La Cartuja Monastery

Cheer on the national soccer team from the stands, enjoy the spectacle of the world’s best tennis players or athletes battling it out, or take in a concert at Seville’s grand stadium, La Cartuja. U2, Madonna and the popular Mexican star Luis Miguel are some of the big names to have graced the stage of the city’s premier entertainment venue.

The stadium’s official name is Estadio de La Cartuja, but it’s also referred to as "Estadio Olímpico". It was completed in 1999 as part of Seville’s bid to host the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. The bids were unsuccessful, but the stadium has undoubtedly added a great deal to the city. Major European soccer finals, international soccer matches and the World Athletics championships have all been hosted here.

If your visit to Seville coincides with an event at La Cartuja, then take a seat among some 57,000 other spectators and enjoy the stadium’s electric atmosphere. A steel and polycarbonate roof provides shelter from the elements as you sit in the stands. If your chosen event is a concert rather than a sports game, then you may find yourself standing with up to 72,000 others, as the central pitch makes room for more spectators.

On match days, there are a number of food vendors within the stadium selling anything from tapas and churros, to more American-style snacks like hamburgers and hotdogs. Nearby you’ll find the spacious Alamillo Park, a pleasant place for a stroll before or after the big event.

The stadium is located on Isla de Cartuja, an island in the Guadaviquir River. Buses from central Seville service the island. Contact the Seville tourist board to find out if any events are taking place in the stadium during your visit.