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Looking to live your best life in sunny Seville? With its bustling plazas, delicious tapas and incredible cultural scene, there aren't many better places to be a student than the gorgeous Andalusian capital.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do during your time in the city. Whether you're into arts and history or just want to know the best place for a night out, we have something for everyone! Ready? Let’s jump in!
Arts & culture
Seville is a city brimming with culture, colour and tradition. From world-class art collections to the emotional power of flamenco, there’s so much that captures the imagination.
Art galleries
Fancy soaking up some culture between classes? The Seville Museum of Fine Arts is an absolute must-visit. It’s one of Spain’s top art galleries and houses masterpieces by Murillo and Zurbarán. Tickets are just €1.50 — and EU students get in for free!
If modern art is more your thing, you’ll love the Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art. Based on the site of a former monastery, it’s home to several eye-catching exhibitions. Keep a look out for the giant 'Alicia' sculpture poking out from one of the windows.
Flamenco
You can't come to Seville without experiencing flamenco! Before heading to a show, though, we suggest starting at the Flamenco Dance Museum, where you can learn about the history of the art form and get a student discount on tickets.
When it’s show time, options range from free performances at La Carbonería (just buy a drink) to dazzling displays at Casa de la Memoria. Across the city, flamenco really kicks into gear around 10-11pm – and gets more authentic (and emotional) as the night goes on!
Ceramics
Seville’s colourful ceramics are more than just pretty souvenirs – they're the work of an artisanal tradition that dates back thousands of years and has come to symbolise the city.
The Triana neighbourhood is the historic heart of Seville's pottery industry. Here you can stroll along Calle Alfarería and see workshops where artisans still create by hand! For an even more immersive experience, check out the exhibits at Triana Ceramic Centre.
Food & drink
Food culture in Seville is all about sharing, socialising and enjoying life. From the bustling markets to the neighbourhood tapas bars, there are so many great options for eating – and most of them come with very modest prices.
Food markets
When your money’s tight but you still fancy a treat, Seville’s markets come to the rescue! Mercado de Triana is the most famous – it's a foodie paradise where locals shop for the ingredients, but you can also grab a meal, coffee or beer to sit down with.
Mercado de Feria in the Macarena district is a more low-key affair with a lovely outdoor area for people-watching. Both markets have bars serving cheap tapas for a few euros each – go go before 12pm to see them at their bustling best and avoid tourist crowds!
Tapas bars
Tapas is not only delicious, but also super affordable! For a taste of history, head to El Rinconcillo – the city’s oldest bar where tapas start at around €3. The Alameda neighbourhood is a solid (albeit slightly more touristy) option, with student-friendly spots like Duo Tapas and Manzanilla offering modern tapas for €3-4 each.
For traditional tapas without the tourist prices, explore the Macarena and Triana neighbourhoods – try Bar Las Golondrinas for their amazing montaditos(mini sandwiches). Wherever you go, remember to bring a friend so you can share and split the costs!
Cafes & bakeries
When you need a coffee to fuel those study sessions, Seville’s cafes have you covered! Virgin Coffee is a hidden gem serving some of the best coffee in town for under €2 – perfect for a quick caffeine fix. For studying, try El ViajeroSedentario with good Wi-Fi and no pressure to leave.
Don't miss traditional Spanish breakfast – tostada con tomate (toast with fresh tomato) costs around €2.50 at places like Café Otto. For sweet treats, La Campana bakery is an institution – their torrijas(Spanish French toast) are legendary and cost just €2. Some cafes even offer student discounts!
History
Seville is basically a living museum, with incredible historic sites around every corner. Even if history wasn't your favourite subject at school, these stunning sites will definitely impress you – and at the very least make perfect backdrops for your Instagram photos!
Royal Alcázar of Seville
The stunning royal palace of the Royal Alcázar is like stepping into Game of Thrones (they actually filmed scenes here!) – it features this unique fusion of Moorish and Christian styles that will leave you speechless.
Beyond the royal rooms with their antiques and portraits, there are some gorgeous gardens that you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring. To get a healthy student discount on your tickets, you just need to buy from the box office rather than online.
Seville Cathedral
Another architectural wonder, Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world! Once you're done marvelling at the exterior and head inside, you’ll find countless chapels, an impressive art collection and even Christopher Columbus’ tomb.
The highlight, though, is climbing La Giralda – the cathedral’s bell tower, which rises over Seville and offers incredible panoramic shots of the city. You have to pay slightly more for La Giralda, but with reduced rates for students, it’s still very reasonable.
Historic palaces
If the Royal Alcázar leaves you wanting more, you’ll be pleased to hear there are plenty of other historic palaces with far fewer crowds. Casa de Pilatos is a stunning mix of Renaissance Italian and Mudéjar Spanish styles with beautiful courtyards and gardens.
Owned by Spanish nobility, Palacio de las Dueñas is another worthwhile trip with gorgeous gardens and interesting art. Both offer discounted student entry and will give you a glimpse into how Seville’s upper classes lived through the centuries.
Nightlife
Seville certainly knows how to party. The nightlife here doesn’t get going until late – dinner at 9pm, bars at 11pm and clubs from 2am until sunrise – so perfect for students who love a night out.
Bars
After dinner, students flock to bars for casual drinks before heading to the club. Alameda de Hercules is the hipster heart of nightlife – try Café Central for €2 beers or Gigante Bar for cocktails around €5. For riverside vibes, Calle Betis in Triana has bars with terraces overlooking the Guadalquivir.
If you're feeling fancy, rooftop bars like La Terraza de EME or Hotel Doña María offer incredible cathedral views and are reasonably priced if you time your visit during happy hour. Many bars offer free tapas with drinks, so you can have dinner while bar-hopping without spending extra!
Nightclubs
When it comes to clubbing, popular student spots include Antique Teatro, Koko and Fun Club. All three run regular themed nights throughout the week, with music ranging from pop and reggaeton to house and techno.
Remember that most clubs don’t get busy until around 2am. If you are willing to arrive early, though, you can often get cheap or even free guestlist entry – so keep an eye out for promoters and announcements on social media.
Live music
If clubbing isn’t your thing, Seville has lots of live music venues where you can enjoy a more relaxed night out. Sala X in the Macarena district is a student favourite – it has an eclectic mix of indie, rock and dance acts, with tickets usually under €15.
Jazz Corner in the Norte district is a hidden gem with intimate jazz performances where you can enjoy a drink just meters from the musicians. Just a short walk away, you’ll also find Sala Custom – a lively warehouse venue that hosts touring pop and rock acts.
Outdoors
With 300+ sunny days per year, Seville is perfect for outdoor living! When temperatures are pleasant – basically any time except peak summer – the city’s parks, plazas and gardens are the best places to be.
Plazas
Seville's beautiful plazas are the heart of city life and the perfect meeting place for you and your friends. Plaza de España is one of the most iconic squares in Spain – it's an absolute must-visit for its grand architecture, colourful ceramic benches and boating canal.
Alameda de Hercules is a lively social hub and the starting point for many student nights out. It’s lined with bars and food kiosks – ideal for evening beers on a budget. Plaza del Salvador, over in the Old Town, is another popular hangout with lots of food and drink options.
Parks and gardens
Seville’s parks are always on hand when you need to escape the crowds. Adjacent to the Plaza de España, María Luisa Park is the city’s largest and most accessible park. It features shady paths, tiled fountains and special pavilions originally built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.
Murillo Gardens in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood offers a smaller, more intimate space for quiet study or reading. For those based in the north of Seville, Alamillo Park is a massive open space away from the noise of the city where you can enjoy bird songs and long walks.
Day trips
Seville is also blessed with some amazing day trips. Doñana National Park is a stunning wetland wilderness that’s teeming with wildlife. Entry into the park costs around €35, but you can save money on travel by taking the bus instead of joining an organised tour.
Ronda and the White Villages is another famous day trip through the rural heart of Andalucia. Again, you can use public transport to reach many of the villages, or you can take the more convenient option of joining a tour – with some offering student discounts.
Shopping
Seville is one of Spain’s best shopping cities, with options ranging from international chains and local boutiques to handmade crafts and vintage wares. Best of all, prices are extremely reasonable if you know where to look!
Main streets
Right in the heart of the city, the parallel streets of Calle Sierpes and Calle Tetuán form Seville’s main shopping district. In this area, you’ll find all the major fashion brands, including Spanish giants Zara and Mango.
For upscale boutiques, head to Calle Asunción in Los Remedios, or explore Calle San Jacinto in Triana for budget-friendly local shops. Many of the bigger stores offer student discounts of 10–15%, so it’s always worth asking before you buy!
Shopping malls
When the heat gets too much, Seville’s air-conditioned shopping malls have you covered! For everything under one roof, El Corte Inglés department store stocks literally everything a student might need, from groceries to electronics.
Plaza de Armas, built in a converted train station, has high-street brands and a cinema showing films in their original languages. Nervión Plaza, over by the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan football stadium, combines shopping with a great food court and multiplex cinema.
Markets
There’s nothing better than finding a bargain at one of Seville’s markets! Feria Street Flea Market (or ‘El Jueves’, as the locals call it) has been running every Thursday morning for centuries and is the place to go for vintage finds and quirky collectors’ items.
Cabildo Square Flea Market, held every Sunday near the Cathedral, is smaller but great for books and records. For artsy souvenirs, don’t miss the Fine Arts Market on Sundays outside the Fine Arts Museums and Paseo De La O Market in Triana on weekends.
Seville: a student city
For such a compact city, Seville is filled with fun activities and breathtaking landmarks. Add to that near year-round sunshine and a cheaper cost of living than Madrid and Barcelona, and you easily have one of the best student cities in Spain!
Want to study in Seville but not sure where? Check out our guide for a full breakdown of the city’s universities and find the perfect fit based on your needs!
Seville offers the perfect blend of sun, culture and great nightlife that many students look for in a city – all without the big prices of other popular European destinations. It’s also home to some great universities, most notably the University of Seville, which offers a high standard of teaching.
What things are there for students to do in Seville?
You'll never be bored as a student in Seville! Beyond the famous historical sites, tapas is an almost daily ritual that gets people together for food and drink. Free events happen constantly – outdoor concerts, film screenings and art exhibitions – and the riverside is perfect for evening strolls.
What are the best student discounts in Seville?
Many of Seville’s top attractions offer free or discounted entry to students, including Seville Cathedral, the Royal Alcázar and the Museum of Fine Arts. You can also pick up a student pass for savings on public transport, while many high-street shops, cinemas and even restaurants offer special student deals.
