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The short answer
The best day trip from Seville is Córdoba: 45 minutes by high-speed train, with the Mezquita, one of the most extraordinary buildings in the world. Next come Cádiz for the sea and the old town, and Ronda for its gorge and bridge.
| Destination | Travel time | Best by | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Córdoba | 45 min | High-speed train | Mezquita-Catedral, Jewish quarter, patios |
| Cádiz | 1 h 45 | Train | Old town, cathedral, beaches |
| Jerez de la Frontera | 1 h | Train | Sherry bodegas, horse school |
| Ronda | 1 h 45–2 h | Car or tour | Puente Nuevo, the gorge, the old bullring |
| White villages | 1 h 30+ | Car or tour | Arcos, Zahara, Grazalema, Setenil |
| Granada | 2 h 30–3 h | Tour or train | The Alhambra (book weeks ahead) |
| Itálica | 20–30 min | Bus or car | Roman city and amphitheatre |
| Carmona | 30–40 min | Bus or car | Walled town, Roman necropolis |
The list
Córdoba
The high-speed train (AVE, Avant and others) takes about 45 minutes from Santa Justa. See the Mezquita-Catedral (the great mosque with a cathedral built inside it), the Jewish quarter, the Roman bridge and, in May, the flowered patios. See the Córdoba day trip.
Cádiz
About 1 hour 45 minutes by regional train. One of the oldest cities in Europe, surrounded by the sea, with a gold-domed cathedral, the Torre Tavira’s camera obscura, and the Caleta beach. See Cádiz from Seville.
Jerez de la Frontera
An hour by train. Visit a sherry bodega (Tío Pepe, Lustau and others), watch the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art’s show, and have lunch in the old town. Easy to combine with Cádiz on a tour.
Ronda and the white villages
Ronda sits on both sides of a deep gorge crossed by the 18th-century Puente Nuevo. It is about two hours by car; public transport is slow. A car or a tour lets you add white villages such as Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra or Arcos de la Frontera. See the Ronda day trip and our white villages guide.
Granada and the Alhambra
Possible in a day, but long: 2.5–3 hours each way. A tour with Alhambra tickets included is the easiest way, because Alhambra tickets sell out weeks ahead. Better: stay one or two nights. See Granada and the Alhambra from Seville.
Itálica
The ruins of a Roman city in Santiponce, where the emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born, with one of the largest amphitheatres of the Roman world. Buses leave from the Plaza de Armas bus station. Half a day is enough.
Carmona
A hilltop town with Moorish gates, Roman remains and a parador with views over the plain. 30–40 minutes by bus or car.
If you only have one day
Choose Córdoba: it is the easiest and most rewarding trip. Leave on an early train and come back after dinner.
Where to stay
Keep your Seville hotel: trains leave from Santa Justa and tours from the centre. For Granada or a road trip, move on instead. See our Andalusia road trip.
FAQ
What is the best day trip from Seville?
Córdoba, for the Mezquita, and because the train takes only 45 minutes.
Can you do a day trip from Seville to Granada?
Yes, but it is a long day (5–6 hours of travel). An organised tour with Alhambra tickets is the easiest option. Staying one or two nights in Granada is better.
Is it better to rent a car for day trips from Seville?
For Ronda and the white villages, yes. For Córdoba, Cádiz and Jerez, the train is easier.