3 Days Seville Itinerary (With Map)
If you are wondering what to do in 3 days Seville itinerary, you are in the right place.
What I suggest you do to fully immerse yourself in the Andalusian atmosphere is to dedicate at least 2 full days to discovering the city, and one day to the surroundings (which can offer really pleasant surprises).
Three days in Seville will be enough to get a good taste of the capital of Andalusia and breathe its warm and overwhelming soul.
In the following lines I want to take you to discover this place full of color and charm.
You may or may not fall in love with this city with its warm tones, overwhelming atmosphere and beautiful architectural structures that adorn it, but the certain thing is that you will at least be fascinated by it!
Day 1: Plaza de España, park and Cathedral
Visiting this city means discovering a very rich architectural and historical heritage, but also immersing yourself in Spanish culture, with tapas, sangria and flamenco.
To help you plan your trip, I have prepared this guide of things to do in 3 days Seville itinerary with itineraries to use comfortably on your smartphone (you will find the Google Maps links at the end of the article).
Here’s what to do in Seville on this first day of the itinerary:
PS: one of the best ways to start discovering Seville is to take part in a free walking tour of the city.
Booking is free and 2 hours will be enough for you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and start orienting yourself thanks to the local guide.
After that you can continue by deepening the stages you want.
1: Plaza de España
The Plaza de España has a semicircular shape and is crossed by a canal overlooked by a large curved building.
This colossal monument was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and is located within Seville’s Maria Luisa Park.
The decision to build a curved palace is no coincidence: that shape represents the embrace of Spain .
The main reason why the Plaza de España is one of the first things to do in 3 days Seville itinerary, is to take a trip through the Spanish provinces in a single morning: in fact, at the level of the square, you can admire as many as 48 coats of arms of the Spanish provinces.
Each box dedicated to a province contains representations of what makes it unique, historical events, representations of various kinds and a map.
They are made with ceramic mosaic (a technique often used by Gaudí, which you will also find in Barcelona ).
It is also possible to cross the building and go up to the terraces to admire the canal that crosses the square (symbolizing the road to reach America) and the 4 bridges that they cross, representing the 4 ancient kingdoms of Spain.
Along the walls of the palace you will also find busts of important national figures.
You will be able to access the Spanish Steps for free and also visit the internal terraces.
It could also be flamenco dancers to make your visit even more impressive.
2: Maria Luisa Park
After visiting the Plaza of Spain, you will easily understand that this square is inside a very large and enormous park : El Parque de María Luisa de Sevilla.
This is a public park that will give you moments of pure peace sitting and admiring the ducks in the ponds and small lakes, listening to the birds chirping and breathing the fresh air of the shade of the trees, for a little relief in the days hotter.
But don’t bother too much: there’s still a lot to see in Seville!
3: The Cathedral: one thing to see in Seville
The Cathedral of Seville is worth a visit for at least 2 reasons: the first is the architectural majesty of the work built over more than a century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The second reason why you should go into the Cathedral of Seville is for the remains of Christopher Columbus kept inside.
The structure is truly impressive and, just to give you an idea, it covers an area of 11,000 square metres.
You may find it hard to believe my words, but you must know that the initial idea was not to build a cathedral, but a mosque: during the visit you will be able to understand this from the Patio de los Naranjos and the tower (la Giralda).
Right from the Giralda, you will be able to admire the entire city of Sevillefrom its 104 meters of height .
You can visit the Cathedral of Seville on your own by booking your ticket in advance on the official website (it will cost you €1 more if you buy it on site).
If you encounter difficulties with the official site like I did, and you don’t want to waste time in line, you can buy skip-the-line tickets on this site and choose whether to combine the audio guide as well.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in delving into the history of Seville and the controversial construction of this building, I suggest you participate in a guided tour in English.
A curiosity: if you have already visited Marrakech and the Giralda seems quite familiar to you, know that you are not mistaken.
The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque was used as a model to build the Giralda in Seville.
Day 2: Alcázar and historic districts
Here is the itinerary map of how to spend your second day in the city (remember, you will find the link to open the map on Google Maps at the end of the article):
1: Real Alcázar of Seville: one thing to see in 3 days Seville itinerary
Start your second day of itinerary in the city exactly from yesterday’s last attraction.
Located a few steps from the Cathedral you will find the Real Alcázar of Seville: it is one of the oldest palaces in Europe still in use by the Spanish royal family, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is an Arab fortress in Seville in which various architectural styles merge: Moorish, Renaissance and Mudejar architecture.
Lose yourself in the details, the thousand colors and the beauty of the immense gardens of the Alcázar.
To avoid the long queues that form, make sure you buy your ticket to the Alcazár online.
If, on the other hand, you want to learn more about this structure, what I suggest you do is choose the guided tour in English.
PS: on Mondays after 16:00 you can enter the Alcázar for free, but remember to book your place on the official website (for 0 €).
2: The Neighborhood of Santa Cruz
The Barrio de Santa Cruz is the historic center of the city: it is no coincidence that the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar are located in this district.
It would be impossible not to visit this neighborhood when you visit Seville.
Before entering the narrow alleys, however, you must know that this is the old Jewish quarter of the city.
3: The Triana District
The Triana neighborhood is one of those places to see during a trip to Seville to be able to fully grasp the ancient spirit of the city.
This district develops on the western bank of the Guadalquivir river and contains millennia of Andalusian history, it is no coincidence that it is the most authentic barrio in Seville.
Triana was a district of sailors, thanks to its position, but also of potters, whose shops and very ancient strictly ceramic signs can still be seen today.
This neighborhood particularly fascinated me, so much so that I decided to book my stay in Seville here.
Getting up in the morning and going down to the local bar for churros with hot chocolate was a sweet way to start the day.
What you should make a point of visiting in this neighborhood, in addition to getting lost in the streets and breathing in the morning air of the city, is the Mercado de Triana.
PS: if you visit Seville outside of high season or if you book in advance and manage to find convenient accommodation, I suggest you stay in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the historic center of Seville.
On the contrary, I advise you to stay in the Triana district, further away from the centre, but where it will be easier to find accommodation at an affordable price.
Make sure you find out which is the best area to stay in Seville before booking your accommodation.
Day 3: Things to Do Around Seville:
After spending two days discovering the main attractions of Seville, it is worth thinking about spending a day visiting less touristy places in the surrounding area.
To follow this itinerary, make sure you have a rental car.
1: Rio Tinto: The Red River
Have you ever seen a red river with your own eyes? That is, not pink or reddish. I mean bright red.
If the answer is negative, you must know that in Spain and, to be precise in Andalusia, there is a river called “Rio Tinto” not by chance.
A unique place, with rocks at times of an intense orange, coppery color and blood red waters, which create a perfect contrast with the blue of the sky and the green of the trees.
But the area surrounding the flow of the Rio Tinto is a lived-in place, in which thousands of years of history are enclosed.
The river itself can be visited independently, but bear in mind that depending on the season in which you visit it, it could also be dry.
Some explanations are a must to visit the Rio Tinto (considering that I personally spun like a top for several hours before reaching the bed of the red river, the Rio Tinto): by writing “Rio Tinto” on Google Maps, Rio Tinto will be suggested Tinto Mining: this is a mining area where copper is extracted, which, let’s face it, has very little tourist or beautiful to see, unless you are a lover of excavators.
The real tourist attraction of this area is the old mining railway : from here you can travel about 12 km on a vintage train admiring the almost Martian landscape, caused by the red color of its land, and the waters of the Rio Tinto.
The Rio Tinto is about 1 hour from Seville (about 92 km).
Get directions on Google Maps here.
2: The Dew
You know all the movies set in the wild west? Those where the streets of the town are made of sand, people ride horses and there are duels in the street? Here, imagine arriving at a place just like that, excluding duels.
El Rocío is a small (but very characteristic) village in the province of Huelva.
The nice thing is that this village is authentic: you can stroll through its streets filling your shoes with sand and go horseback riding.
Or visit the very white sanctuary that stands out among all the buildings.
El Rocio is also famous for the Romeria: during Pentecost Sunday (49 days after Easter) thousands of pilgrims go to El Rocío to venerate the Paloma Blanca, the Virgin.
The pilgrimage takes place just as tradition dictates, with horse-drawn carts.
The celebrations among the pilgrims, with songs and dances, continue throughout the following week.
3: Rompeculos Beach
A short distance from El Rocío on the coast, you may come across Playa de Rompeculos (and no, the name is not a joke ): an endless beach with golden sand overlooking the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can enjoy the last breathtaking sunset before finishing this 3 days Seville itinerary.
Accommodation in Seville
Recommended places to stay in the center of Seville:
- Hostel One Catedral (from €46) : located just 270 meters from the Cathedral, this hostel is perfect for those who want to be in the center of the city, but stay in a structure with the lowest price in the area. Here you will find beds in dormitories, but also double rooms.
- Hotel Alcántara (from €50) : a charming hotel with a central Andalusian-style patio, a few steps from the Cathedral and the entrance to the Real Alcázar of Seville. It offers single, double and family rooms.
- Numa l Jondo Apartments (from €78) : This property, in the heart of Seville, offers apartments for all types of travellers. Studios for couples, multi-bedroom apartments for families and groups of friends. You can also take advantage of the private parking.
Recommended accommodations in El Arenal:
- Black Swan Hostel Sevilla (from €32) : A modern hostel with a terrace offering good views over the city. On site, you can spend time in the lounge and use the shared kitchen.
- Un Patio al Sur (from €41) : located in a good location within the neighborhood and housed in an 18th century building, this accommodation is particularly suitable for couples who can also spend pleasant moments on the rooftop patio .
- Las Casas de los Mercaderes (from €71) : is a hotel in the El Arenal neighborhood but only 300 meters from the Cathedral of Seville. The property also has a splendid glass-roofed courtyard, in perfect Andalusian style.
Recommended accommodations in Alameda:
- Hostel A2C (from €31) : here you can choose a bed in a mixed dormitory or opt for a family room that can accommodate up to 6 adults (perfect if you’re a group of friends traveling to Seville).
- Opera Apartments (from €77) : offers perfect apartments for couples who don’t want to give up on fun. On warmer days you can also take advantage of the rooftop swimming pool.
- Escoberos Courtyard (from €105) : a perfect apartment for small groups with free parking.
FAQ: Questions with Answers
1: When to go to Seville?
If you want to find out what to do in 3 days Seville itinerary , perhaps you will also like to understand when to visit it.
You should know that Seville is a muy muy caliente city in the summer months, so this should make you think about the most suitable time for you to visit.
What I suggest to organize a few days to visit Seville is to avoid the hottest months of summer, when temperatures even exceed 40° C.
2: How many days to visit Seville?
I suggest you give yourself at least 3 days to visit Seville at your leisure and customize the things to do according to your available time.
3: What to do in 3 days Seville itinerary?
Lose yourself in the oldest neighborhoods of the city, such as Triana and the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Spend a few hours getting lost in the details of the Plaza of Spain and buy a ticket to visit the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar of Seville.
If you have time left on the last day, dedicate yourself to visiting the surroundings of Seville: the Rio Tinto, El Rocío and the beautiful Playa de Rompeculos.
I hope they are useful to you and that you have found all the information you need.
If not, leave a comment below the article and I will gladly help you.
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