How to Spend 2 days in Seville: a Seville Itinerary
Only have 2 days in Seville? I’m here to give you everything you need to know before visiting to make the most out of your time. Seville, Spain is notably the most charming place I have ever been. The city of Seville is most famous for its streets lined with orange trees, culture, historic monuments, and traditions. One of, if not the most, favorite places I have ever been to. In this 2 day Seville itinerary, I’m going to share the best things to do in Seville, the best hotels, where to eat, and so much more!
Where is Seville Spain?
Seville is part of the Andalusia region which is in the southern region of Spain. You can either fly into the Seville airport or take the train into Sevilla Santa Justa. When visiting Seville from Barcelona it’s roughly a 5-hour train ride.
Best Time to Visit Seville
The weather in Seville is quite mild during the winter months and very hot during the summer. We visited in January and it was a solid 60°F during the day and high 40°F at night. For the best months to visit plan your trip for January-May when the weather is mild and hotel rates are lower.
Things to Know before Visiting Seville
- The city itself is extremely small therefore making it very walkable (you don’t need a car).
- Siestas are a real thing here meaning most stores close at 3pm and open back up at 8pm.
- An early dinner in Seville is 8pm.
- The details of this city was my favorite part about visiting Seville – don’t forget to look up!
- Buy your Real Alacazar tickets in advance (try not to visit on Mondays when they offer free tours, it gets packed!)
- The time of year can have an impact on your visit. When we visted in January the crowds were sparse however sunrise was at 8:30am.
- Seville summers can get REALLY hot.
Places to Visit in Seville
Plaza de Espana
Since the beginning of my travel blogging journey (2017), I longed to visit the Plaza de Espana. I was elated when it finally happened! The Plaza de Espana is located inside Maria Luisi Park and was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exhibition. This park has lots to do including catching a famous Flamenco show, renting a rowboat, or just admiring the sheer beauty. Finally, we arrived at the Plaza at sunrise and had this magnificent masterpiece to ourselves for a good 40 minutes.
Alcazar Seville Spain
The Real Alcázar, commonly known as the Alcázar of Seville, is a Royal Palace constructed in the 1400s. There is a rich history behind the compound that was founded in the middle ages. The Castilians took over the grounds in the 1300s and used them for Royal Residences. It is still used today for the royal family which makes it the oldest European palace that is currently in use. Countless movies and TV shows have been filmed here, most notably Game of Thrones. The architecture and intricate details of the palace will leave you speechless. Finally, in 1987 it was named a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Here are some tips for visiting:
- GET THERE EARLY! It gets crowded during all hours of the day to ensure a quiet visit visit before 10am (opens at 9:30am)
- Book tickets in advance and plan to visit for at least 90 minutes to thoroughly enjoy all this beautiful piece of history has to offer
- Wear comfortable shoes to walk around the garden and keep your eyes peeled for cute wildlife
- Open from 9:30am – 5pm daily
- They offer free visits on Mondays but do note that’s the busiest day
Click here to book your guided tour in advance
If you’d prefer to visit on your own click here for timed entry tickets
Seville Cathedral and Giralda
Another World Heritage site is the famous Seville Cathedral and Giralda. Constructed in 1507 it’s the largest gothic cathedral. The actual name is “Catedral de Santa María de la Sede” and is the final resting place for Christopher Columbus. When visiting make sure to climb the 35 floors to the top of the Giralda Tower (you walk up a ramp as opposed to stairs). This bell tower showcases a 360 view of Seville city. Furthermore, the courtyard is littered with orange trees, it’s the perfect photo opportunity!
Important sites when visiting the cathedral:
- The Royal Chapel
- Tomb of Christoper Columbus
- Giralda Tower
- The Treasure Room
Casa de Pilatos
A hidden gem in Seville! Casa de Pilatos is an Andalusia palace built in the 16th Century. It’s a much smaller scale than Real Alcazar but just as intricately detailed. Today it is the residence of the 18th Duchess of Medinacelli and her family. Since it is less popular, the crowds are slim to none so you can enjoy it at your leisure. Finally, it is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm and costs 12€.
Visit the Royal Tobacco Factory
This 18th-century building used to be the Royal Tobacco Factory. Today it is home to the University of Seville. It remains one of the largest and most architecturally distinguished industrial buildings ever built in Spain. It’s located near Maria Luisa Park so is easy to add that to your visit!
Setas de Sevilla
Setas de Sevilla, otherwise known as Metropol Parasol, is the largest wooden structure in the world that overlooks Seville city. The structure is composed of six parasols in the form of a mushroom. Because of this, the locals deemed it ‘The Mushroom’. It was completed by a German Architect, Jürgen Mayer in 2011. You can visit 9:30 am-12 am every day, but I recommend visiting in the evening as there is an incredible light-up show. Furthermore, there are 3 different prices tickets are sold at due to the time of day. Find out more here.
Walk Around the Colorful Barrio Santa Cruz
Barrio Santa Cruz is the former Jewish quarter of Seville. Many of Seville’s main attractions are located here including the Seville Cathedral, Real Alcazar, and Casa de Pilatos. You can easily spend an entire afternoon walking around this colorful neighborhood, it’s so charming!
Attend a Flamenco Show
Flamenco dancing originated in the Andalusia region. This is one of the popular things to do in Seville. you can catch free Flamenco shows at the Plaza de Espana in the afternoon. But if you want to experience a real flamenco show then consider booking this one that includes drinks.
Palacio de Las Duenas
Another day, another Sevilla palace! Hey, I’m not complaining royalty has always been intriguing to me. Palacio de Las Duenas was built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The style is influenced by gothic and Moorish styles. This property also has multiple patios and gardens to enjoy. Finally, this is another lesser-known palace to visit so it’s typically tranquil.
Best Sevilla Hotel
Hotel Alfonso XIII: a luxury hotel located walking distance from Maria Luisa Park and the Seville Cathedral. We personally stayed here and would highly recommend it. Not only was it in a prime location but the decor made you feel like you yourself were royalty. We managed to snag a room at less than $300 a night during the off-season.
Hotel Palacio de Villapanes: an elegant 18th-century building this luxury hotel is another great option.
BOUTIQUE/BUDGET HOTEL PICK
Hotel Las Casas de La Judería: Sleek hotel situated in a prime location for sightseers.
Best Restaurants in Seville
Cervecia Giralda: Classic tapas in a former Arab bath. The sidewalk tables have a view of the Giralda tower. We personally ate here and while the service wasn’t the best, the food and view made up for it.
La Mala (brunch): If you’re looking for a healthy option, La Mala is it! We had brunch here and enjoyed fresh smoothies, salads, and more.
EME Rooftop Bar: A famous rooftop bar with views of the Giralda Tower.
Casa Moreno: Sevilles best kept secret. This is the oldest grocery store in Europe but there’s a catch. In the back, there is a hidden bar. The food is simple since there is no real kitchen but nonetheless, a fun spot to check out!
Sample Seville Itinerary
Day One
- Start at Plaza de Espana
- Walk past the Tobacco Factory
- Visit the Seville Cathedral and Giralda
- Walk Around Barrio Santa Cruz neighborhood
- Visit Casa De Pilatos
- Cross the river and visit the Triana neighborhood
- Sunset at EME Rooftop Bar
Day Two
- Spend the morning at the Real Alcazar
- Visit Palacio de las Duenas
- Visit Setas de Seville at sunset or after dark
- Attend a Flamenco Show
- Dinner at Cervecia Giralda
- Drinks at Casa Moreno
Thank you for reading my “2 days in Seville: a Complete Seville Itinerary”! Have I convinced you to visit this incredible city? Click here to read more of my European guides!
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XO,
Courtney
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