Your Ultimate Itinerary: One Day in Romantic Seville

Last updated on July 14th, 2023 at 01:08 pm

Seville, is hands down one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I still remember the first time I was here: romantic horse draw carriages carry families, couples, and groups of friends past sparkling orange trees. Around every corner you will discover intricately decorated buildings and stunning tile mosaics. There are big elaborate gardens to explore. And, of course there is also the delicious food to try. This place really does have it all and more. I feel like I could spend weeks here and not get bored. But, if you only have one day, this can serve as your ultimate guide to help you get the most out of your visit to Seville.

***Disclaimer: Be sure to check the entry restrictions for Spain and any activity you would like to participate in before booking any part of your journey!

Seville’s Exciting History

It always helps to know at least a little bit about a place before you visit. That way, you have some ideas and context for what you are seeing and experiencing. Here are 7 quick facts to help set the mood for your trip:

Seville has had multiple names over the course of its lifetime. It was established as Hispalis by the Romans in the 2nd century. In 711 it was overtaken by the Islamics and renamed to Ixbilia. In 1248, it was conquered by Ferdinand III and the Spanish Christians and renamed the city to Seville.

Evidence of these Roman, Muslim, and Christian historical/cultural influences can be seen in the architecture all throughout Seville. This is one of the things that makes Seville such a unique and interesting city to visit.

The city is located along the Guadalquivir River, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. This was very important for trade and exploration purposes.

In 1503, the Casa de Contratación was established in Seville. This organization regulated trade between Spain and the New World and it was the only trading port with the Indies from 1503 until 1718.

Christopher Columbus’ tomb is located in the Seville Cathedral.

Seville is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Royal Alcazar, the Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies.

The city has been in multiple popular movies and TV shows. Parts of Seville will be recognizable to Game of Thrones fans as the “Kingdom of Dorne”. And the Plaza de Espana was used in the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the clones movie.

Where to Stay for Your Day in Seville

I stayed at the Rey don Pedro Apartments and let me tell you: it was fantastic. The room was beautifully decorated, comfortable, and has a great shower. The location was very convenient for the activities I wanted to partake in. And, to top it off, the service from the hotel was fantastic.

I feel super lucky that I managed to snag a room in February for the incredible price of 64 euros/night. Even if you don’t end up getting to stay here, finding somewhere in the same area would be very convenient, in my opinion.

A Few Things to Note About this Itinerary

This is a one day itinerary, but it would be to your advantage to spend two nights in Seville. That way, it is easy for you to get an early start. This, in turn, would allow you to maximize the whole day.

An alternative solution is to spend one night and split the itinerary between two half days. If you are able to start by noon-ish on the first day, you can begin the tour at the Seville Cathedral. The following morning, you can visit the Real Alcázar and its gorgeous Gardens.

A Map of the Itinerary

This itinerary includes 6 stops and involves about 1 hour of walking (not including the walking at the sites you will be visiting). Most of the items are fairly close together, but there will be some longer stretches along the way (up to about 20 min).

Before you leave, be sure to look up the weather and prepare yourself accordingly. Also, it would be advantageous to take water some little snacks as well. 😉

First Stop: Real Alcázar and Gardens

Your first stop on your journey is the most iconic place in Seville. The Real Alcázar is the oldest royal palace that is still in use in Europe. For this reason as well as the fact that it is an excellent example of Mudéjar art (a mix of Islamic and Christian styles), it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1987.

Once called al-Qasr al-Muriq by the Muslims, this beautiful building dates back to 10th century. It was built by the Caliph of Cordoba to serve as a residential fortress. It also served as a location for state offices, a literary hub, and other purposes. Over the years, the Alcázar grew and the Muslim rulers continued to add to the structure and the gardens.

After the Spanish conquest, the Royal Alcázar was converted into a residence for the Christian monarchs. While the new residents enjoyed Muslim art, many changes were made to the architectural layout of the palace in order to suit the new royal needs.

Planning Your Visit to the Real Alcázar in Seville

It is important to note that the entrance point is at the Puerta del León. The night before, you should make sure that you have mapped out your route to the Puerta del León and that you can plan your morning accordingly. I recommend arriving by 9:15am at the latest.

Overall, your visit to the Real Alcázar should last about 2 hours, but it could take you as long as 3 hours. At a minimum, I would recommend at least 1 hour to visit the palace and 1 hour to enjoy the gardens. It is important to watch your time carefully and pace yourself so that you don’t miss out on the other activities of the day.

Tickets

You will definitely want to buy your tickets in advance. You want to be able to walk right in when it opens. If you chose the option with the audio guide, don’t forget to collect it from the office right after you walk in. While it’s not necessary to get the audio guide, I definitely recommend it. There are some signs in certain areas, but you will receive a lot more information and context if you decide to get the audio guide.

Lunch

It’s completely up to you if you decide that you would like to visit the Cathedral before or after lunch. There are lots of little restaurants to choose from nearby. My personal recommendation would be to try to find somewhere small and quick so you can keep moving. Dinner will be a bigger, more relaxed meal with no time constraints.

If you prefer to eat lunch before your visit, I would recommend pre-buying your cathedral tickets for 1pm-ish. If you prefer to eat afterwards, I would recommend securing your tickets for about 12pm-ish.

Second Stop: Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower

A visit to the beautiful Seville Cathedral is an absolute must. This beautiful building was established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. During the Islamic time period, it was built as a Mosque. Later, after the Christians conquered Seville, it was converted into a church with a stunning mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Today, the Seville Cathedral stands proudly as the largest Gothic building in Europe.

Giralda Tower

The Giralda Tower is attached to the Seville Cathedral and the visit is included in the ticket price. From here, you can enjoy the beautiful views out over Seville. Just note that for purposes of crowd control, you will be given a specific time slot for this visit.

The tower an excellent example of Almohad architecture. Originally built in 1195, it served as a minaret of the Aljama mosque. (A miranet is a tall slender tower from which Muslims are called to prayer.) After the Christians conquered Seville, the mosque was converted into a church and the tower converted into a bell tower.

Fun Fact: Giralda means “she who turns”. The name is derived from El Giraldillo (the name for the weathervane at the top of the Giralda tower). The actual name of the weather vane is the Triumph of the Victorious Faith and it represents Christian faith and hope.

The Traveling Tomb of Christopher Columbus

In recent years, Christopher Columbus has been greatly criticized for the way that he treated the natives. While he might not be the prime example of a perfect person, there is no doubt that Christopher Columbus played an important role in overarching story of time. I’m not sure about you, but I still remember that little phrase we learned in school: “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

The tomb of Christopher Columbus is unmissable. The gold tomb golden, adorned in decoration, is held high by four men. They symbolically represent the four kingdoms that existed during his lifetime: Castille, Aragon, Navara, and Leon.

Interestingly, this tomb has made almost as many voyages as he did during his lifetime. Originally, Christopher Columbus desired to be buried in the New World. But, since there were no suitable places, his remains were buried in Valladolid, Spain. (This is the place where he died) At his brother’s (Diego’s) request, Columbus’ remains were moved to his family mausoleum in Seville.

In 1542, his remains were once again moved by the request of his son (also named Diego). This time, they traveled across the ocean to Colonial Santo Domingo. Spain lost control of the Dominican Republic in 1795 and his remains were moved to Cuba. In 1898, they were moved for the last time to the cathedral in Seville, Spain.

Planning For Your Visit to the Seville Cathedral

This UNESCO heritage site is an incredibly popular site in Seville. Therefore, like the Real Alcázar, you are going to want to pre-buy your tickets for this activity in order to secure your spot.

The tour will take about 1-2 hours depending on how much time you would like to spend here. I personally did not get the audio guide, but I imagine that it would offer a lot of helpful and interesting insights. Another option is to join a guided tour.

Ticket Information for the Seville Cathedral

You can pre-buy your tickets at the Cathedral’s official website.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Your ticket includes an exclusive time for you to visit the Giralda Tower. Please keep this time in mind so you don’t miss it!

Third Stop: Visit Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Seville (Bull Ring)

I want to preface this by saying that this is an optional stop. It’s a difficult thing because bull fighting has a checkered past and has been made illegal in many places (including certain places in Spain). It is considered by many to be a form of animal cruelty. In stark contrast, those who perform and regularly attend bullfights consider it to be an art form and/or cultural spectacle. It is an interesting debate that will probably continue for years to come.

I chose to stop at the Plaza de Toros in Seville because of its historical significance of this place. And also because I wanted to learn more about this centuries old tradition. (For me, I compare it to visiting the Coliseum in Rome. Many terrible actions were performed there, including animal fights, gladiators, and sacrificial killings, but it is still one of the most visited places in Italy.)

The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Seville is an absolutely beautiful, well kept, and colorful building. Its Construction began in 1761 and continued in stages over the course of 100 years. Nowadays, it can seat up to 12,000 spectators and is considered one of the most beautiful bull rings in the world. This is also where some of the world’s most famous bullfighting happens during the Seville Fair in April.

Some Facts About Bull Fighting

It is hard to pinpoint exactly when the spectacle of bullfighting began. Some have suggested that it originates with the Romans or comes from other forms of pagan worship/sacrifice.

The modern version of bull fighting began in the 13th century. During this time, equestrian bull fighting demonstrations were used to help knights who served under Ferdinand III improve their horsemanship skills and prepare for battle. Demonstrations were given to the public and became very popular.

Nowadays, there are lots of rules concerning the bulls that fight in the rings. For example, they are typically between the ages of 4-6 years old and must be over 460 kg. Additionally, they cannot have any drugs in their system when they go to fight.

There have been many great bull fighters over the years who have helped transform bull fighting into what it is today. Some particularly famous Spanish matadors include: Juan Belmonte García, José Gómez, and Manolete.

A Spanish bull fighting event begins with an opening parade before proceeding to the main three stages: the cape stage, the picador stage, and the killing stage. The end result is usually the death of the bull.

If a bull has behaved particularly well during a fight, it can be “pardoned” and its life spared.

Planning for Your Visit to Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla

Your entry ticket includes a free audioguide which can be downloaded to your phone. As you progress through the various exhibitions, you will learn more about the history of bull fighting and the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Seville.

In my opinion, it is not necessary to purchase tickets for this stop ahead of time. To find out more about opening hours, ticket prices, and more, please visit their official website.

Fourth Stop: Admire the Torre del Oro

This twelve-sided, historic watchtower holds a lot of historical significance. It was built around 1220 by the Almohads. Initially, it was part of the Moorish city wall that surrounded the city and it was connected to the Torre de la Plata (the silver tower). Two additions were made to the original structure in the 14th and 18th centuries, giving us its present look.

Initially, its main purposes were to help control traffic along the Guadalquivir River as well as defend the city from attack. Over the years, the tower served various functions such as: a chapel, a prison, a gunpowder store, and also offices for the naval command. Nowadays, it houses a small naval museum and grants tourists a beautiful overlook of the Guadalquivir River and Seville.

Legends of the Golden Tower

In Spanish the word “oro” means gold. Looking at the photo of this tower might leave you wondering where such a name originated from. One legend states that during the muslim rule, the tower was covered in splendid gold tiles that shone in the sun. Nowadays, one can imagine the splendid sight a visitor during that time period might have when arriving at Seville.

It is also said that during the reign of King Pedro I, this was a place where gold (plundered from the Americas) was delivered.

Exploring the Golden Tower

It is possible to enter the tower if you wish. If you decide to go in, plan approximately 30 minutes for your visit. To find out more about opening hours and tickets, please visit the official website.

Fifth Stop: Plaza de España in Seville

The Plaza de España is a stunning piece located in María Luisa Park in Seville. It’s the perfect place to rest and relax in the sun at the end of a long day. Plus, there are many aspects to explore at your leisure.

It’s magnificent semi-circular design, beautiful architecture, brightly decorated tiles, and canal with bridges make it an incredibly Instagram-able place in Seville. Throughout, you can find 48 alcoves with benches that represent the many provinces of Spain. There are tiles depicting the coat of arms, a map, and some historical facts.

In the warmer months, it is possible to ride a boat through the 515 meter-long canal that runs through the middle of the plaza. It is also possible to take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the plaza and other places in Seville.

Alternatively, you can explore the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Arts and Popular Customs which are both located here.

A couple of Facts About the Plaza de España

This iconic Plaza was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition World Fair of 1929.

Plaza de España was designed by a local Sevillian architect named Aníbel González.

It includes a mix of Baroque revival, Renaissance revival, and Moorish revival architectures and styles.

The four bridges represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain: Castille, Aragon, Navarre and Leon.

Sixth Stop: Tapas and drinks at El Rinconcillo

It’s been a long day, and you have seen and done so much. Now, it’s time to relax and unwind with delicious drinks and tapas. El Rinconcillo is incredibly famous in Seville seeing as it is the oldest tapas bar in the city. Established in 1670, it recently celebrated 350 years!

While you’re here, be sure to try to orange wine. It was so incredibly sweet and delicious and different from anything I had ever had before. For food, I chose the spinach with chickpeas and the croquettes. Both dishes were wonderfully prepared, served in large portions, and had great flavor.

Insider Tip: This place is popular, so be sure to make a reservation on their website ahead of time. Also, I recommend making your reservation for downstairs in the tapas bar vs. upstairs in the restaurant. I did this at the suggestion of others and I did not regret it.

In Conclusion

I hope that you have an incredible visit to Seville, even if it is just for a day. And, I hope you you found this little itinerary to be useful. I’d love to hear your thoughts/feedback in the comments below!

Happy Travels,
<3 Christine