Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The plan at a glance
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Real Alcázar, Santa Cruz | Cathedral and Giralda | Setas at sunset, tapas in Alfalfa |
| Day 2 | Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa | Torre del Oro, Triana | Flamenco show, dinner |
Book before you go: the Alcázar (first slot on day 1), the cathedral, and the flamenco show on day 2.
Day 1: the monuments
9:30: Real Alcázar. We recommend the first slot of the day, before the groups arrive. See the palaces first, then the gardens. Allow 2.5 hours. See the Alcázar guide.
12:00: Santa Cruz. Leave through the Patio de Banderas and wander the old Jewish quarter: the Callejón del Agua, Plaza de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Doña Elvira. See Santa Cruz.
13:30: Lunch. Tapas around Santa Cruz or the Arenal. Try Casa Morales, a bodega from 1850 with giant clay wine jars, or Bodeguita Antonio Romero, famous for its montaditos. Lunch in Spain starts around 14:00.
15:30: Cathedral and Giralda. We’d climb the Giralda first, then see Columbus’s tomb and the golden altarpiece. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. See the cathedral guide.
18:00: Rest. In summer we think this is essential. The city comes back to life after 20:00.
20:00: Setas de Sevilla. Walk the rooftop at sunset, from €16. Sunset slots can get busy, so we’d book online. The time of sunset changes a lot through the year, so move this earlier in winter. See Setas de Sevilla.
21:30: Tapas in Alfalfa. A crawl through the bars around Plaza de la Alfalfa and Calle Pérez Galdós: we’d order one or two tapas per bar, then move on. A full tapas dinner costs about €20–35 per person with drinks. See where to eat in Seville.
Day 2: Plaza de España, Triana and flamenco
9:30: Plaza de España. We suggest arriving early for photos without crowds, then walking the Parque de María Luisa. Rent a rowing boat if you like. See Plaza de España.
12:00: Along the river. Walk to the Torre del Oro and the Maestranza bullring (open for guided visits).
13:30: Triana. Cross the Isabel II bridge. Lunch at the Mercado de Triana or on Calle Betis, then the ceramics shops of Calle Alfarería and the Castillo de San Jorge, which is free. In Triana, Blanca Paloma on Calle San Jacinto is a local favourite. See Triana.
17:00: Back in the centre. Coffee in Plaza del Salvador, shopping on Calle Sierpes and Tetuán, or a palace: Casa de Pilatos (about €12) or the Palacio de las Dueñas (about €15).
19:00 or 20:30: Flamenco show. An intimate venue in Santa Cruz or the Centro. See flamenco shows in Seville.
21:30: Dinner. Stay in Santa Cruz, or cross back to Triana for fried fish by the river.
What it costs
| Item | Price per person (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Real Alcázar | €15.50 |
| Cathedral and Giralda | €13 |
| Setas de Sevilla | from €16 |
| Flamenco show | €25–40 |
| Plaza de España, Santa Cruz and Triana | Free |
| Sights and show | about €70–85 |
Add meals, and about €12–15 if you visit a palace. To work out a whole trip, see our trip cost calculator.
What to book, and when
- The Alcázar first. We recommend the first slot on day 1. See Alcázar tickets.
- The flamenco show on day 2, above all at weekends and for the small venues. See flamenco shows in Seville.
- The cathedral and the Setas: it isn’t essential to book the cathedral, but it saves the queue. See cathedral tickets.
Would you rather have a guide? A free walking tour on the morning of day 1 is a good introduction, or the Alcázar and cathedral tour covers both main sights in one morning.
Which order is best?
We’d keep the monuments for day 1, as they are the sights to book. If your first day is a Sunday, the cathedral opens only from 14:30, so this plan still works. On a Monday, the Alcázar and the cathedral are both open, though some museums close. If your dates fall around Semana Santa or the Feria, book months ahead, and check that the cathedral is open.
Where to stay
For a two-day trip, we’d stay in Santa Cruz or the Centro so you can walk everywhere and rest at the hotel in the afternoon. See where to stay in Seville.
Variations
- In summer (June to September): we’d do all outdoor sightseeing before 12:00 and after 19:00, and book a hotel with a pool. Swap the afternoon walk for a museum.
- If it rains: the Alcázar, the cathedral, the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Casa de Pilatos are mostly indoors.
- With kids: replace the cathedral visit with the Alcázar gardens’ maze, boats at Plaza de España and a river cruise. See Seville with kids.
- On a Monday: some museums close, but the Alcázar and the cathedral are open.
- A third day? See our 3-day itinerary. Still deciding? See how many days in Seville.
FAQ
Is 2 days in Seville enough?
Yes, we think so for the highlights. You will see the Alcázar, the cathedral, Plaza de España, Santa Cruz and Triana, and have time for a flamenco show. For flights, hotels and a budget, see our Seville city break guide.
What should I skip if I only have 2 days?
We’d skip the smaller museums and a second palace. We’d keep the Alcázar, the cathedral and Plaza de España.
Can I do a day trip with 2 days in Seville?
Not without losing most of the city. Add a third day for Córdoba or Cádiz.
How much does 2 days in Seville cost?
The sights and a flamenco show come to about €70–85 per person, plus food and your hotel. A full tapas dinner costs about €20–35 per person with drinks. See our trip cost calculator.
Where should I stay for 2 days in Seville?
We’d choose Santa Cruz or the Centro, to walk everywhere and rest at the hotel in the afternoon. See hotels in the city centre.
When is the best time for 2 days in Seville?
We’d say spring and autumn. In summer, do your sightseeing before 12:00 and after 19:00. See the best time to visit Seville.