I knew without question that when I visited Spain, I wanted to see Madrid and Barcelona. After some research, I came to the conclusion that Seville was also a must-visit. Located in the southern Andalusia region, Seville is a charming city famous for flamenco dancing and historic sites including the Alcazar. I fell in love with this city and soon you will see why. Here is a 3 day Seville itinerary exploring all of what the city has to offer.
Day 1: We're starting the 4 day Seville itinerary with two popular landmarks, the Seville Cathedral and the Alcazar. The Seville Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You have to pay an admission fee to enter however, it is free on Mondays from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. The schedule can differ during the holidays so make sure to check their calendar before purchasing tickets.
I have been to many churches and cathedrals but this specific one just blew me away. The attention to detail from the paintings to the ceilings is just astonishing. You can even find Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand III of Castile's burial site at the cathedral.
Climb the stairs to the top of the towers and catch a beautiful 360-degree view of the city.
After spending time admiring the cathedral, take a quick snack break at Bodega el Picadero right around the corner. The tapas bar is known for its pringa, which I can say is absolutely delicious. Every city in Spain has its own special tapas and pringa is one of them. Be sure to try this delicious snack before leaving Seville.
Now that you regained some energy, it's time to visit the Royal Alcazar of Seville. Fun fact: the TV Show "Game of Thrones" shot in four parts of the Alcazar including the Ambassadors' Hall, Mercury's Pool, the Baths of Maria de Padilla, and the gardens.
Walk outside of the buildings and find yourself lost in the gardens. There's even a garden maze! Except to spend about 2 hours exploring every nook and cranny.
At night, walk around Calle Mateos Gago, a popular street full of tapas restaurants. Almost every eatery was full of customers enjoying everything from local Spanish cuisine to Italian food to even hamburgers. I love how orange trees line the streets of Seville. Just don't be tempted to eat them! We were warned that the oranges are completely inedible.
Day 2: Since we spent the first day of our 3 day Seville itinerary in the heart of the capital, it's time to see the other side of the city. Cross the Triana bridge and enter the Triana neighborhood. Immediately off the bridge, there is the popular Mercado de Triana, a historic market with tapas bars and grocery stores. Unfortunately, the market was closed during the holidays; however, I did dine at two establishments on the main street. I will save you the long story and skip to the end: be careful of where you eat. There are many tourist traps and it's difficult to tell which ones are traps.
On the other hand, I did enjoy a quick snack of shrimp and pringas at a tapas bar full of locals.
I have to say, even though Seville is now known for its seafood like Barcelona, you can still find great quality fish. Is Spain great or what?
After grabbing a quick bite, it's time to check out the rest of Seville. Seville is a bike-friendly city so rent a bike or motor scooter and ride from Triana to the next destination, Plaza de Espana.
The Plaza de Espana is located in the Parque de Maria Luisa. The site is truly beautiful with a gorgeous fountain, fabulous park, and great people watching. You can even hire a rowing boat on the canals or ride a horse-drawn carriage around the park.
The plaza is more of a scenic area, not so much for restaurants and shops. If it piques your interest, take a look at the military history museum located between the North Tower and the Puerta de Aragon.
From the plaza, grab your scooter or bike and ride on over to the Jewish quarter, another historic landmark in Seville.
When our Airbnb host told us about the Jewish quarter, he described the alleys being so narrow that you can barely squeeze by. This might have been an exaggeration but it definitely is a charming neighborhood. We were also told not to buy any souvenirs around the area because the prices are sky-high.
If you have the time, take a quick look at a more modern site, the Metropol Parasol. Apparently the largest wooden structure in the world, this building has 6 parasols in the shape of giant mushrooms. You can even go to the roof and catch views of the city center.
For dinner, visit Contenedor on Calle San Luis. This hip restaurant that specializes in fresh local fare has a spectacular menu. I wasn't sure what to expect before arriving but let me tell you, everything was mouthwateringly delicious. The seafood platter, Iberico ham, cheesecake, even the salad was all top-notch.
We end the night with a must-do activity in Seville, flamenco. People in Seville argue that flamenco started in their city but the real truth is unknown. Since there is a high chance that it is true, it only makes sense to catch a show here. I had the opportunity to watch a show at La Casa del Flamenco and it was spectacular. The emotion, the heart, and the skill that the dancers bring to the stage will just awe you.
Day 3: For the final day of our 3 Day Seville itinerary, take a day trip to a nearby city such as Cordoba. Otherwise, you can visit other sites in Seville including Mercado de la Feria, Palacio de las Duenas, Casa de Pilatos, and Museo de Bella Artes.
Here are some recommendations made by our tour guide:
Restaurants:
- Bodeguita Antonio Romero: family-run tapas bar known for sandwiches called "montaditos"
- Casa Ricardo: daily changing tapas
- Eslava: known for some of the best eats in Seville
- Chifa: combines Latina American, Asian and Mediterranean elements in their food
- La Azotea: one of Seville's first gastro bars
Next up: Day trip to Cordoba
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