Plaza de España Seville: Free Entry, Rowing Boats, the Province Alcoves and the Best Time to Beat Crowds and Heat

Seville's Plaza de España is a free public square in María Luisa Park, open at all hours with no tickets or booking. Tour groups arrive from about 10 am, and the semicircle, bridges and boat dock are busiest 11 am to 6 pm, especially from April to October and at weekends. For empty bridges and soft light, come before 10 am; for golden light on the brick and tiles, come in the last hour before sunset (after 8 pm in summer). Rowing boats on the canal cost about €6 for 35 minutes (up to four people, plus a small deposit), with queues in the afternoon. In July and August, midday temperatures often top 40°C, so visit early or late. Most of the building is government offices; the square, bridges and 48 tiled province alcoves are what you come for.