What to do in Seville with children. Discover the best activities

Activities for children in Seville

A theme park, science centres, walks along the river and the world’s largest wooden structure are just some of the activities that the Andalusian capital has to offer.

Isla Mágica

On the banks of the Guadalquivir, taking up part of the space that was once occupied by the Expo ‘92, the Isla Mágica (internal link) was built. It’s a theme park dedicated to the explorers who sailed the high seas, perfect for a day out in Seville with children. It’s got a full entertainment programme with shows for the whole family, and rides that will help the bravest little people conquer new worlds.

As well as the classic rollercoasters and water rides that you’ll find in any theme park, there are two sixteenth century caravels moored in the Puerto de Indias. You can jump on board and discover how people travelled during the Age of Exploration.

Isla Mágica is divided up into six themed zones. From the Puerto de Indias in Seville, travel to the Puerta de América and the city of Cartagena de Indias. In La Amazonia, you’ll discover the great Iguazú Falls and the main attraction, El Jaguar. La Guarida de los Piratas, or the Pirates’ Lair, is the most perilous corner of Isla Mágica, home to the most fearsome of buccaneers. La Fuente de la Juventud, or the Fountain of Youth, is where the youngest children will feel at home. And, last but not least, El Dorado’s paths wind through ancient, mysterious buildings. To help you cool off in the heat of Seville’s summer, Agua Mágica is a water-filled zone for the whole family with real beach sand, a wave pool, slides and water rides.

Rotonda Isla Mágica (Isla de la Cartuja).

CaixaForum

Seville’s CaixaForum organises family visits with activities for children. It puts on a full weekly programme of cultural activities for little people with workshops, cinema, exhibitions and concerts that are normally held at the weekends. Check out the programme of activities on the site before going along to sign your kids up to what they like the sound of most, whilst you enjoy the exhibitions. They could end up exploring the mind, doing a self-portrait in black and white, discovering the relationship between light and colour, or doing a multitude of other things. Some activities are free, and others can cost up to six euros.

Calle López Pintado, no number.

Seville Aquarium

Taking the kids to an aquarium is always a safe bet. Seville’s aquarium is a tribute to the first circumnavigation of the world that Magallanes embarked on from the Andalusian capital. Children can get under the skin of the adventurer who took on the challenge of traversing the high seas in 1519.

Seville Aquarium (internal link) recreates the journey through the species that he discovered en route. It starts with the Gualdalquivir, followed by an area dedicated to the Atlantic. Then, the Tropical Rainforest is recreated, with species of amphibians and reptiles, which gives way to the great Oceanarium, where the kids will come face to face with sharks. Next comes the Pacific, rounded off by the jellyfish tank, and the terrarium that’s home to reptiles from the African Savannah.

Muelle de las Delicias. Área Sur. Puerto de Sevilla.

Navigation Pavilion

The exhibition centre of the Pabellón de la Navegación de Sevilla gives children an insight into adventure on the high seas through its permanent exhibition ‘Seville and the Navigation of the Atlantic’, where they can learn all about the people, science and techniques behind the world of oceanic exploration.

They’ll find out about the discoveries made by the first voyagers in a sea of lights, and the technology behind sailing with six different models of ships from different periods of history. In the next room, they’ll discover the art of sailing in a virtual school in which they can practice battling through a vicious storm and find out what to do should pirates attack. The last room is dedicated to the city of Seville and its links to the world of oceanic voyaging. What’s more, there’s a 50-metre-high lookout tower from which visitors can spot the historic centre, the Island of la Cartuja and Aljarafe.

The Navigation Pavilion has a cinema which projects immersive 360º films onto a seven-metre-high planetarium-style screen, where you can enjoy educational and entertaining films.

Camino de los Descubrimientos, 2.

The House of Science

Located in the Peruvian Pavilion of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, Seville’s Casa de la Ciencia Museum is a space where everyone can learn about science whilst having fun. An enormous humpback whale greets visitors to the permanent exhibitions which look at universal themes like the giant species that dwell in our oceans and the geological transformations that the Earth has gone through. It also has a planetarium that gives children from three years and up the key to the world of the stars. There are family visits at the weekends with workshops and guided demonstrations.

Avenida María Luisa, 8.

Alameda de Hércules

This is Europe’s oldest public park and takes its name from the statues of Hercules that sit atop two Roman columns. It has a huge playground and water fountains for children, and lots of bars and terraces where you can watch them whilst you enjoy a delicious breakfast of ham and olive oil, or a much-needed cold drink in the middle of the day. During the year there are all kinds of themed markets, concerts and activities for little ones. Next to the park, the Teatro de la Alameda has a programme for kids, young people and families that it’s worth checking out if you’re visiting Seville with children.

Las Setas de Sevilla

The Metropol Parasol is a peculiar wooden structure in the shape of mushrooms. From the top of it, you can enjoy incredible views of the city. It has a children’s park, mini markets and family tapas bars. This landmark, created by the architect Jürgen Mayer, has five levels. On the first level you’ll find the Archaeological Museum or the ‘Antiquarian’, and on the second the market and the restaurants. On the third level, there’s a raised square which is a wonderful open space, and the tour of the walkways starts on the fourth floor. You access this viewpoint via lifts that you take from the first level. The structure of the Setas de Sevilla is unique in the world and is 150 metres long, 70 metres wide and almost 30 metres tall.

Plaza de la Encarnación.

Take a Family Tour

Of course, you can always take your kids sightseeing and discover the important landmarks of a city like Seville, as long as the tour is designed with them in mind.  Amongst the official tours offered by the city of Seville are ones especially dedicated to families with children. Family Tours will give your children insight into how products used to be transported to Europe from America, share the secrets of the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, get them to search for treasure hidden in a maze, take them up the Giralda, or take them on board a ship from the Age of Exploration. You could also hire a guide just for you and take a tour at your own pace.

Discover Seville from the water

Children love boat trips. You can rent a rowing or motorboat in the Plaza de España de Sevilla and float around the lake for 15 or 35 minutes. There is also the possibility of a boat ride on the Guadalquivir. You can hop on a boat at the Muelle de las Delicias by the Aquarium or anywhere else along the riverbanks. You’ll see the Tower of Gold, the Triana neighbourhood, and the San Telmo bridge from a different perspective.

There’s a huge variety of activities that you can enjoy in Seville with children, so that they can get an idea of just how important this city was in the Age of Exploration.