How To Spend One Day In Seville, Spain

As the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region, visiting Seville is a must for anyone visiting Spain. Whether it’s your first time in Spain or you’re a seasoned visitor, if you haven’t been to Seville, you are missing out. Seville has so much history and culture which is reflected in its beautiful architecture, impressive gastronomy and vibrant atmosphere. It is truly one of the most beautiful cities we have ever been to. While there is more than enough to see and do in Seville to spend a few days there, if you’re short on time and only have one day in Seville, then our guide will make sure you get the most out of your trip. We’ve explored the ins and outs of this beautiful city to bring you the best Seville one day itinerary including how to get there, things to do in Seville, where to eat and where to stay. So, join us while we take a look at the best way to spend one day in Seville, Spain.

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How To Get To Seville City Centre

Whether you’re arriving in Seville from Seville airport or Sevilla Santa Justa train station, getting into the city centre is fairly straightforward. The two main options when arriving at either are to take the bus or a taxi. Bus line EA runs from Seville airport to the city centre, stopping at Sevilla Santa Justa on the way, therefore line EA is the bus to use for both arrival points. Buses run from 05.20 to 01.15 and take 35min to get to the city centre from the airport, less from the train station. Tickets cost €4 ($4.75) one way or €6 ($7) return and can be bought on board from the driver. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will take around 15 minutes and will cost €20-€30 ($24-$36). A taxi from the train station to the city centre will cost €10-€15 ($12-$18). If you’re arriving in Seville via train from Madrid, Malaga or another Spanish or European city, we recommend using Trainline Europe to book your train tickets. This is the easiest way to book train tickets and see an overview of all available trains including times, refund options and prices. If you need some more information about getting to and from Seville city centre from the main arrival points for visitors, then check out our Seville travel guide.

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Morning Sightseeing In Seville

Covering the major sites in Seville in one day is achievable, but because there is so much to see in the Andalusian capital, it will be a packed day. Thankfully, Seville city centre is quite compact, so getting from A to B is simple and quick, which is also quite a relief if you’re visiting Seville in the summer, when days are hot and not ideal for lots of walking. In any case, we’ve designed this Seville one day itinerary to ensure that you won’t be backtracking on yourself and are efficiently getting around the city. Let’s start with our first stop of the day.

See Seville From Setas De Sevilla

Situated on the edge of the Seville central area, the Setas de Sevilla is one of the most unusual attractions in Seville. Completed in 2011, the Setas de Sevilla is a vast wooden structure that resembles a mushroom-like shape. While just admiring the structure from below is worth it, seeing views over Seville from the panoramic viewing platforms at levels 2 and 3 is a better experience. Tickets for the viewing platforms cost €5 ($5.50) per person.

Below the Setas de Sevilla is the Market de la Encarnación and the Antiquarium. With only one day in Seville, there probably isn’t enough time to visit the Antiquarium, but take 10 minutes to stop by the market. Full of fresh, local produce and organised cleanly and simply, the market is a great way to see a more local side of Seville and check out some of the local food on offer.

Enjoy A Leisurely Spanish Breakfast

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Setas de Sevilla, Bar Santa Marta is a great little spot for a traditional Spanish breakfast. This is a no-frills, local café that does a great selection of tostadas (toast) with various items. The breakfast menu includes traditional Spanish tostada with olive oil and tomato, as well as, tostada with spicy sausage, tortilla, ham and pate. Prices are very reasonable, so it’s an all-round great stop for breakfast.

Explore Seville’s Old Quarter

Now it’s time to explore the beautiful historical quarter of Seville. Officially called the Bario de Santa Cruz, the historical centre of Seville was once the Jewish quarter of the city and was the largest Jewish centre in Spain. This, alongside many other events that happened in Seville, has resulted in a beautiful old town that has been created through years of history and diversity. The old town is the tourist centre of Seville and is home to some of the best attractions in Seville and some of the best architecture too. The old town is flat, compact and easy to walk around. Wander through the large squares and small streets and take in the heart of Seville. One of the best squares to visit and enjoy in the old town is the Plaza de San Francisco, where you can enjoy a drink in one of the many cafes surrounding the square. Check out our Seville city tour video to see one of the best walking routes through the old quarter and highlights along the way.

Visit The Cathedral Of Seville

Once you’ve explored the Old Town, head to the Cathedral of Seville. The Cathedral of Seville is big, very big, and also incredibly ornate and beautiful. You really shouldn’t leave Seville without seeing it. It was built between 1401 and 1506 on the site of the Great Mosque and is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. In 1987, the cathedral was deservedly made a World UNESCO Heritage Site. While you are at the Cathedral, be sure to look out for Giralda Tower, which forms part of the Cathedral and is a preserved section from the Great Mosque. Entering inside the Cathedral costs €12 ($13) per person for tickets bought at the door or €11 ($12) for a ticket bought online. Seeing the interior is worth it but so is seeing the Real Alcazar, our next stop, so with only one day in Seville, we’d recommend visiting the Real Alcazar out of the two, but feel free to try and see inside them both if you’re willing!

Explore The Real Alcazar De SevillA

Hidden behind the old castle walls opposite the Cathedral sits the Real Alcazar of Seville, the oldest palace in Europe that is still in use. The palace is beautiful and it’s no surprise that visiting the palace is one of the best things to do in Seville. The Alcazar was originally built for the Christian king Peter of Castile. Several buildings form the palace complex, many of which were built in different eras. As a result, the architecture of the Alcazar is a unique mix of historical periods, which adds to the magnificent charm of the site. Wandering through the palace, you’ll notice many ornate plaster mouldings, decorative tiles and impressive gardens. Tickets into the Alcazar cost €13.50 ($15) if bought at the door or €14.50 ($16) if bought online.

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Tapas For Lunch In Seville

After a full morning and early afternoon exploring the city, it’s time for some lunch in Seville. It is common to have lunch around 2-3pm in Spain and to make it a long affair, complete with wine and lots of socialising. There are tons of great restaurants in Seville and hundreds of traditional and modern tapas bars to choose from. For an excellent tapas lunch, complete with a selection of both traditional Spanish tapas and local Seville tapas, we recommend trying El Paseillo. The service is friendly and prices are reasonable, which, alongside their extensive menu makes it a great choice for lunch in Seville. We’d highly recommend trying the stewed pork cheeks which are delicious.

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Things To Do in Seville In the Afternoon

For an enjoyable afternoon in Seville, head out of Old Town to explore Seville’s best park, the river and its other districts. Once again, because of the compact size of Seville, all these sights are within walking distance and can be easily accessed from the city centre area. These are some of Seville’s best attractions and visiting Seville without seeing these would be a great shame so we highly recommend you explore a little beyond the Old Town to see these amazing sights.

Head To Maria Luisa Park And The Plaza De Espana

Probably one of the most amazing things to do and see in Seville is visiting the Plaza de Espana and the Parque de Maria Luisa. The Plaza de Espana is one of the most epic pieces of architecture we’ve seen, and it is absolutely beautiful. From the Spanish tiles on the building to the ornate balustrade on the bridges and the beautiful floors and waterways, it’s a feast for the eyes. Although they are now used as Government buildings, the plaza was originally built for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition, hence why it was designed and built so grand, to show off to the world, how great Spain was. While just simply seeing the Plaza is enough, in the summer months, you can take a gondola ride on the waterways or take a horse and cart through the plaza and the park.

While you’re at the Plaza de Espana, make sure you take some time to walk around the lush, green gardens of the Parque de Maria Luisa, situated right next to the Plaza. Similar to the Plaza de Espana, these gardens were redesigned to their current layout in 1911 for the Iberico-American exhibition but were originally the gardens of the nearby Palace of San Telmo. The park covers 100 acres and has monuments, museums, plants, ponds and lots of beautiful green space. There is so much to see in the gardens and the large trees and ornate pergolas make for a perfect escape from the hot summer sun. Some of our favourites places in the park are the Fountain of Lions and the Water Lily Pool. Our Parque de Maria Luisa walking tour video explores both the park and the Plaza de Espana to show you all the sights to see and the best route to walk around the area.

Explore Triana District

From the Parque de Maria Luisa, walk down the side of the river until you get to the corner with San Telmo Palace. At this point, cross the San Telmo bridge over the Guadalquivir River and head into the Triana district on the other side of the river. Take a walk through the peaceful streets which are full of traditional houses and hidden churches. Both the Iglesia Santa Ana and La Capilla de Los Marineros are worth searching out when walking through the streets if you’re interested in architecture or Spanish churches. The Triana district was formerly the most important and thriving district in Seville. It is now much quieter but is a great example of a traditional Spanish neighbourhood. One thing you must visit in Triana is Triana Market, located close to the Triana bridge which takes you back into Seville’s main city centre. The market is full of local stalls selling a range of products and ingredients, as well as, many cafes and restaurants. This is a great place to stop for a quick snack or drink and soak up some local culture.

Walk Along The Guadalquivir River

To top off the daytime on your one day in Seville, take a walk along the edge of the Guadalquivir river. Running through the city centre of Seville, the Guadalquivir river is the only navigable river in Spain, and one of the reasons why Seville has had such a diverse history. In a city that can experience scorching summer temperatures, the river can at least bring a sense of refreshment to visitors in the city. While walking along the river and looking at the Triana side of the river, you will see lots of beautiful colourful houses and buildings. On the Seville centre side of the river, there are some great sights including the Torro del Oro and the Plaza de Toros, as well as some ornate bridges that cross the river.

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Paella For Dinner In Seville

Despite being so well known for tapas, we’re suggesting you go to a restaurant that is popular for its fantastic paella for your night in Seville. Gusto has an atmospheric setting in the heart of Seville’s old town and serves up a range of paellas alongside Spanish tapas. The menu comprising of both paella and tapas makes Gusto perfect for groups or for those who want to try several Spanish dishes on a night out. You can also have some tapas for the starter and paella for the main to make a longer evening. We highly recommend the seafood and rabbit paella which is absolutely delicious. The service is also friendly, which alongside the superb food, has made this one of the best restaurants in Seville.

Late Night Drinks In Seville

If you want the night to last a little longer then go to Alameda de Hércules, a large plaza that is well-known in Seville for its tapas bars and clubs. This area was once a run-down part of the city but has since been revitalised and is now a spot known for foodies and nightlife. Gigante bar is a good option if you’re looking for great drinks and lots of atmosphere.

Now it’s time to crash after an epic and packed one day in Seville! You’ve seen all the best sights and covered a vast area of the city centre including some of the quieter and more traditional districts too. We hope you enjoy Seville as much as we did, as this is one of our favourite cities in Spain. If you want to find out more about visiting Seville, including how to get there, when to go, how to get around and what you can expect to pay, check out our Seville travel guide, complete with all this information and more. We’ve also got more tips on the best things to do in Seville that you can check out to help you plan your trip to Seville.

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Where To Stay In Seville, Spain

If you’re planning to stay overnight in Seville and experience more of what this amazing city has to offer, check out some of our favourite accommodation options in the city.

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