The capital of Andalusia is known for sunshine and incredible attractions, and this guide shares it all so you can enjoy a perfect weekend in Seville.
Seville is one of my favorite cities in Spain. There’s tapas (yum), gorgeous architecture (yes, please), and a lively atmosphere that shows off the region’s vibrant culture. And its historical blend of Arabic influences makes it one of the most beautiful places in Andalusia and all of Europe, honestly.
So, If you ever have the chance to visit Southern Spain, a trip to Seville is a must! The charming atmosphere and bustling streets will surely win your heart over. It did for me! So much so that I’ve now there been a few times, experiencing the best of the city in both winter and summer.
And when you go, here’s how to spend 2-3 days in Seville or fill a perfect Seville weekend.
↠ Read More: 12 Helpful Travel Tips for Spain for Budget Backpackers
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Birds-eye view of Seville from the Cathedral
Best Time to Visit Seville
Thanks to the decent weather year-round, the best time to visit Southern Spain and Seville is really any time. Its locale in the south means winters are fairly warm compared to the rest of Europe and rarely dip below mid-50s, but it is rainier. One pro of the winter is lower crowds and more affordable prices.
The summer in Seville sees lots of sunshine, low rainfall, and temps in the high 80-90s. It can get unbearably hot, though, so you do need to pack sunscreen and a water bottle. And in the spring/early summer, the purple blooms of the city’s Jacaranda trees truly wow.
How much time is needed to visit Seville?
2-3 days in Seville is a good amount of time to get well-acquainted with the city on a first visit.
If you have another day or two to spare, there are so many convenient day trips from Seville that take you to even more beautiful spots in Spain.
Where to Stay in Seville: Best Seville Hostels + Hotels
- La Banda Rooftop Hostel is a hip and cool hostel perfect for solos and budget backpackers.
- La Bella Sevilla is an affordable Seville hotel in the city center that rocks reasonable nightly rates and a lovely aesthetic.
- Eurostars Torre Sevilla is an iconic hotel in Seville and is the tallest tower in the city with a great view. However, it’s a bit outside of the city center.
- Lukanda Luxury is an airy hotel with beautiful decor, a central locale, and a rooftop pool.
- Hotel Casa Del Poeta is a four-star boutique hotel in a gorgeous historic mansion, ideally located feet from La Giralda.
15 Best Things to Do in Seville in a Weekend
A weekend is just enough time to get acquainted with this beautiful Spanish destination. However, if you can manage a full 3 days in Seville, you’d be golden! Here’s my list of the best things to do in Seville!
1. Royal Alcázar of Seville
Admission: €14.50 | Opening Hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm | Map
If there’s one thing you do in Seville, it’s visiting the Royal Alcázar of Seville. Built by ancient Moorish kings, this ornate palace is known as one of the most beautiful in the country – and for good reason! Don’t miss out on a chance to take a tour, and be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to ensure you get a time slot.
If you happen to be visiting on Monday, visitors enjoy free access. You can also book a tour to see the general tour of the Alcazar as well as the Royal Rooms for €20.
2. Visit the Seville Cathedral + climb the famous La Giralda
Admission: €12 (€11 online) | Opening Hours: 10:45am – 5:00pm (2:30am – 6:30pm Sundays) | Map
The Seville Cathedral is one of my favorite places to see in Seville and is definitely up there as one of the most beautiful I have ever visited. Fun fact – this cathedral is the largest gothic church and the third-largest church in the world!
The cathedral is also home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus, a controversial but undoubtedly famous figure in American history. And no visit is complete without climbing La Giralda, the cathedral’s bell tower that offers fantastic views of the city and the church courtyard. You can check the cathedral ticket prices online before you go.
3. Stroll through the Plaza de Espana + Maria Luisa Park
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm | Map
The Plaza de Espana is a stunning plaza in Maria Luisa Park. The buildings, bridges, and structures are intricately decorated with brightly colored tiles and mosaics and are a great example of renaissance revival and Moorish revival architecture.
Visitors can rent boats to paddle in the small canal that arcs around the plaza. After visiting the plaza, make time to wander the lush and colorful gardens that fill Maria Luisa Park.
4. Climb to the top of the Metropol Parasol for city views
Admission: €5-€10 | Opening Hours: 9:30am – 12:00am | Map
The Metropol Parasol or Las Setas (The Mushrooms in Spanish) is an eye-catching, wooden structure that resembles, well, mushrooms. This work of art doubles as a fantastic lookout point with winding walkways along the top. Its nestled in the old town’s La Encarnación Square.
5. Cross the Isabel II Bridge to see the famous Triana neighborhood.
Triana is a colorful and bright neighborhood with plenty of cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy. It was historically where many of Seville’s sailors and blue-collar workers lived, which gave it a rough and charming feeling.
While in Triana, be sure to stop into the Mercado de Triana for produce and goodies, as well as the shop Ceramica Triana for locally made ceramics.
6. Eat your fill at the Mercado Lonja Del Barranco
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 1:00am | Map
I can’t get enough of the markets in Spain. In Seville, the Mercado Lonja del Barranco is a large and beautiful space filled with natural light and individual food counters serving tapas. People come together to enjoy small dishes of a wide variety of food. We treated ourselves to sushi, stuffed olives, fancy cheese and crackers, croquettes, desserts, and more.
7. Experience Seville’s tapas culture and other local treats
The Spanish tradition of tapas, or small plates, is believed to have originated in Andalucía. And Seville is the capital of Andalucía which makes it a fantastic place to treat yourself to all the tapas. El Rinconcillo is Seville’s oldest tapas bar and is a must-visit. The line can get long so I recommend going right when they open.
If you have more room in your tummy, other Seville goodies include salmorejo, Jamon Iberico, and espinacas con garbanzos. And for souvenirs, check out the Orange Tree gift shop selling all things orange: oil, wine, soaps, etc.
8. Get lost in Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville’s Old Jewish Quarter
When looking for a place to stay in Seville, I recommend finding accommodation in Santa Cruz. This neighborhood is the former Jewish Quarter of the medieval city and has the quaint charm Seville is known for. We enjoyed getting lost and ambling through the tiny cobblestone streets while sampling tapas, red wine and Cruzcampo (the local beer) along the way.
9. Get a history lesson and climb the medieval Torre del Oro
Admission: €3 | Opening Hours: 9:30am – 6:45pm (10:30am weekends) | Map
The Tower of Gold, as it is known in English, is a Medieval defensive tower that dates back to 1220. It sits right on the edge of the Canal de Alfonso XIII. Inside you can climb the stairs to the top and enjoy views of the city! The interior is home to old works of art and historical artifacts, mostly related to nautical pursuits.
10. Shop and stroll the C. Sierpes pedestrian street
C. Sierpes is a popular pedestrian street that cuts through the heart of Seville’s old town. It’s the place to go for shopping, dining, and general sightseeing. It’s conveniently not far from Las Setas.
11. Watch a traditional Flamenco show
Flamenco is a traditional dance art that originated in southern Spain. It’s a solo dance that’s characterized by clapping, expressive hand and arm movements, and classic Spanish ruffle dresses. You can usually catch a free Flamenco show at the Plaza de Espana, or you can buy tickets to a longer and more traditional Flamenco show during your visit.
12. See Seville on a guided Bike tour
On my second visit to the city, we went on a Seville bike tour, and it was actually super nice! It allowed us to cover a lot of ground, see many of the best places in Seville, and get a history lesson from a local. Plus, the day was super hot and sunny, and traveling by bike made the weather more bearable.
There are many bike tours to choose from in Seville, including this one by Andalucia Tours and Discovery and SeeByBike, which we did and was great! Bike tours are typically €25-€35 per person for three hours.
13. Float along the Guadalquivir River on a Seville River Cruise
Take a one-hour Seville River Cruise to experience the city from a new vantage point. The cruise is quite affordable, starting at just €15/person. The cruise takes you under Seville’s famous bridges, past the Torre del Oro, and other landmarks like the neighborhood of Triana.
14. See the Roman ruins of Italica
Admission: €1.50 | Opening Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm (closed Mondays) | Map
The ancient Roman Italica Amphitheater can be found in an archeological park about 6 miles north of Seville, in the small village of Santiponce. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, the ruins of Italica were the filming locale for the Dragonpit, the house of the Targaryen dragons.
You can visit on your own or opt for a guided tour to get more in-depth info about the history of the Roman ruins. If doing a DIY tour, you can take public transportation to get there from downtown Seville, which will likely require two busses. You can check the route easily on Google Maps.
15. Take a day trip to some of southern Spain’s top destinations
Seville is located in southern Spain in the heart of the Andalucia region. Its prime location and the country’s fabulous network of trains and busses make visiting other worthwhile Spanish destinations easy.
If you have some time to spare, some of the best day trips from Seville include:
- A Ronda day trip to witness the stunning 15-century white city perched atop a dramatic gorge.
- Venture to the Rock of Gibraltar, a massive limestone formation that happens to be a British territory guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Granada’s Alhambra is one of those famous landmarks that should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s regarded as one of the best examples of Moorish/Islamic architecture in the world and dates back to the 12th century.
Jerez is a charming small town that’s famous for being the headquarters for Spain’s Tio Pepe Sherry Wine. We visited the wine tour and enjoyed our visit to the idyllic grounds. We took the train from Seville and paid about $20 for a round-trip ticket on Renfe, Spain’s train network.
Where to Eat in Seville
A weekend in Seville doesn’t leave a whole lot of time to eat it up. So when hunger strikes, I recommend leaving room for these popular places to eat in Seville:
- El Rinconcillo: The oldest tapas bar in Seville and worth the long line that normally follows shortly after opening.
- Taberna Coloniales: Another classic and traditional tapas joint worth visiting.
- Gelateria MITO: a low-key, modern gelato spot that was delicious and oh so refreshing in the heat.
- La Campana Bakery: a traditional Spanish bakery in a beautiful Art Deco building in the heart of old town.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
There you have it – all the ways to fill a perfect weekend in Seville. Are you planning 2-3 days in Seville and have questions? Share below!
