Visiting the Plaza de España: Everything you need to know

Plaza de España (Sevilla)

From where can I plan this trip? While the Plaza de España is a beautiful place to visit, it makes the most sense if you tour the plaza while you are in Sevilla. Located on the edge of the Parque de María Luisa (a park located just outside the city centre), the Plaza de España and its surroundings are a wonderful place for you to spend your day. Check out our article about visiting Sevilla for more tips on how to get there!

What is it? Originally built as a ‘hug’ for the once Spanish colonies during the Ibero-American exposition of 1929, this Plaza is now one of the most famous in all of Spain. It is a semi-circular in shape (which represents Spain opening its arms to former colonies and visitors) and built into the structure are benches with tiles depicting the different provinces of Spain.

These tiles are the reason that many Spaniards (and people around the world) come to visit the Plaza de España. They depict scenes from Spanish history and allow visitors to connect them with different provinces in the country. At the same time, we can see details of the architecture and craftsmanship in the busts of important Spanish people throughout history and the handmade railings along the man-made canal that runs through the square.

How should I prepare ahead of time? As this Plaza has free entrance, you don’t have to buy tickets but make sure to go during the day (it closes at night to prevent vandalism). In addition, prepare for crowds as—especially on nice days—it is often full of people trying to enjoy the space, find their provinces, and take pictures. Also, if you have time, I would definitely recommending packing a sack lunch/picnic and spending your afternoon or evening in the park enjoying the greenery.

How to get there? The Plaza de España is easily reachable on foot from most places in Sevilla and is located about 20/30 minutes from the city center. You can also take a metro the to stop ‘Prado de San Sebastián’ or a bus to nearby area. Because it has such a convenient location, you might even want to go back and visit again (especially if you have the opportunity to see it in a different light/when it is raining).

Recommended time of year to visit? Sevilla is known for its (really) hot summers, so if you can avoid going from June to August, I would recommend it. Spring and Fall will give you the most neutral weather—and the possibility to enjoy the Plaza longer into the evenings. On the other hand, visiting in the early morning on a weekday might lesson the possibility of being there at the same time as all the other tourists in the city.