3 days in Seville

Day by day

1. Day 1: Real Alcázar and Barrio Santa Cruz lanes

   Real Alcázar, Barrio Santa Cruz lanes and Hospital de los Venerables, then Flamenco in a tablao in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Real Alcázar

      Built largely for King Pedro I in the 14th century by craftsmen from Granada and Toledo, the Alcázar is the finest Mudéjar palace in Spain, with the Patio de las Doncellas, the gilded Hall of Ambassadors and acres of gardens with pavilions, fountains and peacocks.

   2. Late morning

      Barrio Santa Cruz lanes

      Explore after dinner, when day-trippers have gone and the lanes are lit by lanterns.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Salmorejo

      Almost every tapas bar from spring to autumn; ask for it without jamón for a vegetarian version.

   4. Afternoon

      Hospital de los Venerables

      A 17th-century baroque residence for elderly priests with a sunken courtyard and a richly frescoed church.

   5. Evening

      Flamenco in a tablao

      Choose a small venue where you sit close to the stage; dinner shows in large halls tend to be less authentic.

2. Day 2: Seville Cathedral and the Giralda and Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)

   Seville Cathedral and the Giralda, Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) and Casa de Pilatos, then Alameda de Hércules in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Seville Cathedral and the Giralda

      Climb the Giralda early in the visit, then rest in the Patio de los Naranjos, the orange-tree courtyard of the former mosque.

   2. Late morning

      Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)

      Jürgen Mayer's giant timber canopy over Plaza de la Encarnación, opened in 2011 and nicknamed 'the mushrooms', is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Spinach with chickpeas

      Traditional bars in Santa Cruz, El Arenal and around the Alfalfa.

   4. Afternoon

      Casa de Pilatos

      Visit after the Alcázar to compare the two palaces; it is far less crowded.

   5. Evening

      Alameda de Hércules

      Come in the evening for a drink on a terrace; children play on the promenade until late in summer.

3. Day 3: Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa

   Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa and Triana and the Mercado de Triana, then Alameda de Hércules in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Plaza de España

      Aníbal González's semicircular brick-and-tile complex was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

   2. Late morning

      Parque de María Luisa

      Use the park as a cool, shady route between Plaza de España and the river on hot afternoons.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pork cheeks

      Tapas bars across the centre and Triana; a reliable order everywhere.

   4. Afternoon

      Triana and the Mercado de Triana

      Cross the Puente de Isabel II to Triana, where the covered market on the riverbank sits over the excavated remains of the Castillo de San Jorge, once the seat of the Inquisition.

   5. Evening

      Alameda de Hércules

      Alternative and LGBTQ+-friendly bars, live music and terraces along a long promenade.

Before you go

• Real Alcázar: Timed tickets sell out days ahead in spring and autumn; buy on the official site in advance.
• Seville Cathedral and the Giralda: Buying a timed ticket online avoids the long queue at the entrance in high season.
• Flamenco in a tablao: Small venues sell out on weekends; reserve a day or two ahead.

If it rains

• Swap in Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla (El Centro): Visit on a hot afternoon; the cloisters and galleries are cool and rarely crowded.
• Swap in Archivo General de Indias (El Centro): Step inside for a few minutes between the Cathedral and Alcázar to see the vaulted upper gallery and historic maps.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Barrio Santa Cruz keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, El Arenal ($$$) suits families, first-timers and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–21 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Seville
• 2 days in Seville
• 4 days in Seville
• 5 days in Seville
• 7 days in Seville

Questions travellers ask