What to see in Seville in 3 days: a day-by-day itinerary

Three days gets you a long way in Seville, because almost everything is done on foot. This itinerary is designed for seeing the city without rushing: monuments in the morning, lively neighbourhoods in the afternoon and every sunset in a good spot. It’s the plan we’d give a friend coming for the first time.

Day 1: monumental Seville

Start early with the Cathedral and the Giralda. Buy your ticket online and go first thing, when it’s least crowded. The inside of the Cathedral is impressive, but what you’ll remember is the climb up the Giralda: there are no stairs, only ramps (they say so you could ride up on horseback), and at the top you have all of Seville at your feet.

Five minutes away is the Real Alcázar. If you book only one timed visit on the whole trip, make it this one. The Mudéjar palace is one of the most beautiful places in Europe, and the gardens will ask for an hour more than you’d planned. Right next door, the Archivo de Indias (free) holds the records of Spain’s trade with the Americas.

For lunch, head to El Arenal: on Calle Arfe and Calle García de Vinuesa people eat tapas standing up, the way it has always been done. In the afternoon, walk along the river to the Torre del Oro and, when the sun goes down, watch your first sunset from the Triana bridge.

Day 2: Santa Cruz and Plaza de España

The morning is for getting lost in the Santa Cruz quarter, the old Jewish quarter. Put the map away: whitewashed lanes, tiled patios, Plaza de Doña Elvira, Calle Agua. Early on, before the groups arrive, is when you’ll enjoy it most.

From the Jardines de Murillo it’s about fifteen minutes on foot to Plaza de España, the most photogenic spot in the city. Walk all the way round it: the tiled benches for each Spanish province, the bridges over the canal, the rowing boats. María Luisa Park, right next to it, is the place to slow down with a horchata.

In the afternoon, head up to the shopping area: Plaza Nueva, Calle Sierpes and, to round off the day, the Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol). Go up to the walkway a little before sunset: the rooftops with the Giralda behind them make a lovely end to the day.

Day 3: Triana and the Seville that lives here

Cross the Isabel II bridge in the morning and give the day to Triana, the neighbourhood with the most personality in the city. Start at the Triana Market: have breakfast among the stalls, look at the fish, then wander over to the ceramics shops and workshops around Calle Alfarería.

Calle Betis is the postcard: coloured façades facing the river, with the Torre del Oro on the other bank. We have apartments in Triana, so it’s a neighbourhood we know well.

In the afternoon, depending on how much energy you have left: the Centro Cerámica Triana and the church of Santa Ana if you want more culture, or a bar crawl round San Jacinto and Calle Pureza. To say goodbye properly, flamenco in Triana, at a peña or a small tablao.

Practical tips

• Seville hours: many kitchens don’t open until 13:30 or 14:00 for lunch, and 20:30 or 21:00 for dinner. Have a big breakfast, like we do here: toast with olive oil and jamón.
• Get around on foot: the centre is compact and largely pedestrianised. You’ll only need a taxi or the metro to arrive and, perhaps, to get to Nervión or La Cartuja.
• Where to stay: if it’s your first time, Santa Cruz or El Arenal put everything within walking distance. Our neighbourhood guide is here.

If three days turn out not to be enough, Seville will still be here next time. For these three days, these two flats leave you a few minutes’ walk from the Cathedral:

Santa Cruz · Sevilla

Dúplex de Conteros

A duplex for two with a patio, about 400 metres from the Cathedral

• 2 guests
• 1 bedroom
• 1.5 bathrooms

Patio · City view · Historic centre

Price depends on dates

Pick your dates to see the final price.

El Arenal · Sevilla

Patio de Carlos Cañal

One bedroom plus a sofa bed for four, a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral

• 4 guests
• 1 bedroom
• 1 bathroom

Lift · Patio · Historic centre

Price depends on dates

Pick your dates to see the final price.

And if you’re after something else, you’ll find all our flats in the historic centre.