The Best 1 Day in Seville Itinerary for Your Next Trip (2025)
Last September, during my time living in Portugal, I had the opportunity to spend a quick 1 day in Seville with two of my closest travel friends. We packed our bags, braved the 4-flights of winding stairs in our Lisbon Airbnb, and hopped on a $132 Ryanair flight to Seville-San Pablo International Airport.
Over the next 24 hours, we crammed the best of the best into our short little Seville itinerary! We ate churros for breakfast, took in views of the city from the Seville Cathedral, learned about Andalusian cuisine on a food tour, and lived out our Game of Thrones fantasies at the Real Alcazar.
If you only have one day to spend in Seville, I advise you to see the best that this city has to offer—and I’m here to tell you what that is.
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to 24 Hours in Seville
Don’t have time to read the whole post? Grab the Seville 1 day highlights below!
Morning ☕️
- Eat churros dipped in chocolate for breakfast at Bar el Comercio 🍫
- Tour the Royal Alcazar of Seville 🌴
- Take a tapas tour of Seville 🥪
Afternoon ☀️
- Explore the Seville Cathedral ⛪️
- Grab a mid-day drink at the La Terraza del EME rooftop bar 🍷
- Wander around Plaza de España & Parque de Maria Luisa 🌳
Evening 🌙
- Eat tapas for dinner at Casa Morales 🐙
- See a flamenco show 💃
- Experience Seville’s nightlife scene on a pub crawl with the Oasis Backpackers’ Palace 🍺
Want to take it with you?? 👉🏼 Grab my quick downloadable guide to Seville!
Your Itinerary for 1 Day in Seville
So you’ve arrived in Seville, now what? It’s time to start your all-inclusive 1 day in Seville itinerary (by moi 💁🏽♀️) that includes the best activities, sights, views, and eats that Seville has to offer in only 24 hours.
Better start the day with a strong espresso and charge up that external battery pack—you’re going to need all the juice for this awe-inspiring and jam-packed day. Pro tip: Order this portable Amazon fan for your trip—Spain is HOT.
Eat Churros at Bar El Comercio
Hopefully this confession doesn’t have you unsubscribing…but I’m not the biggest fan of churros. I always find them a little dry and, frankly, not worth the calories.
The churros from Bar el Comercio had me begging for forgiveness.
These churros are fried to crispy perfection and are not coated in sugar, so they themselves are almost more savory than sweet. However, once dipped in piping hot, thick, melted chocolate…well let’s just say your life is about to change. In addition to its famous churros, Bar el Comercio also serves a variety of tasty toasts and Spanish omelets.
Here’s hoping you’re not disturbed by the uncomfortably phallic nature of the photo below—I promise it’s just a churro. Also, don’t judge us for ordering tinto de verano in the morning—we were on vacation 😉.
Alternate Option:
If you’re not interested in churros for breakfast, check out Mercado de Triana for a wide variety of baked goods, sausages, fish, fruit, and other local eats in Seville. (You could even hop on a Triana Market Tapas Tour—which I’ll definitely be doing on my next trip to Spain.)
Tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville
Known in Spanish as the Real Alcázar, this 11th-century palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest palace in Europe that’s still in use today. Although the site drew plenty of visitors already for its rich history and stunning beauty, tourism to the Royal Alcazar only increased after it was used as a Game of Thrones filming location (it was the Kingdom of Dorne, for all you GoT fans).
Psst 🤫—if you love GoT filming locations, you’re going to want to visit Dubrovnik.
The palace was constructed back when Andalucia was part of the Moorish Empire—which you can clearly tell by its pointed archways, colorful tiling, and use of Islamic motifs. In the 14th century, the Castalian Christians took control of the palace when they banished the Arab rulers from Spain.
👉🏼 Book your priority access ticket to the Real Alcázar and the Cathedral!
Sadly, I was not feeling my best during our visit to the Real Alcazar, so I didn’t have time to fully appreciate its beauty or its history. If you plan to visit during your 1 day Seville itinerary, then I highly recommend booking a guided tour. This Alcazar tour on Viator offers visitors a chance to reserve their preferred date and time, as well as grants skip-the-line access and a local guide to teach you everything you need to know about this famous Spanish palace.
If you plan on visiting both the Real Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral, you can bundle and save by booking an all-inclusive tour with priority access to both monuments! (If you book this tour, you’ll need to reorder this 1 day in Seville itinerary as the itinerary is built around DIY-ing these monuments.)
Take a Seville Tapas Tour
Taking a local food tour is one of my favorite things to do in any new destination! I just took one on my trip to Cartagena, Colombia, and we discovered so many hidden gems we would have never known about otherwise—it was a 10/10 travel experience.
We LOVED this Seville food tour and, even though it does take up a significant chunk of time, it’s a must-do for anyone who has a day in Seville to kill. We met our guide, María, at The Metropol Parasol and from there went on to visit four different restaurants in the city center.
👉🏼 Book your food tour with Spain Food Sherpas here!
We tried tons of local specialties like caña de lomo (cured pork sausage), tinto de verano con naranja/limón (red wine and orange/lemon soda), montadito de pringá (mixed meat sandwiches), and arroz meloso con setas (sticky rice, kind of risotto, with mushrooms).
It was way more fun and educational than just picking a restaurant for lunch and, trust me, you will not leave this tour hungry.
Explore the Seville Cathedral
You can’t leave Seville without visiting one of the city’s most famous and beautiful monuments, La Catedral de Santa María or La Catedral de Sevilla. It costs €12 on the official website to visit the cathedral and the Giralda Tower, or Bell Tower, (where you can find a birds-eye view of the entire city), otherwise, you can purchase a guided tour that includes priority access and a guide to both the cathedral and the Real Alcazar.
The Seville Cathedral is actually the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest cathedral (after the Vatican in Rome and St. Paul in London). It was constructed in the 16th century after the Moors left southern Spain on the same site as the Great Mosque.
Visitors to the cathedral can also visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus, whose remains may have traveled to more countries than I have before settling in Seville (he died in Valladolid, his remains were moved to Seville, then to the Dominican Republic, then Cuba, then finally back to Seville).
👉🏼 Book your priority access ticket to the Real Alcazar and the Cathedral!
Logistics for Visiting the Seville Cathedral:
Opening hours are Monday–Saturday from 10:45 AM–6:00 PM and Sundays from 2:30 PM–6:00 PM. You can reserve your time slot online.
Stop for a Drink at La Terraza del EME
It’s no secret that I love a rooftop bar! Due to its massive size, it’s a bit difficult to see the entire Seville Cathedral from the ground. Instead, head to La Terraza del EME in the luxurious Eme Cathedral Hotel after your visit for a chilled glass of wine and a fantastic view of the entire cathedral.
Wander around Plaza de España & Parque de Maria Luisa
Hopefully, you’re not falling asleep yet! This 1 day itinerary for Seville is a doozy, especially if you’re coming into it jet lagged. Next on the list is Plaza de España and, honestly, this was the stop I was most excited about when we decided we were going to Seville.
Located in Parque de Maria Luisa, Plaza de España was built in 1929 for the Ibero-American Exhibition and has since been a filming site for famous movies like Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002). It’s a beautiful spot to wander around, admire the architecture, and snap a few pics for Instagram.
Insider Tip 💡
Since we were short on time and the plaza is located a bit outside the city center, we grabbed an Uber from Barrio de Santa Cruz. However, you could also stroll along the Rio Guadalquivir and check out the Torre del Oro, a dodecagonal military watchtower, on the way.
Have Tapas for Dinner at Casa Morales
When it came to restaurants in Seville, Casa Morales was at the very top of my list. This traditional tapas bar was founded all the way back in 1850 and over the years it has lost none of its original charisma.
It’s clearly one of the most popular bars for locals in the area since when I arrived around 10:00 PM there was no seating available and almost all of the standing tables in and around the restaurant were already claimed. However, when I decide I want to try a restaurant, I’m not easily deterred.
I ordered a glass of white wine at the bar and people-watched for a bit until a nice solo traveler at a different table invited me to join him. To eat, I decided on a plate of grilled octopus and potatoes and everything was delicious!
I highly recommend fitting in a visit to Casa Morales on your itinerary for 1 day in Seville.
See a Flamenco Show
Have you ever seen a traditional flamenco show? If not, there’s definitely no better time to see one than during your day trip in Seville—the birthplace of flamenco. This traditional Spanish dance is said to have originated in the 15th century with the arrival of gypsies to Jerez and Seville.
Today, you can find flamenco shows all over the city! One of the most famous shows is held at Casa de la Memoria—a venue dating back to the 15th century. For only $25 for a ticket, this flamenco show is a can’t-miss on your Seville one day itinerary.
👉🏼 Book your tickets to a flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria!
Head out on a Seville Pub Crawl
There’s no better way to experience the nightlife in a new city than booking a pub crawl with a local guide! This is exactly what we did in Seville…since there was no way we were leaving town without a little bit of bar hopping.
Our hostel, the Oasis Backpackers’ Palace Sevilla, offers a great pub crawl—and you don’t even need to be staying there to join the fun! The pub crawl takes you to three bars and one club with skip-the-line access. €19 includes a mojito and three shots and the pub crawl starts from the hostel at 10:00 PM nightly (bookable on the hostel’s official website).
If You Have 2-3 Days in Seville…
I’ll be frank—one day is not enough to see the best of Seville. You can do it, and it’s better than nothing, but 2-3 days is much more ideal to experience the best that this vibrant city in southern Spain has to offer.
If you have some more time on your hands, then I highly recommend adding the following sights to your Seville itinerary:
- Las Setas (The Metropol Parasol): Built over La Encarnación Square in the old quarter, Las Setas (translating to “The Mushrooms) is actually the largest wooden structure in the world. It’s difficult to tell, but the structure is actually made up of five levels that include a panoramic lookout plaza, a tapas restaurant, and an event space.
- Get lost in the colorful Santa Cruz district
- Torre del Oro: This 36-meter-high tower was built in the 12th century by the Almohads to control shipping on the Rio Guadalquivir. Today, visitors can access the tower and the top-floor naval museum for a €3 entrance fee.
- Casa de Pilatos: If you loved the Real Alcázar, you might enjoy a visit to the 16th-century palace that serves as a residence for the Dukes of Medinaceli (entrance fee = €10).
- Take a day trip to Gibraltar
- Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería: This is the largest bullfighting arena in all of Spain!
- Archivo General de Indias: If you’re into history, don’t miss a visit to the Archivo General de Indias. Housed in a UNESCO World Heritage building, this museum showcases historic documents from the discovery of the Americas and Spanish expeditions all over the world.
- Triana Market Tapas Tour: I mentioned Triana Market earlier in the post, but if you haven’t already gotten to it then I highly recommend booking a guided tour here to learn more about Andalusia’s culinary history (and taste some yummy bites). Its vibes are reminiscent of the Central Market Hall (one of the best things to do in Budapest).
Where to Stay
📍 Budget-Friendly: Oasis Backpackers’ Palace Sevilla
We had already blown most of our money traveling through Lisbon, so when we decided to visit Seville in 1 day, it was time to save a little $$ and book a hostel.
The Oasis Backpackers’ Palace is undoubtedly one of the nicest hostels in town. The hostel has elevators (trust me—living in Europe will make you never take elevators for granted again), air conditioning, security lockers, and a rooftop pool and bar with fantastic views of the city below.
You can book plenty of activities through the hostel and I absolutely recommend booking their pub crawl, it’s a night you won’t soon forget!
*Not to be confused with the Oasis Backpacker’s Hostel. We didn’t realize there were two and booked our Uber to the wrong location.
👉🏼 Book your stay at the Oasis Backpackers’ Palace here!
📍 Mid-Level: Hotel Doña María
Hotel Dońa María is a widely-loved mid-level hotel located in the city center in an old palace. The rooftop terrace and bar (plus a seasonal swimming pool) overlooks the Seville Cathedral and the Giralda, so you’re guaranteed to have stunning views.
Guests here will enjoy air conditioning, room service, tasty breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, and facilities for disabled guests.
👉🏼 Book your stay at Hotel Doña María here!
📍 Luxury: Hotel Alfonso XIII
A Marriott Luxury Hotel and the historic grand hotel in Seville, Hotel Alfonso XIII is a travel splurge that’s 100% worth it.
Staying here, you’ll literally feel like a fairytale princess in her palace. The location boasts an outdoor pool, fitness center, two on-site restaurants and a bar, an airport shuttle, and facilities for disabled guests. The rooms themselves are impeccably decorated and include strong air conditioning, a mini bar, a bathrobe, and slippers.
👉🏼 Book your luxury stay at the Hotel Alfonso XIII here!
Get Data on Your Trip to Spain
Nobody likes struggling through a new destination data-less—especially if you’re a solo female traveler (that’s downright dangerous!) Thankfully, there’s an app for that. Every time I visit a new country, I look to Airalo for an affordable and easy-to-install foreign eSIM. Simply download the app, choose your package, pay, and follow the directions to install it directly to your phone. Use code MADI10 for 10% off your purchase!
Choose between the following packages for Spain:
- Guay Mobile 1GB for 7 days
- Guay Mobile 2GB for 15 days
- Guay Mobile 3GB for 30 days
- Guay Mobile 5GB for 30 days
- Guay Mobile 10GB for 30 days
- Guay Mobile 20GB for 30 days
Protect Your Trip
Whenever I plan a trip, I always make sure to protect myself and my wallet with travel insurance. I’ve always booked travel insurance before trips, but I had to learn the hard way that not all travel insurance programs are created equal.
During the two months I lived in Thailand in 2022, I injured my foot on a weekend trip to Khao Sok National Park, which led to four months of limping around Southeast Asia and an eventual surgery in Canggu.
Since I was buying travel insurance month-to-month through AXA, none of my surgery was covered and I was out $3,500—even though I had active travel insurance at the time.
Since then, I started traveling with SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance. It’s perfect for both short-term travelers and digital nomads since you can tailor it exactly to your dates and needs.
You can use it as a monthly subscription (what I usually do), or pay in full for a set date range. You can also take advantage of their useful add-ons like U.S. coverage (not for U.S. citizens, unfortunately), adventure sports, and electronics theft! Grab a quote below for your next trip 👇🏼
Helpful FAQ:
Is Seville worth visiting for one day?
Yes, Seville is definitely worth visiting, even if you only have one day! The city has such a rich history and vibrant culture that you can get a great taste of it in a short time. If you’re wondering what to see in Seville in 1 day, you could explore landmarks like the historic Cathedral, visit the gorgeous Royal Alcázar Palace, wander around Santa Cruz on a tapas food tour, or visit the stunning Plaza de España.
Is Seville a walkable city?
Yes, Seville is definitely a walkable city. Most of the main attractions, like the Cathedral, Alcázar, and Plaza de España, are all pretty close to each other, and the city’s old town is filled with narrow, charming streets that are perfect for exploring on foot. Plus, the flat landscape makes walking even easier. (Additionally, the shopping is AWESOME and you’ll miss a lot of it if you only take Ubers.)
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Seville?
Yes, parts of Game of Thrones were filmed in Seville! One of the most famous locations is the stunning Royal Alcázar, which was used as the set for the Water Gardens of Dorne, the palace of House Martell. Some nearby areas, like the Roman ruins of Itálica just outside the city, were also used in the show for other scenes.
When is the best time of year to visit Seville?
The best time to visit Seville is definitely from September to May. I’d avoid summer because it gets incredibly hot, with temperatures often soaring above 100°F. September was perfect when I went—it was warm but not overwhelming. The fall and spring months are especially lovely, and even the winters here are mild with temperatures ranging between 45-65°F, so it’s still a great time to visit without dealing with extreme cold or heat (and it’ll be way easier on your wallet than the summer months).
If you want to visit during Semana Santa—Spain’s Holy Week—I say go for it, but know what to expect. It’s going to be extremely crowded and very expensive, but it also might be the experience of a lifetime.
What is Seville known for?
Seville is known for its incredible history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. The city is famous for landmarks like the Seville Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and the beautiful Alcázar palace with its intricate Moorish design.
It’s also known as the birthplace of flamenco, so you’ll find plenty of live performances and passionate dancing. Andalusia’s colorful festivals, like Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Abril, are also a huge part of its identity. And of course, it’s the perfect place to indulge in delicious tapas!
What is the best way to get around Seville?
The best way to get around the city is definitely by walking, especially in the old town where all the major sights are close together. The city is super walkable, and strolling through the narrow streets lets you really soak in the atmosphere.
That being said, we took Ubers when we needed to get to places that were a bit further away, and it was quick and convenient. So, if you’re heading to a destination that’s not within walking distance, grabbing an Uber is a great option. But overall, walking was our preferred way to explore!
Is Seville good for solo travelers?
Yes, Seville is a great destination for solo travelers. Like anywhere else, it’s important to practice common sense and keep an eye on your belongings, especially since Spain is well-known for pickpockets. Overall, Seville is budget-friendly for solo travelers and an easy destination to make friends!
Final Thoughts
Contrary to what you might think looking at my blog, I’ve actually spent quite a lot of time in Spain. I’ve nailed down the best things to see in Barcelona on two separate visits, visited Ibiza twice as well, and have been to both Mallorca and Madrid once each. I’m thrilled to have finally crossed Sevilla off my Spain bucket list!
Although I wish I had more time to really get to know the city, I was astonished by how much we accomplished with just 1 day in Seville. We saw and ate the highlights, and I have zero regrets. If you too only have one day to explore this gorgeous Andalusian city, follow my itinerary to see the best possible in the shortest amount of time. I promise—you won’t be disappointed!
If you enjoyed this guide to what to do in Seville Spain in one day, then you may enjoy my related posts linked below. As always, be sure to follow along for the adventure on Instagram @madisonsfootsteps.
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