Two cities, two flavors of Europe. Begin among the 17th‑century canal rings of Amsterdam, where Golden Age masterpieces and cozy brown cafés sit steps from the water. Then fly south to Seville, Andalusia’s postcard: citrus-scented lanes, Gothic spires, and the clack of heels in intimate flamenco tablaos.

Amsterdam grew rich on trade; its museums—Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh—house world-class art, and its canal belt is UNESCO-listed. Seville dazzled as the gateway of New World silver and still wears layers of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish influences in the Alcázar, Giralda, and the whitewashed barrio of Santa Cruz.

Practical notes: book popular museums and monuments in advance, and guard against pickpockets in busy centers. Dutch cafés serve hearty classics (erwtensoep, bitterballen); Seville’s tapas culture runs late—lunch after 2 pm, dinner after 8:30 pm. Expect mild rain in Amsterdam; in Seville, plan indoor sightseeing during midday heat.

Amsterdam

Canals like silk ribbons, gabled houses, and cyclists everywhere—Amsterdam is compact, cultured, and effortlessly photogenic. Spend your time between Museumplein’s treasures, the Jordaan’s indie boutiques, and De Pijp’s brunch crowd.

• Top sights: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House (reserve far ahead), Nine Streets, De Pijp, and canal cruises at golden hour.
• Great bites: Dutch apple pie at Winkel 43, Indonesian rijsttafel at Restaurant Blauw, and artisanal beers under a windmill at Brouwerij ’t IJ.
• Fun fact: There are more bicycles than residents; locals lock them with two locks for a reason.

Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Amsterdam or hotels on Hotels.com Amsterdam. Favorites: canalside elegance at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam; boutique romance at Hotel Estherea; well-located comfort at Amsterdam Marriott Hotel; design-forward value at The Student Hotel Amsterdam City; social, savvy dorms at ClinkNOORD Hostel.

Getting there & around: From European cities, compare flights and trains on Omio (Flights – Europe) and Omio (Trains – Europe). For long-haul flights into Europe, check Trip.com (Flights – international). Schiphol to Centraal Station takes ~18 minutes by train (~€6). Get a 1‑day GVB pass (~€9) for trams/metro.

Day 1 – Arrive in Amsterdam (Afternoon to Night)

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs through the Jordaan: browse the Nine Streets and grab Dutch apple pie at Winkel 43 (flaky crust, cinnamon-rich filling). If you’d like to start with art, join the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Small-Group Guided Tour (about 2 hours) to decode Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Evening: Toast your first night on the water with the Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise (90 minutes). The bridges glow, and gabled facades reflect in the black-glass canals—classic Amsterdam.

Dinner: Choose Indonesian rijsttafel (a colonial-era staple turned local favorite) at Restaurant Blauw, or graze at Foodhallen (Bitterballen from De Ballenbar; Vietnamese from Viet View; Basque pintxos at Txogitxu). Nightcap with a house-brewed IPA at Brouwerij ’t IJ beneath its De Gooyer windmill.

Late option (if you have the energy): Walk history with the sensitive, story-rich Anne Frank’s Story – Guided Walking Tour (2 hours), tracing wartime sites from the Old Jewish Quarter toward the Western Canal Belt.

Day 2 – Morning Flight to Seville + Moorish Palaces

Morning (travel): Fly Amsterdam (AMS) to Seville (SVQ). Nonstop flights run ~2 h 55 m; with a connection, plan 4–6 hours total. Typical one-way fares range ~$80–$250 depending on season and luggage. Compare options on Omio (Flights – Europe). In Seville, the EA airport bus reaches the center in ~35 minutes (~€4); taxis average €25–€30.

Seville

Orange trees, Mudejar lacework, and patios scented with jasmine—Seville is Andalusia’s stage. The city rewards slow wandering: tilework glitters in the Alcázar, palms sway over courtyards, and tapas bars hum until late.

• Top sights: Royal Alcázar (book ahead), Seville Cathedral & Giralda, Santa Cruz quarter, Triana’s ceramics, Metropol Parasol (“Las Setas”).
• Tastes to try: Espinacas con garbanzos, salmorejo, grilled presa ibérica, and churros con chocolate.
• Fun fact: Seville’s Giralda began life as a 12th‑century minaret; its gentle ramps were built for horse ascent.

Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Seville and Hotels.com Seville. Standouts: landmark opulence at Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel; pool-and-park proximity at Meliá Sevilla; excellent value in the center at Hotel América Sevilla; riverside resort vibe at Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento; sociable budget fave La Banda Rooftop Hostel; classic pension charm at Hotel Zaida.

Getting around: Seville is wonderfully walkable. TUSSAM buses and the single-line tram make quick hops (~€1.50/trip). Consider a taxi or rideshare after late flamenco shows.

Day 2 – Seville (Afternoon to Night)

Afternoon: Check in, then head straight to the Royal Alcázar. Its Mudejar halls, carved stucco, and dreamy gardens reveal centuries of Islamic and Spanish craftsmanship—don’t miss the Patio de las Doncellas. Continue to Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic church; climb the Giralda’s ramps for sweeping views of tiled roofs and orange courtyards.

Coffee break: Refuel at Parcería Café (specialty coffee, seasonal bakes) or Bar El Comercio for an old-school cortado and churros.

Evening: Tapas crawl in Santa Cruz or Arenal. Book a table at La Brunilda (inventive small plates; try the prawn tartare and slow-cooked pork cheeks) or Eslava (award-winning honeyed pork ribs, gildas). Follow with a flamenco performance—intimate venues like Casa de la Guitarra or El Arenal spotlight live cante, guitarra, and baile in emotive, hour-long shows.

Nightcap: Rooftop views of the cathedral from Terraza EME; or sip vermut at El Rinconcillo (since 1670), an atmospheric temple to Seville’s tapas tradition.

Day 3 – Triana Mornings & Departure

Morning: Breakfast at La Cacharrería (stacked tostadas, fresh juice) before crossing the Isabel II bridge into Triana—birthplace of many flamenco legends. Browse ceramics on Calle San Jorge, then wander Mercado de Triana for jamón tastings and montaditos. Swing back to the center to stroll Plaza de España’s tiled alcoves in María Luisa Park or ascend the Metropol Parasol (“Las Setas”) walkway for skyline views.

Lunch & last tastes: Grab a stool at Bar Casa Morales (amphora-lined walls, classic tapas) or Dos de Mayo (fried bacalao, tortilla, salmorejo). Pick up orange-blossom sweets from a convent shop if you see the discreet turntable window.

Afternoon (departure): Allow 60–90 minutes to reach SVQ and clear security. The EA airport bus runs every 12–15 minutes; taxis remain the fastest door-to-door.

Getting Between Cities

Amsterdam → Seville: Plan a morning flight (~2 h 55 m nonstop; ~$80–$250). Compare options and baggage policies on Omio (Flights – Europe). If you’re arriving to Europe from abroad before Amsterdam, search international fares on Trip.com as well.

Good-to-know tips: In Amsterdam, prebook museums and Anne Frank House weeks ahead; in Seville, book Alcázar and Cathedral timed entries. Respect local cycling rules in Amsterdam—walk your bike on busy pedestrian streets. In Seville’s summer, aim for indoor sights midday and tapas later in the evening.

In three quick days, you’ll capture Amsterdam’s art-and-canal soul and Seville’s sunlit courtyards, tapas bars, and flamenco fire. It’s a taste of two distinct Europes—Northern clarity and Southern warmth—that will leave you plotting a longer return.