I was blown-away by Seville. We visited the city for a couple of days on our trip to Spain and it was my favourite place that we stayed in. This was partly due to the amazing view of the apartment we rented. Seville is so pretty and unique, it almost doesn’t seem real. In addition, there are many things to see and do in Seville. I hope that this two day itinerary helps you for your future trips to this magical Spanish city!
DAY 1
Royal Alcazar of Seville
The Royal Alcazar of Seville is one of the most popular attractions in Seville, and for good reason! The palace is absolutely stunning. The Alcazar has beautiful tile decoration, Moorish architecture, and lush gardens. You will feel like you’re in Morocco as opposed to Spain! I highly recommend taking a self-guided or guided tour of the palace.
In 913, the chief Muslim ruler of Seville built a fortified construction in the city. With the start of the Christian era in Seville, the Alcazar was converted into the residence of the Christian monarchs. The Alcazar is the oldest royal residence in Europe in use.
In addition to a tour of the palace, make sure to spend time in the beautiful gardens.
More info & tickets for the Alcazar of Seville: https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/
Patio de Banderas & Santa Cruz
On the way to Seville Cathedral, make sure to stop at the Patio de Banderas – a beautiful tree-lined square with great views of the Cathedral. The Patio de Banderas is in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. Take a bit of time to wander the pretty narrow streets of the old Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz.
Seville Cathedral
The Seville Cathedral is the third-largest church in the world, the largest cathedral in the world, and the largest Gothic church in the world. You absolutely cannot miss touring the inside of the beautiful cathedral and climbing to the top of its famous bell tower.
Seville Cathedral started as a mosque in 1198. It was then converted into the city’s Catholic cathedral in 1248. In 1401, city leaders decided to build a new, very grand Gothic cathedral that we see today.
Christopher Columbus is buried in the Seville Cathedral. Don’t miss seeing his tomb! The Seville Cathedral has the largest altarpiece in the world, which you can see in the knave.
Make sure to climb the Giralda (bell tower) for amazing views of the cathedral and of Seville from above.
More info & tickets for the Seville Cathedral: https://www.catedraldesevilla.es/cultural-visit/
Plaza del Cabildo
Directly beside Seville Cathedral is the Plaza del Cabildo. The Plaza del Cabildo is a beautiful square with a fountain and painted arches.
Torre del Oro
Make your way to the river that runs through Seville. On the edge of the water, you’ll find the Torre del Oro. The Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) was built in 1221. This dodecagonal watchtower was used by the military and served as a prison. Its name comes from the golden shine it projected on the river, due to its building materials. The Torre del Oro now serves as the Maritime Museum of Seville.
DAY 2
Metropol Parasol/Las Setas de la Encarnación
Start your second day at the Metropol Parasol. This infamous wooden structure is located at the Plaza de la Encarnación. It was designed by a German architect and completed in 2011. The structure consists of six parasols in the form of giant mushrooms (“Las setas” in Spanish). The design was inspired by the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville.
Palace of the Countess of Lebrija
A short walk from Las Setas is the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija. Construction of this noble house began in the 15th century. The palace was owned by various nobles over the years. In 1901, it was bought by the Countess of Lebrija, who reconstructed the palace to house her valuable collection of artifacts. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful house-museum.
There are two other well-known house museums in Seville: Casa de Pilatos and Palacio de las Dueñas.
General Archive of the Indies
The General Archive of the Indies (Archivo General de Indias) was built in 1572 and served originally as a merchants’ exchange. In 1785, it was decided that the archives of the Council of the Indies were to be housed here. These archives consist of extremely valuable documents illustrating the history of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and the Philippines. The interior of the building is beautiful and you can see some interesting letters and maps on display.
Plaza de Espana
The Plaza de Espana is Seville’s most impressive and well-known square. It is located on the edge of the Maria Luisa Park. The complex is a huge half-circle with buildings running around the edge and a beautiful fountain in the centre.
Parque de Maria Luisa
Continue walking through the beautiful Maria Luisa Park, which serves as a botanical garden. There are many monuments, ponds, and fountains in the park. Among the most famous are the Fountain of Lions and the Water-lily Pool.
I hope you enjoyed this 2-day itinerary for Seville!
