How to spend 2 days in Seville

Looking for the perfect 2 days in Seville itinerary? Find the best things to do in Seville right in this article.

Seville just has to be on our Spain itinerary, I told Thomas.

I was planning our road trip through Andalusia, and besides Granada and Ronda, I had my heart set on Seville ♥

It’s not just that Seville has gained serious travel hype lately – especially since Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel named Seville the best city to visit in 2018 (naturally I was dying to visit).

But the city also has two major draws: It’s the film location of Star Wars and Game of Thrones. As a major GOT fan, I knew I had to visit pronto!

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Seville in 2 days, you’ve found it. I’ve included everything we did in Seville so you can have the best trip possible.

Let’s dig in.

2 days in Seville

After having been there, let me just say this: Seville really is one of the best places in Southern Spain.

There’s a lot to do there. Some of the best things to do in Seville include flamenco dance, the Gothic architecture, some of which are UNESCO sites, and tapas bar hopping. And let’s not forget the mouth-watering churros.

What’s great about Seville is that it’s perfect for a weekend trip, but you could easily spend more time than that.

How to get around Seville

🚶‍♀️ Walk: Seville is the biggest city in Andalusia and 4th largest in Spain, but it’s still walkable. In fact, you can walk across the city centre – from one side to the other – in about 45 minutes.

🚋 Public transportation: If you’d rather take public transportation, you can easily take the tram, metro or buses to get around. Most major sights are placed in the centre, though.

🚌 Sightseeing bus: A third option is to take the Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour. You’ll get a 24-hour ticket to the open-top double-decker bus that includes audio commentary. Simply hop on and off as you wish at any of the 14 stops around Seville. 

Map of Seville

Below is a map of Seville with the tourist attractions in this post. I’ve numbered them in the same order as they appear here. The pink numbers are sights on day 1, while the yellow numbers are for day two.

Click the + and – in the corner to zoom in or out.

💃🏽 Day 1 in Seville

Alcazar (Game of Thrones location)

The Real Alcazar – from the Arabic word al-qasr for castle – was my favourite thing to do in Seville. It’s a UNESCO site and also one of Seville’s Game of Thrones film locations.

Walking in the gardens and patios was like being in Dorne. And you know what, it’s actually more magical in real life!

The royal palace dates back to 913 when the region was controlled by the Moors. So as you can imagine, it’s got quite a history – and a complex one. 

Aside from the phenomenal extensive gardens, you’ll find exquisite ceramic tiles, gold ceilings and fairy tale colonnaded patios from the Arabic period, the Middle Ages right through to the Renaissance and the Baroque.

This place guys, it’s a must.

• 🕌 Skip the long lines and explore Alcazar on a guided tour. The tour is with Viator and takes 1.15 hour.
• Opening hours: 9.30-6pm (until 7pm in summer)
• Entrance fee: €13.50

Seville Cathedral

Entrance fee: 9 EUR (includes the Giralda bell tower)

Be sure to visit Seville Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s the third largest cathedral in the world and the world’d largest Gothic cathedral.

The cathedral took over 100 years to complete and features 80 chapels and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. It really is a piece of art.

For 16 EUR you can do a guided tour to the roof of the cathedral. There’s a great view from the top.

Climb the Giralda Bell Tower

One of the things that makes Seville Cathedral unique is that it’s built on top of a mosque. All that remains of the mosque is part of its minaret, which is now known as the La Giralda bell tower.

Climb 34 sloping ramps to reach the top where you’ll be rewarded with some pretty decent views of Seville.

• Entrance fee: 9 EUR (includes the cathedral)
• Small guided tour of Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower: Book here.
• Opening hours: 9.30-3.30 pm. On Sundays: 2.30-6 pm. Check current hours here.

Metropol Parasol

The Metropol Parasol is also worth visiting – if not for its oddly beautiful appearance. It’s known locally as las setas (the mushrooms) and is said to be the world’s largest wooden structure.

To get in, you need to go down a level to find the lift to go up. There’s a killer view from the top.

• Entrance fee: daytime € 5 and evening € 10 (free to watch from the outside of course)
• Opening hours: 9.30 am to midnight

The Real Maestranza Bullring

If you’re up for a dose of Spanish culture, you’ll get it at the Real Maestranza Bullring (the Plaza de Toros de Sevilla). It’s the largest and most important arena for bullfighting in Spain!

You’ll find guided tours in both Spanish and English which last about 40 mins. 

The tours includes the bullring, several rooms with paintings and history info and a small chapel where the toreros (bullfighters) pray before entering the ring.

• Entrance fee: 10 EUR (includes a guided tour)
• Opening hours: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm

Romeo and Juliet balcony

Ever been to a Romeo & Juliet sight?

Well, the Plaza Alfaro is said to have inspired the balcony scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Whether it’s true or not, it’s easy to picture this as his inspiration. You can find it by following this map: Plaza Alfaro, Seville, Spain.

Since I didn’t take a photo of the love balcony, I’ll leave you with an image of the love of my life (at least one of the three) 🙂

Santa Cruz neighborhood

Free entrance

The most popular barrio (neighborhood) in Seville is Santa Cruz and with good reason.

With its narrow cobbled streets and colourful houses and tapas bars, this is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine, go tapas bar hopping or just wander through the small alley squares lined with orange trees.

Barrio Santa Cruz is home to the Alcazar, Seville Cathedral and the Romeo & Juliet balcony.

Read next: 7 best Morocco tours from Seville you should try

💃🏽 Day 2 in Seville

Plaza de Espana (Star Wars location)

Free entrance

Your first stop on day 2 is the amazing Plaza de España. It’s a must-visit for two reasons:

• Its sheer scale and grandeur
• It’s where they shot a scene from Star Wars

Remember Attack of the Clones? This is where Anakin Skywalker and Padmé (and R2-D2) take a walk on Naboo.

Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929. It has its own system of mini-canals and bridges, and you can rent small boats to row in the canal. It’s actually the size of five football pitches so take your time to walk around the place. We spent around one hour there.

Read next: How to visit Plaza de España Star Wars filming location

Torre del Oro

The Torre del Oro which translates to “Bull of Gold,” is a defensive tower from the 13th century when Spain was invaded by the Moors. It costs a small fee to enter the tower, but you get access to the naval museum inside, too.

It’s located by the river and is one of the hallmarks of Seville.

• Entrance fee: 3 EUR (free on Mondays)
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 09:30 – 18:45 / Weekends: 10:30 – 18:45

Walk around the Parque de Maria Luisa

Right next to the Torre del Oro is the Maria Luisa park – a 34-hectare green oasis in Seville. Spend some time here, exploring the lush gardens and duck ponds.

Palacio de San Telmo

The Palacio San Telmo is one of Seville’s most impressive baroque-style buildings, located south of the city’s centre between the Hotel Alfonso XIII and the river.

After a 10-year refurbishment that cost 40 million euros, the palace was re-opened in 2010 as the seat of the Regional Government’s President. The massive building, painted in a red and dark yellow, covers an entire city block.

Casa de Pilatos

Next on your 2 days in Seville itinerary is Casa de Pilatos.

It’s still somewhat a hidden gem in Seville and absolutely worth visiting. The 16th-century palace still serves as the permanent residence of the Duke of Medinaceli.

Inside, you’ll find an exquisite blend of Italian Renaissance, Gothic, and Mudejar architecture, with intricate mosaics, carvings, and memorials of Spanish kings and Roman Emperors on every wall.

The top attraction is the traditional Andalusian courtyard with grand columns, statues, and a beautiful fountain.

• Entrance fee: 10 EUR
• Opening hours: Daily 9:00 to 18:00

Mercado Triana

Now, head to the Mercado Triana, a local market with a blend of fresh produce, meat, and cheese, as well as a hub for delicious lunch or snacks.

Inside the market, you’ll find a cooking school that offers classes on International and Spanish cuisine. You can take a guided tour with a local expert and taste all the wonders the market has to offer.

Make sure afterwards to stroll through the charming and colourful Triana neighbourhood, which is the birthplace of many flamenco artists.

Tapas tour

Tapas is a must-try when in Seville, and a tapas tour is just the way to taste the best ones.

The Seville Tapas Crawl Tour (⭐ 5/5) is an excellent option, where you’ll visit five different restaurants and tapas bars. You’ll taste over 10 dishes of typical Seville food and included beverages. Your local guide will also share insights into the city’s food culture.

Experience a Flamenco show

Seville is believed to be one of the birthplaces of Flamenco, which makes it sort of mandatory to experience a show here. It’s one of those cultural experiences that provide a unique insight in a country’s identity. Like dervishes in Turkey or pasta making in Italy.

In Seville, you can find some of the world’s best flamenco shows in Triana. Like this flamenco show (⭐ 5/5), which includes a tasting of Manzanilla, a typical sherry wine from southern Andalusia.

Where to stay in Seville

Seville gets HOT hot hot in the summer so you’ll want a hotel with air conditioning and swimming pool. Also, I recommend staying in the old town because it’s in walking distance of most sights and attractions.

Here are a few of the best hotels in Seville:

Hotel Fernando III (⭐ 8.9) offers spacious rooms and a roof top terrace with seasonal pool. The hotel has a beautiful decor and very helpful staff. Click here to get the latest prices.

Hotel Bécquer (⭐ 8.9) comes with a lovely pool, view and location. The hotel is located in the old town, the heart of Seville and has nice rooms. Click here to get the latest prices.

🙋‍♀️ 2 days in Seville FAQ

What is Seville famous for?

Seville is known for its rich history, culture and architecture. Some of the things that Seville is famous for include:

• The Alcázar of Seville, a stunning palace complex with Moorish and Christian influences, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Game of Thrones film location.
• The Seville Cathedral, one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the world, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
• The Plaza de España, a picturesque plaza built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929. It’s also a Star Wars film location.
• Flamenco, a traditional Spanish dance which originated in Andalusia, of which Seville is the cultural heart.
• Bullfighting, which has a long history in Seville and takes place at the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza.
• Tapas, a popular style of eating in Spain where small plates of food are ordered and shared among a group. Seville is known for its amazing tapas scene.

Is 2 days enough to see Seville?

Yes, you can explore Seville in 2 days. I do, however, recommend that you spend 3 days here to experience all of its main attractions, neighbourhoods and tapas. Some of the must-see attractions in Seville include the Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de España.

What to do in Seville in 48 hours?

Here are some suggestions for your 48-hour visit to Seville:

Day 1: Visit the Alcázar, explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz, see the Seville Cathedral.

Day 2: Wander around Triana, see the Plaza de España, catch a flamenco show and try some tapas.

Do you have less than 2 days in Seville? Check out my one day Seville itinerary.

Is Seville or Madrid better?

Seville and Madrid are both incredible cities to visit in Spain, but they offer different experiences.

Madrid is a bustling capital city with a more cosmopolitan and modern vibe, filled with impressive museums, art galleries, and upscale shopping districts.

Seville, on the other hand, is smaller and more traditional, with a rich mix of Moorish and Christian architecture, a vibrant flamenco culture, and a relaxed vibe.

💃🏽 Seville is better if you’re looking for a more authentic and traditional Spanish experience, while Madrid is a great choice if you’re interested in art, history, and urban sophistication.

Do you need more days in Granada or Seville?

I commend spending at least 2-3 days in each city. Granada might be smaller than Seville, but Granada has the Alhambra, which takes time to explore.

More Spain posts you might like

• Amazing 7-day Andalucia road trip
• The perfect one day Seville itinerary
• Where to stay in Seville
• How to plan the perfect Malaga to Ronda day trip
• 10 amazing things to do in Granada Spain
• 10 essential tips for visiting The Alhambra, Granada (tickets, map, itinerary)
• 9 filming locations of Game of Thrones Seville

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