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.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
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.
IN THIS GUIDE
3-DAY SEVILLE ITINERARY
Metropol Parasol, Calle Regina, Casa de Pilatos, Cathedral, Giralda Tower
Calle Sierpes, Hospital de los Venerables, Archivo General de Indias, Real Alcázar, Alameda de Hércules
Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, Torre del Oro, Plaza de Toros, Mercado de Triana, Museo de Bellas Artes, FLamenco
OUR SEVILLE MAP
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.
How to use our maps // Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
DAY 1 – EL CENTRO
Kickstart your Seville trip in El Centro, the core hub around which the city revolves. Wander local streets, collect Gothic landmarks and admire exotic palaces.
METROPOL PARASOL
Begin by grabbing breakfast at La Cacharreria which has a great selection of sandwiches, waffles and eggs. Then, 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. But only just.
Tickets + Details – setasdesevilla.com
CALLE REGINA & SANTA CATALINA
Grab a takeaway coffee at Virgin Coffee then explore bohemian Calle Regina and the narrow laneways of Santa Catalina. Here, quirky shops and hipster-inspired craftiness blend 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. After lunch head to the Cathedral.
SEVILLE CATHEDRAL
175 years after the Christians captured Seville, the decaying mosque was destroyed, and the gargantuan Seville Cathedral was built in its place. It said to be the largest in the world by volume. Inside, check out the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the remarkable Chapter House.
Tickets // Book skip-the-line tickets for Seville Cathedral.
ANDALUCÍA
For other landmarks in Andalucía that started as something different, read our guide to Cádiz and Málaga, both of which have interesting Moorish histories.
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.
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. Low-hanging bulbs add to the charm, as does the rustic tables and cool plant wall. The zucchini and basil risotto and the Ibérica sirloin with chimichurri were top-notch.
DAY 2 – BARRIO DE SANTA CRUZ
The Real Alcazár of Seville is an enthralling blend of Christian and Islamic design. After a bit of shopping, spend day two soaking up the intriguing history of the city, starting with the alcazár.
BREAKFAST – CHURROS AT 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 desert you might get elsewhere, (nothing wrong with that) but a less sweet breakfast dish.
CALLE SIERPES
This morning explore Calle Sierpes and Calle Velázquez in Centro, before heading into Barrio Santa Cruz. This is the medieval Jewish quarter and it’s a tangle of twisty laneways and tiny squares. It’s a great place to get lost.
HOSPITAL DE LOS VENERABLES
If you like your grand art masters pop into Hospital de los Venerables, a hospice that contains an extraordinary collection of 12 masterpieces by Zurburán, Montanes, Murillo and Velázquez.
The highlight is the ornate Baroque church. It’s a breathtaking display of craftsmanship ornate frescoes on the vaulted ceiling and huge domes. Both Murillo and Valdez worked on the church.
Tickets // book skip-the-line tickets for Hospital de los Venerables.
ARCHIVO GENERAL DE INDIAS
For 100 years most of the wealth of the Spanish Empire flooded 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 is not much to see so if you don’t have time you could 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 (unsurprising), 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
Recharged, enter the Alcázar, the most magnificent of Seville’s fine buildings.
Originally a fort during Islamic times, for many years after the Christian conquest in 1248 it became home to Spanish Kings, who developed and enhanced the buildings. It’s now more famous for being a Game of Thrones location.
The most impressive room is the Mudéjar Palacio de Don Pedro – the stylings of which are 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.
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 less-visited Seville attractions.
PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
Start the last day of your 3 days in Seville at Plaza de España. Built in 1928 for Ibero-American Exposition its huge semi-circular building is a mix of styles and is adorned with tiled alcoves. It surrounds a plaza of fountains, bridges and rectangular ponds.
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 perusal at the Alfonso XIII Hotel.
This park 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
Nearby to 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 needing to witness 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.
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’s hanging in the church attached to the convent. It’s free to enter, but a guided tour is worth considering with such an interesting collection of art.
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, snare a table on the footpath at El Pintón.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEVILLE
Seville is a very walkable city. Most of its charm is experienced in the hidden laneways and intimate nooks tucked behind orange-lined squares that you only find with serendipity.
So, we recommend staying as central as possible to take full advantage.
BOUTIQUE
EME CATEDRAL HOTEL
This stylish modern hotel is perfectly located just across the road from the Catedral. The interior is beautiful throughout with comfortable decent-sized rooms. The rooftop terrace has the best views of the city and there’s small pool as an added bonus.
OUR PICK
UNIQUE & HOMELY
HOTEL AMADEUS & LA MUSICA
This family-run hotel has a unique design, beautifully appointed rooms and an interest in classical music. Breakfast is on the roof terrace which has views of the Cathedral. Music recitals in the evening complete a classy but homely stay.
LUXURY
HOTEL ALFONSO XIII
Hotel Alfonso is not cheap. But it’s rare that such a beautiful old hotel has managed to modernise so elegantly. Rooms are individually decorated and it is all you would expect (and more) from a truly world-class establishment.
WHAT TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?
Seville is a popular place for a good reason. Many attractions will have long queues and some need to be booked in advance.
- Real Alcázar – We highly recommend booking before you go. Make sure you stand in the queue for pre-purchased tickets.
- Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower – Both are less busy, but the roof can fill up fast, so it’s still advisable to book in advance.
- 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, otherwise head directly to the venue the first day you arrive in Seville.
HOW TO GET TO SEVILLE
Seville is a very accessible destination 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 centre of town.
The cost of a taxi will be 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. Journey time is around 35 minutes.
BY TRAIN
The Spanish rail network is excellent with high-speed trains connecting most of the main centres. If you’re already in the country, train is the best way to get to Seville.
Trains regularly connect the Sevilla-Santa Justa Train Station with other major Spanish cities. Look for cheap train tickets well in advance.
TRAIN FROM | HOW LONG | GUIDE |
---|---|---|
Córdoba | 34 min | Seville to Córdoba day trip |
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. 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 using your own legs.
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 cost €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.
WHEN TO VISIT SEVILLE?
The best time to visit Seville is from March to May when fresh growth makes the trees and gardens a lush green, the temperatures are not too high, and the rains of winter are beginning to ease.
In particular, a weekend to 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 where summer temperatures reach into the forties. Therefore, it’s best to avoid June to September.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT SEVILLE?
Seville is a very cost-effective city and it’s easy to visit on a budget. Here are some rough guidelines to help you plan.
- Basic hotel = €70 per night.
- High-end spa hotel – €400 per night.
- Inexpensive meal at a tapas bar = €9 per person.
- Local beer = €1.50.
- A regular coffee = €1.20.
- A flat white in an artisanal café = €2.80.
- A mid-range restaurant = €30 per person for 3 courses.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN SEVILLE?
We recommend three days in Seville; however, you could easily stay longer.
If you only have a weekend – and Seville is a great European weekend break – 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 areas visiting Andalucía in more detail.
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.
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.
- 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.
- Discover all the best things to do in Seville.
- What to do in Mijas on a day trip.
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- Paul & Mark.
Paul Healy
Paul is an experienced travel writer with a collection of prestigious industry awards, including the title of Blogger of the Year at both the British Guild of Travel Writers and the TravMedia Awards.
His expertise lies in crafting engaging content, focusing on city breaks, comprehensive country-wide guides, and useful travel tips.
I think Spain is going to be my next Europe trip, so I’ve been reading a lot about places to visit, and Seville looks amazing! I love this post – your photos are beautiful and the layout is really intuitive! The Real Alcazar looks amazing…actually, most of the city looks amazing! I’m going to check out your Hiking in Andalucia post next. 🙂 #farawayfiles
Thanks Caity – this part of Spain is an excellent holiday destination. There’s so much history around Seville and Córdoba, the foods excellent, plus there’s great hiking in the mountains nearby. Good luck planning your trip!
Love your photography! Never been to Seville and I have no clue why I keep postponing it…I guess I should visit it soon. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks, George – you should definitely add it to the list, Seville is an amazing city.
Being a travel enthusiast, I think Spain is the one of the best tourist destination in the world. My nest destination to explore in Spain will definitely be Seville. Thanks for sharing this amazing post.
Yes, always Spain is a good travel destination! I want to travel again there, Furthermore, if you are in Madrid, there is a site https://relaxid.com/ for massage service. The best way to actually relax after a busy day. Cant wait to explore other cities 🙂
The whole time I was reading your brilliantly informative article, I was writing down all the places to then put them into google maps and pin them. I couldn’t believe when I got to the end and you had it already made – what an amazing tool to have going traveling.
I’m traveling solo to seville for 3-4 days in October and I will be basing my trip on this article after reading it.
Thank you for this wonderful resource
Hi Emily,
Thanks so much for letting us know and we’re very glad to hear you found our guide useful. Have a wonderful time in Seville, it’s a great city.
Paul.
Hoping to visit Seville for 3 days over Easter break.
Hope you have a great time. Let us know how it goes. Mark
I think I was in Seville once.
Hi Paul & Mark, what a comprehensive guide! Thanks for gathering so much info.
We are planning a visit in November 2023. We’d been looking forward to a side visit to Alhambra, but going by your photos perhaps Real Alcazar is just as worthy. What do you think?
One request: please INCLUDE THE DATE that you last updated your site (i.e. don’t just say “this is up to date”). We all know the frustration of being told something — a museum, a meal, a train ticket — costs xx euros, only to learn it’s now 50% more, and there goes your budget. 🙁
Best regards,
Rita
Hi Rita, Thanks for your comment. We have now changed the posts so that they have last updated date on them. I think the Alhambra is the finest building in Andalucía. But there are two other stunning places worth considering. Firstly the Cathedral in Seville and secondly the Mezquite Cathedral in Cordoba. Cordoba can be visited on the train from Seville (about 40 minutes). Hope that helps. Mark
Hi Paul and Mark,
Lovely guide! I’m planning a visit during Easter next year (2024). Do you think Easter Sunday and Monday things will be running as usual? Or should we avoid this time altogether?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks so much, glad you found it useful.
Easter in Spanish cities is a very exciting time to visit with lots of parades and events taking place. The downside is that Seville will be busy and accommodation will possibly be more expensive. Many of the museums are closed on Mondays anyway, so I don’t think there will be too much restriction on opening hours etc.
So it really depends on whether you want to experience the excitement of being there at Easter or go at a time when it is going to be slightly quieter.
Have a great trip.
Paul.