Sevilla is a city of light and lacework—sun on orange trees, the filigree of Mudejar tiles, and the hum of the Guadalquivir. Founded by Romans and transformed by Umayyads, it became the bustling port of the Spanish Empire, a stage where New World riches met Old World craft. Today, its historic quarters cradle soaring palaces, Spain’s largest Gothic cathedral, and courtyard gardens perfumed with jasmine.

Beyond landmarks, Sevilla is best savored slowly: a cortado at a tiny micro-roastery, a noon sherry poured from an old barrel, an evening tablao where heels rattle the wood and a singer’s wail hangs in the rafters. Tapas aren’t a meal; they’re a rhythm—one bar, one plate, one story at a time. Neighborhoods like Santa Cruz, Triana, and the Alameda reveal different cadences of the same song.

Practical notes: summers are hot (plan early starts and siestas), and major festivals—Semana Santa and Feria de Abril—dramatically change the city’s pace and pricing. Book the Real Alcázar and Cathedral/Giralda in advance, carry a refillable bottle, and embrace a late dining culture. Trains and flights are easy to compare on Omio (flights in Europe) and Omio (trains in Europe); buses are plentiful via Omio (buses in Europe).

Sevilla

Sevilla unfurls like a poem: the Real Alcázar’s Mudejar palaces, the Cathedral’s golden retablo and Giralda tower, and Plaza de España’s tile-clad alcoves. Wander Santa Cruz’s alleys, cross into artisans’ Triana for ceramics, then climb the Metropol Parasol “Setas” for sunset over the old city.

Top must-sees include the Real Alcázar, Cathedral and Giralda, Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, Triana’s ceramics workshops, Torre del Oro, Casa de Pilatos, Palacio de las Dueñas, the Archivo de Indias, and Las Setas. For food, think pringá sandwiches, fried anchovies, salmorejo, grilled clams, and jamón sliced paper-thin.

Getting there: Fly into Sevilla (SVQ) or train to Santa Justa. From Madrid, high-speed trains take ~2h30 (about €25–€80). From Barcelona, flights take ~1h40 and trains 5h30–6h. Compare and book on Omio (flights in Europe), Omio (trains in Europe), or Omio (buses in Europe). Taxis/ride-hails to the center run ~15–25 minutes; the EA airport bus to central stops takes ~30–35 minutes.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Iconic: Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Andalusian grandeur beside the Alcázar. Check rates
• Stylish mid-range: Meliá Sevilla — next to Plaza de España, with a pool for summer. Check rates
• Value-in-center: Hotel América Sevilla — steps from La Campana and shopping streets. Check rates
• Design-forward on the river: Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento — resort feel near Isla Mágica. Check rates
• Boutique budget: Hotel Zaida — restored palace vibes at wallet-friendly prices. See availability
• Social & scenic: La Banda Rooftop Hostel — legendary sunset terrace with Cathedral views. Book a bunk

Prefer apartments? Browse vetted stays: VRBO Sevilla or compare hotels via Hotels.com Sevilla.

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

Morning: Travel to Sevilla. From Madrid, the train is ~2h30 to Santa Justa; from Barcelona, consider a ~1h40 flight. Compare schedules and prices on Omio (trains in Europe) and Omio (flights in Europe). If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and grab first bites—churros con chocolate at Bar El Comercio (since 1904) or a cortado at tiny micro-roaster Virgin Coffee near Las Setas.

Afternoon: Ease into Sevilla with a wander through the whitewashed lanes of Santa Cruz. Peek into patios draped in geraniums, then step into the shady Jardines de Murillo. Circle the Cathedral’s exterior and the Giralda’s brick-and-stone silhouette; save the interior for tomorrow. For a sweet pause, pastry lovers should try Confitería La Campana’s yemas or milhojas, a local ritual.

Evening: Watch golden hour from the Metropol Parasol “Setas” viewpoint, then start a tapas crawl. Order espinacas con garbanzos and bacalao at El Rinconcillo (1670), pringá montaditos at Bodeguita Romero, and jamón with tomato-rubbed toast at Las Teresas. Nightcap on a rooftop: Terraza del Hotel Doña María gazes straight at the Giralda, while La Banda’s rooftop brings live music and a friendly backpacker buzz.

Day 2: Alcázar, Cathedral & Giralda, Flamenco Night

Morning: Be at the Real Alcázar for opening. This living palace blends Islamic artistry and Christian iconography—honeycombed stucco, cedar ceilings, and citrus gardens where peacocks strut. Film buffs will recognize Dorne’s Water Gardens from Game of Thrones. Coffee after? La Cacharrería does fresh juices and toast topped with local cheeses and honey. Continue to the Cathedral—world’s largest Gothic church—to see the gleaming main altarpiece and the tomb of Columbus. Climb the Giralda via ramps for skyline views.

Afternoon: Step into the quiet cloisters of the Archivo de Indias (manuscripts of the Americas), then detour to the Hospital de los Venerables in Santa Cruz for a baroque patio and art center dedicated to Velázquez. For lunch, choose Casa Morales—stand under old tinajas (amphorae) for a glass of manzanilla and montaditos—or La Azotea (Santa Cruz) for razor clams, red tuna tataki, and seasonal dishes.

Evening: Reserve a flamenco show. Intimate, guitar-forward performances await at Casa de la Guitarra; Tablao El Arenal delivers virtuoso dance in a classic tablao setting. Dine late: Vinería San Telmo offers Andalusian flavors with global hints (oxtail cannelloni; goat cheese salad), while Michelin-starred Cañabota treats seafood with reverence—think scarlet prawns and ember-grilled fish. Toast the night at El Garlochi, Sevilla’s surreal Holy Week-themed bar.

Day 3: Optional Day Trip — Granada’s Alhambra and the Albaicín

Make it a full-day excursion to Granada to see the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Islamic art and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trains from Sevilla Santa Justa take ~2h30–3h; buses are ~3h. Compare and book on Omio (trains in Europe) or Omio (buses in Europe). Aim for an early departure to reach the complex comfortably for a late morning entry.

Recommended Alhambra experiences (choose one):

• Skip The Line Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour — walk the Nasrid Palaces’ courtyards, the Alcazaba, and the water gardens with a guide to decode inscriptions and geometry.

• Alhambra Ticket with Audio Guide in Granada — a flexible alternative with timed entry and rich context in your ear.

After your visit, wander the Albaicín (old Moorish quarter) up to Mirador de San Nicolás for a postcard view across tiled roofs to the snow-tipped Sierra Nevada. For lunch, locals love Bodegas Castañeda (Granada classics and vermouth on tap) or terrace dining at Mirador de Morayma. Return to Sevilla for a casual dinner—La Brunilda for creative tapas (Iberian pork with romesco, cod fritters) or Eslava for classics reimagined. If you’d rather stay in Sevilla, swap the day trip for a half-day at Italica’s Roman ruins (bus to Santiponce ~30 minutes) and a Guadalquivir river cruise from Torre del Oro.

Day 4: Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa, and Triana Before Departure

Morning: Start at Plaza de España, a sweeping semi-circle of brick and azulejos built for the 1929 Expo. Stroll its tiled “province” alcoves and, if you fancy, paddle a rowboat along the canal. Then wander into Parque de María Luisa—shady palms, tiled benches, and fountains perfect for a quiet farewell. Breakfast nearby at Bar Citroën, a locals’ mainstay for tostadas and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Afternoon (before departure): Cross the Isabel II bridge into Triana, cradle of potters and flamenco. Visit the Centro Cerámica Triana to see how azulejos are born, then graze through the Mercado de Triana—snack on fried fish or grilled prawns and sip a cold cruzcampo. If you’re sitting down, Taberna Sol y Sombra (bullfighting memorabilia and hearty stews) or Bar Las Golondrinas (pork loin skewers, mushrooms with alioli) hit the spot. Collect your bags and head to SVQ (15–25 minutes by taxi; the EA airport bus runs ~every 20–30 minutes). For last-minute intercity connections, check Omio (trains in Europe), Omio (buses in Europe), or Omio (flights in Europe).

Food and drink hit list to sprinkle through your stay: El Rinconcillo (heritage tapas), Casa Morales (sherry and montaditos), Las Teresas (jamón), Bodeguita Romero (pringá), La Azotea (modern Andalusian), La Brunilda (creative plates), Abantal (Michelin-star contemporary Andalusian), Cañabota (Michelin-star seafood), Vinería San Telmo (global-Andalusian), Bar El Comercio (churros), Virgin Coffee and Parcería Café (specialty coffee), Helados La Fiorentina (seasonal gelato).

Wherever you stay—grand palace hotel, boutique hideaway, or social rooftop hostel—you can compare and book quickly: Hotels.com Sevilla and VRBO Sevilla.

In four days, Sevilla reveals its layers: royal palaces and tiny taverns, cathedral heights and courtyard hush, flamenco’s heartbeat and river breezes. You’ll leave with orange-blossom memories—and good reason to return for Feria, a deeper tapas circuit, or a longer Andalusia loop.