The 8 Best Museums in Seville

The Flamenco Dance Museum (Museo del Baile Flamenco)

We can hardly talk about Seville without mentioning flamenco, and the Flamenco Dance Museum is the perfect place to learn about this iconic art form. Directed by acclaimed flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos, the museum’s collection is small but thorough, full of displays and interactive exhibits that bring the dance to life. They showcase excellent live performances in the evenings, and even offer flamenco dance, guitar, and singing classes if you want to take your skills to the next level. 

The Museum of Fine Arts of Seville (Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla)

Seville’s Museum of Fine Arts is worth visiting for the building alone—it’s housed in a breathtaking old convent dating from the early 17th century. But be sure to stick around to admire the masterpieces that lie within. Its collection spans more than 300 years of artistic progress by some of Spain’s greatest painters, including El Greco, Diego Velázquez, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The museum is considered one of the best galleries of its kind in Spain—unofficially second in importance only to the Prado Museum in Madrid—and it’s well worth spending an afternoon discovering its treasures.

Triana Ceramics Center (Centro Cerámica Triana)

Head west from the city center across the river to the Triana neighborhood, and you’ll find yourself in what feels like a completely different city. Triana’s residents are proud of their local identity, a major staple of which is the area’s long tradition of crafting hand-painted ceramics. 

At the Triana Ceramics Center, you can follow the cherished history of this local art form throughout the centuries, from the Moorish period up until the 1950s. Located inside the old Santa Ana ceramics factory, this museum is a must for anyone looking for a deep dive into this beloved element of local artistic heritage.

Andalusian Center of Contemporary Art (Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo)

Don’t let the setting of the Andalusian Center of Contemporary Art—an imposing 15th-century monastery on Cartuja Island—fool you. Despite its Franciscan exterior, inside you’ll find hundreds of fascinating Spanish and international contemporary works dating from the mid-20th century until now. The contrast between the age-old location and the strikingly modern treasures it houses is breathtaking, and makes for a completely unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. 

In addition to the excellent permanent collection, the museum is also home to three temporary exhibition spaces; the exhibitions themselves are well curated and packed with valuable information. The space also regularly hosts fairly priced film screenings as well as live jazz and flamenco performances.

The Archaeological Museum of Seville (Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla)

Located in beautiful María Luisa Park (Parque de María Luisa), the Archaeological Museum of Seville houses countless treasures of iconic civilizations, all of which were discovered in the area near present-day Seville. The setup of the museum is easy to follow in chronological order; starting with prehistory, you'll go on a fascinating journey through time, pausing at the Ancient Roman period and ending with the Moorish period. Don’t miss the breathtaking El Carambolo treasure: a priceless collection of nearly two dozen pieces of goldwork dating back to the sixth century B.C.

If you’re interested in visiting the nearby ruins of Italica, an Ancient Roman city on the outskirts of Seville, the Roman collection at this museum provides the perfect complement to your trip.

Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of Seville (Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Sevilla)

Directly across Plaza de América from the Archaeological Museum, Seville’s Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is a celebration of Andalusian history and culture. From an up-close look at how the elaborate Holy Week floats are made, to the history of local winemaking, to the items found in typical Andalusian homes throughout history, this museum is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about southern Spain. Be sure to take some time to relax in the beautiful gardens surrounding the museum—the green space is perfect for an afternoon siesta or an hour spent with a good book.

Spanish Inquisition Museum (Museo Del Castillo De San Jorge)

Another of the many reasons to head across the Guadalquivir River into the Triana neighborhood, the Spanish Inquisition Museum provides an in-depth look at a dark yet fascinating moment in Spain’s history. It's housed inside the 12th-century San Jorge Castle, the building that was the seat of the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century. 

While small, the museum gives visitors a chilling look at the realities of the inquisition. Step into the ruins of the prison and read the sobering stories of a few of the thousands of its victims—while far from a fun and lighthearted experience, it’s a powerful reminder of a moment in history that should not be forgotten.

General Archive of the Indies (Archivo de Indias)

Housed in the old merchants’ exchange just across from Seville’s grandiose Cathedral, the General Archive of the Indies houses anything and everything related to the Spanish colonial conquest of the Americas and beyond. Inside, over 5 miles’ worth of shelving is home to tens of thousands of documents and records that tell the complete story of Spain’s quest to expand its empire over the course of three centuries. 

While not all of the space is open to the public, the space regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and events that help further bring the story of Spanish exploration to life. A UNESCO World Heritage site along with the nearby Cathedral and Alcázar palace, this place is a must for history buffs.