Are you planning holidays to Seville and wondering what to do there?
Our article is written by Lucia, a Slovak expat living in Southern Spain. On her blog Viva la Vita, she shares her discoveries about beautiful locations, hidden gems, and authentic experiences from Costa del Sol and beyond.
It is always great to get travel information from a local, you will thoroughly enjoy this article just as much as we did. We loved our time spent in Seville, we know that you will too!
Sit back, get a coffee and enjoy these great travel tips for your next city break in Seville.
There are great day trips from Seville that you should consider adding to your itinerary.
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Seville, located in the southern region of Andalucia in Spain, is a vibrant and colourful destination. With a mild climate, stunning sights, and delicious food, a Seville city break is a fantastic idea.
Seville is not only the biggest city in the province but also the capital city of Andalusia. It is situated in the southwest of Spain, on the lower part of the Guadalquivir River.
You need a plan to get the best out of your break and I am excited to share a 2-day itinerary with you!
There’s so much to see and do in Seville that you could easily spend more than a week exploring the city and its surroundings.
However, if you’re short on time or only have a few days to spare, this itinerary is perfect for getting to know the city a little better.
How to Spend 2 Days in Seville
If you’re looking for a warm, interesting, and relaxing city break in Europe or debating whether to include 2 or 3 days in Seville in your Spain itinerary, this is your go-to! Seville is a must-visit destination.
Seville has a lot to offer for a short city trip.
You want to see all the important attractions and take enough souvenirs and selfies. This post will help so you don’t miss anything.
Seville City Break Itinerary for First Timers
Planning a trip to a new city can be overwhelming with so much information available. If you’re visiting Seville for the first time, this is a 2-day itinerary that includes all the highlights, must-sees, and things to do at night in Seville, along with practical tips.
Day 1 on Your 2-day Seville Itinerary
Visit the Seville Alcazar
Ready to start your day in Seville? Begin at the Seville Alcazar, an incredible palace complex and UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful gardens and stunning architecture. You’ll get a glimpse of the city’s rich history and enjoy the grandeur of this place. But, here’s a tip, if you plan to visit, make sure you book your Alcaraz Seville tickets beforehand to avoid standing in line for too long. Trust me, it can get pretty crowded!
While you can explore the Seville Alcazar on your own, the information plaques aren’t detailed, so if you want to learn more about it, consider joining a guided tour of the Royal Alcaza, or hiring a private guide. To fully take in everything and soak in the atmosphere, I recommend giving yourself at least two hours there.
Next up, head over to the impressive Cathedral of Seville, which is located nearby.
Check Out the Majestic Seville Cathedral
Alright, so you’ve explored the Seville Alcazar, now it’s time to head to the Seville Cathedral, which is not only the largest Gothic cathedral in the world but also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Check out Christopher Columbus’ tomb and climb to the top of the Giralda Tower for a breathtaking view of the city. Seriously, the view from the top is out of this world! You get a 360-degree view of the entire Seville city centre, but just a heads up, it can get pretty loud up there when the bells start ringing.
Stroll Through the Old Town of Seville
Head on over to the old town. This area is jam-packed with narrow streets, cute plazas, and tons of great cafes and restaurants to choose from. Take a leisurely stroll around or hit up some of the popular landmarks like Plaza Nueva, Plaza del Salvador, or the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.
Now, in the afternoon, you definitely have to take a guided tour of the Real Maestranza bullring. It’s one of the oldest and most iconic bullrings in Spain and a major symbol of Seville. During the tour, you’ll get to learn all about the history and culture of bullfighting in Spain. It’s definitely a unique experience that you won’t want to miss!
This 2 hour Walking Tour Includes a visit to the Seville Bullring and Other Seville HighlightsDay 2 of your Seville Itinerary
Relax at the Setas de Sevilla
Want to start your day off with a bang? Head over to Setas de Sevilla, or Metropol Parasol as the locals call it, which is the world’s largest wooden structure!
Take a stroll on top and soak in the panoramic views of Seville, all while sipping coffee or munching on breakfast. To get up there, just hop on the elevator and enjoy the ride.
But wait, there’s more! Beneath the structure, you’ll find an archaeological museum and a variety of tapas bars, restaurants, cafes, and a food market that’s definitely worth checking out. Keep in mind that Setas de Sevilla can get pretty crowded during peak hours, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go early in the morning.
Pro-tip: Setas de Sevilla often hosts concerts and cultural events, so make sure to check their website or local event calendars to see what’s going on during your visit.
Book your skip the line tickets here that includes a guided city tour as an option
Swing By the Magnificent Plaza De España
After that, head over to the nearby Plaza de Espana, which is one of the most stunning spots in Seville. You know, the kind of place where you’ll want to snap a million pictures for Instagram. This beautiful square was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exposition and it’s an iconic example of Renaissance Revival architecture.
The plaza has a half-circle shape and is made of red bricks, with gorgeous columns, bridges, and balconies all around. The inner edge of the plaza has colourful, tiled benches that showcase images representing each of the provinces in Spain.
One of the coolest things about Plaza de Espana is the canal that runs through it. You can rent a boat and paddle around, taking in the sights from a different angle. Don’t miss out on this unique and fun activity!
You can visit the Plaza de Espana as one of the stops with the Hop On Hop Off Bus:
Explore the Hidden Casa De Pilatos
After you check out Plaza de Espana, next on your list should be Casa de Pilatos located on Plaza de Pilatos, another stunning historical attraction in Seville. The building is an intriguing blend of Mudèjar style, similar to what you can see at Palacio de las Dueñas, and the colourful azulejo tiles you saw at Plaza de Espana.
Once you step inside, you’ll find yourself in a beautiful marble courtyard with a fountain at its centre in the middle. The entire place is adorned with eye-catching sculptures, statues, and geometric tiles. With so much attention to detail, you can easily spend hours exploring and admiring everything, including the amazing murals and delicate latticework.
Tour Around the Casa De Salinas
Next stop, Casa de Salinas, a spectacular 16th-century palace that belonged to the Salinas family, a bunch of fancy-pants noble family who held important positions in the Spanish royal court. Today, Casa de Salinas has been turned into a museum and cultural centre, where you can feast your eyes on an amazing collection of artwork, furniture, and other cool stuff that will give you a glimpse into the history, art, and culture of Seville.
But here’s the thing: Casa de Salinas is only open to the public on certain days, and tickets can sell out fast. To save yourself some hassle, make sure you book your tickets online ahead of time. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one!
I bet you’re convinced that Seville is the perfect spot for a quick city getaway after reading this two-day itinerary. Of course, there’s so much more to explore in this fascinating city, but with this guide, you’ll hit all the major highlights. Trust me, two days will give you a great taste of Seville’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Seville
Here are some useful travel tips for visiting Seville:
- Seville is a walkable city, so it’s best to explore it on foot. However, if you need to cover longer distances, you can use local taxis or even Uber operates in the city! Seville has also a well-connected network of prams, which are fun to use especially if you travel with kids!
- Spanish is the primary language in Seville, so it’s useful to learn some basic phrases before you go. Nonetheless, many locals speak English, particularly in tourist areas.
- The Euro is used as currency in Seville. Exchange money before you go or use your credit/debit card.
- Seville is a traditional city, so it’s advisable to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites. Comfortable shoes are also essential as there’s a lot of walking involved.
- Seville is famous for its tapas, small plates of food meant to be shared. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample some local specialities, like the renowned “tortilla de camarones” or “croquetas”.
- To avoid long queues, it’s best to book tickets to popular attractions like the Alcazar or the Cathedral of Seville in advance.
I hope these tips will assist you in planning a fantastic trip to Seville!
Thanks Lucia for all your tips on visiting Seville. A city break in Seville is definitely a fun vacation with so much to see and do.
More Seville Travel Tips
Flights are available to Seville from all over Europe.
Seville Airport to City is 10 km with an average travel time of 10 – 20 minutes.
Airport transfer is available from the airport or the train station to your hotel.
Car rental is available from Seville Airport or city locations. We use Auto Europe for all our car hire in Europe.
We travelled throughout Spain with car hire as well as bus travel which was fast, reliable and safe.
You may need to obtain a visa for travel to Spain.
Travel Insurance
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your flights and pay deposits on any cruises, tours or hotels. Travel insurance offers protection when things go wrong before or during your travels, that is why we highly recommend that you take out travel insurance.
Accommodation in Seville Spain
There is a good range of hotels in Seville city centre covering all budgets.
Free Walking Tours
Free walking tours are a great way to see a city. The guides work on tips. We find that the local guides have some great tips for visiting restaurants, bars and points of interest that are not on the usual tourist path.
Related reading:
Get to know Seville on the Hop On Hop Off Bus
A great way to get around Seville and see all the sights is via the Hop on Hop off Bus.
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