Seville Travelers Recommend

Home to the magnificent UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace, Granada is one of the great Andalucian cities, and it’s easy to visit on a day trip from nearby Seville. To help you find the perfect tour for you, here's a rundown of the options available.

Group Tours

The most convenient and cost-effective way to visit Granada is on a full-day group tour, traveling by bus from Seville. For the best value, choose a tour that includes skip-the-line entrance to the Alhambra and a guided tour of the palace complex, including the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace, and the Generalife Gardens. Many tours also include hotel pickup and drop-off, a walking tour of Granada's highlights, and free time to explore independently or shop for souvenirs.

Private Tours

Private tours offer a more personalized experience, so you can benefit from a flexible itinerary and the undivided attention of a private guide. Independent travelers can also opt for a private one-way transfer to Granada, either direct or stopping along the way to visit other nearby cities such as Ronda or Cordoba.

Things to Know

• Granada is about 155 miles (250 km) east of Seville, about 2.5 hours away by road.

• Day tours from Seville typically last between 10 and 13 hours, so prepare for a long trip.

• Be sure to bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes, water, and snacks for the journey.

• Most tours include hotel pickup and entrance fees to the Alhambra palace.

With three days in Seville, you can explore top attractions, walk its medieval streets, and venture outside the city to experience additional wonders of Andalucia. Here are some ideas for how to spend three days in the region’s biggest city.

Day 1: Essential Seville

Start your day off with a skip-the-line tour of Seville’s most famous attraction, Alcazár of Seville. Wander through the fountain-filled gardens, featured in Game of Thrones, while soaking up the Catholic and Moorish details of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is packed with things to see, with plenty of options for seeing them. Take a walking, biking, or Segway tour of the historic city center, or if you’d prefer to go solo, climb aboard the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to tour at your own pace. No matter what your method of transportation, don’t miss Plaza de España and the Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Refuel after your day of sightseeing with a tapas and wine tour. You’ll sample some of the city’s best bites paired with local sherry or manzanilla.

Day 2: History & Culture

Now that you’ve seen the highlights, take a day to dive deeper into the history and culture of Seville by pursuing your interests. Relive your favorite scenes from the hit HBO series on a Game of Thrones tour, explore the city’s musical history, spend the day wine tasting, or take a cooking class to learn how to prepare your favorite tapas. History buffs might want to head to the outskirts of town to visit the ruins of the Roman Necropolis Museum, while those looking to relax can soak in the pools of Aire de Seville, a Moorish-style hammam. Once the sun goes down, book a table at one of Seville’s many historic tablaos for a night of flamenco—a combination of dance, singing, and Spanish guitar that originated in Andalucia.

Day 3: Outside the City

With so much to see outside of Seville in Andalucia, the biggest challenge is narrowing it down. You could head to Granada for a skip-the-line tour of the Alhambra, explore the white villages (including Ronda), go sherry tasting in Jeréz, stand upon the Rock of Gibraltar, or even visit a different country with a trip to Tangier in Morocco. Once back in Seville, let loose on your final night with a pub crawl to some of the city’s best nightlife hot spots. Head out on your own, or join a local on a tour for a hassle-free night of drinks, dancing, and making new friends.

While many travelers to the south of Spain have Granada and Seville in mind, some of the most charming and authentic experiences can be found along the Route of the White Hill Towns. Here's how to visit these tiny, whitewashed villages from Seville.

Highlights

• Visit several of the white villages, along with Ronda, on a day trip from Seville.

• Tour the El Gato and La Pileta caves, or marvel at the olive groves of the UNESCO-listed Sierra de Grazalema Nature Park.

• Sample olive oil in Zahara de la Sierra.

• Walk the scenic streets of Ronda, situated atop two cliffs separated by the famous New Bridge.

• Learn about the Roman and Moorish architecture styles that characterize the area.

• Enjoy a traditional Andalucian lunch made with fresh, local ingredients.

Things to Know

• The chain of picturesque white villages begins about 53 miles (86 kilometers) from Seville.

• Choose a private or small-group tour to gain insight from a tour guide and roundtrip transportation from Seville.

• Expect day trips from Seville to last between eight and 10 hours.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for traversing uneven surfaces; many of the white villages are hilly.

• This region of Spain is famous for its sunshine, so don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

• Most day trips include hotel pickup and drop-off in Seville.

• Day trips are also available from Cadiz, Malaga, and Jerez.

When it comes to flamenco, Seville is undoubtedly one of the best places to get a dose of the soulful art form that combines singing, guitar playing, and dancing. Here are your top options for viewing one of Southern Spain’s most beloved folkloric traditions in this cultural hotspot.

Flamenco Shows

Whether you’re a first-timer or flamenco aficionado, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a night of traditional music and dance in Seville (Sevilla). The city is home to many famous tablaos —places where flamenco is performed—including Tablao El Arenal, Los Gallos Tablao Flamenco (one of the oldest in town), El Palacio Andaluz, Casa de la Guitarra, and Casa del Flamenco (the latter two located in the Santa Cruz neighborhood).

Flamenco Shows with Dinner

Many of Seville’s best flamenco tablaos double as restaurants, making for a complete night out on the town. At these nightly shows, Spanish guitar and dance are accompanied by traditional tapas or a complete three-course meal. Whichever you choose, book ahead to get the date, time and flamenco package that’s right for you.

Flamenco Shows with Lessons

To fully appreciate the art of flamenco, you have to give it a try yourself. Under the guidance of a private instructor, learn proper body posture, hand clapping, and steps of this fiery dance that originated in Andalucia.

Seville, Andalucia’s largest city, entices with its baroque churches, whitewashed villas, Mudéjar palaces, and intimate flamenco clubs. It’s a city that makes you want to linger, but even the most time-limited travelers can experience Seville’s highlights in as little as a single day. Here’s how to make the most of your 24 hours.

Morning: Seville Highlights

Start your morning with a guided exploration of Seville’s must-see sites, including Plaza de España, Santa Cruz Quarter, and Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Explore the medieval streets by bicycle, on foot, or if you prefer traveling independently, aboard a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Choose a tour with skip-the-line access to Alcázar of Seville to maximize your limited time. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its fountain-filled gardens.

Afternoon: River Cruise

After lunch, board a boat for a relaxing cruise down the Guadalquivir River, one of the longest in Spain. Options range from a budget-friendly sightseeing boat with commentary on the rich history of the city to an afternoon on a luxury yacht complete with Iberian snacks and sherry wine. No matter the boat, you’ll be able to see the Santa Maria de las Cuevas Monastery (La Cartuja), the pavilions of Expo 92, and the Old Bridge from the decks.

Night: Flamenco

No trip to Seville is complete without a night of flamenco, and there are plenty of places to enjoy this traditional fiery art form that combines dancing, singing, and Spanish guitar. Enjoy a performance a la carte, or combine it with a traditional tapas dinner (many tablaos double as restaurants) or a flamenco lesson from your own private instructor.

Two days gives you time to soak up Seville’s charm, from its medieval streets and palaces to its traditional tapas and flamenco performances. There’s time to do some cooking or get off the beaten path into local neighborhoods. Here are some tips for your two days in Seville.

Day 1: Essential Seville

Morning: Start with a tour of Alcázar of Seville, the Moorish and Catholic-influenced complex of fountains and gardens featured in Game of Thrones. Take a early access tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with a guide who narrates history and points out architectural details.

Afternoon: After lunch, explore Seville’s medieval streets and attractions such as Plaza de España, Giralda Tower (El Giraldillo), Seville Bullring (Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza), and Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede). Explore independently via a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, or join a guided walking, cycling, or Segway tour.

Night: This evening, treat your tastebuds to the flavors of Andalucia on a Seville tapas tour. Hop from one tapas bar to the next, sampling small plates paired with local wines. Depending on the tour, you might sample Iberian ham, shrimp fritters, grilled mushrooms, or fried eggplant.

Day 2: Food & Culture

Morning: After your evening introduction to the Seville culinary scene, learn to cook some traditional dishes in a morning cooking class. These hands-on experiences take place in cooking schools or local homes and often include a visit to a local market to shop for ingredients.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, step off the typical tourist path to explore a local neighborhood. Learn city history in Santa Cruz, explore medieval life in the Jewish Quarter, browse the boutiques and galleries of Macarena and Alameda, or head outside Seville to the Roman ruins on the Guadalquivir River.

Night: For many Seville visitors, a flamenco show is a highlight. End your visit with one of these performances at a local tablao. Enjoy the dancing, singing, and Spanish guitar over a typical Spanish meal, or get involved by taking a dance lesson from an expert instructor.

Seville's ancient aqueducts, intricate palaces, soaring minarets, and one of the biggest cathedrals on earth caught the eye of the production crew for Game of Thrones. Visit these filming locations for the show during a trip to the Spanish city.

Seville Alcazar as the Palace of Dorne

This UNESCO World Heritage Site once played host to Seville's Moorish kings, who roamed through its elegant courtyards and lush gardens. It serves a similar purpose as a Game of Thrones filming location—the Alcazar becomes the royal residence for House Martell, the rulers of Dorne, in the hit TV show. Keep an eye out while watching to see characters such as Prince Oberyn, Prince Doran, and the Sand Snakes roam through the Water Gardens and the palace's tile-coated interior rooms.

Osuna's Bull Ring as Daznak's Pit

Sleepy Osuna, often visited on tours from Seville, is a popular stop for show fans thanks to its use for scenes set in Meereen. The city's bullring made an appearance on the show as Daznak’s Pit, one of Meereen's great fighting arenas.

Want to explore all of the Thrones' seven kingdoms? Other spectacular filming locations can be found in Iceland, Croatia, Northern Ireland, and Malta.

The alleged birthplace of tapas, Spain’s iconic small plates, the southern city of Seville might just be the best place to eat in the entire country. Here are some of our favorite foods and foodie experiences to help ensure a most delicious trip to Seville.

Must-Try Dishes

Just about every restaurant in Seville serves tapas —small servings of traditional dishes typically enjoyed over a drink—making it easy to enjoy a wide variety of flavors while in the city. No trip to Spain would be complete without trying jamon Iberico, acorn-fed ham raised in nearby Huelva (note that it’s illegal to bring it back to the US). Another hearty favorite for meat lovers is carrillada de cerdo, a slow-cooked pork cheek found in tapas bars all over town. The Moorish influence on Andalusia shines through in espinacas con garbanzos, a local comfort food of stewed spinach and garbanzo beans. If you’re looking for an afternoon snack, reach for a montadito, a small sandwich often stuffed with leftovers and consumed with a glass of jerez (sherry). For dessert don’t miss torrijas, a Holy Week sweet that’s similar to French toast or bread pudding.

Must-Do Experiences

• Hit the pavement with a traditional tapas food tour and gourmet wine tasting to sample Seville’s best flavors.

• Pair a tapas tasting with another Seville pastime—a fiery flamenco performance.

• Learn about another favorite tipple with an immersive sherry-tasting experience.

• Prepare traditional Spanish food under the instruction of a professional chef during a hands-on cooking class.

• Take a food-themed walking tour to explore the culinary scenes of neighborhoods like Macarena, Alameda, and Triana.