2 Days in Seville Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend Getaway
Seville, the vibrant capital of Spain’s Andalusia region, is a city made up of small, mazy streets, colorful historic architecture, stunning palaces from its Moorish past, flamenco shows and culinary delights. A 2-day visit over a long weekend is a perfect chance to explore this enchanting city.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Seville, including the ultimate 2 days in Seville itinerary guide for making the most of your time in this beautiful city.
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Things to know before you go to Seville
Avoid the summer months
Summer in Seville can be an unpleasant experience, with temperatures often reaching over 30 degrees Celsius and sometimes in the early 40’s. June, July, and August are the hottest months, so if you’re not a big fan of super hot weather then it’s best to not visit during this time period.
Instead, April is a great option to visit Seville. At the start of April is Holy Week in Seville, when the city celebrates the life and death of Jesus Christ. The streets are filled with spectacular religious processions during this week, which is quite a sight.
And at the end of April the Seville Fair takes place. This is one big fiesta (party) with flamenco dancers everywhere you look, and this usually lasts for about a week.
Eat out late
It’s good to know in advance that most locals in Seville don’t eat out until late every evening, usually around 8-9 PM or later. This is due to the hot weather, especially during the summer months.
Lunch time usually doesn’t begin until quite late as well, with most restaurants not opening up until 1 PM and a lot of residents eat out as late as 2 PM or even later. So if you go looking for a midday snack in the city then you may be disappointed.
Lunch is considered the main, big meal of the day, while dinner is considered a lighter, smaller meal, usually tapas. And if you like to party, then keep in mind that most night clubs don’t get busy until the early hours of the following morning, typically from 1 AM onwards.
How to get to Seville
By air
Flights to Seville are the best option when travelling to Seville. Seville Airport is located to the north east outside of the city and is about a 20 minute drive away from the city center by car, or about 50 minutes via train and bus.
By Train
Train is another good option if you’re travelling from other parts of Spain to Seville. Spain has a pretty good high speed rail system, and you can catch a train from Madrid to Seville which will take around 3 hours, at a rough cost of 70 Euros.
Getting around the city
The main city of Seville is fairly easy to walk around, although it is fairly easy to take a wrong turn down one of the very many backstreets. Seville does have a good tram system that runs throughout the city and is easy to hop on and off.
Its bus system is considered the best public transport option however. There are a total of 44 bus routes which covers every area of the city and it is fairly cheap as well. Driving in the city is not a good idea, Seville has a lot of one way streets and narrow side roads, it would be quite a nightmare and best avoided.
2 Days in Seville Itinerary
Without further ado, here’s a 2 days itinerary in Seville especially for first-time visitors.
Day 1: Explore the heart of Seville
Two days in Seville allows you enough time to visit all the top sightseeing attractions that the city has to offer and get a grip of the layout and vibe of the city.
Real Alcázar of Seville
There’s no better way to start your trip to Seville than visiting the magnificent Alcázar. This is the royal palace of Seville (and the oldest active palace in all of Europe) and was built way back in 903 for King Peter of Castile.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts stunning Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture and is a dream to wander around for a whole morning or afternoon. The intricate detailing on the buildings and the peacefully lush gardens will leave you in awe.
The Alcázar may be recognizable to you as it was a major filming location for Game of Thrones. It’s advisable to book your ticket here in advance online, as it’s a hugely popular tourist attraction not only in Seville but in all of Spain as well.
Seville Cathedral
Another top tourist attraction that can be done following your visit to the Alcázar is Seville Cathedral, which is located nearby in the city center.
This is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and the interior boasts countless chapels, sculptures, religious artefacts and more amazing architecture that has to be seen to be believed.
Barrio Santa Cruz
Before night falls, you can finish Day 1 in Seville wandering through the charming streets of Barrio Santa Cruz. This neighborhood is the touristic center of the city and was formerly the old Jewish Quarter.
There are lots of iconic landmarks here, not only Seville Cathedral but the impressive Giralda Bell Tower. There are countless narrow alleyways to get lost down, as well as hidden plazas, shops, and of course tapas restaurants.
Flamenco Show
No visit to Seville would be complete without experiencing a passionate Flamenco show. There are several places to see a flamenco show, but my recommendation would be Tablao El Arenal.
This place offers an intimate setting and the show lasts around 60 to 70 minutes, featuring some of the most talented flamenco dancers in all of Seville.
Day 2: Other attractions in Seville
Mercado de Triana and Riverside Views
Mercado de Triana is a bustling market that is open seven days a week, and a fun start to your second day in Seville. It is a feast for the senses, offering fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delectable local treats.
There’s plenty to try here, from olive oil-drenched olives to classic Iberian ham and manchego cheese.
Triana Bridge and Betis Street
You could then cross the iconic Triana Bridge to soak in the views of the Guadalquivir River. Chilling out alongside the river and soaking in Seville by doing a bit of people watching is a popular relaxing past time for locals and tourists alike.
You can then take a stroll along Betis Street which is lined with colourful buildings, cafes and yet more top quality restaurants.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is one of the most impressive squares you will ever come across. It features stunning architecture and is a must place visit when visiting the city. It was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and it is a beautiful place to stroll around and admire.
Avoid visiting in the afternoon as the often high temperatures of Seville can make a visit here unbearable. Instead, an early morning visit is a good idea, and seeing the square light up at night time is also a remarkable sight to behold.
It’s possible to rent a rowboat in the plaza as well if you’re in a romantic mood. The plaza is based in Maria Luisa Park, which is a lovely green oasis in the heart of the city. It’s a great place to relax under the shady trees and to admire the view of the plaza.
Metropol Parasol
A nice way to end your 2 days in Seville is to visit Metropol Parasol, known locally as “Las Setas” (The Mushrooms). This is a really unique, abstract looking piece of architecture that stands out in the city and makes for an interesting photo opportunity.
It’s possible to take an elevator to the top floor of Metropol Parasol and see some breathtaking views of the city.
Tapas options in Seville
There are so many great places to eat in Seville that it’s hard to pick out just one or two places, but let’s have a look at some options:
El Arenal District
The El Arenal district is known as one of the trendiest and most posh neighborhoods in the whole of Seville. It is known for its lively atmosphere and excellent tapas bars.
Typical local specialities that you can expect to find on the menus here include salmorejo (a chilled tomato soup, similar to gazpacho but uses less ingredients; only tomato, garlic and stale bread) and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp).
Taberna Coloniales
This is a traditional Seville restaurant that offers an authentic Sevillian tapas experience. Don’t expect fine dining here, the plates range from small to medium and the prices are quite cheap too.
Their patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce) and flamenquín (fried pork) are must-tries.
Restaurante Eslava
This is a renowned spot for traditional Andalusian cuisine. Their carrillada (slow-cooked pork cheek) and berenjenas con miel (eggplant with honey) are exceptional. It’s slightly pricier here compared with Taberna Coloniales, but well worth it.
Where to stay in Seville
There are various budget and mid-range accommodations you can choose from on your 2 days in Seville itinerary, let’s take a look at a couple of options to choose from:
Budget
If you don’t mind staying at a hostel then Oasis Backpackers’ Palace is a great option when visiting Seville. It’s a lively hostel located centrally with a rooftop terrace and swimming pool. Dorm prices start from around 20-25 Euros a night which is ridiculously cheap.
Mid-range
If you’re looking for a top quality hotel experience when staying in Seville, then Hotel Doña María is hard to beat. This is a top rated hotel that is set in a former palace in the center of Seville, with absolutely stunning rooftop and poolside views of Seville Cathedral and the Giralda Tower.
Budget and Expenses
If you’re visiting Seville for just a couple of days and want to visit the top attractions, events and places listed in this blog post, I’d recommend taking a few hundred Euros for spending money, anywhere around 200-400 would suffice.
Final Thoughts
There are so many options when it comes to visiting Spain, so much in fact that it can be hard to decide where to go. There is a big debate about north vs south of Spain and which is better to visit. The north of course has many great destinations, and the Camino de Santiago is a popular adventure holiday, especially for students.
But the south of Spain really has a lot to offer, and Seville has the best options when it comes to destinations not only in Andalucía but the whole of Spain as well.
Seville is less touristy and crowded than the likes of Madrid and Barcelona but still has a great history, culture and food scene that is definitely worth exploring. Hopefully this 2 days itinerary in Seville has inspired you to discover this gem of a city in the heart of southern Spain!
That concludes our 2 days in Seville itinerary guide! Do you have questions or suggestions? Let us know in the comment section below!
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