Day 1

#1 SEVILLE WALKING TOUR

I always think it is a good idea to start in any new city with a walking tour to give you a good idea of the layout of the city.  Christmas is Seville is an especially beautiful walk!  If you prefer to ride you could book a bus tour instead.  For a walking tour I recommend Rick Steves’ Sevilla City Walk audio guide.  You can download it to your phone from iTunes before leaving home by searching for “Rick Steves audio guides Spain.”  It is free to download.

#2 ROYAL ALCAZAR OF SEVILLE (REAL ALCAZAR)

The Royal Alcazar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site found within easy walking distance from the Cathedral of Seville.  The buildings and grounds form the oldest European palace still in use today and features a combination of Christian and Mudejar architecture highlighted by beautiful tile work and large garden areas.  More recently, the palace was used in the production of the Game of Thrones television series.

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DAY 2

#3 CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE

Otherwise known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, the Cathedral of Seville is a Roman Catholic cathedral that is the fourth-largest church in the world as well as the world’s largest Gothic church. The interior has the longest nave of any cathedral in Spain and the associated bell tower is accessible for ascension. Among the notables interred in this UNESCO World Heritage Site here include Christopher Columbus and his son Diego. 

#4 LA GIRALDA (BELL TOWER AT THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE)

The most visible architectural feature of Seville is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville known as “La Giralda.”  Originally built as the minaret of the mosque that stood on the site under Muslim rule, the 343 foot tower was converted into a bell tower around the time of the Renaissance is available for ascension.  

Tickets are included with cathedral tickets.

#5 ARCHIVO GENERAL DE INDIAS SEVILLE (HISTORY MUSEUM)

The Archivo General de Indias is the primary library and museum of the Spanish Empire and the documentation of its exploration of the Americas and Asia.  The UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts Renaissance architecture and has no admission fee.

#6 FLAMENCO SHOW IN SEVILLE

We highly recommend that you spend an evening at a flamenco show!  Flamenco dancing is a highly-expressive art form that originated in the Andalusia region in southern Spain.  There is no video or movie that can compare to seeing it in person.  The rhythmic sounds and movements and the emotional intensity is mesmerizing.  It is definitely a must!  

DAY 3

#7 PLAZA ESPANA

The Plaza de Espana is a plaza in the Parque de Maria Luisa and was built for the Ibero-American Exposition World’s Fair of 1929.  A mix of architectural styles, the center area is designed in a “Moorish paradisical style” with a half mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, walls, ponds, benches, as well as its connection to the lush plantings of palms, orange trees, and other Mediterranean plants found at the neighboring Maria Louisa Park.

#8 MARIA LOUISA PARK

Adjacent to the Plaza de Espana is found the Maria Louisa Park.  The lush area borders the river Guadalquivir and is especially enjoyed on hot days thanks to shady footpaths, fountains, and the expanse of Mediterranean trees and flowers.  Originally a part of the San Telmo palace, it is an ideal area for a picnic, romantic walks, or for cycling. 

DAY 4

#9 REAL MAESTRANZA

The Real Maestranza is the site of one of the most well-known bullfighting festivals in the world.  With the use of an audio guide, visitors tour the inner areas of the arena that include the historical “traje de luces (suit of lights) worn by famous matadors, prayer chapels, and horse stalls, as well as the actual arena floor and the surrounding 12,000 seat arena.  One can almost hear the shouts of “OLE!”

#10 TORRE DEL ORO (GOLD TOWER)

The Torre del Oro or “Tower of Gold” was built in 1220 and served as a military watchtower for Seville on the Guadalquivir river as well as a prison.  The structure gets its gold moniker from how the combination of building materials (mortar, lime, and pressed hay) reflect on the water and its 12-sided design make it a unique architectural landmark.

#11 SETAS DE SEVILLA

The Setas de Sevilla was originally known as the the Metropol Parasol is claimed to be the largest wooden structure in the world.  Designed by the German architect Jurgen Mayer, it was completed in 2011.  Its appearance, location, delays, and cost overruns resulted in much public controversy.  The surrounding areas is a bustling area of shopping, restaurants, and bars. 

ADDITIONAL DAYS

Here is a list of some other things to see in Seville.  As mentioned earlier, this 4-day itinerary is somewhat relaxed, so you could easily fit some of these into the first four days or stay longer for a slower, more relaxing vacation.

Basilica de la Macarena
Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts)
Iglesia Colegial del Salvador
Isla Magica
Palacio de las Duenas
Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares
Monesterio de Santa Paula

WHERE TO STAY

Casa Noa Apartments, Seville, Spain

Seville is an easily walkable city, so it’s not difficult to walk to most places you will want to go.  Here are a few neighborhoods that will put you in the best areas for touring the city.

Santa Cruz is the neighborhood where the Real Alcazar, the Cathedral of Seville and the Plaza de Espana are located.  It is an ideal area to call home during your stay.

El Arenal is home to the Real Maestranza bull fighting ring.  It is a good location in the city center and a little more budget-friendly.

Triana is a great area for lively nightlife.  It is located West of the river.  The closer to the river you stay the more centrally located you will be.

Los Remedios, Macarena, and Alameda are all a little further out from the city center but all still cool areas to stay.

We stayed in a great apartment a little northwest of the city center called Casa Noa Apartments (photo above).  It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the city centre.

Entrance to the Casa Noa Apartment Building, Seville, Spain

TRANSPORTATION

We did not use any of the public transportation in Seville since we could walk everywhere we wanted to go in under 30 minutes, but there is a metro, bus and tram system that can get you around.