Your Perfect 3 Day Travel Guide to Seville, Spain

Seville is a city that I’ve come to love deeply, being one of my all-time favorites in Europe. Over this past Summer, I’ve explored its streets and landmarks, putting together what I believe is the perfect 3-day itinerary. Based on my own experiences, this guide will help you see the best of Seville, from its famous sights to some lesser-known spots that capture the city’s unique charm. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming back for more, this itinerary is designed to make your time in Seville truly memorable.

Day 1 – Explore all the Must-See Landmarks

If you’ve read any of my other trip itinerary’s, you’ll know I love to see all the must-see sites on the first day to get these “out of the way” and then leave the rest of the trip to go to more local spots and soak in the local culture. Compared to many other European big cities, Seville is relatively on the smaller side so these can be done in roughly one day.

The seville Cathedral

The cathedral is nearly impossible to miss as it’s right in the center of the city. I personally didn’t go inside the cathedral but you can buy tickets to walk through the altar and go up the iconic Giralda tower which offers birds-eye city views. Most interestingly, this is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and Christopher Columbus’s tomb is here.

Real Alcázar

The Real Alcázar is one of my favorite historic sites I’ve seen in Europe. It was originally built as a fortress in the 10th century which then turned into a royal palace, reflecting a blend of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles in one. It served as a residence for Muslim rulers before it became the primary residence for Spanish royalty. You’ll first walkthrough the historic palace, then walk through the 17 acre garden which is absolutely breathtaking. Be sure to carve out a lot of time here to walk through all of this and stop at the cafe for a small bite or afternoon tea.

Plaza de España & Maria Luisa Park

Plaza de España is the highlight of Seville – it’s so grand in person both in terms of size and architecture. It’s absolutely stunning to walk through – you can walk through the arches, along the canal bridges, and then through the adjacent park Maria Luisa. For context, this grand plaza is 50,000 square meters which is the size of seven American football fields. This is undoubtedly one the most grand plazas in Spain and all of Europe.

Go to a Rooftop Bar

Seville overall is a fairly flat city with no tall buildings besides, of course, the cathedral. However, there are some amazing rooftop bars a few floors up that offer beautiful views of the city at night. Some favorites are La Terraza de EME, Pura Vida Terraza, Terraza Hotel Doña María, and La Terraza de los Seises.

Day 2 – Embrace the Rich Culture of the City

Tapas Tour

The tapas in Seville are some of the best food I had in Spain! If you want to meet other travelers, I recommend doing a tapas tour to try quite a few different restaurants with others throughout the city. Each bar offers its own specialty, giving you a taste of the local flavors.

Walk & Shop in the alleys

Seville is an extremely walkable city with many pedestrian-only alleys lined with so many shops. This was one of my favorite places to shop in Europe – there aren’t big designer names but you’ll find a lot of Spanish brands and a few cute tourist shops. And then your classics like Zara. The streets are also very cute making for the perfect afternoon for strolling around. Be sure to check out the Santa Cruz neighborhood!

Boating in the Plaza de España

Paddle Boating at the Plaza de España costs around 6 euros for a 35-minute ride and is available year-round. This is a really fun activity to see the plaza from the canal itself and take in the architecture more as you go under the bridges. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if it’s a sunny day!

See a Live Flamenco Show

Seville is the birthplace of flamenco, so attending a live flamenco show is a must. Many venues across the city offer performances that capture the passion and energy of this traditional Spanish dance. There are various theaters that host daily flamenco shows – we went to the one in the Flamenco Dance Museum. There are no photos allowed during the show but the theater was very intimate with incredible performers all around. These sell out quickly so be sure to book this in advance! Of note, there is also a free flamenco show that typically happens each afternoon at the Plaza de España.

Day 3 – Activities!

Visit Las Setas – “the mushrooms”

“The Mushrooms,” is a striking wooden structure in Seville’s Plaza de la Encarnación, completed in 2011. Designed by architect Jürgen Mayer, this modern landmark features a honeycomb-like canopy that provides shade and a unique visual contrast to Seville’s historic architecture. You can take an elevator to the top for panoramic views of the city, offering a new perspective on Seville’s skyline. You will need to buy a ticket for this which is about 15 euros. Be sure to explore the park underneath after which is clean and has steps that overlooks Seville. We picked up some food and sat here for a quick bite which was a personal highlight.

Mercado de Triana

The Triana market is a local market where you can sample a variety of fresh, local foods. It’s across the Guadalquivir river so it’s about a 20 minute walk from the main city center. I personally didn’t love the rest of the area around Triana, and have friends who visited later that agreed. I would recommend stopping by the market but you won’t need too much time on this side of the city.

Spanish Cooking Class

Taking a cooking class in a foreign country is one of my favorite activities. We did a group cooking class where we made traditional Spanish Sangria, Gazpacho, and Paella. We booked ours on Get Your Guide, which I love because you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance in case your plans change. Ours was actually in the Triana Market so we did both of these activities at the same time. It was a really fun way to learn more about the culture and meet other travelers.

Evening Stroll Along the Guadalquivir River

The Guadalquivir River is on the eastern side of the city, about a 20 minute walk from the city center. It has stunning views of Seville’s iconic skyline, which is especially beautiful during sunset as you can see golden hour lighting hit the landmarks like the Cathedral.

Day 4 and 5 (Bonus) – Take a Day Trip to Grenada, Cadiz, or Cordoba

The Andalusia region of Spain has some of the country’s most beautiful towns that are all accessible via train or a drive from Seville. A few of the top ones people plan to visit are Grenada, Cadiz, and Cordoba. One key thing to keep in mind, flying in and out of the region will be most affordable and convenient from Seville so we actually opted to do our 1 day/night trip to Cadiz in the middle of our Seville stay. See below for a bit of insight into each of these cities to decide which you may want to see –

Cádiz

1 hour 45 minutes train ride from Seville

Cádiz is a coastal town in Andalusia with a very local feel. It’s rather small and can be walked around in one full day with the highlights being it’s fresh outdoor market, the local restaurants, the beaches, and cathedral. I highly recommend staying at the Parador de Cádiz hotel which is very affordable for such a glamorous hotel and spa stay. I have a separate article you can check out on what to do in Cadiz.

Grenada

2 hour 50 minutes train ride from Seville

Grenada is the most famous of mini trips to take, with many people staying a night or two here given the longer length of this train ride. This city is nestled into the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is so rich of history – most notably with The Alhambra and La Cartuja Monastery.

Cordoba

50 minutes train ride from Seville

Cordoba also has a rich history with a unique mix of Roman, Moorish, and Spanish culture. A few key spots to visit here are the La Mezquita, El Puente Romano bridge, and walking through the Jewish Quarters (Juderia).

Key Tips for Seville

• Visit During Spring or Fall: The best times to visit Seville are in the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October), when the weather is mild and the city’s famous orange blossoms are in full bloom. Summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F).
• Book Tickets in Advance: Popular attractions like the Real Alcázar and Seville Cathedral can have long lines, especially during peak tourist season. Booking tickets online in advance can save time and ensure entry.
• Stay Central: Choosing accommodation in or near the historic city center, particularly around the Santa Cruz neighborhood, will allow easy access to most of Seville’s main sights, restaurants, and shops.
• Embrace the Siesta: Many shops and restaurants close for a few hours in the afternoon for a traditional siesta. Plan your day accordingly, and take this time to rest, enjoy a leisurely meal, or explore some of the city’s quieter spots.
• Try the Local Cuisine: Seville is famous for its tapas culture, so make sure to try a variety of dishes like jamón ibérico, gazpacho, and espinacas con garbanzos at local bars and restaurants.

I really loved Seville – I found it to be the most perfectly sized city with so much liveliness, walkability, and charm. Although this itinerary is pretty packed, keep in mind that you may also want to spend hours just exploring the streets of Seville which are absolutely beautiful to walk through and window shop. These alleys go through the entire city so you could take days just walking around and shopping! This, in combination with these key sites and activities, hopefully help you plan what to do in Seville for your next vacation.