Phylicia StitzelHave you ever been to a city where there was so much to see and so little time? This is how I feel every time I’ve been to Seville! Pack your bags and your sunnies, because we’re jet-setting off with the Ultimate Weekender’s Guide to the sunny, tapas-loving city of Seville, Spain. Prepare to say ‘hola’ to a fiesta of culture, flavors, and fun!
Hey, before I share some great free info, could you help me out by using my affiliate links to book your trip? It doesn’t cost you anything, and it supports my blog and coffee habits. Thank you!
If you only have a weekend, or 48-hours in Seville, you are going to need a plan of attack so you don’t miss out on all the amazing things this city has to explore!
When we arrived in the city, my first stop, other than parking, was the Alcázar of Seville. Being in the heart of the city it is very easy to find, if you’re driving you might think that parking is going to be a nightmare. Quite the opposite! There is lots of underground parking garages that you can leave your car at all day (it only cost me €12.55 for almost 12 hours (2019).
Real Alcazár Palace
Now who wouldn’t love a little bit of that A-class royal treatment? First things first, get your explorer mode on and let’s dash to the Alcazar Palace! This place is jaw-droppingly stunning, with its lush gardens and intricate Moorish architecture.
Established as a fort in 930 AD, a royal residence of the Moorish kings developed over the centuries. You can wander around the exquisite gardens, it’s an exquisite example of mudéjar architecture.
Travel Tip: I would highly suggest purchasing your tour tickets BEFORE you arrive. The lines can get VERY long, and you could end up spending your whole day in line just to get in the doors. Also, I would encourage you to either purchase a ticket that comes with a tour guide or splurge for the audio tour, I didn’t do this the first time I visited the Alcázar and I felt like I didn’t get as much out of my experience there as I could have.
Be mindful that this is also a major landmark worth visiting. I encountered some rather rude travelers pushing me out of the way (yes, with the backpack on with my daughter inside) in order to take their pictures. But the architecture, the colors, the history of this location, and the blending of cultures that it took to build this building…absolutely worth it!
Seville Cathedral
Next, literally as soon as you leave the exit doors from Alcázar, you will be faced with the Seville Cathedral. This is the world’s third-largest church, but the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, which stands on the site of the former, 12th-century Almohad Mosque. It’s also been the final resting place for Christopher Columbus since 1898.
Travel tip: I would also highly suggest buying your tickets early (you can bundle tickets for several sights) for this location. Especially if you are going to visit in the summertime. Once again, please learn from my mistake! Either purchase a tour or an audio guide. I didn’t do this my first weekend trip to Seville, but I did the second time I went because it is WORTH IT!
Before you leave the cathedral, you have the chance to climb “the tower”. The Giralda tower, home to some beautiful bells, sits 341 feet or 38 levels, above the cathedral square. The tower was the original minaret of the mosque, which you can see in the exterior architecture and design. The bronze weathervane at the top has represented “faith” since the 16th century.
Though I was rather winded by the time we got to the top, being that I was carrying about 50 extra pounds on my back, but the view was spectacular! You can see the city with a 360-degree view! And you don’t have to pay extra to go up the tower like some places I’ve visited before. If you get the chance also take the rooftop tour! I didn’t get to with Harmony because even constrained to the backpack, she was too small – but it looked amazing!
Tapas, Tapas, Tapas!
We finally had to stop for lunch. We treated ourselves to a fancier meal for lunch at El Giraldillo, they had a fixed menu for 30€ (2019) which included a starter, main course, dessert, bread, and wine. Totally worth it and my daughter and I split the meal. This restaurant you are paying for not only the food but the location, you are sitting right in front of the bell tower of the cathedral, and we even got to be sitting there when the hour bells chimed! It was perfect!
Seville isn’t just about the eye candy, darlings—it’s a foodie’s paradise too. Tuck into those crave-worthy treats like Tapas and Paella. Top tip? Sneak into La Brunilda Tapas for an authentic taste and a vibe that’s just.
Flamenco Fun – Tablao Flamenco El Arenal
Your Seville weekend would be incomplete without a Flamenco show. Get those clapping hands ready and your feet tapping, ’cause this spectacle is more than just a dance—it’s a heartbeat and the soul of Seville.
What better way to end the night than with a Flamenco show! Since Seville is said to be the home of where Flamenco originated (this is heavily contested in areas of Andalucia) it goes without saying that you have a lot of options to see a show. We went to Cuna del Flamenco. Instead of sitting at a table, which is what I was used to seeing the last time I saw a flamenco show, we sat in a theater where the performers were on stage for the show. It was only 20€ for both my daughter and I, plus we were able to see the 5:30pm showing so we were able to go and get dinner afterwards.
Torre del Oro
The next day, you have to explore. I recommend visiting Torre del Oro. This dodecagonal, (that’s a 12-sided figure, thank you very much), military watchtower stands proudly by the Guadalquivir River, whispering tales of the Moorish reign from eons ago. A panoramic view of the city that’ll absolutely steal your breath away! From a naval museum to a sunset-lit spectacle, the Torre del Oro packs a golden punch! So, who’s ready to tower over Seville with me? To the Torre del Oro! Vamonos!
Plaza de España
If you’ve traveled around Spain, you’ll notice that in most of the large cities there is at least one Plaza de España. This one though was actually featured in Star Wars in a scene with Queen Amidala and Anakin. Outside of that nerdy fun fact this is a MUST VISIT location in Seville. The Crown jewel!
Essentially Seville’s love letter to Spain, the plaza is a celebration of the diverse cultures and histories of all the Spanish provinces. Brimming with Renaissance and Moorish influences, the semi-circular complex is a visual feast, complete with a canal, bridges, and tiled Alcoves of the Provinces that pay homage to the different regions of Spain. Add some flair to your afternoon by hiring a rowboat and taking a metaphoric ‘voyage around Spain’ in the plaza’s canal. Or maybe, just maybe, settle down for a charming picnic amidst the baroque splendor. Usually, you can also find one or two Flamenco dancers under the arches where the acoustics are the best. A show for FREE!
Barrio Santa Cruz Neighborhood
This is the part of the trip where you will be double-checking whether or not you’ve picked up all your souvenirs you want to take home to friends, family, and, of course, yourself, and soaking up every inch of this magical city. My suggestion is that you go and wander through the Barrio Santa Cruz neighborhood. Famous for its narrow, winding streets, this picturesque neighborhood is a delightful place to explore on foot.
Your Ultimate Weekender’s Guide:
There is so much to see, experience, eat, and more in Seville. It is hard to pick the “top list” whenever you have a limited time in such a magical city! If you’d like more blogs like this one about travel around Andalucia Spain – Click Here
