What to see in Seville, the 3 days itinerary guide

by 19, Jul, 2023Spain

If you’re thinking about a trip to Seville, let me tell you—you’ve made a fantastic choice! In this complete guide, I’ll reveal what to see in Seville in 3 days. Seville is a city with a captivating atmosphere that blends different cultures, an endless variety of exquisite places to eat tapas, and, of course, the omnipresent flamenco in local venues that will make you fall in love with it—just as I did.

But first, I need to tell you a short story. I was sitting in my living room, my eyes fixed on the computer screen. I was looking at images of Seville scrolling before my eyes, and my heart filled with excitement. Seville, the city of my dreams, the place I longed to visit. It was as if each photo transported me to a different world, full of wonder and magic.

Finally, after longing for so long, I booked the trip. Everything was planned down to the smallest detail. I would spend three days in Seville, exploring every corner, immersing myself in its history and culture. The countdown had begun, and the wait seemed eternal.

 

But life can play cruel tricks. The night before my departure, just seven hours before my flight, I discovered that I had contracted COVID-19, which had brought the world to its knees for a year. My heart broke, and tears began to fall. I had to cancel my trip, postpone my dream, with no hope of a refund on the horizon. It was November 2021.

The months passed, one after another, but the desire to visit Seville never faded. I waited patiently, hoping that one day I would finally fulfill this long-held dream. And at last, after a year and a half, the much-awaited moment arrived.

I had plenty of time to plan my 3 days itinerary in Seville, optimizing my schedule and experiencing the city to the fullest. I hope my structured travelogue will inspire and help you if you’re planning a visit to this stunning city.

First Evening

Metropol Parasol, or “Las Setas”

Las Setas is one of the city’s most recent landmarks, and as such, it deserves a place on any Seville itinerary, even if you’re only visiting for a few days. I wanted to see this place in person after coming across it in photos and on Instagram numerous times.

This modern structure is the largest wooden construction in the world. From below, the effect of these enormous wooden mushrooms (or umbrellas) is striking, but it’s when you go up that the real magic happens.

To book your entrance and skip the line, purchase tickets in advance on the official website, where you can choose your preferred date and time.

  • Price: €15

  • Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM

After coming down, we explored the base of the wooden “mushrooms,” where there were several charming spots to dine on tapas and sip tinto de verano wine. There were also small shops where you could browse for souvenirs!

We had dinner right there at PerroChiko—a wonderful tapas experience for our first evening, kicking off our vacation in style with delicious bites! But don’t get carried away when ordering; tapas are much more filling than they seem. I wrote a detailed article about it—check it out!

 

What to See in Seville: Day 1

Plaza de España

On our first day, we decided to visit the most distant attraction from the city center right away: Plaza de España, a majestic square with navigable canals and decorative tiles.

Created for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, Plaza de España is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The semi-circular square is worth lingering in to admire its tiles, which represent all the provinces of Spain.

It’s one of the most picturesque places to see in Seville, and it’s no surprise that it has been used as a filming location for several movies (such as Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones). You’ll also find charming bridges crossing a small river where you can even take a romantic boat ride.

On the sides of the majestic porticoes and staircases, where you can enjoy a leisurely walk, flamenco dancers perform daily at noon and 7 PM!

  • Price: Free

  • Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Parque Maria Luisa

Adjacent to Plaza de España, you can find shade and a refreshing escape in Parque de Maria Luisa, even on the hottest days. It’s Seville’s green lung, an enormous park filled with beautiful fountains and pathways that transport you to a world of tranquility—one of the most romantic places to visit in Seville.

It’s worth walking to the far end of the park, where you’ll find one of my favorite spots in Seville: Plaza de América, featuring a stunning fountain and the beautiful Mudéjar-style Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions.

  • Price: Free

  • Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Stroll Along the Guadalquivir River and Torre del Oro

We could have taken the shortest route back to the city center… but no! Instead, we chose to take a scenic walk along the Guadalquivir River, and I highly recommend doing the same to fully immerse yourself in this beautiful city!

Finally, we reached Torre del Oro, with Triana Bridge right behind it.

Torre del Oro is another structure that takes you back to Seville’s Almohad period. Though much smaller than La Giralda, its position along the Guadalquivir River makes it an ever-present icon watching over the waters.

  • Price: €3

  • Opening Hours:

    • Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:45 PM

    • Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:45 PM

Seville Cathedral

The Seville Cathedral stood before me, majestic and imposing. I couldn’t take my eyes off the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. This building makes you feel so small in comparison to its extraordinary size!

The Seville Cathedral is a must-visit for at least two reasons. First, its architectural grandeur, built over a century, has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Second, inside the cathedral lie the remains of Christopher Columbus, a site of great historical significance.

To visit Seville Cathedral independently, I recommend booking your ticket in advance on the official website (buying it on-site costs €1 more). If you have trouble with the official site, as I did, or want to skip the queue, there’s an option to purchase skip-the-line tickets online, including an audio guide. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour to fully immerse yourself in Seville’s history and the cathedral’s controversial construction process.

  • Price: €12 on-site / €11 online
  • Opening Hours:
    • Monday to Saturday: 10:45 AM – 6:00 PM
    • Sunday: 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
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La Giralda

Although Seville retains a strong imprint from its Muslim period, such as the Patio de los Naranjos or the Puerta del Perdón, there is no building that better symbolizes the continuity of Arab culture in the city than its emblematic tower, La Giralda. The Giralda reaches an impressive height of 92 meters and is visible from almost every point in the city. Its details are beautiful, as is its lighting, but one of the best things to do in Seville is to climb the 30 ramps to enjoy incredible views from the top.

Price: €12 on-site and €11 online
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:45 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM

 

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Barrio Santa Cruz

The last stop of the day is the Barrio de Santa Cruz, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Seville, with its cobbled streets and sun-bleached facades.
I got lost among the alleys, following the sound of flamenco echoing through the air. I found a small venue and sat down for a light aperitif, letting myself be carried away by the passion of the dancers and the music that seemed to come from the depths of the soul.

Right here, under the Giralda, we had dinner with Paella de Mariscos and a Jarra de Sangria!

What to See in Seville: Day 2

The Real Alcázar

Visiting the Real Alcázar de Sevilla is a must for your exploration, a magnificent and imposing royal palace with stunning gardens. Explore its intricate architectural details and admire the splendid gardens inspired by the Moorish era.

The Real Alcázar of Seville is one of the most beautiful and ancient palaces in the world. It was at the top of my list of things to see in Seville before leaving, and when I was there, I realized that the photos I had seen did not do justice to its real beauty. It is absolutely the place you must see in Seville to experience the perfect combination of the different cultural influences that have shaped the city’s history.

If the place seems familiar to you, you are right. The Real Alcázar of Seville has been a filming location for various movies and TV series, such as Lawrence of Arabia, but I am sure you will remember it from the more recent Game of Thrones, for which a themed guided tour is available.

I recommend booking your visit in advance as it is often very crowded. Here is the link to book online!

Prices starting from: €18.80
Opening Hours: Every day from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

The General Archive of the Indies

The General Archive of the Indies is another iconic place to see in Seville that you can’t miss! Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located a few steps from the Real Alcázar.

This archive was created in the 18th century and contains countless invaluable documents that tell us the details of the discovery of the Americas and the Spanish colonization. The visit to the archive and exhibitions is completely free.

Price: Free
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Plaza del Cabildo

Very close to the Alcázar, the Giralda, and the Cathedral, I recommend stopping by Plaza del Cabildo, a small square with beautifully frescoed arcades that you simply won’t be able to resist photographing. This is a little-known gem of Seville—when we visited, there were very few people around!

Price: Free

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Casa de Pilatos

In the afternoon, we calmly headed towards Casa de Pilatos, another palace in Mudejar style, slightly smaller than the Real Alcázar but no less beautiful. This house takes its name from the belief that its design was inspired by the house of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. Admire its charming courtyards, statues, fountains, furnishings, as well as the gardens and splendid architectural details.

Casa de Pilatos is known for its architectural beauty, with Moorish and Andalusian details blended with Renaissance elements. The palace features a main courtyard, a garden, and numerous rooms decorated with frescoes, ceramics, and friezes.

Price: €10
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

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The Flamenco Tablaos of Seville

Beyond its beautiful monuments, charming streets, squares, and gardens, one of the must-do experiences in Seville is attending a flamenco show. Flamenco is an essential part of Andalusian culture, and witnessing a live performance is an immersive and passionate experience.

At the Pathé Theater, I attended a show that, only after arriving in Seville, I discovered to be the most advertised in the entire city!
Despite the extensive promotion, the performance was of the highest quality. The dancers, with their incredible grace and energy, transformed the music and voices into pure emotion.

The show Pasión is available every day at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM, and it is simply fantastic!

Dinner in Triana

After leaving the theater, we headed to the Triana district, the cradle of flamenco women, sailors, bullfighters, and many musicians.
I recommend taking a stroll along the riverside street, lined with bars and terraces overlooking the Guadalquivir River and the historic city center. Then, wander through the neighborhood along Calle San Jacinto, the main street, which has a truly unique atmosphere.

Right on Calle San Jacinto, we found the perfect place for dinner: Rico, a beautifully designed and elegant restaurant where we enjoyed trying different tapas at a fantastic price—just €15 per person!

Triana Market opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

What to See in Seville: Day 3

Palacio de los Marqueses de Salinas

A true hidden gem in the Barrio Santa Cruz, which you stumble upon almost by chance. It is a private house, still inhabited, and can only be visited with a guide.
Every half-hour, a guided tour begins (the guide speaks Spanish and English and is very skilled), and the ticket costs €8.

Price: €8
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Continue your visit to the Flamenco Museum, which offers a complete overview of the history and evolution of flamenco. Discover its protagonists, listen to the music, and delve into the culture of this unique art form.

Palacio De Las Dueñas

I really enjoyed this historic residence that has belonged to noble families over the centuries. The facade is particularly striking: completely covered in flowers!
It is a jewel in the heart of Seville, featuring truly stunning courtyards and richly decorated interiors. You can visit the ground floor, the fantastic gardens, and the Arabesque-style halls with an audio guide.

You will be mesmerized by all the Instagrammable spots inside the courtyards! Breathtaking!

A QR code is available to download the audio guide (also in Italian).
Price: €8
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

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Useful Information: Free Attractions in Seville

On Mondays, many attractions in Seville offer free entry. While it may be challenging to see everything in just one day, with good planning, you can make the most of this opportunity. Below is a list of attractions and their free entry times:

  • Cathedral and Giralda: Monday from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM (online reservation required).
  • Real Alcázar: April to September from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; October to March from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
  • Torre del Oro: Monday from 9:30 AM to 6:45 PM.
  • Plaza de Toros: Monday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
  • Casa Pilatos: Monday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
  • Palacio de Las Dueñas: April to September from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM; October to March from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
  • Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija: Monday at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
  • Archivo General de Indias: Always free.
  • Palacio de San Telmo: Always free.
  • Museum of Arts and Popular Customs: Always free.
  • Monasterio de la Cartuja: Free from Tuesday to Friday, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
  • Museo de Bellas Artes: Always free.
  • Hospital de los Venerables: Sunday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Tapas in Seville

Seville is full of charming spots to try tapas, but if you’re unfamiliar with them, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. I relied on various blogs that recommended their favorites, but I soon realized that it’s actually hard to find a place where the food isn’t good or where it’s not worth stopping for a bite.

As I mentioned in my article “8 Tips to Experience Your Vacation Like a Local,” I always prefer to avoid overly touristy places and instead opt for spots where the clientele is more… local than foreign.

By doing so, I came across several tapas bars that I absolutely loved for different reasons.

To see the full list of tapas bars I recommend, check out this article: Where to Eat Tapas in Seville – My TOP Picks!

Conclusion

At the end of the trip, I realized that Seville was even more beautiful than I had imagined. Every corner, every detail was a surprise that unfolded before my eyes. The majestic squares, the enchanted gardens, the lively streets.

When I left Seville, I carried with me the magical memories of those 3 days.

And so, as my plane took off into the sky, I promised myself that one day I would return. Because Seville, with its timeless beauty, deserves to be revisited, to be embraced once again.

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