How To Spend 72 Hours In Seville: A Complete Itinerary For 2025
Discover how to spend the perfect 72 hours in Seville!
Visiting the Andalucia capital of Seville for 3 days is the perfect length of time to discover what it’s all about, and having a complete itinerary for those 72 hours is an absolute must.
Having lived and worked in Seville for 2 months several years ago, I’m very familiar with the city and what it has to offer. From lush palaces, exceptional restaurants and unforgettable flamenco dancing nights, Seville is full of activities.
So I’ve used all of my experience and know how of Seville and put together what I believe to be the best itinerary for spending 72 hours in one of the most culturally diverse, prettiest and jovial cities in all of Spain.
⌚ In a rush? My Tour Recommendations For Seville:
Seville Cathedral Tour including tickets
The Seville Tapas Crawl Tour
Flamenco Show at Tablao El Arenal
🏨 My Hotel Recommendations For Seville:
Hotel Derby Sevilla
Melia Sevilla
Hotel Amadeus Sevilla
72 Hours In Seville: A Complete Itinerary
So let’s take a look at how best to spend 72 hours in Seville, with my itinerary that is broken down into three separate days:
Day 1: Explore Seville’s Historical Highlights
Seville is full of stunning historical monuments, so your first day in the city will be dedicated to visiting the most must see landmarks that it has to offer:
Morning: Royal Alcázar of Seville
The Royal Alcázar (Real Alcázar in Spainish) is Seville’s most visited tourist attraction and one of the most gobsmackingly beautiful examples of ancient architecture I’ve ever seen.
This palace complex is a mix of both Moorish and Christian architecture dating back hundreds of years and is an absolute pleasure to wander around – so there should be no surprise that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The complex has the most gorgeous gardens and the Hall of Ambassadors room should be recogniseable to any self respecting Game of Thrones fan.
The intricate detail of some of the buildings here is just simply unbelievable and astonishing to admire.
👉 Pro Tip: it’s also no surprise that the Royal Alcázar gets very busy pretty much every day with tourists. To beat the crowds, I recommend getting there early (it opens at 9:30am) and buy your tickets online to avoid waiting at the ticket office.
I also recommend allowing around 2-3 hours at the complex to give yourself plenty of time to fully appreciate all of the majestic beauty on show.
Afternoon: Cathedral of Seville
After exploring the Royal Alcázar and enjoying a tapas lunch (there are countless tapas restaurants close by), I recommend spending the afternoon at another must see historical landmark: the Cathedral of Seville.
Located very much in the city centre, the Seville Cathedral is another UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the biggest gothic cathedrals in the world. The interior of the church is absolutely astonishing in terms of size and beauty.
➡️ Book a ticket for a Seville Cathedral Tour here
Climb La Giralda
After enjoying the Cathedral of Seville, you should have enough time to visit another iconic monument of the city: La Giralda bell tower.
This is another important historical landmark in the city. It was once the tallest building in Seville and dates back to the 12th century.
It is just a very short walk from the Cathedral and definitely worth climbing up to enjoy some fantastic panoramic views of the city.
Evening: Plaza de España
For your evening on day one in Seville, there is one more famous and beautiful historical landmark to visit: the stunning Plaza de España.
This is one of the biggest plazas in Europe and it is completely free to enter. At night time the whole area lights up, making it even more romantic and beautiful than in the daytime.
This is probably my favourite site to visit in all of Seville: the architecture is simply gorgeous and strolling around after dark when the hot temperatures of the day have subsided is an absolute treat.
Day 2: Enjoy the Culture of Seville
Having scoped out all of the major historical landmarks of Seville on day one, day two is devoted to the fascinating cultural aspects of this very Spanish city, visiting the best museums available.
Morning: Guadalquivir River Walk
Before discovering the cultural highlights of Seville, day two starts with a gentle stroll alongisde the city’s river: Guadalquivir River.
This is a great way to discover Seville from a unique perspective and is another of my favourite spots in the city. It’s a perfect place to sit and relax and enjoy a bit of people watching as the day starts to begin.
You can also rent a bike or enjoy a cruise down the river if you prefer.
Afternoon: Seville Museum of Fine Arts
Your afternoon for day two starts with arguably the best museum in Seville; the Museum of Fine Arts.
This is an absolute must visit for any art lovers who want to discover some of Spain’s most celebrated artworks from the medieval times.
Alternative option: Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC)
If you’re more of a fan of modern art like me however, then you may wish to pay a visit to Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC).
This is Seville’s main contemporary art museum that is housed interestingly in a former monastry. Here you can expect several unique and quirky installations and exhibitions from local and international artists.
Evening: Tapas Tour
For your evening entertainment for day two, then you simply must go on a tapas bar crawl!
Seville is synonomous with tapas more than any other Spanish city, and hopping from bar to bar trying some delicious snacks is a fun way to discover the local cuisine.
Expect to try some of the city’s most popular tapas cuisine, and here are ten of the best tapas dishes you’re likely to try in Seville:
- Jamón Ibérico: Iberian ham, which is probably Spain’s most celebrated meat tapas dish, and Seville is renowned for having exceptionally good quality ham.
- Gambas al Ajillo: prawns with garlic, another classic Spanish tapas dish and is absolutely delicious!
- Espinacas con Garbanzos: this is a hearty tapas dish that originated from Seville. It is essentially chickpeas with spinach but is made in a stew with plenty of spices – perfect for vegetarians or vegans.
- Berenejas con Miel: this is an eggplant with honey dish but you can find both sweet and savoury options – another good option for vegetarians/vegans.
- Salmorejo: similar to the cold soup Gazpacho but thicker and creamier and very popular in Seville.
- Chicharrones: this is fried crispy pork that is an ideal tapas option.
- Papas Alinas: a potato salad and another popular tapas dish in Seville.
- Montadito de Piripi: this is a sandwich filled with pork loin as well as bacon and cheese.
- Carrillada: a slow-cooked pork cheek dish, which is quite filling for tapas but delicious all the same!
- Cazon en Adobo: this is a famous Seville tapas dish that is made up of fried fish in a rich tomato sauce – I am getting so hungry typing out this list!!
➡️ Experience the best Tapas Tour of Seville here
Evening: Setas de Sevilla (Metropol Parasol)
After enjoying your tapas tour, there’s one more activity to finish off day two in Seville: take a lift to the top of Setas de Sevilla.
Also known as the: ‘Las Setas‘ (the mushrooms – because yes, the structure resembles several mushrooms), this is a really unique piece of modern wooden architecture which is totally unmissable in ‘centro’ – the city centre.
What’s better is that you can take a lift to the top and walk on the structure, which has some unbeatable panoramic views of the city.
I walked on top of Las Setas just as the sun was setting, which made for a totally unforgettable experience, and it is the perfect way to finish off day two in Seville.
Day 3: Neighbourhouds & Flamenco
For your final day in Seville, I recommend checking out some of the nicest neighbourhoods in the city, as well as a classic evening of flamenco dancing:
Morning: Wander through Santa Cruz
One of the most beautiful and oldest ‘barrios’ in Seville is Santa Cruz, and it’s a lovely place to spend the morning discovering on your third day in Seville.
Santa Cruz is the former Jewish Quarter of Seville and is located very close to the Royal Alcázar of Seville and the Giralda bell tower.
There are plenty of historical and colourful buildings here – it’s as authentic as Seville gets and is a delight to wander around. You’ll also find a lot of very traditional bars and cafes, so it’s the ideal spot for a coffe and some breakfast.
Afternoon: Discover Triana
Another fantastic neighbourhood in Seville that you simply cannot miss visiting is Triana. This is another historical and colourful place that is based on the opposite side of the Guadalquivir river from the main city.
Known as a ceramic producing area, Triana is full of top quality restaurants – especially along the riverside. Triana is also known as the birthplace of flamenco, making it the ideal place for your evening activity.
Evening: Flamenco Dance Show
Seville is synonymous with the famous Spanish dance of Flamenco, and going to a flamenco dance show is the perfect way to end your 72 hours in Seville.
There are a lot of flamenco shows in Seville, some of which take place in historical theatre buildings while others take place in smaller clubs.
At a traditional flamenco show in the evening it’s common to order dinner while watching the show as well.
A typical flamenco show can be quite an overwhelming experience however; the performers exert a lot of emotion and passion – so get ready for quite a cultural experience!
👉 Pro Tip: make sure your phone is turned off during a flamenco show and don’t be tempted to take any photos or videos of the performance (which is a mistake that I made!), as this can be seen as a sign of disrespect.
➡️ See one of the best Flamenco Shows at Tablao El Arenal here
Map of Seville
Check out this interactive map of Seville, with markers for each of the locations mentioned in this blog post:
Where To Stay In Seville
Finding the right accommodation is crucial for enjoying your stay in Seville. So here are my personal recommendations for accomodation at three different price ranges:
Budget Recommendation: Hotel Derby Sevilla
Thankfully there are a lot of budget accommodation options in Seville, and my recommendation is Hotel Derby Sevilla.
This 3 star hotel has is located very centrally within Plaza del Duque and is just a short walk away from the centre and all of the city’s major tourist attractions.
The hotel has unbeatable rooftop terrace views of the city and it also has parking available as well as a 24 hour front desk.
⭐ Check out Michelle’s review of Hotel Derby Sevilla:
“Great hotel in a perfect location. Rooms had everything needed. Breakfast plentiful, staff were so helpful. Beds super comfy and there is a taxi rank right outside”
➡️ Check availability for Hotel Derby Sevilla here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Melia Sevilla
This is an excellent 4 star hotel which has everything you could possibly need for a comfortable and outstanding stay in Seville.
Melia Sevila is based right next to Plaza España and offers stylish modern rooms. It also has some exceptional facilities, such as an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a grand total of 4 restaurants.
⭐ Check out Samuel’s top review of Melia Sevilla:
“The Melia Hotel is always the best solution to stay in Seville. Great rooms fully equipped with all the comforts, plus a magic pool essential in the hot Sevillan’s summer and a good gym. People super friendly and peaceful.”
➡️ Check for availability at Melia Sevilla here
Luxury Recommendation: Hotel Amadeus Sevilla
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay while in Seville then you really can’t go wrong with Hotel Amadeus Sevilla.
This fantastic 4 star hotel is situated just 150 metres from the Cathedral of Seville in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, which is as central as you can possibly hope for.
It has excellent facilities as you would imagine, such as a gorgeous 18th century indoor patio, an outdoor swimming pool and room service.
⭐ Check out Victoria’s top review of Hotel Amadeus Sevilla:
“Amazing staff, location and fabulous boutique hotel. Staff went all out to help with our birthday celebrations too. Would recommend to anyone who appreciates the personal touch.”
➡️ Check for availability at Hotel Amadeus Sevilla here
72 Hours In Seville FAQs
If you’re still having doubts about visiting Seville for 72 hours, then let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the capital of Andalucia:
Is 72 hours enough time to visit Seville?
Yes, I personally think that 72 hours (or 3 days) is a perfect length of time to discover Seville and immerse yourself in the culture of the Andalucian capital.
You’ll have time to visit all the major tourist attractions and enjoy the cultural highlights as planned out in this itinerary. Of course you may wish to stay longer, and 5-7 nights in Seville is also a good option.
What are the best day trips from Seville?
What’s great about Seville is that it is very easy to travel to several other cities close by – all within a day trip or longer if you prefer.
So if you do decide to stay in Seville for around a week then you may be tempted to spend a day at one of it’s neighbouring cities. Here are some of the best day trips you can take:
- Granada – reachable in less than 3 hours by train, Granada is one of the top historical cities in the whole of Spain, famous for the magnificent Alhambra Palace. This is a great choice for a day trip from Seville.
- Cordoba – another top historical city that takes less than an hour to reach by train. Cordoba is famous for it’s incredible Mosque-Cathedral, which is well worth seeing, especially on a one day trip.
- Cadiz – I’ve taken a day trip from Seville to Cadiz before and can definitely recommend it! It only takes an hour and 45 minutes by bus and is a beautiful city, very popular with Spaniards because of its glorious beaches.
- Malaga – another popular city with tourists and locals alike, Malaga is just over 2 hours away from Seville by train, and is a vibrant place that makes it ideal for a day trip.
- Madrid – Thanks to Spain’s very good high speed railway system, it’s possible to reach the country’s capital in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Madrid is such a fantastic capital with so much to do, and is arguably a better destination than Seville.
What are the nicest neighbourhoods in Seville?
As mentioned in this blog post, the barrios of Santa-Cruz, Triana and Centro are some of the nicest and prettiest neighbourhoods in the whole of Seville.
Other nice neighbourhoods worth checking out include: El Arenal which is located close to Guadalquivir river and is well known for its top quality tapas bars.
And Barrio Alfalfa is an interesting place, considered one of the trendiest neighbourhoods full of cool shops, bars and more.
Conclusion: 72 Hours In Seville
So that is everything you need to know when it comes to spending 72 hours in the most Spanish of cities; Seville.
With this 3 day itinerary you’ll get to experience the best that this city has to offer; from awe-inspiring palaces, colourful neighbourds and of course passionate flamenco dancing.
I absolutely fell in love with Seville during my stay there and I’m very confident you’ll fall in love with the place too when you spend 72 unforgettable hours in one of the best cities in Europe.
Check out more of my blog posts about Spain:
Is Alicante Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why You Should Go
Best Time To Walk Camino de Santiago (& The Worst!)
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➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
