See the Best of Seville in 2 Days

Seville, Spain

For a taste of sunny Andalucía, Seville combines the best of many worlds:

Extravagant Moorish architecture..

Exuberant street life…

and affordable, authentic Spanish tapas!

I found Seville to be one of Spain's most picturesque towns, with the Giralda tower in the skyline and fiery flamenco in the streets.

Here's all the best things to do in Seville!

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Quick Guide to Spain

Accommodation: Hotels fill up fast. I recommend Eurostars Palace in Cordoba, Casa 1800 in Seville and the Anacapri in Granada. Book far in advance!

For Madrid and Barcelona, we booked comfortable apartments on Airbnb.

Getting In: We flew into Madrid and and out of Barcelona on an open jaw itinerary. Set a fare alert here and get travel insurance to cover you in case of delays or lost baggage.

Getting Around: Spain's train system is great, just difficult to book as a foreigner. I used Omio to see train schedules and book, as they're English friendly and accept international credit cards. Make sure you have an esim to stay connected.

Best Spain Experiences:

Granada's Alhambra: tickets are capped per day, so book early
Tapas Tour: this one takes you to all the best spots
Hammam Baths: my favorite experience of our trip
Montserrat: one of my favorite day trips we took
Girona: another incredible day trip (+ home to the world's most famous ice cream shop)

Getting in to Seville

Seville is quite well connected to Spain's main cities of Madrid and Barcelona.

It's also easily accessible from small towns throughout Andalusia.

Here's a quick guide on transportation options to get to Seville.

From Barcelona

The train takes 6 hours, which is a bit long.

I would recommend flying instead as Spain has some regional airlines with very low fares.

You can check flight options for your dates here.

From Madrid

The easiest way to get to Seville is via train.

The city is connected on the high speed line, so the journey is just around 3 hours.

Tickets should be booked in advance to ensure a seat and time.

You can check the schedules here.

If you're already in Southern Spain

The train is even more convenient.

Some trains from Madrid will pass through Cordoba first, so you could visit Madrid > Cordoba > Seville, in that order.

If you're short on time, you could skip the small town, but we really loved and would recommend a visit. It's about a 45 minute train ride.

From Granada, there are both train and bus connections to Seville.

Both take roughly 4 hours.

Check train schedules & fares here

The Spanish Train System

We relied exclusively on public transportation for our trip to Spain.

After experiencing the bus, local airline Vueling and the train, we much prefer the train.

It's easy to navigate the stations (even as a non Spanish speaker), convenient with luggage and just overall very straightforward to use.

A couple things to know about traveling in Spain via train:

Train seats are assigned – you will see your seat marked on your ticket.
There is ample storage in the front and back of each car for luggage
There are different train class options. We booked touriste class for most legs
Prices go up with time and vary depending on season, route, demand. Book early for the best rate

To book all of your Spain tickets, use Omio.

Everything is in English and it accepts international credit cards.

We had originally tried using the Spanish local website, but it was incredibly difficult to use, didn't fully translate to English and wouldn't accept our payment.

Once you create an account on Omio, it will store all of your tickets together so you can easily access your schedule and passes in one convenient place.

They do charge a nominal booking fee, so I recommend purchasing all your train tickets in 1 transaction, so you only pay the fee once.

Buy train tickets here

How Many Days in Seville?

We budgeted 3 days and 2 nights in Seville.

I think it can even be done in 1 day to see the main highlights if you're tight on time.

However, Seville was where I had the best tapas in Spain so I would recommend 2 or 3 days if you are interested in experiencing Southern Spain's food and culture.

Read more: The Best Tapas in Seville

Seville Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive into Town

We arrived late in the afternoon from Cordoba, straight into Seville's Santa Justa train station.

A Leisurely Stroll + Dinner

Since we arrived late in the afternoon, we took a walk around the neighborhood, picked up some breakfast for the next day at a local bakery and settled in for a great relaxing dinner.

Where We Stayed: Hotel Le Petit Paris

Upon arrival, we took the local bus to our hotel at Le Petit Paris. The hotel was centrally located and within walking distance of all the sights and great restaurants.

I will say that you have to be careful about the room you get – we ended up getting an interior facing room.

But at checkout, we peeked into a larger room facing the street which looked quite beautiful.

Compare rates: Hotels.com, Booking.com

Day 2: Sightseeing in Seville

Real Alcazar de Sevilla

Having heard so much about Seville and being an avid Game of Thrones fan, I was excited to check out this Mujedar palace.

Especially the gardens, which was the location for the “Water Gardens of Dorne” in Game of Thrones.

The Real Alzcazar de Sevilla was built over the site of Seville's former Moorish fortress.

It's a scaled down version of Granada's Alhambra.

The real highlight is the gardens, which were used as the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones.

Lines will form right at 9am in the morning when the attraction opens.

If you hate waiting like I do, book this tour to skip the line.

A nice bonus?

You get a tour guide to explain the significance of everything.

Walk next door to the famous cathedral and giralda tower (literally opposite the Alcazar)

Cathedral de Sevilla & Giralda Tower

Seville's cathedral is magnificent from the outside but rather disappointing on the inside.

The interior is a bit dimly lit and the entrance fee is a hefty €8.

Highlights are the Giralda Tower, a 40 story walk up a gradual ramp with the best 360 view of Seville and the Patio de los Naranjos (courtyard of orange trees) on the church’s northern side.

Small, 90 minute group tours are offered for guided visits should you wish to learn about the Cathedral's fascinating history and skip the queue!

More information about the tours can be found here.

Prefer to see it on your own, but hate waiting in lines?

Get a skip the line ticket here!

Lunch in Barrio Santa Cruz

Right next door to the two main tourist sights is Barrio Santa Cruz.

This medieval Jewish quarter is a lovely, whitewashed tangle of alleys with bars, antique and souvenir shops and quiet residential homes.

The best way to learn about the city's centuries old history is with a local guide.

Start on Plaza Alianza to enjoy the outdoor cafes and grab lunch.

Make sure to check out Plaza de Dona Elvira, with its fountain and azulejo (painted tile benches) where young Sevillanos gather to play guitar.

Nearby Plaza Santa Cruz is one of the more famous spots in town, where flowers and orange trees surround a 17th century filigree iron cross.

Escape the heat and take a siesta back at your hotel

Casa de Pilatos

Casa de Pilatos palace was built by the dukes of Tarifa in the first half of the 16th century.

The home is a beautiful blend of Spanish Mudejar and Renaissance architecture (aka the classic Andalusian mansion) but is tucked away on a modern business street.

You can buy a €6 ticket for just the first floor or pay €8 for both, where the upstairs apartments are viewable on guided tour only.

Grab dinner at one of Seville's famous tapas bars, see a flamenco show and dance the night away

Overnight: Hotel Le Petit Paris

Day 3: Spain's UNESCO World Heritage Sights

Plaza de Espana

This grand half-circle of buildings edge of the Parque de Maria Luisea was Spain’s main pavilion during the 1929 World Fair.

Today the buildings house various government offices but make sure to walk around the entire shape.

You'll find different bright azulejo (tile) pictures depicting the different provinces of Spain and the four main bridges symbolize the medieval Iberian kingdoms.

If you go in summer, you can even rent boats along the canal!

Parque de Maria Luisa

This gorgeous park blends both formal design and wild vegetation and is a great spot for photos.

Scattered throughout are several impressive villas, remnants of the 1929 World Fair.

Espacio Metropol Parasol & Las Setas

A modern addition to the city, this canopy above the Encarnacion Market is a stunning structure for photographers.

Go up the Metropol Parasol (access on floor -1) for for impressive views over the city.

Sun sets around 9pm

Where to Stay in Seville

If you're looking for an affordable hotel, Le Petit Paris is great.

But, the location is not as central to the historic sights as others, so we've included some additional Seville hotel recommendations below.

Hotel Alfonso XIII

This is one of the best hotels in town.

Alfonso XIII is located in a prime spot next to Seville’s Real Alcazares and rooms feature gorgeous Moorish architecture and every comfort imaginable.

Book: Hotels.com, Booking.com

Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla

This is a boutique hotel with plenty of comfort: wifi, slippers, in-room safe and more!

Definitely my top pick for convenience and comfort as it overlooks the Giralda Tower and is very centrally located.

Book: Hotels.com, Booking.com

Hotel Palacio de Villapanes

This hotel is fantastically located in the heart of the city.

It's a minimalist vibe, with comfortable rooms and gorgeous decor.

Book: Hotels.com, Booking.com

The Best Tours & Activities in Seville

See a Flamenco Show

See a 2 hour flamenco show at Seville's famous Tablao El Arenal, a traditional Andalusian flamenco bar in the El Arenal district.

There's a couple different ticket options, ranging from just the show, to drinks and dinner.

Spanish gypsy culture has some beautiful and extravagant choreography – you don't want to miss this experience when in Seville!

Check availability here

Explore the City via Hop On, Hop Off Bus

Explore Seville at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket.

There are 24 hour and 48 hour ticket options, and 14 different stops in Seville's most historic neighborhoods.

You can also take advantage of their audio guided walking tours.

Buy tickets here

Barrio Santa Cruz Walking Tour

The old Jewish Quarter of Seville is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city.

A guide walks you through the labyrinth of streets to see the Murillo Gardens, Plaza de Santa Cruz, and other sights in the quarter that date back to before 1492.

Check availability here

Take a Spanish Cooking Class

I always love a local cooking class!

Let a local guide you through buying fresh ingredients at Triana market and then cook some classic local dishes!

Check availability here

Seville's famous arcade

The Best Day Trips from Seville

Pueblos Blancos & Ronda

One thing we didn't have enough time to do was see the famous white villages of Andalusia.

Since they're a bit more remote, you need to rent a car if you want to see these picturesque hill towns on your own.

Luckily, this tour offers a condensed all-day trip through the Pueblos Blancos and ancient town of Ronda while taking care of transportation!

Check availability here

Caminito del Rey Hike

For the adventurous, this day trip takes you on a beautiful hike through Los Gaitanes and El Chorro gorges.

The El Caminito del Rey walking trail used to be a impossibly challenging path, but has been recently renovated so that hikers can enjoy the dramatic scenery.

Check availability here

Tangier Day Trip

Southern Spain is quite close to Africa!

On this jam packed day trip to Tangier, you'll cross the Strait of Gibraltar by fast ferry to discover a cosmopolitan city that blends European and African culture.

Explore the ancient Medina, visit the Caves of Hercules and taste the delicious food of Morocco!

Check availability here

Italica Day Trip

Visit the birthplace of ancient Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian on this half day trip to Italica.

The well preserved ruins of this Roman city contain an amphitheater (featured on Game of Thrones), a medieval monastery, and beautiful Roman architecture.

Check availability here

And that's it! A quick guide to spending 2 days in Seville.

Spain Travel Checklist

Flights | To make the most of our time, we booked open jaw flights, flying from NY to Madrid and departing from Lisbon. Check for flight deals here.

Trains | Train travel is Spain is fast and easy, but difficult to read or book if you're not Spanish. I used Omio to see schedules and book with an international credit card. It's much more convenient for English speakers. Check train schedules for your dates here.

Accommodation | We did a mix of Airbnbs and hotels on our trip. Browse last minute hotel deals for Spain here.

E-Sim | Get service to stay connected, translate menus and navigate Google Maps on the go. Jetpac offers affordable esim packages for as low as $1/ day.

Insurance | Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Travel insurance has also been the fastest to reimburse me for lost bags. Get a quote for your trip here.

More Spain Travel Guides

Planning a Trip to Spain

Spain and Portugal: A Classic Itinerary to Explore Both Countries!

Headed to Andalusia? Here's the Perfect 1 Week Southern Spain Itinerary

Granada

How We Spent 3 Incredible Days in Granada

Insider Tips for Visiting the Alhambra Palace

Seville

The Best Things to Do in Seville

All the Best Tapas Bars in Seville

Cordoba

Spain's Hidden Gem: The Quaint Town of Cordoba

Don't Miss Cordoba's Patio Festival! Here's Why

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See the Best of Seville in 2 Days | Itinerary