The Pearl of Andalusia: A Family Guide to Experiencing the Best of Seville

Seville Cathedral: My children are completely obsessed with seeing cathedrals everywhere we go in Europe and this one is their all-time favorite. The exterior is fascinating to see and I highly recommend walking around each side to get a full view. Be sure to reserve your tickets to go inside ahead of time as they do sell out. You won't want to miss seeing the tomb of Christopher Columbus as well as climbing the majestic bell tower, La Giralda. The tower is accessed by walking up the ascending ramps and you'll see fantastic views of the city all the way up.

Plaza del Cabildo: This place feels like a secret; it's tucked away down an alley across from the cathedral and opens up to a gorgeous plaza with little shops and a fountain. There is also a bakery that sells cookies made by nuns in the local convents. Wander through some side streets before turning in here to make it feel like a treasure hunt for the kids — they will love it!

Las Setas: The famed "mushroom" of Seville is a must-see and I recommend going at night to see it all lit up. This is the largest wooden structure in the world, and kids absolutely beam when they see the colorful light show it displays across the night sky. You can also go up to the top of the structure for 16 euros for adults and 13 euros for children, open from 9:30 am until 11:45 pm.

Puente de Triana: This is a beautiful bridge to stroll across at sunset, taking you over the Canal de Alfonso XIII. You'll see rowing teams speeding by, gorgeous views of the city and at the end of it the Capilla Virgen del Carmen chapel.

Plaza de España: In my opinion, this is the best sight to see in Seville, be sure to not miss it! This sprawling plaza has horse-drawn carriage rides (my kiddos favorite thing here), row boats to rent, giant staircases to climb for the best views, and if you are lucky you might even get a free flamenco show. Dancers will often perform for crowds and it's magical hearing the guitar music while you take in the show. The plaza is surrounded by a park, Parque de María Luisa, where you can rent bikes to ride through it and see all the gorgeous fountains. We did the four-person bike and it was non-stop laughter the whole time we were pedaling. I highly recommend adding this to your day! Kids also love watching all the ducks in the park; it's a perfect place to rest before you continue exploring. You can easily spend half a day just in the plaza and park alone.

The Real Alcázar: This stunning palace is a very popular attraction in Seville so have your travel advisor book this and you'll be able to skip the line! This palace is huge, so plan on spending a couple of hours taking in all the beautiful sights. It's a day well-spent, kids will be amazed at the history and leave feeling like royalty.

Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata: Located east of the cathedral five minutes by foot, along Calle Mateos Gago. This tiny bakery makes incredible Pastel de Natas, carmelized egg custard tarts. They are the perfect treat and cost under two euros.

Gascona: This special seafood restaurant is located across the canal from the city in the Barrio de Triana. It's a less polished neighborhood that feels truly authentic southern Spain in the best ways. Make a reservation ahead of time so you can enjoy their paella and amazing grilled scallops. The menu is huge and has plenty of kid friendly options too.

Ovejas Negras Tapas: This is a modern take on a typical Spanish tapa bar located close to the cathedral. We loved the beef tacos, tomato salad and the burgers were a big hit with the kids.

Restaurante El Pintón: Also located near the cathedral, this is a great place for lunch on the patio to enjoy the sunshine Seville is known for. I loved the Mediterranean salad and the kids were fans of the grilled Iberian sirloin. They also make gorgeous cocktails (and mocktails for the little ones).

Bocadillo shops: Throughout town you will see to-go windows with stacks of gourmet sandwiches piled high with jamon. Be sure to stop and grab one. We love to get a few to snack on while we wander around town, the fresh bread alone is heavenly and then you add jamon and it's straight up Spanish perfection!

Gloria & Rositas Casa de Helados: Seville is known for its warm climate, so of course there are tons of ice cream shops. Go for the best of the best by stopping here instead of the many other places. Their dark chocolate ice cream was declared the best ice cream ever by my son, he still talks about it!

Bar Favorito mi lugar: This is a hidden gem located just north of Las Setas. You can sit on the patio for dinner and have a front-row seat for the light show. My daughter loved the mini burgers and tarta de la abuela. For grown-ups, the patas bravas and bacalo con crema stood out as favorites.