It seems Spain oftentimes gets overlooked for more popular destinations such as Italy, France, and Switzerland. With cities like Seville reachable by train from Madrid in just over two hours, don’t hesitate to plan your next visit to Spain and include a road trip. A one week itinerary arriving and departing from Madrid allows for plenty of time to explore the highlights of the big city and include time away in Seville. Beauty abounds in this capital city of Andalusia. Here is a guideline for your Seville Itinerary on where to spend your time wisely.
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Transportation
Arrival to Seville is easily accomplished via high speed train from Madrid. You will travel from the Madrid Puerta de Atocha station to the Seville Santa Justa station on average in 2 hours and 40 minutes. There are multiple trains throughout the day connecting these cities. I found the train system in Spain to be rather user friendly for a number of reasons. Luggage space was more abundant than other countries in Europe. The bathrooms on board the train were a little more spacious and all contained a diaper changing station. Overall, I found the coaches to be nicer regardless of class. For planning, you will need to allow more time to go through security at the station and cannot board the train directly.
Getting Around
Seville is a very walkable city. After reaching our hotel via taxi from the Santa Justa station, I spent the remainder of the trip exploring on foot. Dependent upon where you stay, most sites are under twenty minutes walking distance. I did not feel a need to have a car or take other transportation during my visit outside of arrival and departure.
Weather
I visited Seville in January and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Summer in Seville can be extremely hot. Many of the attractions below like the Royal Alcazar and Plaza de España are outside, so very hot temperatures could make sightseeing unpleasant. To my surprise, in January, the temperature reached 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon. It was ideal for walking around the city. Other great months to visit include April/May and also September/October.
Where to Stay
Marriott has a couple of great properties that place you within a short walking distance of most of the major sites in the city. Below are two properties at different price points that would both be wonderful options for your stay.
Querencia de Sevilla Autograph Collection. This Autograph collection by Marriott property opened in 2022. Its location places you steps from many of the major attractions in Seville. Bold colors accent this property and its guest rooms. Since it is Marriott, you have the ability to take advantage of rates such as AAA, Senior, or government if applicable.
Hotel Alfonso XIII, A Luxury Collection Hotel. At a higher price point, this luxury collection hotel is truly beautiful. Even if you do not stay on property, consider spending an afternoon or early evening having a drink in their courtyard. If you stay on property, this is where you will enjoy breakfast every morning. The rooms are traditional with a muted brown color palate. The details are rather exquisite. The ceiling in our living area alone was a sight to behold. You will find these exceptional details throughout the property, particularly in the tile work.
With status, the Hotel Alfonso gave us a multiple room class upgrade in January to a large suite. The staff was very friendly. I booked this hotel at the recommendation of a friend that had stayed here and could not have been happier with my decision.
Things to See & Do
Seville has just the right amount of things to do. The major highlights can easily be covered in a couple of days. Below is a list of the top things to do in Seville.
- Plaza de España. This architectural beauty has to be included in your Seville itinerary. A visit here is truly all about the details. It features 48 alcoves with tiled benches each showcasing a specific province in Spain. There is a canal that you can rent a boat and row along. The canal is covered with four decorative bridges. The Plaza de España is more than just the big picture, it is all of the intricacies that makes it so special.
- Maria Luisa Park. Directly adjacent to Plaza de España you will find the lovely Maria Luisa Park. This park is rather large with colorful gardens, the well recognized orange trees, and striking fountains and water features with beautiful tile work. Maria Luisa is a great place to get lost wondering.
- Setas de Seville. This is a modern appearing wooden landmark in the city. It is the largest wooden structure in the world with a walkway to traverse giving you 360 degree views over the city. I did not do the walkway during my visit and regretted not partaking. This entry ticket to Setas de Seville gives you access to the walkways and viewpoint in addition to their LED light and sound show that begins at sunset and runs until closing. Perhaps sunset might just be the ideal time to visit!
- Real Alcazar. The Real Alcazar is a historic royal palace and one of the residences of the Spanish royal family. It is another must see on your visit to Seville. A timed entry ticket is essential for your visit and should be purchased well in advance. There is so much to see once inside so plan accordingly. I would allot a minimum of three hours to your itinerary at the Real Alcazar.
- Shopping. Seville has some fun shopping spots much like Madrid. The Spanish sneaker brand Hoff has a store in Seville. These sneakers have become some of my favorite for travel. All the pairs I own are so comfortable and still look stylish. Another find that I loved was the jewelry store Eterea. There is so much in this store, but you can find some really beautiful pieces. I still get compliments on the pieces I purchased at this store.
- Cathedral of Seville. Whether you are admiring the outside or inside, there is no question this cathedral is lovely. I found the views outside with the colorful orange trees looming particularly striking. A walk by at sunset is also a great time to admire this beauty when the lighting is just right. Of note, inside the cathedral you will find the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Also, you will find your entry point to climb Giralda Tower.
- Giralda Tower. Giralda Tower entry is within the cathedral allowing you to climb your way to some incredible views. You can schedule your timed entry ticket prior to your arrival. There are many places to stop along the way up and admire the city.
- Food/Drink. Since 1670, El Rinconcillo has been serving tapas to locals and guests. Due to its history, I felt this might be the perfect place for a dinner. This restaurant serves traditional Andalusian cuisine. I recommend making a reservation in advance of your visit. You cannot go wrong here. Staff was friendly, and we did bring our 7 month old daughter to dinner with us at this restaurant.
- Flamenco Show. It probably wouldn’t be a proper visit to Spain without a Flamenco Show. At the link, you will find access to getting tickets to a show at Teatro Flamenco Sevilla. Seville is known as the birthplace of Flamenco, so if there was ever a time to enjoy a show, take this as your opportunity.
Tips & Tricks
- Plan your visit around the Real Alcazar. My recommendation for the first thing to do is purchase your tickets for the Real Alcázar. This is a Seville must see. You may want to consider checking availability even before you finalize your travel plans. The tickets are timed entry and this is a very popular sightseeing destination. It would be really unfortunate to visit Seville and not be able to see the Real Alcazar. Book your entry ticket to the Real Alcazar here.
- Consider visiting in the off season. If you have the opportunity to see Seville in the shoulder season or even winter, crowds are oftentimes minimal and temperatures are pleasant for exploring. As I mentioned above, Seville can be very hot in the summer. I was shocked at the temperatures in January being relatively mild. Prior to visiting, I would have never imagined January as a pleasant month to visit.
- Pay attention to opening/closing times and plan accordingly. I made a few mistakes during my trip that I want others to keep in mind. Dinner in Spain is an event that starts rather late. Oftentimes, restuarants will not open until 7-8pm for their first seating. One of the famous restaurants, El Rinconcillo, opens for their dinner seating at 8pm. Also, I spent more time than anticipated in the Real Alcazar and this prevented me from visiting the Cathedral the same day. The last entry to the cathedral is at 5pm. With a timed entry ticket to the Real Alcazar at 1:30pm, this did not allow me enough time to visit the Cathedral the same afternoon.
- Consider a day trip to maximize your time. There are several cities that allow for wonderful day trips from Seville. If you have the opportunity to plan more time, here are some options.
- This day trip to Cordoba and Carmona allows you to spend the day exploring beautiful cities and one of the largest mosques in Europe. Cordoba is situated between Madrid and Seville allowing it to fit into a day trip.
- Here is another option to the White Villages and Ronda that takes you to the stunning Puente Nuevo. This is a small group guided tour that allows you to maximize your time exploring outside of Seville.
- The orange trees of Seville. Seville is the city with the largest number of orange trees in the world. They are a nice accessory to this lovely city. While they are beautiful to admire, they are not beautiful to taste. They are very bitter and sour. In March and April, the trees bloom with orange blossom imparting a welcoming scent into the air. Despite their not so wonderful taste, they impart an iconic look to the city. I found them to be particularly beautiful adjacent to the Seville Cathedral.
Sample Seville Itinerary
The highlights of Seville can easily be seen in two full days of exploring. Here is a three day Itinerary that includes train travel from Madrid. If you can stay longer or even one additional day, take a day trip to Cordoba or Ronda allowing you to take full advantage of the area and other sights.
Day one. Arrive to Sevilla from Madrid and check in to your hotel. Spend your afternoon at Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park, which are directly adjacent to each other. At night, enjoy a flamenco show for the perfect end to your day.
Day two. Start your day exploring the Setas de Sevilla. As you are leaving, consider browsing some of the nearby stores. Plan a timed entry ticket for very early afternoon to the Real Alcazar. Spend the remainder of your afternoon taking the time to explore all the Real Alcazar has to offer. Take in sunset at the Setas or just enjoying the beautiful light over the Cathedral as the sun goes down. Finally, end your day with dinner at the famous El Rinconcillo.
Day three. Begin your morning at the Cathedral of Seville and Giralda Tower. Spend all morning here returning to your hotel to take a late afternoon train back to Madrid.
Final Thoughts
Seville has so much to offer its visitors from stunning architecture to a rich history. Whether you are traveling throughout Spain or want to add to your time in Madrid, Seville is a city that is well worth your attention. It offers visitors the perfect amount of things to see and do. Train travel is an easy way to arrive into Seville. Once you arrive at your hotel, explore all of the sights on foot. A three day Seville itinerary allows you to see all of the highlights. If you have more time, consider adding a day trip to see more the area has to offer. Finally, do not miss a Flamenco show! I hope this post lets you curate your own personal guide to Seville.
