Seville is home to magnificent historic buildings such as the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar, evocative squares such as Plaza de España and picturesque neighbourhoods such as the Barrio de Santa Cruz and the Barrio de Triana.
There’s certainly no shortage of things to do, but if you have children, love rides, water parks and sheer fun, the city can offer you that too: Isla Mágica of Seville is one of the most important and well-attended theme parks in all of Spain.
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A taste of what awaits you…
Unlike other theme parks that often require long journeys to reach, Isla Mágica is less than 3 kilometres (1,8 miles) from the very central Seville Cathedral.
The park opened in 1997 and occupies the area of the Isla de la Cartuja, a district that was redesigned for Expo ’92 and now serves as an ingenious theme park.
In the themed area where the Pabellón de España and the Pabellón de Andalucía once stood you will discover 16th-century Seville with its harbour and the explorers setting out to discover the New World, pirates, the rapids of the Orinoco… and for the little ones the Fountain of Youth is the space where there are carousels and children’s rides as well as performances by actors who re-enact, in a fun and educational way, historical events that really took place between the Old Continent and the New World.
With 25 rides and various daily shows, the entertainment caters for all ages. For thrill-lovers, El Jaguar will take the breath away even from the bravest: a roller coaster reaching 85 kilometres per hour (52 Mph) that plunges from a height of 32 metres and, over 765 metres of track, inverts no fewer than five times. If you don’t suffer from vertigo, El Desafío is the ride for you: a free fall down an ancient Arab minaret at 60 kilometres per hour (37 Mph) from 68 metres up.
Seville gets hot in summer, as everyone knows, so the most sought-after attractions are the water ones: 500 metres of rafting among the ruins of an ancient Mayan temple in the Rápidos del Orinoco, the water roller coaster called Anaconda with three drops of 8, 9 and as much as 17 metres, and, finally, the attraction Iguazú, which recreates the famous waterfalls: you’ll reach a speed of no less than 50 kilometres per hour (31 Mph) and, on the descent, you’ll create a wave that, as well as soaking you and everyone on the boat, will also drench the unsuspecting spectators along the route.
Useful information on Isla Mágica: opening times and how to get there
The Isla Mágica theme park is located on the Isla de Cartuja in the centre of Seville. The main entrance to the park is on Rotonda Isla Mágica.
From Santa Justa train station you can take bus C2 and get off at Isla Mágica, Isla de la Cartuja. From the bus stations at Plaza de Armas or Prado San Sebastián you can take bus C3 and get off at the Isla Mágica stop.
The park generally opens after mid‑April (more or less in time for the Feria de Abril) and closes in November.
Isla Mágica’s ticket office opens at 10:30, but the various areas of the park then open at staggered times: the Sevilla and Puerto de Indias areas open first, then progressively all the other zones. Closing times aren’t always the same either; in fact they vary from day to day. I therefore recommend checking the park’s opening hours for the days you’re interested in: you can always consult the up-to-date times here.
Ticket prices
You can enter the park for the whole day (día completo), in the afternoon (tarde) or only in the evening (noche). Ticket prices may vary over time, but roughly the rates are as follows:
- Full day: €29 / reduced ticket for children aged 4–12: €22.90
- Afternoon admission: €24 / reduced ticket for children aged 4–12: €17
- Evening admission: € 11
The rides and sections of Isla Mágica
The park is divided into 7 themed areas:
- Sevilla, Puerto de Indias
- Agua Mágica
- Puerta de America
- Amazonia
- La Guarida de los Piratas
- La Fuente de la Juventud
- ElDorado
Let’s take a look together at the features and the main rides in each area.
Seville, Puerto de Indias
A great wall welcomes visitors who will literally step into another world: sixteenth‑century Seville has a unique charm. Here you’ll find the Carabelas, two caravels moored at the Puerto de Indias to explore in every part. The Carrusel Mágico is suitable for the whole family and when it lights up in the evening the magic is unique.
El Desafío is 68 metres high and has four intensity levels: from Panoramico with a slow ascent and descent to Pojo with two drops at 60 kilometres per hour (37 Mph), the first of which is staggered to make the adrenaline even greater. In this area you’ll also find the following attractions:
- La Travesía, for a boat ride on the lake and to explore the park’s most hidden corners
- Los Bucaneros and Roscos Chocones, where you can battle and bump into each other on boats or inflatable rings
- LagoBola, a paid attraction that lets you literally walk on the lake water inside large bubbles
Magic Water
The park’s very own water park: El Arrecife, a new attraction with an 800-square-metre pool that includes a children’s play area, water slides and the long tunnels of Isla de toboganes or, for the little ones, Mini Paraíso and Río lento. In addition, in this area of Isla Mágica you can even find a sandy beach, Playa Quetzal, where you can relax and sunbathe.
Gate of America
Some of the most adrenaline-fuelled rides are in this area of the park. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the course of the water rollercoaster Anaconda is made up of thrilling twists and drops. Navío Barbaroja is a pirate galleon that, swinging back and forth, reaches breathtaking speeds and heights. Certainly more relaxing are a visit to El Galeón and the elevated Tren de Potosí. For the little ones, Sapo Saltón is a giant frog that hops and spins.
Amazonia
This is the green lung of the amusement park. Enjoy a pleasant stroll but watch out! If you find yourself near the course of the ride Iguazù a high-speed boat could come down from the waterfall and soak you to the skin! El Jaguar is the roller coaster for thrill-seekers who love height and speed, while children can enjoy the piranha-shaped bumper cars of Topetazù or a ride on the Llamas in the Andean forest.
The Pirates’ Lair
The pirates are waiting for you! The pirate house Capitán Balas is a dark and mysterious walk-through with interactive effects, where kids, using a gun, can trigger explosions, jets of water and unexpected mechanical movements. Each target scores 10 points: it’s time to compete with your friends! Another very popular attraction is Los Toneles: experience the effects of too much rum on the high seas while seated on large barrels that spin and move at high speed.
The Fountain of Youth
Who wouldn’t want to find the Fountain of Youth? This is the children’s island where every ride sparks the imagination and where water play is plentiful. I recommend trying with your little ones the mini roller coaster Caimán Bailón and the elevated train Zum-Zum: Las Abejitas, the coaster Crisálida, the gentle drop of Rana Saltarina, the wheel Rueda Primavera. Admire also the large trees with water features and the slides of Tutti Frutti.
El Dorado
You’ve reached the City of Gold, sought by Spanish explorers and others for centuries. Millennia-old ruins swallowed by vegetation, Aztec water springs, pyramids and mysterious statues adorn this side of the park. The circular swing with flying chairs of El Vuelo del Halcón spins at high speed close to the rapids of Rápidos del Orinoco, on which you can ride in round inflatable rafts: an unforgettable rafting experience that will leave you soaked but happy!
Besides the rides, throughout the day there are shows and events in the park’s various areas that will be hard to forget, such is the skill of the artists and actors. There are also refreshment outlets with themed décor to match the part of the park where they are situated.
Where to stay near the park?
As mentioned, Isla Mágica is easily reachable from the city centre, so please see our article on where to stay in Seville, which contains recommendations for all the central neighbourhoods and more. However, if you’re looking for accommodation right by the park, I recommend searching in the Barrio Macarena, which is located just on the other side of the bridge: see the properties available at the link below.
