“How many days do I need in Seville?” is a question I get asked a lot. This article offers both my answer to the question and ideas for how to use those days.

Of course, how many days in Seville really depends on how much time you have as well as what you want to see of this magnificent city. It’s important to be realistic about how much you can fit into the time you have available.

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What are the highlights of Seville?

If you only have a long weekend or a few days to explore Seville, I recommend staying in the city and making the most of your time here. While there are incredible day trips, there is more than enough to do and see in Seville without trying to cram in a day trip too.

The city centre of Seville is small enough that everything is within walking distance as long as you’re fairly active. 

As you explore, no matter what the season, be sure to pay attention to the trees.

🍊 The orange trees may share their scent with us most strongly in May but even seeing the flowers, buds & fruits at other times of year is a delight. We also have jaracanda trees flowering in May/June, colourful bougainvillaea, and magical ficus trees showing off their incredible roots.

🍷 I hope you will happily wander into tapas bars and local markets as you explore. This is really part of the joy of being in Seville. If you don’t know what something is on a menu either ask, or do what I do: type it into an internet search engine and ask it to return pictures – this is a super easy way of figuring out that if you order, for example, lagartos, you’ll not be eating bits of lizard!

The unmissable highlights of Seville

Real Alcazar (royal palace)

Undoubtedly the most famous and beautiful of all Seville’s buildings is the Alcazar of Seville. It was originally built by the Moorish rulers of Spain but was adapted and modified by the Catholic Monarchs when they conquered Seville. Today it is considered one of the best examples of Mudéjar (blended Moorish and Christian) architecture in the world.

Along with the cathedral and the Archivo de Indias, the Alcazar is part of the Seville UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first fortified building on this site has been dated to the early eighth century during the Caliphate of Córdoba. In 913, Abd al-Rahman III built a fort here, apparently over the remains of a Visigoth church (the Visigoths ruled over much of Spain from the decline of the Roman Empire in Spain to the time the Moors arrived). 

➡️ Read more about visiting the Alcazar

⭐️ Book the MexicoCassie highly recommended VIP early access tour of the Alcazar

Seville cathedral and la Giralda (bell tower)

Seville’s impressive cathedral is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and it’s truly something special, from both the outside and inside. This cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Much like Córdoba’s famous Mezquita, this cathedral began life as a mosque. It was converted into a cathedral after the Christians took control of Seville. The cathedral we see today was completed in 1506. There are many famous artworks to be spotted while exploring the cathedral including works by Goya and Murrillo. Look out for Christopher Columbus’ extravagant resting place here too.

Do not miss climbing the magnificent bell tower for wonderful views over the city. The bell tower, is almost entirely ramps, there are only steps to climb at the very last level.

➡️ Entrance only ticket (including the bell tower)

➡️ Guided tour ticket (different languages available)

➡️ Cathedral roof ticket (Las Cubiertas in Spanish)

👚 There are signs everywhere reminding visitors to dress appropriately but as far as I can tell, they’re unlikely to turn anyone away for being in shorts or a sleeveless t-shirt. Personally, I went in jeans and a t-shirt because I didn’t want to risk a refusal.

Plaza de España

The Plaza de España is really the most famous and one of the most beautiful landmarks in all of Seville for both tourists and locals alike. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exhibition (of 1929), this astounding semi-circular building has two high towers from which you can see much of Seville. 

All around the building are 48 tiled alcoves each representing a Spanish province (except for Seville which is featured elsewhere and one of the Canary Island provinces which didn’t exist in 1928). Each has a mural and a map of the province.

You will see four bridges in the courtyard; these represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain: Castile, Léon, Aragon, and Navarre. The bridges traverse a 500 m-long canal and it’s possible to rent small boats and row along here. 

Many of the buildings are government offices (including where foreigners like me go to get residency paperwork sorted) but the Military History Museum is housed there too. 

📌 Cool Fact: Plaza de España was featured in both Star Wars II and Lawrence of Arabia. It was also in the Netflix show, The Dictator.

Metropol parasol (Las Setas de Sevilla)

“Las Setas” (The Mushrooms) is the popular name for Metropol Parasol, this fascinating wooden structure that towers over Plaza de la Encarnación. This plaza was the city centre of old Sevilla and it has a long history dating back to the Roman period. 

It was only in the early twenty-first century when the city of Seville decided to build a new plaza with underground parking here that the ancient history of this area was rediscovered. While excavating for the garage they found important ancient remains and plans for a parking lot were abandoned. Instead, the archaeological museum (the Antiquarium) was created and after a design competition Las Setas was built – apparently, this is the world’s largest wooden structure. 

There is a market under Las Setas and there are many bars and cafes surrounding it.

➡️ Entrance and virtual experience tickets

➡️ General entrance tickets only

Barrio Santa Cruz

Barrio Santa Cruz, or the old Jewish quarter, is a fascinating place to explore. Take an hour or so to wander the narrow streets, sticking your head into souvenir stores, enjoying a drink or a tapa in the bars you pass and generally enjoying the atmosphere.

Flamenco show

Many people visiting Seville hope to catch a flamenco show. In 2010, UNESCO declared flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Flamenco show options

⭐️ If you’re looking for the perfect flamenco experience, then a Devour Tapas & Flamenco evening tour could be exactly what you’re looking for. The tour visits 2 tapas bars where you’ll get to try 8 different tapas plates (enough for a full meal) and have 2 drinks. You learn all about flamenco prior to watching a fabulous performance.

⭐️ Museo del Baile Flamenco – museum only ticket or dance show only ticket or bundle ticket

⭐️ Hope to catch a free show at the Plaza de España (picture above)

Other sights people enjoy in Seville

Of course, the sights above are not the only things worth seeing in Seville, they’re simply the most famous and the ones most people visit first. Other great options, if you have more time, include:

Triana

Across the bridge over the Guadalquivir River, is the “Independent Republic of Triana”, that is, the barrio of Triana. This part of Seville considers itself a little ‘cooler’, a little ‘more trendy’ than the Casco Antiguo (the Old City).

During the middle ages, Triana was where the tiles were made.

If you decide to cross the river to explore Triana, you’ll find el mercado de Triana, a very nice market, tile shops and plenty of very nice cafes and bars.

Torre del Oro

This is a thirty-six metre high, dodecagonal (twelve-sided) military tower built during the Almohad Caliphate to control the Guadalquivir River during the 13th century. It was later used as a prison and today it houses the maritime museum. If you visit be sure to head up to the roof for gorgeous views along the river. 

Parque Maria Luisa (Maria Luisa Park)

Take a stroll through Parque Maria Luisa and if you’re into horse-drawn carriages, this is one place to pick them up. The park is around 100 acres of paths, gardens, and patios. I love spending an hour or so just relaxing here especially when green parrots fly overhead. See if you can find Monté Gurugú (a small artificial hill) to climb.

➕ Bonus Activities: The Museo de Artes y Costumbres is in the park: On the other side of this park is the Archaeological Museum and if you’re visiting with kids, the Seville Aquarium is nearby, as is the excellent Casa de la Ciencia.

Casa de Pilatos & the Palacio de los Dueños

These are 2 delightful private palaces in Seville that you can visit should you have the time and inclination.

🗓 If you want to see local culture at its most showy then consider visiting during Feria (April generally) Semana Santa (Holy week).

Day trips from Seville

If you want to take day trips from Seville then I recommend you spend at least 5 days based in the city. This will give you enough time to see not only the best things in Seville and leave a good amount of time to visit other places.

Most popular day trips from Seville

Cordoba

Visit the amazing Mezquita (always books your tickets in advance), explore the Jewish quarter, check out the Alcazar and more. Córdoba is, of course, also famous for its gorgeous patios.

🚘 145km / 1hr30

🚂 1hr

👣 Full day tour of Córdoba: includes, transport, entrance to mosque-cathedral (Mezquita), tour of Jewish quarter and free time to explore

➡️ Read more about taking a day trip to Cordoba from Seville

➡️ Read more about everything there is to do in Cordoba

Ronda

Marvel at the Tajo Gorge that splits the city of Ronda in two – cross any one of the 3 bridges, visit the the ancient baths

🚘 130 km / 2hr

👣 Full day tour of Ronda & pueblos blancos: visit Grazalema (and an olive oil factory here) & Zahara de la Sierra as well as the incredible Ronda. The dive through the Sierra de Grazalema is also a special experience.

➡️ Read more about spending the day in Ronda

Jerez de la Frontera

Enjoy sherry tasting, horses & flamenco dancing

🚘 95 km / 1hr10

🚂 1 hr

👣 Full day tour to Jerez & Cádiz: visit a traditional bodega in Jerez to learn about sherry making (and of course, taste the sherry). Next visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to watch an authentic horse ballet. Travel along the Costa de la Luz en route to the city of Cádiz. Your guide will take you to the Cádiz cathedral before letting you loose for free time to explore.

Cádiz

Stroll along the malecon in this gorgeous ancient city. Visit the city beach, the small castles by the beach, enjoy excellent food and great museums.

🚘 120km / 1hr20

🚂 1hr 40

👣 Full day tour to Jerez & Cádiz: visit a traditional bodega in Jerez to learn about sherry making (and of course, taste the sherry). Next visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to watch an authentic horse ballet. Travel along the Costa de la Luz en route to the city of Cádiz. Your guide will take you to the Cádiz cathedral before letting you loose for free time to explore.

➡️ Read more about exploring Cádiz

Pueblos blancos

Cádiz and Málaga are both famous for their gorgeous “pueblos blancos”, the white villages and it’s possible to find tours to explore them from Seville, those in Cádiz are easier reached on a day trip.

There are 20 pueblos blancos in Cádiz. The most well known are: Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra, Olvera & Arcos de las Frontera.

👣 Full day tour of Ronda & pueblos blancos: visit Grazalema (and an olive oil factory here) & Zahara de la Sierra as well as the incredible Ronda. The dive through the Sierra de Grazalema is also a special experience.

➡️ Read more about the pueblos blancos of Cádiz

Italica

Just north of Seville is the town of Santiponce, home to a fabulous Roman ruin, Italica. Italica was founded in 206 CE as a place for wounded troops to recover from battle. It was the first Roman city built on the Iberian Peninsula. The emperor Hadrian was born here.

The remains are extremely impressive and this is a delightful and easy day trip from Seville.

🚘 7 km / 20 minutes

🚍 1hr (requires changing buses)

👣 1/2 day tour to Italica: visit the Roman ruins, see where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed, admire mosaics and the amphitheatre. Includes a visit to the medieval San Isidoro del Campo monastery.

➡️ Read more about Italica

Carmona

This ancient city just outside Seville is often chosen as a final visit for people on their way to the airport. It’s a small town with a Roman necropolis, fortress remains you can explore, walls to climb and a gorgeous city centre.

🚘 35 km / 35 minutes

🚍 35 minutes

👣 1/2 day tour of Carmona: take a tour from Seville to Carmona to see the Roman necropolis & amphitheatre, take a guided tour through the beautiful town to see all the highlights – these include the Alcazar del Rey don Pedro, churches, Puertas de Sevilla and Cordoba and more.

➡️ Read more about Carmona

Staying for longer

If you can manage a longer stay then you’re really very lucky because Seville is a great spot to base yourself to explore the region. With over 5 days in Seville you will be able to

➡️ really explore the city as slowly as you need

➡️ take classes – think Spanish classes, cooking classes or even dance / drum classes

➡️ take more day trips, or even take longer trips or road trips around the region