Seville in 1 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit
Only have one day to see Seville? Make a note of the places you have to visit, you won't want to leave without visiting important places like the Cathedral or the Torre del Oro!
View of Seville | ©Henrique Ferreira
Although one day may not seem long enough for everything there is to see and do in Seville, believe me it is enough time to visit the must-see places. To help you, I have made a list of those places that I wouldn't want to miss (and I'm sure you wouldn't either) for their historical, artistic and cultural value.
Surely many of these places are familiar to you since their fame goes beyond the borders of Seville: the Giralda, the Real Alcazar, the Torre del Oro, the Triana neighborhood... Through all of them you will not only learn about the origins of the city, but you will also discover its most authentic color, flavor and art.
Start the day visiting the Cathedral of Seville, the great gothic temple.
I'm not going to fool you, as soon as you set foot in Seville you will realize that architecturally it is one of the most interesting cities in Spain. In this sense, one of the most important buildings is the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic temple in the world. Of course, before being a place of Christian worship it was a mosque.
To enter costs approximately 11€, although it is more interesting to buy together the visits to the Cathedral, the Giralda and the Alcazar of Seville ( more or less 45€).
The Cathedral of Seville has 10 doors, but it is normal that you enter through the main one: the Puerta de la Asunción. Once inside, stop to calmly contemplate the 400-square-meter main altarpiece and the tomb of Christopher Columbus, who was buried here with full honors.
Before leaving, take a breath of fresh air in the beautiful Patio de los Naranjos, one of the few remaining elements of the old mosque. You can also take a walk on the roof of the Cathedral to see Seville from above, but as a viewpoint the Giralda is much better.
Interesting facts
- Where: Avenida de la Constitución s/n
- Price: approximately 11€ (includes the Giralda)
- Recommended if: you want to see inside one of the largest religious temples in the world.
Before leaving the Cathedral, climb to the top of the Giralda
With the entrance to the Cathedral (approximately 15 ¤) is included the possibility to climb the Giralda, the Christian bell tower that was once the minaret of the Almohad mosque; this mixture of cultures is reflected in the architecture itself, as the lower body of the tower is Almohad style and the upper one is Christian.
You can thank King Alfonso X that it still exists, because in the tenth century when the Muslims were defeated they wanted to demolish the tower so that it would not become Christian.
Its height is 101 meters, so be prepared for a somewhat tiring ascent. But instead of steps, you will have to climb 35 ramps. The reason? The sultan had to be able to climb with his horse. The effort will be worth it when you see Seville and all its color at your feet.
In addition to climbing the Giralda, I recommend you stay around when 12 noon arrives. This way you will be able to hear its 24 bells calling the faithful to pray.
Interesting facts
- Where: Avenida de la Constitución s/n
- Price: approximately 11€ (included with the entrance to the Cathedral)
- Recommended if: you want to see the center of Seville from the top.
Discover the palace life in the Real Alcázar of Seville
To access the Real Alcázar of Se ville you can buy your ticket together with the Cathedral and the Giralda (about 45 ¤) or individually (about 13 ¤). This is also very convenient because the entrances to both places are next to each other, just 1 minute away.
In any case, get ready for a tour of one of the best preserved palace complexes. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and no wonder: in this enclosure coexist artistic elements of the Islamic, Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and even Mannerist periods.
Visiting the Alcázar of Seville is to become aware of the multiculturalism that has always been present in the city. You will visit the Mudejar Palace of Pedro I, but also the Gothic Palace, as well as its wonderful gardens, which are full of fountains, ponds and sculptures.
Interesting facts
- Where: Patio de Banderas, s/n
- Price: approximately 15€.
- Recommended if: you like architecture and a mixture of decorative styles.
Enter the documentary treasure of the Archive of the Indies
When you leave the Alcazar, you will only have to walk a minute to the Archivo de Indias, a place where all the information about the Spanish colonies in America and the Philippines is centralized.
Seville was a strategic place; through the port of the Guadalquivir many ships came and went, so the city was filled with sailors, conquerors and a lot of documentation.
Today this place can be visited for free and forms a kind of museum full of historical treasures, such as personal diaries and handwritten texts of Christopher Columbus or Hernán Cortés, among others. In total, it is estimated that there are 43,000 folders, with some 80 million pages and 8,000 maps and drawings.
Data of interest
- Where: Av. de la Constitución, s/n
- Price: free access
- Recommended if: you like history
Take a lunch break and stroll through the Parque de María Luisa, the lung of Seville
The Archivo de Indias is very close (just a 15 minute walk) to the Parque de María Luisa, a perfect place to have a picnic, to take a walk or to start a bike tour of Seville.
Many years ago this was not possible, as the park was private and belonged to the Palace of San Telmo (former seminary of the city). Fortunately, it is now a public park where you can find monuments and historical buildings but also a lot of vegetation.
Taking a walk through the Maria Luisa Park means accepting the possibility of getting lost, although it is not a bad plan either. Accompanying the different species of trees there are many ponds and even an artificial mountain (the Gurugú) where you can climb to relax.
The entire landscaping redesign project was carried out less than a century ago for the celebration of the Universal Exposition of 1929. Thanks to this the park, which was somewhat neglected, was filled with plants, many of the fountains that are there now were built and it was also reorganized through 3 main axes or avenues.
Interesting facts
- Where it is: it forms its own neighborhood in the southern district of Seville.
- Price: free access
- Recommended if: you feel like having a picnic or a walk in nature.
Take a break in the Plaza de España before continuing your day.
Although there are other squares in Seville that have more history because they have been there since the beginnings of the city, the Plaza de España, located in the Maria Luisa Park, is one of the most recognized.
It was designed and built for the Expo of 1929, so it has a modern feel. However, what stands out in it is the set of 48 benches decorated with tiles that tell the history of Spain and its provinces.
In addition to the benches, which has become a symbol of the city and the country, you also have to look at the two towers that are at the ends of the building that presides over the square. They are baroque in style and immense, with more than 70 meters high each.
Another remarkable element is the 500-meter long canal that crosses the space and through which small boats circulate.
Interesting facts
- Where: in the Maria Luisa Park.
- Price: free access
- Recommended if: you want to sit for a while and rest in an emblematic place of the city.
Contemplate Seville and the Guadalquivir from the Torre del Oro (Golden Tower)
A 20-minute walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir from the Plaza de España is another of Seville's landmarks: the Torre del Oro.
This old defensive construction (hence it is next to the port of the Guadalquivir) has been converted into one of the best viewpoints of the city (besides housing the Naval Museum). To enter and climb to the top (more than 30 meters) costs about 3€, so you can not miss this visit.
Although this tower was erected to protect Seville, there are legends that say that in reality it was also the place where the king took his mistresses.
Whether you believe that story or not, today you can access it to get an incredible panoramic view from the top of its terrace and to see the collection of the Naval Museum, which explains how important the river and navigation is for the city.
Interesting facts
- Where: on Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
- Price: approximately 3€.
- Recommended if: you want to contemplate the Guadalquivir and Seville from its terrace.
Walk along the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón to the Triana Bridge and look at the two Sevillas
Leaving the Torre del Oro behind, keep walking along the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón (the bank of the Guadalquivir) to the Puente de Triana, also called Puente de Isabel II, the oldest bridge in Seville.
It was built in 1852 and before that there had only been a provisional and not very stable bridge. Its construction was important because it meant to unite the two Sevillas, which were previously divided by the river.
Although there are currently more bridges to cross the river, this has never ceased to be the most popular and preferred by the Sevillians. Somehow it has become a symbol of union that allowed Seville to be one.
When you cross it, stand right in the middle and look both ways; you will have beautiful views of the city, both of the historic center (where you are coming from) and the Triana neighborhood (your next destination).
Interesting facts
- Where: starts at the intersection of Paseo de Cristóbal Colón and Calle Arjona.
- Price: free access
- Recommended if: you want to see the two Sevillas and how they came together.
Experience the most authentic Seville in the Triana neighborhood
If I had to make a list of the best neighborhoods in Seville, one of the first places would be for the neighborhood of Triana.
Crossing the Guadalquivir River over the bridge that bears the same name you reach this artistic area of the city. Its history dates back to Roman times, as it was a place of settlement for the legionaries, and its culture is closely linked to the river.
There is much to see in the Triana neighborhood of Seville, but my advice is to stroll through its streets and go to those places that make it so special, such as Betis Street and its colorful houses or the Chapel of Carmen.
The artistic richness of the neighborhood is due to the fact that many singers and dancers were born there, but also to the lively atmosphere it has.
Triana is also a good place to eat, either in its Market, where you will find stalls serving typical dishes or selling fresh produce, or doing one of the best tapas tours in Seville, because here there are taverns of all life, where the taste is authentic.
Interesting facts
- Where: it is a neighborhood on the right bank of the Guadalquivir.
- Price: free access
- Recommended if: you want to discover the most authentic Seville
End your day enjoying music, dance and art in a flamenco tablao
If there is a place to experience flamenco, that is the Triana neighborhood. The also called cante jondo is much more than live music; on the tablaos there is a lot of emotion and feeling, something you will notice the moment you go to a flamenco show in Seville (approximately 20€).
Seville is also one of the places where it was born; at the beginning it was a small family reunion and among friends, but over the years it became a spectacle and had a place in theaters. However, it has always tried to maintain its intimate character.
Today flamenco continues to impress everyone who goes to a tablao. Inside you can understand the value of this art, although if you want to know more about its history I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Flamenco Dance in Seville (the entrance fee is approximately 10 euros), where there are interactive exhibitions that cover its past and present.
Interesting facts
- Where: different locations in Seville (mainly Triana neighborhood)
- Price: approximately 20€.
- Recommended if: you are a flamenco lover and want to experience it up close.
The tourist bus: the best way to move around Seville for a day
In general, you could say that Seville is an easily walkable city. However, if you are only staying for a day, you might want to go from one place to another and not waste too much time. The solution? Take a tourist bus around Seville. They are a comfortable alternative and, unlike public transport, only makes stops at important places.
The price for one day is approximately 23€ and all transfers are included. That is, you can get on wherever you want and get off at each tourist attraction.
Every half hour or so a new bus passes, so you will have no problem to go to places like the Plaza de España or the Torre del Oro. In addition, they include a guide so you can learn about what you are going to see.
A day in Seville can give you a lot, so organize your day well and visit all the must-see places.