t as crowded with tourists as the other sites mentioned up to this point.
If you’re interested in flora, you’ll appreciate the labels by trees, bushes, and flowers. There are also ponds, fountains, and mini plazas, some of which involve steps to get up close to. Make sure to keep an eye out for parrots!
5. Walk the river boardwalk
Of all the wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville on this list, exploring the boardwalk along the Guadalquivir River is quite possibly the most accessible of them all.
A well maintained, wide pedestrian boardwalk runs along the river. Some portions of the boardwalk hover above the river- level with the city- and other parts allow you to travel down a winding ramp to get to the base of the river.
From the boardwalk, you’ll get to enjoy views of the Torre del Oro, a 13th-century watchtower. You’ll also see the colorful buildings across the river, which belong to the Triana district.
6. Triana
Triana was originally located outside the Seville city walls and is where the poor lived. Nowadays, it’s considered part of Seville and is a popular place for tourism.
It’s impossible to miss Triana as you walk along the boardwalk, for the colorful houses and restaurants across the river will call your attention.
Triana offers good wheelchair accessibility thanks to a more modern layout than the historical center of Seville. You’ll leave cobblestone behind as you wheel from Seville across one of two bridges to arrive in Triana- Puente de Isabel II or Puente de San Telmo.
Both bridges offer nice views, but Puente de Isabel II is the most popular bridge. Once you cross Puente de Isabel II, the Triana Market will be to your right. The Triana Market is accessible thanks to ramps leading down from the bridge.
After exploring the market, take a stroll down San Jacinto Street. This is the main tourist vein of Triana and you’ll get to enjoy restaurants, shops, ice cream stands, and people watching. And, of course, you can admire all the beautiful architecture of the buildings along the way!
7. Flamenco Show
Flamenco originated in Andalusia. Naturally then, given that Seville is the capital of Andalusia, watching a Flamenco show is a wonderful cultural experience.
A wheelchair accessible Flamenco facility that I recommend is El Patio Sevillano. Running since 1952, this ground level theater offers a barrier-free entrance to both the ticket area and the theater itself.
El Patio Sevillano runs Flamenco shows twice an evening, seven days per week. Their earlier show is from 7:00pm to 8:30pm and their later show is from 9:30pm to 11:00pm.
Located across the river and beside the bullring, watching a Flamenco show is a great thing to do after a day of exploring Seville.
8. Barrio Santa Cruz
Barrio Santa Cruz is the heart and soul of Seville. The Cathedral and Alcazar are part of this district. However, when people think of Barrio Santa Cruz, it’s the old Jewish quarter that comes to mind.
There’s no way to sugarcoat this; Barrio Santa Cruz is one of the least wheelchair accessible places in Seville.
Streets are so narrow that it can feel tight for pedestrians…and then add a car into the mix. Cobblestone is everywhere, curbs don’t drop all the way, and sidewalks are pretty much non-existent.
All hope is not lost, though. I recommend rolling down Callejón del Agua (Water Alley), which follows the outer wall of the Alcazar.
Most importantly, it’s pedestrian-only.
You can get to Callejón del Agua by crossing through the public Alcázar patio, although prepare yourself for extra bumpy cobblestone in that area and a ledge that you’ll need to pop over. Callejón del Agua is a pedestrian-only street and will lead you to Plaza Alfaro.
Plaza Alfaro likely doesn’t ring a bell to you, but this surely will- Romeo and Juliet. They say, among other legends, that Balcón de Rosina (Rosina’s Balcony) inspired the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.
Once you’ve enjoyed Plaza Alfaro and perhaps grabbed a tapa at one of the many tapas bars there, you can opt to head back the way you came or explore deeper into Barrio Santa Cruz. Just know that you may have cars tailing behind you until you get up to the nearest intersection where there’s space to move over.
To be fair, this is oftentimes the case with pedestrians during the high season, as well. The good news is that most cars avoid the area, so much of the time, the streets are vehicle-free.
9. Metropol Parasol
The Metropol Parasol, also known as “Las Setas” or simply as Seville’s “Mushrooms”, is an out-of-place looking modern piece of art in the middle of Seville’s historical center.
For as unfitting as it initially seemed to be, nowadays Metropol Parasol is undeniably and proudly a core piece of Seville’s skyline.
There’s a mirador at the top of Metropol Parasol that is wheelchair accessible. In order to get there, follow the ramp down to the basement of the structure. This is where the ticket booth is located, along with an elevator to take you to the top floor.
Only a small portion of the Metropol Parasol viewing area is wheelchair accessible. When you get off the elevator, you can explore the area a little way to both your right and left. After that, you’ll encounter stairs.
The accessible portion of the viewing area has a small restaurant/snack stand with outdoor seating that offers wheelchair users some of the best views of Seville.
After you’ve explored the mirador, head back down to the ground floor where you can visit the Antiquarium Museum, which is wheelchair accessible.
10. Eat Tapas
There’s no question about it, Seville is beautiful. However, one of the best parts about Spanish culture is tapas bar hopping.
Tapas are small dishes that are designed to be shared with those you’re dining with, along with being paired with beer or wine.
Visiting tapas bars in Seville as a wheelchair user can be tricky, since most tapas bars have tight indoor quarters. There’s also oftentimes a step to get inside, although in many cases it’s only an inch or two.
Travel Tip: Google search the time a tapas bar opens, then arrive within an hour before then. Oftentimes, tapas bar doors are open while they’re getting ready to receive customers, so you can take a peek inside before the crowds arrive.
Almost all tapas bars offer outdoor seating. In most cases, this is the most comfortable option for wheelchair users. Waiters come to the tables, so you don’t have to worry about going inside to order first.
For a full list of recommended tapas bars, check out my post on the best tapas in Seville. You’ll find an accessible note beneath each tapas bar to get a feel for how accessible- or not- they are.
Similarly, we’ve put together a post on the best churros in Seville, which also notes wheelchair accessibility.
11. Plaza de Torros
A list of wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville wouldn’t be complete without including Plaza de Torros, the location of the bullring. Regardless of your opinion on bullfighting, it’s undeniable that this sport is a notable part of Spain’s history and to an increasingly lesser degree, modern-day culture.
Plaza de Torros is a great stop to make when you’re exploring the river boardwalk, as it’s located across the street from it. The outdoor plaza that the bullring sits on is free to visit and open to the public. You’ll encounter cobblestone brick, but it isn’t too rough.
A ramp leads inside to the ticket booth and gift shop. These areas are accessible, but since I didn’t want to contribute money to the cause, I can’t comment on just how accessible the bullring itself is.
12. General Archive of the Indies
If you love history, make sure to visit the General Archive of the Indies. Free for wheelchair users and able-bodied folks alike, this building is home to documents on Spanish involvement in the Americas and Philippines.
The General Archive of the Indies is located between the Cathedral and Alcázar. Despite its great location, depending on the direction you’re coming from, it can seem that the entrance to the General Archive of the Indies is entirely surrounded by stairs.
In order to find the accessible entrance, you need to be on the side of the building facing the Alcázar, where many horses and buggies are typically parked. Then, follow the ramp around to the left. Here, you’ll find a designated entrance for wheelchair users, which has a ramp.
The displays at General Archive of the Indies rotate, so I can’t comment on exactly what you’ll see. All material explaining what you’re looking at is written in both English and Spanish.
13. Casa de Pilatos
If you find yourself on the east end of Seville’s historic center, making a stop at Casa de Pilatos is a great activity.
This palace is impressive to look at from the outside with a small, cobblestone plaza in front of it. Head inside and you’ll encounter a stunning outdoor courtyard complete with arches around the perimeter and a marble floor.
The entrance fee to Casa De Pilatos is waived for wheelchair users.
Only the ground floor is accessible at Casa de Pilatos. Once you pass over rough cobblestone to get to the indoor ticket booth, you’ll get to explore the palace on the smooth, marble floor.
If you’re traveling with able-bodied companions, the entrance fee is on the steep side for them. Nonetheless, if they’re history buffs or simply looking for the opportunity to take more stunning photos in Seville, Casa de Pilatos is a great option.
Conclusion
Whether you love exploring scenic plazas, strolling along the river, learning about history, or sampling local food, Seville offers something for everyone. I hope these ideas of wheelchair accessible things to do in Seville inspire you to take a trip there.
Have you been to Seville? Send a comment and let’s start a chat about your favorite accessible things to do there. If you have questions about wheelchair accessibility in Seville, leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help.
P.S.- If you’re looking to explore outside of Seville, consider taking a Seville to Ronda day trip. In our post, we highlight the areas that are accessible.
P.P.S.- Planning a trip to Madrid? If so, don’t miss my guide on Wheelchair Accessibility in Madrid.
