Metropol Parasol, Seville

Area, Monument and Notable Building in Seville

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Rubendene

The Metropol Parasol (also called the Setas de Sevilla) is Seville's most striking piece of contemporary architecture: six giant, wood-toned “mushrooms” rising over Plaza de la Encarnación in the old town. Up close, it's part sculpture, part city living room, shading a busy square that mixes everyday market life with a constant buzz of people pausing for coffee, photos, and a look up at the honeycomb-like canopy.

What makes it special is how many Seville layers it stacks into one place. You can browse the market at street level, explore ancient remains beneath, then ride up to a rooftop walkway with panoramic views that make it one of the top attractions in Seville for first-time visitors. It also slots easily into a walking tour of Seville, because you can pair it with tapas streets, shopping lanes, and big-ticket monuments without needing transport.

History and Significance of the Setas de Sevilla
Things to See and Do in the Setas de Sevilla
How to Get to the Setas de Sevilla
Practical Tips on Visiting the Setas de Sevilla
Where to Stay Close to the Setas de Sevilla
Are the Setas de Sevilla Worth Visiting?
For Different Travelers
FAQs for Visiting Setas de Sevilla
Nearby Attractions to the Setas de Sevilla

History and Significance of the Setas de Sevilla

Setas de Sevilla was born from a major renewal project for Plaza de la Encarnación, a site that had long needed a new purpose in the heart of the city. During redevelopment, archaeologists uncovered significant Roman and later remains, which pushed the plans in a new direction: rather than building over the past, the project ended up showcasing it.

The result, opened in 2011 and designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer, deliberately contrasts Seville's medieval lanes and baroque façades with an ultra-modern form. Whether you love it or hate it at first sight, it has become a landmark of modern Seville, turning a formerly overlooked square into a place where locals and travelers naturally converge.

There’s also a practical significance that’s easy to miss in photos: the structure creates shade and an event-ready public plaza in a city where summer heat shapes daily routines. In that sense, it’s not just a viewpoint-it’s urban design with a very Sevillian logic.

Things to See and Do in the Setas de Sevilla

Start at ground level to feel how the place works as part of the city. The Encarnación Market is the everyday heart of the complex, and even a quick wander gives you a sense of local rhythms-fruit stalls, seafood counters, and the soundtrack of a normal Seville morning.

Next, head down to the Antiquarium, an archaeological space that preserves excavated Roman-era mosaics and foundations beneath the square. It's a sharp reminder that Seville is layered, and that the city's “newest icon” sits directly over some of its oldest stories.

Finally, go up to the rooftop paths and viewing areas for the main event. The elevated walkways loop across the structure, opening up wide angles over church domes, terracotta roofs, and the dense grid of the old town. If you can time your slot for late afternoon into sunset, the light over Seville’s skyline is the payoff moment, and the night atmosphere can feel surprisingly different from daytime.

How to Get to the Setas de Sevilla

Seville Airport (SVQ) is the closest airport, and from there the simplest options are a taxi/rideshare or the airport bus into the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Seville on Booking.com. Once you're central, Setas de Sevilla is an easy walk through the old town streets toward Plaza de la Encarnación.

If you’re arriving by train, Sevilla-Santa Justa is the main station, and the quickest connection is a short taxi ride or local bus toward the historic centre, followed by a walk to the square. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. If you prefer to stay fully on foot, you can also walk from the station in roughly half an hour, depending on pace and stops.

For local public transport, several city buses stop within a few minutes’ walk of Plaza de la Encarnación, and the central tram (MetroCentro) to Plaza Nueva puts you within an easy 10-12 minute stroll through the shopping streets.

If you’re driving, plan to use a public car park on the edge of the historic centre and walk in, because traffic access is limited and street parking is scarce. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Setas de Sevilla

Entrance fee: €15 (general ticket for the rooftop viewing platform; concessions may be available).
Opening hours: Daily: 09:30–00:30 (last entry 23:45).
Official website: https://setasdesevilla.com/
Best time to visit: Aim for late afternoon into sunset for the best light over the rooftops, or go later in the evening if you want a calmer, cooler visit.
How long to spend: Budget 45-90 minutes if you’re doing the rooftop walk plus a relaxed pace, and add extra time if you also want the Antiquarium.
Accessibility: Elevators cover most of the experience, but some ramp sections on the rooftop can feel steep; check current access notes before you go.
Facilities: You’ll find restrooms and places for snacks and drinks around the square, plus plenty of cafés nearby for a pre- or post-visit break.

Where to Stay Close to the Setas de Sevilla

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in Santa Cruz for walkable access to Seville’s headline monuments; for a food-and-nightlife-focused stay with quick access to shopping streets and late-evening atmosphere, stay around Encarnación/Alfalfa near the Setas.

If you want to wake up practically on the plaza, Intelier Casa de Indias is a strong, central choice that keeps you steps from the Setas and close to tapas streets. For a boutique feel with a historic edge while still staying walkable to the square, Hotel Posada del Lucero is well-placed for both sightseeing and evening strolls. If you like a quieter street but still want to be near the action, H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel sits between the old town’s dining areas and the Setas, making it easy to split your time between views, food, and neighbourhood wandering.

Are the Setas de Sevilla Worth Visiting?

Yes-especially if you enjoy viewpoints that don’t require a big time commitment. The rooftop walk gives you a genuine “map view” of Seville’s old town, and the experience feels very different from tower climbs because it’s a wide, open loop rather than a single platform.

It's also worth it for how it compresses Seville into one stop: modern landmark above, archaeology below, and a living market in the middle. Even if you decide not to buy a ticket, the plaza is still a good place to pause, people-watch, and feel the city's pace.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For younger kids, the Setas works best as a quick, high-reward stop: the “giant mushrooms” are instantly fun, and the rooftop feels like a gentle adventure without needing hours of attention. Try to book a time when everyone’s energy is good, and frame it as a short “skywalk mission” rather than a long museum-style visit.

If your family is heat-sensitive, prioritise evening or later slots when the square cools down and the city feels more comfortable. Pair it with a snack break in the surrounding streets, and keep the visit flexible so you can dip back down to the plaza easily.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

The rooftop at golden hour is a strong “Seville moment,” especially if you like skyline photos and slow wandering without a fixed route. The walkways give you space to linger, and the view changes as you loop, which makes it feel more like a shared stroll than a quick look-out.

Afterward, the surrounding streets are ideal for turning the visit into a date-style mini itinerary: tapas, a glass of wine, and an unplanned wander through the old town. It's a modern landmark that fits surprisingly well into a classic Seville evening.

Budget Travelers

You can get a lot from this area without paying: the plaza itself is free, the market is great for a low-cost look at local life, and the neighbourhood around Encarnación is packed with walkable sights. If you’re watching spending, treat the rooftop ticket as a “choose one viewpoint” decision rather than an automatic purchase.

If you do pay for one elevated view in Seville, this can be a good candidate because it's central and efficient-no extra transport costs and easy to combine with other stops. Balance it by planning a picnic-style lunch from market snacks or grabbing affordable tapas nearby.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (103,712)

Setas de Sevilla, on Plaza de la Encarnación in Casco Antiguo, is a striking wooden, mushroom‑like sculpture with an archaeological museum below, an indoor market and tapas bars at ground level, and a rooftop walkway with elevated viewpoints; visitors praise the changing light at sunset, the panoramic city views from the top (reachable by elevator with timed entry advised), evening light displays, a short film and audio tour, occasional street music on the staircases, and morning market stalls and Roman ruins beneath, making it a lively spot to browse, watch locals, and take photos.

TCD

a week ago

"This is such a cool and unique structure and a great place to slow down and take it all in. The design really stands out, and it’s especially fun towalk around and people-watch from this area. A little history: officially called Metropol Parasol, the structure was completed in 2011 and is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. Built over the Plaza de la Encarnación, it blends modern architecture with the historic heart of Seville and was designed to revitalize this part of the city. We loved coming here around sunset—the light changes beautifully and makes for amazing photos as the sun goes down. It’s a relaxed spot with a great atmosphere, and you get a real sense of the city as locals and visitors pass through. Definitely worth stopping by for the views, photos, and overall vibe...."

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lexie porter

a month ago

"One of the best parts of my 3 months in Europe traveling!! A beautiful structure you could spend hours looking over the city at. I went at 6:45 afterbooking an online reservation about 2 days prior due to still being lots of tourists in the area. It was the perfect time! I beat somewhat of the sunset rush, so I could explore the structure and see it during the daytime. Then returned to the main viewpoint to watch the sunset and the lights turn on. It does get extremely busy around sunset, with very little space at the top miradouro. A rooftop bar in the surrounding area would have just as good views with less crowds BUT staying up after sunset allows you to see the lights turn on from the top which is SOO cool. The little film they show at the end is interesting and the theater is well kept with comfortable seating. Well worth the €16 I spent for full admission!..."

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Hayes Weggeman

a month ago

"I enjoyed the Setas. It's a large structure made to resemble mushrooms. There is a deck above the ground level which anybody can access. The view isnice. You can also pay yo go up on an elevator to the top for a view of the city. There is an indoor market in the ground floor area that has all sorts of vendors. They have various good seafood vendors. There are coffee shops and tapas bars. It's a neat place to hang out got a while and just browse. If your in Seville for a couple days it's well worth checking out...."

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FAQs for Visiting Setas de Sevilla

Getting There

It’s in Plaza de la Encarnación in Seville’s historic centre, surrounded by shopping streets and tapas bars. It’s an easy walk from many central landmarks.

Walk toward Plaza del Salvador and continue through the central lanes toward Plaza de la Encarnación. You’ll spot the structure from a few blocks away, which makes final navigation easy.

The simplest route is a short taxi ride, or a bus connection toward the centre followed by a walk. If you enjoy walking, you can also reach it on foot in around 30 minutes.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, the plaza and the area around the structure are free to access. You only need a ticket for the rooftop viewing platform and any included experiences tied to that entry.

Booking ahead is a good idea in peak periods, especially for sunset slots. If you’re visiting in quieter months or earlier in the day, walk-up tickets are often possible.

Most standard tickets focus on rooftop access and the viewing route, sometimes bundled with on-site audiovisual elements. The exact inclusions can vary, so it’s worth checking the ticket description on the day you book.

Visiting Experience

It pairs well with Plaza del Salvador for atmosphere, the shopping streets around Calle Sierpes, and a tapas loop through Alfalfa. You can also link it to the Cathedral area as a longer walk.

Yes, the ambience changes noticeably after dark, and the skyline looks completely different with city lights. Night visits can also feel cooler and less hectic in warmer months.

It’s best in fair weather because the rooftop is the main draw and views matter. If the weather is unreliable, keep it flexible and book closer to your intended time if possible.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many modern Seville or mixed highlights tours include it because it’s central and visually distinctive. Even when tours don’t go up, they often use the plaza as a natural meeting or photo point.

Most travelers do fine independently since the visit is straightforward and self-paced. A guide adds value mainly if you want deeper context on the redevelopment and the archaeology beneath the square.

Photography

Yes-both the structure itself and the rooftop views photograph well, especially when the light is soft. The best shots usually come from mixing wide skyline frames with close-up texture patterns of the wood canopy.

Late afternoon and sunset give the warmest tones over Seville’s rooftops. Early morning can also work if you want cleaner frames with fewer people.

Accessibility & Facilities

You’ll find facilities within the complex and plenty of cafés and services immediately around the square. It’s a very easy area to plan around without needing to carry much.

In general, yes, because access is designed to move visitors up and down efficiently. As with any rooftop route, it’s smart to keep an eye on crowd levels and take ramps at a steady pace.

Food & Breaks Nearby

The streets around Alfalfa and Plaza del Salvador are packed with casual cafés and tapas spots. The market area is also a useful starting point if you want something quick before heading up.

Encarnación Market is the obvious pairing for a local feel, even if you’re only browsing. From there, it’s easy to turn the visit into a tapas crawl through the surrounding lanes.

Nearby Attractions to the Setas de Sevilla

Seville Cathedral: The city's headline Gothic landmark, best paired with a stroll through the surrounding historic lanes.
Royal Alcázar of Seville: A palace complex of courtyards and gardens that's ideal for a longer, culture-heavy visit.
Iglesia del Salvador: A richly decorated baroque church close enough to combine with the Setas in under an hour.
Palacio de las Dueñas: A beautiful aristocratic house with gardens, art, and a quieter pace than the main monuments.
Casa de Pilatos: A striking blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar style, perfect if you want architecture beyond the obvious highlights.

The Metropol Parasol appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Seville!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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