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Is it worth it? How long?
Yes, if you like Roman history, and we think it is the easiest trip out of Seville. Itálica is the ruin of a Roman city in Santiponce, 9 km north-west of Seville. It was founded in 206 BC, it was the home town of the emperor Trajan and probably of Hadrian, and it has one of the largest amphitheatres of the Roman world. Game of Thrones fans will know the amphitheatre as the Dragonpit from season 7.
- Time needed: 2–3 hours at the site, so half a day from Seville in total.
- Getting there without a car: bus M-170A from the Plaza de Armas bus station, about 30 minutes, every 30 minutes on weekdays. The bus back leaves from a stop outside the entrance.
- Price: free for EU citizens, €1.50 for everyone else.
- Closed: Mondays (unless the Monday comes before a public holiday).
It is not Pompeii: most walls stand only knee to waist high, and apart from the amphitheatre the highlights are the street plan and the mosaic floors. We’d go in the morning, especially from May to September, because there is very little shade.
What you see
The main site is the Nova Urbs, the new district that Hadrian added in the 2nd century AD. The visitor route follows its wide, straight streets, which still have their paving, kerbs and the bases of the covered walkways, with drains visible at the crossings.
- The amphitheatre. The last stop on the route and the reason most people come. The outer oval measures 153 by 132 metres, with room for tens of thousands of spectators; the official site calls it the second largest in the empire when it was built. You can walk into the arena and look down into the pit below it, where animal cages were raised to the floor. This is where the Dragonpit scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed.
- The mosaics. Several houses are named after their floors. The House of the Birds (Casa de los Pájaros) has a mosaic of birds, and the Neptune mosaic fills a large building with its own baths. Also look for the Casa de la Exedra and the Casa de Demetrio de los Ríos.
- The Traianeum. The foundations of a huge temple to Trajan, built by Hadrian in the middle of a square lined with columns.
- The Roman theatre. Older than the rest, from the time of Augustus, and inside the village of Santiponce rather than the main site. You see it from the theatre viewpoint (mirador) on Calle Siete Revueltas, which opens on a similar timetable to the main site. The theatre is still used for the Itálica dance festival and other summer shows.
Another Game of Thrones location is Seville’s Real Alcázar, which played the Water Gardens of Dorne.
Tickets and opening hours
| EU citizens | Free (show an ID card or passport) |
| Other visitors | €1.50 |
| Booking | Not needed for individual visitors; only groups of 10 or more book |
| 21 September to 31 March | Tuesday–Saturday 9:00–18:00 |
| 1 April to 20 June | Tuesday–Thursday 9:00–18:00; Friday–Saturday 9:00–21:00 |
| 21 June to 20 September | Tuesday–Saturday 9:00–15:00 |
| Sundays and public holidays | 9:00–15:00 all year |
| Closed | Mondays (except the day before a public holiday); 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December |
Staff start clearing the site 15 minutes before closing. Large bags, backpacks, pushchairs and umbrellas are not allowed on the route and have to be left in the lockers. No food or drink except in the marked areas.
How to get there from Seville
| Option | Time | Cost (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus M-170A | 30 min | €1.70 each way | From Plaza de Armas; about every 30 min on weekdays, less often at weekends |
| Express bus M-170A | 20 min | €1.70 each way | Weekdays only, a few morning and afternoon runs |
| Taxi | 15–20 min | €17–21 each way | Easiest for two to four people |
| Car | 15–20 min | Fuel only | Free parking outside the entrance |
| Bike | 40–45 min | Rental | Busy roads through Camas; a guided bike tour is easier |
| Guided tour | 4–5 h in total | varies | Transport and guide included |
By bus
The bus is operated by Damas for the Seville transport consortium. Take the M-170A from the Plaza de Armas bus station, next to the river on the edge of the centre. The route ends at the Itálica stop on Avenida de Extremadura, outside the entrance. The ride is about 30 minutes.
From September 2026, weekday buses leave Plaza de Armas roughly every 30 minutes from 7:00. On Saturdays they run every 30 minutes until mid-afternoon and then hourly; on Sundays and holidays about once an hour, with a few gaps. The weekday express runs make fewer stops and save about 10 minutes. The M-170B also stops at Itálica, but only a few times a day. Check the timetable on the Consorcio de Transportes de Sevilla website before you go.
A single ticket for one zone jump costs €1.70 cash, or about €0.65 with a rechargeable Consorcio card. See our guide to getting around Seville for the card and the city buses to Plaza de Armas.
By taxi, car or bike
A taxi from the centre takes 15–20 minutes and we think it is worth it if you share. Ask the driver to pick you up again, or call one from the entrance.
By car, leave Seville on the N-630 towards Mérida. Parking is free on Avenida de Extremadura, in front of the entrance. If you are hiring a car for a wider trip, see our car hire guide.
By bike, it is 9 km, mostly on busy roads through Camas. We’d go with a guide on a half-day bike trip to Itálica.
Guided tour
The site has information panels, but in our view a guide makes much more of the mosaics and the history of the emperors. Tours from Seville include transport and take 4–5 hours: Itálica guided tour from Seville. Some also stop at the San Isidoro del Campo monastery.
A half-day plan
- 8:30: bus from Plaza de Armas (on a Tuesday to Saturday), arriving just before or just after the 9:00 opening.
- 9:00–11:00: the Nova Urbs. Follow the route through the streets, the House of the Birds, the Neptune mosaic and the Traianeum.
- 11:00–11:45: the amphitheatre. Walk into the arena and the pit.
- 12:00: the theatre viewpoint in Santiponce, 10–15 minutes’ walk from the entrance.
- 12:30: San Isidoro del Campo (see below), or lunch in Santiponce.
- 14:00: bus back to Seville.
Heat and when to go
Itálica is an open field with few trees, and Seville is one of the hottest cities in Europe in summer. From June to September, we recommend arriving at 9:00; the site closes at 15:00 anyway from 21 June to 20 September. Bring water, a hat and sun cream. From October to May, any time of day works, and the long Friday and Saturday hours in spring allow an afternoon visit. See the best time to visit Seville.
Combine with San Isidoro del Campo
The Monasterio de San Isidoro del Campo, a few minutes from the ruins, was founded in 1301 by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán. It is a fortified monastery with two churches, Gothic and Mudéjar architecture, wall paintings and an altarpiece by Martínez Montañés. It is open to visitors and free.
From 16 September to 15 June it opens Tuesday–Thursday 10:00–15:00, Friday–Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sundays and holidays 10:00–14:30. From 16 June to 15 September, Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–14:30. It is closed on Mondays.
Where to stay
We see no reason to sleep in Santiponce: stay in Seville and go out for the morning. See where to stay in Seville. If you have a whole day, add a second trip: the high-speed train to Córdoba takes 45 minutes. More ideas are in our day trips from Seville, things to do in Seville and the Seville guide.
FAQ
How do I get from Seville to Itálica by bus?
Take the M-170A from the Plaza de Armas bus station to the last stop, Itálica. It takes about 30 minutes and runs every 30 minutes on weekdays, less often at weekends.
Is Itálica free?
Yes for citizens of the European Union, who only need to show their ID. Everyone else pays €1.50.
Is Itálica open on Mondays?
No. It is closed on Mondays, except when the Monday is the day before a public holiday.
How long do you need at Itálica?
Two to three hours for the Nova Urbs and the amphitheatre, and half a day including the trip from Seville and the theatre viewpoint.
Was Game of Thrones filmed at Itálica?
Yes. The amphitheatre was the Dragonpit of King’s Landing in the last episode of season 7.
Where were Trajan and Hadrian born?
Trajan was born in Itálica. Hadrian’s family came from Itálica too, and he was probably born there, although some ancient sources say Rome.
Is Itálica worth it if I’ve seen Roman ruins elsewhere?
It is smaller and less complete than Pompeii or Mérida, but we think the amphitheatre and the mosaics are among the best in Spain, and it is only half an hour from Seville.