The plan at a glance
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Real Alcázar (booked, first slot) |
| 12:00 | Santa Cruz |
| 13:30 | Tapas lunch |
| 15:00 | Cathedral and Giralda |
| 17:00 | Plaza de España and the Parque de María Luisa |
| 19:30 | Flamenco show |
| 21:00 | Dinner in Alfalfa or Santa Cruz, then the Setas at night |
Book before you go: the Real Alcázar, the cathedral and a flamenco show.
The day, step by step
9:30: Real Alcázar. Start at opening time before the groups arrive. Palaces first, gardens last. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours. See the Alcázar guide.
12:00: Santa Cruz. Leave by the Patio de Banderas and wander through the lanes: the Callejón del Agua, Plaza de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Doña Elvira. See Santa Cruz.
13:30: Lunch. Tapas on Calle Mateos Gago or around Santa Cruz.
15:00: Cathedral and Giralda. Climb the Giralda first, then see Columbus’s tomb and the golden altarpiece. See the cathedral guide.
17:00: Plaza de España. Walk through the Jardines de Murillo and past the old tobacco factory. The late-afternoon light on the plaza is beautiful. See Plaza de España.
19:30: Flamenco. An intimate show in Santa Cruz or the Centro.
21:00: Dinner and the Setas. Tapas in the Alfalfa, then the Setas lit up at night.
Where to stay
If you can, stay one night: Seville is at its best in the evening. See where to stay in Seville.
Variations
- Arriving by train or on a cruise: leave bags at the station lockers or your hotel and start with the cathedral if you miss the first Alcázar slot.
- In summer: swap the order, with Plaza de España first thing in the morning and the monuments at midday when it’s too hot to be outside.
- More time? See the 2-day itinerary.
FAQ
Is one day enough to see Seville?
It is enough for the main sights (the Alcázar, the cathedral, Santa Cruz and Plaza de España) if you book ahead and start early. Two or three days are better.
Can I do Seville as a day trip from Málaga or Córdoba?
Yes. The train from Córdoba takes 45 minutes and from Málaga about 2 hours. Book the Alcázar for late morning.