3 Days In Seville: How To Plan The Perfect Seville Itinerary

Iconic attractions, traditional tapas and world-class art. There’s a lot to be savoured in this southern Spanish gem. Here’s how we suggest spending 3 days in Seville, including how to find the best tapas.

Seville is the hottest city in Europe, literally and figuratively.

While the rest of Europe is cowering in the cold, Seville’s historic buildings rise into clear blue skies, illuminated by a warm, golden sun.

It’s the perfect destination for a long weekend. Explore beautiful remnants of its Moorish past, then unwind in a sun-drenched square lined with orange trees.

We love Seville. It’s the one place in Spain we’ve spent the most time, and it remains one of our favourite cities in Europe.

Our itinerary covers the main attractions in a walkable order, so you can see as much as possible in your 3 days. For the full list of what you can expect, read our guide to the best things to do in Seville.

WHAT TO BOOK BEFORE YOU GO

Seville is a popular place – for good reason – and many attractions will have long queues, especially during peak season. In particular, the roof tour of the Cathedral can book out up to a week in advance, so we recommend booking this well before your trip.

Here are the main attractions we suggest you book ahead to avoid queuing and/or missing out:

• Real Alcázar – We highly recommend booking before you go. Make sure you stand in the queue for pre-purchased tickets so you don’t have to queue up for too long.
• Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower – Both are less busy, but the roof can fill up fast. Last time we were in Seville, we missed out, so book ahead.
• Cathedral Roof Tour – The roof tour is not included in the regular ticket price, and it must be booked at least 1 week in advance.
• Flamenco performances can also be very popular. Book online before you travel, or head directly to the venue on the first day you arrive in Seville. 

MAP: OUR SEVILLE ITINERARY

We’ve put this itinerary together in the order we think you should see things, making it a very walkable 3 days in Seville. All the attractions we mentioned are included on this map.

To help you decide where to base yourself, we have a guide to Where To Stay In Seville with more information about the different neighbourhoods.

SEVILLE ITINERARY

DAY 1: EL CENTRO

We suggest starting in El Centro, the city’s core hub, which has many of the main attractions in Seville to get you started.

Begin by grabbing breakfast at La Cacharreria, which has a great selection of sandwiches, waffles and eggs. It’s a great budget breakfast to kick things off.

METROPOL PARASOL

Next, make your way to Metropol Parasol (locally known as “Las Setas”), which claims to be the largest wooden building in the world.

The price to take the undulating walkway on the top has risen a lot recently, but if it’s your first time in Seville, it’s probably worth doing anyway.

Tickets – Book skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid queuing.

CALLE REGINA & SANTA CATALINA

Grab a takeaway coffee at Virgin Coffee, then explore bohemian Calle Regina and the narrow laneways of Santa Catalina.

Here you’ll find a great selection of quirky shops and hipster-inspired craftiness, blended with old-school Spanish eateries. It’s a great part of Seville for a leisurely stroll.

CASA DE PILATOS

After exploring the laneways of Santa Catalina, end up at Casa de Pilatos. Downstairs, the Mudéjar (a hybrid of Islamic and Christian designs) courtyard contains a Renaissance fountain and sculptures, flanked by a Gothic chapel.

Upstairs, where the owners lived until a few years ago, the Mudéljar ceilings and windows surround rooms decorated like a grand European house. It’s well worth a visit.

Tickets – Book skip-the-line tickets for Casa de Pilatos.

LUNCH: BAR ALFALFA

It’s a tight squeeze at Bar Alfalfa, but it is worth it for the traditional tapas (try the solomillo and the croquetas) and bustling Spanish atmosphere. We’ve been coming here for years, and it’s something we never miss when we’re in Seville.

SEVILLE CATHEDRAL

After lunch, head to the Cathedral.

One hundred seventy-five years after the Christians captured Seville, the decaying mosque was destroyed, and the gargantuan Seville Cathedral was built in its place.

It is said to be the largest cathedral in the world by volume.

Inside, check out the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the remarkable Chapter House, which features an extraordinary domed chapel with paintings by Murillo.  

Tickets – Book skip-the-line tickets for Seville Cathedral.

CATHEDRAL ROOF TOUR // One of the best ways to experience the cathedral is on the roof tour, which you need to book at least one week in advance, as it sells out quickly.

GIRALDA TOWER

After visiting the cathedral, head up to the tower.

A slowly winding ramp takes you up 35 floors to the top. As you ascend, check out the Mudéjar items on your left. The views from the summit are an ideal way to close out the sightseeing on the first day in Seville.

Tickets for the Cathedral include entrance to the tower, but not the roof tour. The roof tour needs to be booked separately as mentioned above.

EME CATEDRAL

Take the lift up to the EME Catedral Hotel bar for sunset drinks. Yes, they are twice as expensive as anywhere else, but the views are four times as good. Shimmy your way up to the glass panels and stare in wonder at the magnificent view.

DINNER

For dinner, head to Mamarracha, a stylish modern tapas bar with excellent food and swish contemporary décor. The zucchini and basil risotto and the Ibérica sirloin with chimichurri were top-notch.

DAY 2: BARRIO DE SANTA CRUZ

After a bit of shopping in the morning, spend day 2 soaking up the city’s intriguing history, starting with the Alcazár.

BREAKFAST: BAR EL COMMERCIO

Begin day two with breakfast at Bar El Commercio. It’s traditional, so try the churros con chocolate. In Spain, churros aren’t the sugar-encrusted dessert you might get elsewhere (nothing wrong with that), but a less sweet breakfast dish.

To be honest, El Commercio is more on the tourist radar now than it was when we first started going, but it’s still a great place for breakfast.

BARRIO SANTA CRUZ

Next, explore the area around Calle Sierpes and Calle Velázquez in Centro, before heading into Barrio Santa Cruz.

This is the medieval Jewish quarter. The barrio was home to Seville’s thriving Jewish community until their expulsion in 1492, and today it retains much of its historical character with whitewashed buildings, flower-filled patios, and hidden plazas.

As you wander, look for the narrow Callejón del Agua, one of the most picturesque streets with its ivy-covered walls and glimpses into private courtyards.

ARCHIVO GENERAL DE INDIAS

For 100 years, most of the wealth of the Spanish Empire flowed from the Americas into Seville, until the river began silting up at the turn of the 16th century.

The records for Spain’s involvement in the Americas now rest in the Archivo General de Indias. There isn’t much to see, so if you don’t have time, you can skip it.

However, it’s worth strolling the halls and watching the film on the second floor detailing this important part of Seville’s history if you can squeeze it in. Entry is free.

LUNCH: BODEGUITA CASABLANCA

There are hundreds of places to eat near the Alcázar (unsurprisingly), but we recommend perching with locals on the high tables at Bodeguita Casablanca. The food is good, and the views are even better.

REAL ALCÁZAR

Next, head to the Alcázar, the most magnificent of Seville’s fine buildings.

Originally a fort during Islamic times, it became home to the Spanish Kings after the Christian conquest in 1248, who developed and enhanced the buildings.

It’s now better known as a Game of Thrones location.

The most impressive room is the Mudéjar Palacio de Don Pedro, whose styling is very reminiscent of the Alhambra in Granada.

Tickets – Book skip-the-line Real Alcázar tickets.

ALAMEDA DE HÉRCULES

In the evening, amble up to Alameda de Hércules in the northern part of town.

The purpose is to experience a buzzing part of Seville with several good restaurants. Our pick is Duo Tapas, where interesting food is served in a tiny square under fairy lights hanging from an old church.

Honestly, this is the best tapas we found in Seville, but we have a longer list on our things to do in Seville blog post.

After dinner, head to Habanilla Café, where a lively mix of locals gather to listen to whatever is on offer that night.

DAY 3: PLAZA DE ESPAÑA + HIDDEN GEMS

Plaza de España is a masterpiece of architectural design and a great place to hang out. Start here, then explore some of Seville’s less-visited attractions.

PLAZA DE ESPAÑA

Start the last day of your Seville Itinerary at Plaza de España, which was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition.

It’s a huge semi-circular building with a mix of styles, adorned with tiled alcoves, and surrounded by a plaza of fountains, bridges, and rectangular ponds.

It’s a popular destination in Seville, and the government is considering charging a fee to control numbers, but as yet it’s still free to enter.

PARQUE DE MARÍA LUISA

Stroll the nearby Parque de Maria Luisa with its shaded paths and manicured gardens, before heading north through the Antigua Fábrica de Tabacos (old tobacco factory), a magnificent building now housing the University of Seville.

Take a quick look at the Alfonso XIII Hotel, one of the places we recommend for a splurge. Read more in our guide: Where to stay in Seville, which also has more budget choices of accommodation.

Parque de María Luisa is open 24 hours a day from April to October and from 8 am to 9 pm between November and March.

TORRE DEL ORO

Next, amble up the river, past the Torre del Oro, a 13th-century Islamic watchtower and the last remaining section of the Moorish walls that once circled the city.

The small naval museum inside is not really worth the entry fee, but the viewing tower on the roof is very good.

PLAZA DE TOROS DE LA REAL MAESTRANZA

Near the Torre del Oro, Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería is the oldest bullring in Spain. With a capacity of 14,000 bullfighting fans, it’s also one of the biggest.

Fortunately, you can learn about this deeply held tradition on a tour of the complex without witnessing a fight.

Tickets – Book a guided tour of Plaza de Torros.

MERCADO DE TRIANA

Cross the river and meander through Triana Market. Fresh meat and fish stalls are interspersed with cafes and bars. Try a coffee and pastry at Café Bocasú – but not too many because lunch is coming up.

LUNCH: BODEGUITA ROMERO

After the market, cross back over the Puente de Isabel II and head to Bodeguita Romero on Calle Harinas, just a ten-minute walk away.

This family-run tapas bar has been serving traditional Andalusian dishes for over 70 years, and it’s a local favourite.

MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES

Take solace from the afternoon heat at Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s premier art collections.

The building, a beautiful convent, houses a few grandmasters from the 15th to 20th centuries. But its undisputed highlight is the towering Murillo hanging in the church attached to the convent.

It’s free to enter, but a guided tour is worth considering, given the interesting art collection.

Cool tip — The ice cream at Creéme Helado, just across the square, is excellent.

FLAMENCO: MUSEO DEL BAILE FLAMENCO

On the final night in Seville, take in a Flamenco show at the Museo del Baile Flamenco. It’s a rousing night with dancers stomping, clapping and twirling their way around a tiny stage (or a pretty patio).

Flamenco is backed by a guitar or a lone voice, and it’s an enchanting and at times haunting experience.

For dinner, snag a table on the footpath at El Pintón.

LOGISTICS & PRACTICALITIES

WHERE TO STAY IN SEVILLE

Seville is very walkable, so we recommend staying as central as possible to take full advantage of it.

Fortunately, Seville is a very cost-effective city. You can easily find a bargain in the compact centre of the old town or splash out on luxury in a modern resort-style hotel.

We have a guide to where to stay in Seville, including recommendations for areas and hotels. But here are a few ideas:

• Hotel Amadeus & La Musica – This family-run hotel has a unique design, beautifully appointed rooms, and an interest in classical music. The roof terrace has amazing views.
• EME Catedral Hotel – The interior of this stylish modern hotel is beautiful throughout. The rooftop terrace has the best views of the city.
• Hotel Alfonso XIII – Hotel Alfonso is not cheap. But such a beautiful old hotel has rarely managed to modernise so elegantly. Rooms are individually decorated and supremely stylish.

HOW TO GET TO SEVILLE

Seville is a very accessible destination in Spain with good flight connections from other European cities and a great local train network.

BY AIR

Sevilla International Airport (or San Pablo Airport) is a 20-minute taxi ride to the town centre. A taxi will cost around €22 (+€1 per bag), and the taxi rank is just outside the main terminal.

A bus (€4) runs from the airport to town roughly every 20 minutes from around 5 AM to 1 AM. It makes several stops, including the Sevilla Santa-Justa train station and Plaza de Armas. The journey time is around 35 minutes.

BY TRAIN

The Spanish rail network is excellent, with high-speed trains connecting most major centres. If you’re already in the country, taking a train is the best way to get to Seville.

The main train station is Sevilla-Santa Justa, which is well connected to other Spanish cities, including Córdoba (45 minutes), Madrid (around 2 hours and 30 minutes), and Málaga (2 hours).

TRAIN FROM	HOW LONG	GUIDE
Córdoba	34 min	2-day Córdoba itinerary
Madrid	2 hr, 30 min	Things to do in Madrid
Málaga	2 hr	Things to do in Málaga
Granada	2 hr, 45 min	Things to do in Granada

HOW TO GET AROUND SEVILLE?

Seville is a compact city where everything is well within walking distance, and we have designed this itinerary as a walking guide.

As many of the sights are in the old town on tiny streets and cobbled laneways, any other form of transport would take longer than walking.

If you want to go further afield, there is a public cycle programme called SEVici which operates on the 120 kilometres of bike lanes throughout the city.

Unfortunately, the pricing structure makes it unappealing to visitors. The short-term pass costs €13 for a 7-day registration, with each trip costing €1.03 for the first hour and €2.04 for each subsequent hour. Each user needs to pay a refundable deposit of €150. 

HOW MANY DAYS IN SEVILLE

We recommend three days in Seville for this itinerary; however, you could easily stay longer.

If you only have a weekend, two days would allow you to see most of the main attractions. However, it’s probably not enough time to fully absorb the Spanish culture that makes Seville such a great place to visit.

In three days, you could catch most of the main sights, plus allow some time to amble the streets, try a selection of tapas bars, and enjoy more of Seville’s incredible art scene.

You could easily spend a week in the area, and our guide to the best places to visit in Andalucía has many more ideas.

Our 7-day Andalucía itinerary covers 4 great cities with some optional day trips to the countryside.

A very popular day trip from Seville is Córdoba, where you can visit the Mezquita-Catedral, one of the most impressive buildings in the world

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Seville is from March to May, when fresh growth makes the trees and gardens lush green, the temperatures are not too high, and the winter rains are beginning to ease.

In particular, a weekend in Seville in March and April can be a cheap way for northern Europeans to get some winter sun while enjoying a historically interesting place.

Seville is the hottest city in Europe, and summer temperatures reach into the forties. Therefore, it’s best to avoid June to September. 

DAY TRIPS FROM SEVILLE

Perfectly placed to take advantage of the Andalusian region, there’s a host of great day trips from Seville. Whether you’re looking to sample a local Jerez (sherry) or explore the famous pueblos blancos (white villages), here is our pick of the best outings.

Italica – The incredibly well-preserved ruins were once part of the world’s most important and advanced Roman city.

Córdoba – If you only do a one-day trip from Seville, this would be our choice. All the details are in our day trip to Córdoba from Seville guide.

Jerez – Jerez de la Frontera is part of the sherry triangle in southern Spain. With 10 trains per day and just over an hour travel time, it’s an easy day trip from Seville.

Cádiz – Cádiz is an ancient town by the sea with wide boulevards flanked by imposing terrace houses. The train from Seville to Cádiz takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. See our guide to Cádiz for more information.

Caminito del Rey – The Caminito del Rey is a 7-kilometre hike through a stunning gorge suspended 100 metres above the ground on an aerial path. Our guide to the Caminito del Rey walk provides all the details. 

White Villages – Set amongst rolling green hills and rocky outcrops, the White Villages around Andulcía are a joy to drive around. Read more in our guide to the White Villages of Spain, including a driving route.

MORE HELPFUL ANDALUCÍA GUIDES

• Read about our favourite places to visit in Andalucía.
• Relax on the Costa del Sol with our guide to the best beach bars near Marbella.
• Our guide to the best things to do in Granada has the top attractions plus the best tapas.
• The Caminito del Rey hike is one of the most stunning in Spain.
• Discover the best places to visit on the Costa del Sol.
• Get off-the-beaten track on the El Pinsapar Trail in Sierra de Grazalema.
• Soak up the sun at these beautiful beaches near Tarifa.
• Visit el Torreón, the highest peak in Sierra de Grazalema.
• Fancy a strenuous walk? Try the La Concha hike.
• Discover all the best things to do in Seville.
• What to do in Mijas on a day trip.