The plan at a glance
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Real Alcázar, Santa Cruz | Cathedral and Giralda | Tapas in Santa Cruz, rooftop drink |
| Day 2 | Plaza de España, Parque de María Luisa | Triana and its market | Flamenco show |
| Day 3 | Casa de Pilatos or Palacio de las Dueñas, Setas | Museo de Bellas Artes, shopping | River cruise at sunset, Alameda |
Book before you go: the Alcázar (first slot on day 1), the cathedral, a flamenco show on day 2 and the river cruise on day 3.
Day 1: the Alcázar and the cathedral
9:30: Real Alcázar. The first slot is the quietest. Palaces first, gardens last. See the Alcázar guide.
12:00: Santa Cruz. The Callejón del Agua, Plaza de Santa Cruz and Plaza de Doña Elvira. See Santa Cruz.
14:00: Lunch in Santa Cruz or on Calle Mateos Gago, facing the Giralda.
16:00: Cathedral and Giralda. See the cathedral guide.
20:30: Rooftop drink facing the Giralda, then dinner in Santa Cruz.
Day 2: Plaza de España, Triana and flamenco
9:30: Plaza de España and the Parque de María Luisa. Photos, the province alcoves, a boat on the canal. See Plaza de España.
12:00: Torre del Oro and the river walk to the Isabel II bridge.
13:30: Triana. Lunch at the Mercado de Triana, the ceramics shops on Calle Alfarería and San Jorge, the Castillo de San Jorge, then a drink on Calle Betis. See Triana.
Evening: flamenco. See a show, then have dinner. On a weekend, stay in Triana for a late drink in a flamenco bar. See flamenco shows.
Day 3: palaces, art and the river
10:00: A palace. Casa de Pilatos (tiles, patios and gardens) or the Palacio de las Dueñas (home of the Dukes of Alba). If you have time, do both: they are 15 minutes apart.
12:00: Setas de Sevilla. The rooftop walkway is quieter at midday, and the Antiquarium below shows Roman Seville. See Setas de Sevilla.
13:30: Lunch in the Alfalfa or around the Setas.
16:00: Museo de Bellas Artes for Murillo and Zurbarán, or shopping on Calle Sierpes, Tetuán and Cuna.
19:00: River cruise at sunset. See boat tours in Seville.
21:00: Alameda de Hércules for dinner and drinks with the locals.
Where to stay
Santa Cruz, the Centro or the Arenal, so you can walk everywhere and rest in the afternoon. In summer, choose a hotel with a pool. See where to stay in Seville.
Variations
- Swap day 3 for a day trip to Córdoba (45 minutes by high-speed train) or Cádiz. See day trips from Seville.
- In summer: sightsee before 12:00 and after 19:00, and swap outdoor visits in the afternoon for museums or a siesta.
- During Semana Santa: processions block the centre. Plan to cross the city on foot along the edges, and expect the cathedral to close to visitors on some days.
- With kids: add the Isla Mágica theme park (summer) or the Casa de la Ciencia science museum. See Seville with kids.
- Short on time? See the 2-day itinerary.
FAQ
Is 3 days in Seville too much?
No. Three days is the ideal length for a first visit: enough for all the highlights without rushing, with time for long lunches and late evenings.
What is the best order to visit Seville’s sights?
Start with the Alcázar at opening time on day 1, when you are fresh and it is quiet, then the cathedral in the afternoon. Keep Plaza de España for a morning or late afternoon, when the light is best.
Should I spend 3 days in Seville or add a day trip?
For a first visit, three days in the city. If you have four days, add Córdoba.