Seville (Sevilla), Andalusia’s sunlit capital, wears its history on ornate tiles and orange-scented breezes. From Moorish palaces to Gothic spires, the city has dazzled since it became a gateway to the New World in the 16th century. Today, its lanes hum with guitar strings, church bells, and the clink of sherry glasses.

Expect world-class sights like the Royal Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and Giralda, and the grand Plaza de España—plus flamenco that feels born from the cobbles of Triana. Film buffs will recognize the Alcázar from Game of Thrones; history lovers can trace echoes of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition along lush boulevards and pavilions.

Practical notes: book headline attractions in advance and pace yourself in summer heat. Dinner often starts at 9 pm; a siesta is wisdom, not laziness. Seville rewards wanderers—leave time to get lost, then reward yourself with pringá montaditos, crispy puntillitas, and a cold manzanilla.

Seville (Sevilla)

Seville charms with human-scale streets, tiled bars, and a golden riverwalk. It’s compact and walkable, with cafés to punctuate every stroll and courtyards perfumed by orange blossom in spring. Evenings stretch late; flamenco turns nights into memory.

• Unmissable sights: Royal Alcázar, Seville Cathedral & Giralda, Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana, Metropol Parasol (Las Setas), Torre del Oro.
• Classic experiences: tapas-crawl from century-old taverns to creative kitchens; a live flamenco show; sunset views from the Giralda or Las Setas; a riverfront paseo along the Guadalquivir.
• Food highlights: pringá at Bodeguita Romero, espinacas con garbanzos at El Rinconcillo, modern tapas at La Brunilda and Vinería San Telmo, crispy fried fish at Mercado de Feria’s La Cantina, artisan gelato at Bolas.

How to get there (bookings): For flights and trains within Europe, search Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From Madrid to Seville on AVE takes ~2h30–2h50 (often €25–€80). Barcelona–Seville flight ~1h45 (often €30–€120); high-speed train ~5h30–6h (often €40–€120). Málaga–Seville train ~1h55 (often €20–€45). For long-haul flights from outside Europe, compare on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. Seville Airport to the center is ~25 minutes by taxi (~€25–€35) or ~35 minutes on EA airport bus.

Where to stay (our picks):

• Hotel Alfonso XIII (landmark luxury, palatial Moorish revival, pool by the Alcázar): Check availability
• Meliá Sevilla (sleek rooms, pool, steps from Plaza de España): Check availability
• Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento (resort-style on the river, great for families): Check availability
• Hotel América Sevilla (smart value in the historic center): Check availability
• Hotel Zaida (budget-friendly, classic interiors in El Arenal): Check availability
• La Banda Rooftop Hostel (social vibe, cathedral-view rooftop): Check beds

Prefer apartments or townhouses? Browse VRBO Seville or compare hotels on Hotels.com Seville.

Day 1: Arrival, Santa Cruz Stroll, Las Setas Sunset, and a Tapas Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and drop your bags. For a pick-me-up, choose between Confitería La Campana (since 1885; try the milhojas) or Bar El Comercio for crisp churros con chocolate. Wander the whitewashed lanes of Barrio Santa Cruz, peeking into tiled patios and orange-shaded squares like Plaza de Doña Elvira.

Afternoon (Golden Hour): Glide up to the Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) walkway for sweeping city views at sunset. The undulating timber canopy is striking by day, but the light show at dusk makes the rooftops glow—an ideal first perspective of Seville.

Evening: Start your tapas crawl at El Rinconcillo (est. 1670) for jamón, espinacas con garbanzos, and sherry chalked on the bar. Continue to Bodeguita Romero for the city’s famous pringá sandwich, then to La Brunilda for modern plates (book ahead; order the cod with salmorejo). Nightcap options: quirky El Garlochi (Semana Santa decor; “Sangre de Cristo” cocktail) or local craft brews at Maquila Bar.

Day 2: Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda, Plaza de España, and Flamenco

Morning: Beat the queues with this guided, skip-the-line trio—Royal Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, and the Giralda—in one expertly led visit:

Skip the Line Seville Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda Guided Tour

The Alcázar’s azulejos and perfumed gardens tell a millennium of stories, from Almohad origins to Mudéjar artistry; the Cathedral shelters Columbus’ tomb and a forest of Gothic columns. The Giralda’s gentle ramps (not stairs) reward with a crowning panorama.

Lunch: Choose Vinería San Telmo for creative tapas (oxtail cannelloni, tuna tataki, Andalusian cheeses) with a strong wine list. Or nab a spot at Bodega Santa Cruz “Las Columnas” for quick-fire classics—ensaladilla rusa, montaditos, and frito variado—amid lively local chatter.

Afternoon: Linger at the majestic Plaza de España—trace Spain’s regions in its tile alcoves and rent a rowboat on the canal. Stroll the shaded Parque de María Luisa to the pavilions from the 1929 fair, then cross the bridge into Triana for ceramics browsing and river views.

Evening: Experience authentic flamenco at intimate venues like Casa de la Guitarra, La Casa del Flamenco, or Los Gallos (small stages, powerful artistry; arrive early). Dinner after the show: try Eslava (iconic honeyed pork rib, slow-braised dishes) or La Azotea (seasonal seafood, Andalusian produce). For a splurge, Abantal brings Michelin-starred Andalusian creativity.

Day 3: Triana Morning, Riverfront, Optional Itálica, and Farewell Bites

Morning: Fuel up with specialty coffee at Virgin Coffee (tiny roastery near Plaza de Armas) or Torch Coffee Roasters by the river. Explore Triana Market for a casual breakfast (tortilla, cured meats) and peek into the Centro Cerámica Triana to see how Seville’s famed tiles are made.

Late Morning (choose one): - River & history: Visit the Torre del Oro maritime museum, then enjoy a 1-hour Guadalquivir River cruise for bridges, pavilions, and Isla de la Cartuja views. - Roman Seville: Take a quick ride (approx. 20–30 minutes by bus or taxi) to Itálica in Santiponce—wander the vast amphitheater and mosaic-lined villas; fans will recognize the “Dragonpit” filming site.

Lunch: For a speedy, delicious send-off, graze at Lonja del Barranco (gourmet market in an iron riverside hall—fried fish cones, croquetas, oysters) or at Mercado de Feria where La Cantina serves market-fresh pescaíto frito with a glass of chilled fino.

Afternoon (Departure): Collect your bags and head to the airport: taxi 20–30 minutes (~€25–€35), EA bus ~35 minutes. If you’ve time to spare, a last helado at Bolas or a tostada con tomate at La Cacharrería is a sweet finale.

Coffee, breakfast, and snack map (ideas to mix in anytime): - La Cacharrería for loaded tostadas and fresh juices on Calle Regina. - Parcería Café in Alameda for third-wave coffee and cakes. - La Campana for heritage pastries. - Bar El Comercio for churros in a classic tiled barroom.

Getting around: The historic core is walkable; supplement with taxis/ride-hailing for heat or late nights. The T1 tram links San Bernardo to Plaza Nueva, and bikes/scooters are widely available. Dinner reservations are wise for popular spots (La Brunilda, Eslava, La Azotea), especially Thu–Sun.

Optional bookings & transport tools: Within Europe use Omio Trains, Omio Buses, and Omio Flights. Long-haul flights: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For stays, compare Hotels.com and browse VRBO.

Where to sleep (quick recap): For historic grandeur by the Alcázar, book Hotel Alfonso XIII. For pool-and-park proximity, try Meliá Sevilla. For families, riverside Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento. For smart value, Hotel América Sevilla or Hotel Zaida. Budget travelers love the rooftop vibes at La Banda Rooftop Hostel.

Three days in Seville delivers palaces bathed in sunlight, plazas that echo with footsteps, and nights that end in handclaps and guitar. With this itinerary, you’ll taste Andalusia’s spirit—historic, artistic, and delicious—and still leave a few tiles unturned for your return.