Visiting Seville was somewhat of an afterthought for us. The original travel plans for Spain didn’t include any other city than Barcelona.
However, we were convinced that there was time for a smaller city that was suggested to us by a family member who had visited just months prior to us.
We were not sure how many days we should stay in Seville, but thought that since it was not that big, we’d give ourselves 3 days to explore and have some time to relax.
We didn’t plan out what to see in Seville before our arrival. Instead, we decided on the activities and sights we wanted to see on the day before.
To make trip planning easier for our readers, we’ve put the whole 3 day Seville guide together right here.
Now, you won’t be scrambling each night of your trip trying to put together the next days’ itinerary!
Just to give you an impression of what it’s like to visit Seville I want to share with you my comparison to our experience in Florence and Venice.
This may not be the same comparison others may make but I’m willing to guess that if someone has been to those Italian cities, they would agree with me in some ways.
There may not be canals in Seville, but the feel of the place is a lot like Venice.
The colors all around, the art and history, along with deep roots in religion all contribute to give the character and appeal that are very similar to what you get in Florence as well.
One distinction I would make is how the layers of historical change can be seen all around in the architecture and design of the ancient buildings as well as some of the influence on the culture and language.
We went to Barcelona after our time in Seville and noticed a huge difference between the two cities.
Each has their own appeal for sure. If you prefer smaller towns where you can take it a bit slower, then Seville is for you!
Everything You Should See & Do On Your 3 Days In Seville
Here are the top attractions you just don’t want to miss:
- Seville Cathedral
- Real Alcazar
- Plaza de Espana
- Torre del Oro
- Metropol Parasol
- Flamenco Dance Performance
Keep reading for more details on each as well as some additional spots in between. We’ll point out what there is to see at each location and some really cool things along the way.
Of course, one of the best things to do in Seville is to just roam around and get a bit “lost.” The charm of this city is felt most in the unassuming streets and alleyways.
Take a Moment To Soak it All In
It can sometimes be a bit challenging to go out on your first day, especially if you’re dealing with some jetlag and general travel fatigue.
Our recommendation is to start off slow and get your bearings. We flew over ten hours to get to Seville from California and had a layover in Madrid.
Needless to say, we were not in the mood for a lot of activity, but wanted to get out and start doing something nevertheless.
1. Day One In Seville – Plaza Nueva
One we got settled into our Airbnb near the cathedral, our first stop was Plaza Nueva.
It was a nice 5 minute walk since we were staying in front of the Cathedral just off of the main pedestrian road of Avenida de la Constitución.
Taking this street north from the cathedral is a good place to start on your first day in Seville. The street is full of touristy restaurants and shops.
However, taking one of the smaller alleys that offshoots from this main road will take you to some hidden gems.
If you want to get tourist SIM cards for your phone, you can stop by at the Movistar store which is located across the street from Plaza Nueva.
This town square is a nice spot to just sit and enjoy a gelato while people watching. You may even run into a street performance or two for some extra entertainment.
It’s a beautiful scene in general with the people walking by and the horse-drawn carriages click clacking past.
2. Day One In Seville – Torre del Oro
A 15 minute walk down past and south-west of the Cathedral will drop you off at Torre del Oro.
This military watchtower from the early 1200’s also served as a prison and is one of the most important landmarks in Seville.
Aptly named “Tower of Gold” due to the color it takes on when the sun is setting on the river it is now a naval museum and is regularly maintained and renovated to preserve its historic value.
3. Day One In Seville – Muelle de la sal
Walking alongside the riverbanks around sunset is a must when visiting Seville, particularly in the summer when the air starts to cool and you get a pleasant breeze by the waterfront.
From Torre del Oro, you’ll just walk a little over five minutes north and arrive at an area called Muelle de la Sal.
The Monumento a la Tolerancia is a great place to watch the sunset over Puente de Triana.
Pro-Traveler Tip: Of course, enjoying a yummy gelato from Heladería Turronería Los Valencianos will enhance the experience, in our opinion!
4. Day One In Seville – Watch Street Performance of Flamenco
Since the origins of Flamenco dance come from Andalusia, it makes sense to try to catch a performance while you’re visiting Seville.
You won’t have any problems finding a great show on the streets, especially around the cathedral area and Plaza Nueva.
5. Day Two In Seville – Catedral De Sevilla
It’s no doubt that Seville Cathedral is one of the biggest highlights of this town. Its majestic beauty demands attention from anyone walking by.
To be honest, you just can’t really avoid it as its location is in the heart of Seville.
To see the inside of the cathedral is indeed a treat. We knew that the lines would be long so we got tickets in advance and it included access to the bell tower as well.
Watch our short video below for a tour of the cathedral.
6. Day Two In Seville – Tomb of Christopher Columbus
Partial remains of Christopher Columbus are inside the tomb pictured above which is located inside the Seville cathedral.
7. Day Two In Seville – Torre Giralda
We highly suggest taking the tour above since it includes access to the Giralda Tower of the cathedral.
You’ll be able to see some gorgeous views from the top as well as the all the bells up there!
In addition to being one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the bell tower has some interesting history.
You can see the Moorish, Roman, and Christian influences on the city by just visiting the Torre Giralda as it was originally built as the minaret for the Great Mosque Of Seville.
After the expulsion of the Muslims in 1248, the mosque was turned into a cathedral and the minaret into a bell tower.
The courtyard with the orange trees and fountain still remain and the structure is one of the largest Gothic Baroque cathedrals in the world!
8. Day Two In Seville – Real Alcazar
One of my favorite places in the entire world so far is the Real Alcazar. I mean, I secretly wish I could just live in this magnificent palace!
I could not get over the stunning tiled walls and intricate details of the arches and ceilings. The grounds are equally fascinating with pretty gardens, ponds, even a natural maze.
To get a great view of the gardens make sure to go up to the Galería del Grutesco.
There is a small cafeteria near the gardens where you can enjoy a nice refreshment or sandwich as you take a break from seeing the different sections of the Alcazar.
Top areas you will want to make sure to see in the Real Alcazar:
- Patio de las Doncellas
- Patio de la Montería
- Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla
- Salon de Embajadores
- Jardín del Laberinto
- Gruta de las Sultanas
9. Day Three In Seville – Plaza de España
You’ll notice that horse carriage rides that give tours to visitors tend to end at the entrance to Plaza de España which happens to be located inside Maria Luisa Park, right by Avenida Isabella La Catolica.
This grandiose plaza, Plaza de España, was built for “Expo 29,” the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929.
Showcasing each of Spain’s provinces with elaborately tiled alcoves and benches that line the plaza in a half circle, Plaza de España is a colorful and artistic sight to see.
The brick building attached to the alcoves has a tower at either end which give you a great view of the entire plaza if you climb up to their second floor.
You can even ride a boat on the canal just across from the plaza! The artistic details on the bridges crossing the canal are also fascinating to admire up close.
If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch a flamenco performance right under the arches of the building.
10. Day Three In Seville – Metropol Parasol
Though not a very historic structure itself, the Metropol Parasol is a wooden structure built in 2011 after it was discovered that ancient Roman and Moorish ruins were buried underneath.
Rather than turn the underground into a parking lot as planned, they decided to preserve the ruins and make a really cool structure above it!
It costs only 3 Euro to go up the elevator and stroll the walkways on top of the structure, so it’s well worth going up ad checking out the views of Seville.
The Metropol Parasol, locally referred to as Las Setas de la Encarnación, is located at Plaza de la Encarnación which is in the heart of the city center and the Jewish Quarter.
It’s also worth checking out the Antiquarium for an archaeological tour of the Roman ruins underneath.
Pro-Traveler Tip: We would recommend walking from the cathedral to Plaza de la Encarnacion (or vice versa) just so you can experience the local scene and fascinating neighborhood with colorful buildings and winding alleyways. It should only take less than 15 minutes to walk and is a great way to get to know Seville better as a traveler.
Best Areas To Stay In Seville
We booked an apartment through Airbnb which was located just down one of the streets in front of the Cathedral.
It was a great location and allowed us to walk to all of the attractions we mentioned above.
The cathedral and La Giralda are what you want to be close to as a tourist so booking your accommodations in this area makes it super convenient for sightseeing.
However, if you want to be away from the “touristy” area, Triana is a great neighborhood to stay in on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River in the city.
No matter how many days you decide to stay in Seville, the above places should really be included in your holiday/vacation plans.
Each location has a unique history and beauty to it that, in our opinion, you might regret if you don’t see on your visit.
Tell us, have you been to Seville? If you plan to visit and are inspired by our guide to the city, let us know in the comments below.
For those who have been to Florence or Venice, would you agree with our assessment that there is a lot of characteristics that they share with Sevilla?
In general, I noticed a lot of similarities and overlapping things about Spain, Portugal, and Italy (having just traveled a couple of cities in each country so far).
Here are our favorite travel resources that you can use to plan your trip:
- Our Travel Insurance Recommendation
- What we use to book hotels
- Travel Gear and Products You Might Need
- The Best Tours and Experiences
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