Despite being Spain’s 4th largest city and the Andalusian capital, Seville maintains all the charm, culture and authenticity of a small town.
With its rich complex history, resplendent palaces, exotic gardens, impressive food scene and intoxicating flamenco, it’s easy to understand why the hottest city in Europe attracts so many visitors each year!
We have created what we consider to be the perfect 3 day Seville itinerary in order to help you maximize your time and ensure you don’t miss any of the top things to do in Seville, Spain.
This travel guide will teach you everything you need to know in order to plan for the perfect mid-week getaway or weekend break, while capturing the best photos possible.
Disclosure: In order to keep providing you with free content, this post likely contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase through one of these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. So a HUGE thank you to you if you click one of these links 🙂
🇪🇸 The ULTIMATE 3 Days in Seville Itinerary
How to Use This Itinerary
I have designed this 3 day Seville itinerary with the idea that you’ll arrive the day before, allowing 4 nights and 3 days in Seville.
I’d recommend using your first evening to check-in, relax, wander a bit and enjoy some tapas!
While the itinerary will cover what to see in Seville with your 3 days, I haven’t included timings or food breaks within. I will leave this up to your own interests and belly to decide!
Personally, I spent hours photographing every single angle of some places, such as Plaza de España, whereas you may be content spending less than half an hour just to get the feel of it. If you are a shutterbug like myself, check out my Instagram guide to Seville as well!
Equally, while I quickly wolfed down some breakfast between a sunrise shoot and the next location, you may prefer a more leisurely breakfast! Therefore, I recommend you use this itinerary as a guide as to what you can reasonably see with 3 days in Seville.
While three days is a great amount of time to spend in Seville, you’ll find plenty more on offer if you venture further afield. Consider including Seville in a bigger Spanish road trip or you could even tie it into a Spain and Portugal itinerary!
There are even Spanish visa options if you want to spend longer in Spain (something I hope to do in the future)!
Before you go, make sure you check out this Spain packing list to ensure you don’t forget to take anything with you!
Finally, you’ll find a map of all the places mentioned in this Seville 3 day itinerary at the bottom of the blog post.
💃 3 Days in Seville Itinerary: Day 1
⛲️ Plaza de España
The incredible Plaza de España tucked away at the edge of Maria Luisa Park, is essential to any Seville itinerary. It is a great place to start your three days in Seville!
This spectacular building and plaza were built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition world’s fair. It was designed to demonstrate to the world Spain’s accomplishments in architecture and industry. Since then, it has become one of the most iconic places in Seville and one of the most impressive plazas in Spain.
Take time to admire the grandeur of the semi-circular plaza with its contrast of red brick facade and complex blue and yellow mosaic tiles adorning it. 48 small alcoves with benches align the outer walls, each dedicated to a province of Spain.
Colourful azulejos (painted ceramic tiles) intricately decorate each alcove. Punctuating the centre of the plaza is the Vicente Traver water fountain.
During the summer, you can take a boat ride along the canal that runs along the perimeter of the plaza. Or, just marvel at its beauty from one of the 4 bridges that cross the canal, representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain.
Plaza de España is free to visit and open 24/7. I’d recommend visiting in the early morning to avoid the crowds and the midday heat.
📸 READ MORE: Everything that’s in my camera bag for AMAZING travel photos
🏞 Parque de María Luisa
After the splendour of Plaza de España, take a stroll through the more tranquil and dreamy Parque de María Luisa (or Maria Luisa park in English).
Once palatial gardens, this park was donated for to the city of Seville for public use in 1893 and is the city’s largest green space. Much of the park was redesigned in 1928 and new buildings built, including Plaza de España, for the Ibero-American Exposition.
Today, you’ll find many beautiful water fountains and manicured gardens within the Parque de María Luisa.
The architecture within the park is also spectacular, including the Archeological Museum of Seville (Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla) and the Museum of Arts and Popular Customs (Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares). Both of these can be found next to Plaza America at the southern end of the park.
At the northern end of the park, you’ll find Teatro Lope de Vega. It was also built in 1928 for the exhibition. Today, it is still of cultural significance and continues to host hundreds of performances each year. The building itself is worth admiring as you leave Parque de María Luisa.
🏡 Barrio Santa Cruz
Barrio Santa Cruz is the city’s main tourist hub, with many of the most important attractions located within this area. However, take a short stroll away from the iconic landmarks and you’ll be immersed in the historic Jewish quarter.
The labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways beckon you in with their colourful houses, cobblestone roads, and flower-adorned balconies. Take some time to get lost meandering through this charming neighbourhood.
You’ll find many small orange tree-lined squares with plenty of cafes and restaurants to stop for tapas along the way too!
🏠 Casa de Pilatos
While Casa de Pilatos (Pilate’s House) may not be quite as grand as Alcázar, the elaborately decorated Andalusian palace is still one of the top things to do in Seville.
The building, dating back to the 15th-century, is a perfect example of an archetypal Andalusian palace with a stunning mix of Italian Rennaisance and Spanish Mudejar style. Within the palace, you’ll find around 150 azulejos (coloured ceramic tiles) from the 1350s, one of the largest collections in the world.
You’ll find an explosion of colour embellishing the well-manicured courtyard and garden when the bougainvillea is in bloom (we visited in March!).
It is not the cheapest of attractions, but I personally feel it’s well worth the money. Tickets cost €10* and can be booked online. This includes access to the ground floor with an audio guide. If you wish to visit the top floor, you must pay an additional €5* on arrival for a guided tour.
*Prices correct as of June 2023.
⭐️ Pro Tip: Entry is free on Mondays between 3pm-5:30pm.
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🌇 Sunset at Metropol Parasol (Las Setas de Sevilla)
Metropol Parasol is said to be the world’s largest wooden structure and, as such, is somewhat of an architectural marvel. It can be found towering over Plaza de la Encarnación in the old quarter of Seville.
It is also commonly referred to as Las Setas de Sevilla (the Mushrooms of Seville in English!) due to the mushroom appearance of the six parasols.
Having been built in 2011, it isn’t exactly steeped in history like many of the other things on this 3 days in Seville itinerary. However, with that said, during construction, Roman ruins were discovered. These ancient ruins are now on display at the Antiquarium on the lower ground floor.
With only 3 days in Seville, it is well worth paying the €15* to take the elevator to the mirador (lookout) and undulating walkways above. The mirador offers panoramic 360° views over the city and there’s even a little restaurant there to have a drink while enjoying the breathtaking views.
Your ticket includes two entries in 48 hours so consider returning at night for their Aurora light show for a unique experience.
You can also book skip-the-line tickets online with a virtual reality tour experience for €22. This unique experience allows you to see the present and the past of the city from Las Setas de Sevilla lookout.
Check the Las Setas de Sevilla website for current prices and opening times.
*Prices correct as of June 2023.
READ MORE: Most Instagrammable Spots in Seville
📸 3 Days in Seville Itinerary: Day 2
☀️ Real Alcázar de Sevilla
Prior to visiting Seville, the top thing to do on my 3-day itinerary was Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville).
Unfortunately, it was unexpectedly closed on the day we had tickets to visit, so we were unable to visit which was very disappointing. However, it is an absolute must-see in Seville so I would be remiss not to include it on this 3 day itinerary.
A little bit about Real Alcázar de Sevilla…
Alcázar was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 and is possibly the most iconic site in Seville. It is also the home of the royal family when they visit Seville, and as such is the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use.
The site contains over a millennium of history, with a Visigoth basilica being the first recorded use of the site. This was destroyed and a military fortress built in its place upon the arrival of the Moors in 712. Over the centuries that followed, it was converted to a Christian palace and numerous renovations have taken place.
Today, what remains is an eclectic mix of architecture influenced by its incredible history. It is home to colourful formal gardens, ornately decorated halls and fountained courtyards.
While the Royal Alcázar of Seville has long been a tourist destination, its popularity has further increased since it was featured in the Game of Thrones fifth season.
Tickets are available on the day, however, the lines are usually long and often sell out. It is well worth booking your skip-the-line tickets online in advance to avoid the queue and guarantee your entry. If tickets are sold out for the day you intend to go, then you can book a guided tour or arrive early to wait in line for tickets.
⭐️ Pro tip: Tickets are free on Mondays from 18:00 to 19:00 from April to September, and from 16:00 to 17:00 from October to March! Make sure you book your ticket online on the Real Alcazár website for a booking fee of €1 per ticket to skip the line.
⛪️ Catedral de Sevilla and La Giralda Bell Tower
The next stop on this 3 days in Seville itinerary is Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, more commonly referred to as Catedral de Sevilla (or Seville Cathedral). It is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church in the world, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Set in the heart of Seville, the centuries-old cathedral is hard to miss! It has an interesting history, having originally been a mosque built by the Moorish in the 12th century. This was later transformed into a Christian church and eventually converted to the cathedral we see today.
La Giralda, the cathedrals bell tower, was formerly the minaret of the mosque. It is now home to 24 bells! It is worth climbing the bell tower for sweeping vistas of the city.
From below, the exterior of the building is stunning from all angles and it is worth having a walk around the outside to fully grasp the enormity of it.
Within the church also lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Whether or not his remains are here is a fun fact about Spain that remains heavily debated.
If you wish to enter the church, tickets start from €16*. It is best to book skip-the-line tickets online in advance to avoid long queues in the heat. There are also options to book guided tours, as well as combination tickets for Seville Cathedral & Alcazar.
If you prefer to wait, it is possible to purchase tickets on the day at either Seville Cathedral or El Salvador Church, with tickets giving you entry to both.
⭐️ Pro tip: The Seville Cathedral offers free entry on Monday’s from 4:30pm-6pm. Also, be sure to dress appropriately if entering the church!
*Prices correct as of June 2023.
👗 Plaza del Cabildo
Tucked away minutes from Seville Cathedral is this small oasis. The beautiful Plaza del Cabildo is a hidden gem within the tourist hub of El Arenal. Here, you’ll find a small semi-circular plaza with marble columns, where you may just be lucky enough to have it to yourself!
💃🏽 Flamenco Show
As the birthplace of flamenco, no Seville itinerary would be complete without a flamenco show. While the exact origin of flamenco is debated, it is certain that it developed in Andalusia and flamenco is deeply embedded in Seville’s culture.
There are many ways to see flamenco, from street performers to stage shows. It is a very popular activity with tourists and can, therefore, be difficult to find an “authentic” experience. Casa de la Memoria offers small, intimate flamenco shows on a nightly basis, which can be booked here.
Arguably, one of the best places to see a flamenco show is in the Triana neighbourhood, which was at the epicentre during flamenco’s Golden Ages from the 1860s to the 1910s. Pair your flamenco experience with tapas for a truly Spanish experience with a flamenco and tapas tour in Triana.
🌅 3 Days in Seville Itinerary: Day 3
Walk Around Seville
For your final day in Seville, I’d recommend taking a self-guided walking tour of Seville. Wander around the city and take time to just immerse yourself in the city. Stroll the time-tested cobbled streets and absorb the laid back Andalusian way of life. Get lost meandering through the narrow alleyways and admire the many colourful houses and balconies dressed with colourful flowers.
However, while wandering, I would recommend a couple of stops.
🗼 Torre del Oro
Set next to the Guadalquivir River you’ll find Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold). It was built during the 12th century as a military watchtower to control access to Seville via the Guadalquivir river.
Today it is a maritime museum. While it is possible to climb to the top, the views aren’t particularly impressive. Therefore, unless you have a particular interest in naval history, I’d recommend just enjoying the building from the outside as you stroll by the river on the way to Triana.
🏢 Barrio Triana
From Torre del Oro, cross San Telmo bridge and head north to explore the Triana neighbourhood. Weave your way through the narrow cobbled streets and soak in the vibrant and traditional Spanish vibes.
Triana is renowned for its excellent tapas scene, so try out a tapas crawl, hopping from bar to bar, testing out the best the area has to offer! Just avoid Calle Betis, the street that runs along the river, as these tend to be lesser quality and overpriced. If you prefer an organised tour then this Triana tapas tour comes highly recommended.
Make your way to Mercado de Triana (Triana Market) and try some of the fresh fruit and veg on offer – the strawberries were delicious!
Finally, stroll back over the beautiful 19th century Isabel II bridge and take in the views of the cathedral across the river.
Palacio de las Dueñas and Museo Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
If you feel you’d like to explore more palaces then it is worth using this time to visit Palacio de las Dueñas and Museo Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija. Both feature beautiful courtyards and walls intricately decorated with traditional tiles.
🎒 Travel Tips for the Perfect 3 Days in Seville
🌙 How Many Days in Seville
Are 3 days in Seville enough? I feel like 3 days in Seville is a great amount of time to explore this beautiful city. As with many places, you could spend weeks exploring and still find more to do. However, 3 days in Seville provides the perfect amount of time to take in all the main sights at a comfortable pace, while still reserving time for tapas and sangria! It’s also the perfect amount of time to fit into a bigger Spain itinerary.
If you have more than 3 days in Seville, then there are many day trips from Seville you can take around Andalusia. Many of these can be done via train or bus including Cordoba, Cadiz and Granada.
😎 Best Time to Visit Seville
The best time to visit Seville is during the Spring from March to May. This time provides the best balance between milder temperatures and fewer tourists. Additionally, many of the trees are in blossom adding more greenery and colour to the city.
Seville is renowned for its large Easter (Semana Santa) parades. Following this is Feria de Abril, or their Spring Fair. Therefore, it’s a very popular time to travel to Seville. It can be a great time if you want to witness the festivities and don’t mind large crowds!
During the summer you will find fewer people around, with many Sevillans having left the heat of the city. However, the temperatures are likely to reach 38°c (100°f).
Winter can also be a great time to visit Seville, with cooler weather and fewer tourists. As one of the hottest cities in Europe, it can provide a nice warm escape from the cold elsewhere with mild temperatures of 16-20°c (61-68°f). Another bonus is that your Seville travel costs will be reduced by travelling during off-peak times too. It is more likely to rain during this time though!
✈️ Getting to Seville
It is possible to arrive in Seville by plane, train or bus, depending on where you’re coming from.
🛫 By Plane
Seville has one airport for both domestic and international flights; Aeropuerto de Sevilla-San Pablo (SVQ), commonly referred to as Seville Airport. From the airport, it’ll cost €20-25 for a 20-minute taxi ride to the city centre.
Alternatively, there are buses that run from the airport every 20 minutes to the city centre for €4 each way. We took the bus and it was really easy, the stops are announced as you go! Details of the airport bus (Line EA) can be found on the Seville Airport website.
🚊 By Train
Spain is extremely well connected by an extensive train network. Seville’s main train station is Santa Justa and is the third busiest in Spain. It provides regular services to other destinations all over Andalusia, as well as to other cities in the rest of Spain.
🚍 By Bus
Seville has two bus stations, both situated in the city centre; Prado de San Sebastian and Plaza de Armas. If travelling elsewhere in Andalusia, you are most likely going to want to take a bus to/from Prado de San Sebastian. Whereas Plaza de Armas will take you further afield to other regions of Spain, and even has buses to Portugal and France!
🚲 Getting Around Seville
Seville is easily walkable, with many of the attractions being in close proximity to each other. Uber and taxis are available, but with the narrow roads, it’s often easier and quicker to walk! There are also local buses and trams, including a bus that goes between the city centre and the airport.
There are also public bicycles for rent all over the city if you prefer to cycle or want to explore a little further afield. Seville is a flat city and has around 120km of bike lanes so you can cycle comfortably and safely. The Andalucia website has helpful information on how to rent the city bikes. There are also many different options for guided bike tours too.
🍽 Where to Eat in Seville (and drink!)
While in Seville, you have to eat tapas. The city is famed for its excellent food. We had tapas for lunch and dinner most days, just stopping at small restaurants as we saw them. I’d highly recommend a tapas crawl at least one night, hopping from bar to bar to sample each menu. Ask at your hotel or check online for the best tapas places nearby. If you prefer, you can also do a tapas tour.
The two areas where you’ll have the best chances of finding good food are El Arenal and Alameda de Hercules. Both boast a variety of eateries.
On our last night, we ate at El Pinton, which was by far our best meal and sangria! Plus the decor is beautiful.
Visit El Rinconcillo for tapas in the oldest bar in Seville, dating back to 1670! Here you’ll find traditional favourites while surrounded by history.
Of all the things to know about Spain before you go, this is probably the most fun: Spain has one of the highest densities of bars in the world. And Seville is no exception with a number of great bars around the city!
There are also a few rooftop bars in Seville offering different views of the city. So it’d be rude not to unwind and relax after a long day at a rooftop terraza with a cold cocktail in hand. I recommend sangria – you are in Spain after all! Some of the best rooftop bars include La Terraza del Hotel Inglaterra, Pura Vida Terraza and La Terraza de EME.
🏨 Where to Stay in Seville
There’s a wide variety of accommodation to suit every budget in Seville. I travelled with my friend and her 2-year-old son, so we opted for an apartment as it gave us a bit more space with our own bedrooms and bathrooms. We stayed at Genteel Home Alfalfa Apartment which was very reasonable at approximately $100 per night.
As most of the tourist attractions are in and around the old town, it made sense for us to stay in this area and we couldn’t have been happier with our location. However, here are a few other great options for where to stay in Seville…
If you’re looking for a world-class 5* luxury stay, then I’d highly recommend checking out Hotel Alfonso XIII. It is far from cheap, but if you’re looking to splash out and make it a truly unforgettable 3 days in Seville then this hotel is perfect. Have you ever wanted to stay in a palace? Well, you can do just that in Seville. Hotel Palacio de Villapanés is converted from an 18th-century palace so you’re surrounded by history while you sleep! But with all the modern amenities you could require.
For luxury without breaking the bank, check out Melia Sevilla. Its rooftop pool offers stunning of Plaza de España. Or if you prefer your rooftop pool with a view of the Cathedral then consider Hotel Doña Maria, which has an excellent location in the heart of Seville.
Not quite what you’re looking for?
🏩 Book Before You Go
One of the most important tips for the perfect 3 days in Seville: book your tickets in advance. Seville is a hugely popular destination and many of the top attractions in Seville sell out fast. If you decide not to book your tickets ahead of time, be prepared for spending a lot of time waiting in line.
The lines for Real Alcazár, in particular, can be incredibly long. Make sure you join the correct line as there will be a line for online ticket holders and one for those buying tickets on the day (the latter moving a lot slower!). If tickets are sold out online then consider booking a group tour of Alcazár to allow you to skip the line.
While not quite as busy as Alcazár, the Seville Cathedral is also worth booking online as the lines can be very long. If you are planning to go to a flamenco show, this can also be very popular so you should consider booking this in advance or upon arrival in Seville.
🎒 Packing List for 3 Days in Seville
While your individual packing list will vary depending on when you visit Seville and your exact plans, there are a few essentials that you will want to consider packing:
- Camera: There are plenty of Instagrammable places in Seville and fun moments to capture. We use the Sony a7riii and have been in love with it ever since the first photo we took with it. However, we’ve recently invested in a Sony Rx100 VI which will likely become our city camera as it’s so small and convenient!
- Eco-friendly sunscreen: Seville is one of the hottest cities in Europe so while you’re out exploring, make sure you’re protected from the sun. We use Stream 2 Sea sunscreen as it’s reefsafe and most of their bottles are made from sugarcane resin rather than plastic.
- Comfortable shoes: This 3 day Seville itinerary includes a lot of walking, so you’ll want some comfortable shoes! I love my Brooks sneakers and find them comfortable all day.
- Reusable water bottle: We don’t travel anywhere without a reusable water bottle. Remain hydrated without wasting single use plastic bottles!
- Portable powerpack: It’s likely you’ll be using your phone to navigate around the city (and hopefully have this Seville itinerary saved to refer to… *wink wink*). Bring a power pack with you to keep your phone charged on the go.
- Backpack: You’ll want a backpack that’s comfortable and sturdy to carry around all day! I use the GoGroove camera backpack as it also provides easy side access to my camera while out and about.
🌎 Map of all the places in this 3 Days in Seville Itinerary
If you’re anything like me, I love to have a Google map at the ready with all the places I want to see pinned to it. So I thought I’d make it easier for you by including this ready-to-go map of Seville with all the places recommended for 3 days in Seville.
Click on the image below to access the interactive map in Google Maps.
🤔 Final Thoughts on the Perfect 3 Days in Seville Itinerary
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Hopefully, you’ve found this 3 days in Seville blog to be useful and it has helped you learn about what to do in Seville in 3 days. Home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites steeped in history, modern wooden mushrooms, enchanting old cobbled neighbourhoods, passionate flamenco shows and laid back tapas; Seville has plenty of things to do for everyone.
If you are extending your trip around Andalusia, don’t miss out on this 6-Day Malaga, Ceuta & Gibraltar itinerary.
Have the most amazing time in Seville! As always, if you have any questions or think I’ve missed somewhere, leave a comment below.
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Your pictures are beautiful, Sophie! I am planning to go visit Seville in October this year and this post has given me all the information that I needed ?
Oh amazing!! Have an incredible time xx
I’d never considered Seville before but after reading this I def will!
It’s such a beautiful city 🙂
Seville is so beautiful and I am so bummed, I had to cancel my trip but hopefully, this guide will be handy soon. All your pictures are so beautiful as always.
I hope you can make it in the future, it’s so pretty. Thank you!
Seville is really charming under every perspective! I want to visit since a while already and you made me even more motivated! Thanks for all the info!
It really is a wonderful city 🙂
great job, makes me want to get myself over there when all settles down.
I hope you do make it! It’s so pretty 🙂 I’ll happily go with you!
Seville looks like a dream! Can’t wait to visit and to use your travel guide! 🙂
Thank you! It’s such a stunning city.
Ok, I’m sold. This city looks beautiful! I love the buildings and your pictures are stunning.
Thank you so much. You won’t be disappointed 😉
I would love to go Seville! Three days does sound like the perfect amount of time, but I would be all about a Tapas tour! Super well written!
Thank you! Yes I need to go back and eat even more tapas!!!
This 3 day plan looks incredible! I never had a desire to visit Spain before but more recently I have been seeing more information about it and it looks like I would really enjoy it. I think I would particularly like the Sunset at Metropol because I studied architecture and design in college. Thank you so much for all of the information. It is very helpful!
If you studied architecture and design then I’m sure you would love Seville and many of the other cities too! There’s so many beautiful buildings to admire that I’m sure you’d be able to appreciate in a far deeper way than I could.