Seville is a major tourist hotspot in Spain. You can have rich cultural experiences, or you can go on an outdoor adventure. Whatever you’re searching for, Seville has something to offer.
You could easily spend a week in Seville, but what if you only have a day or two? Here are seven things you can do on a day trip to Seville.
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Visit Las Setas
Las Setas is the largest wooden structure in the world, and the name is fitting because it looks like a set of giant mushrooms. It’s located in the heart of the Plaza de la Encarnación, and it serves as the centerpiece of Seville’s Plaza Mayor.
I love visiting Las Setas at night, because of the color combinations that they use to illuminate the area. I’m colorblind, so if I can appreciate it, you know it has to be a sight to behold.
Las Setas is open Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 11 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm. Tickets to the top-level cost 3 euros (1 euro for students), but the first level is free.
In the plaza surrounding the structure, you’ll find a variety of restaurants and cafes. I recommend El Grupo Gordo. It’s right next to the staircase leading up to Las Setas. It’s a tapas restaurant with amazing food.
The portions are gigantic, the menu is cheap, and the food is delicious! If you’re eating alone, take my advice and order the tapas. It’s enough to fill one person. Their full portions are big enough to share between three people.
The last time I went to Seville, it was the grand finale of a trip with my mom, aunt, and girlfriend. We were completing a journey that took us along the eastern coast of Spain, and by the time we arrived in Seville, we were famished. As fate would have it, we happened upon El Grupo Gordo.
We each ordered tapas and a full-sized item. Big mistake! When our tapas orders came out, we all thought they had made a mistake and brought our meals first. When they told us that we were looking at our tapas orders, we collectively gasped in astonishment. By the time the actual meals came out, we were all fixing to unbuckle our belts as if we’d just finished Thanksgiving dinner.
I soldiered on as my family members tapped out one after the other. I have yet to meet the meal that can conquer my good old American appetite, and I had no intention of meeting said meal in Seville. As everyone around me succumbed to fullness, I was left to pick up the slack and finish their meals. Victory would eventually be mine, but so would an ungodly case of indigestion and an intimate conversation with the toilet.
What’s the moral of the story? Eat at El Grupo Gordo, but remember that they’re not giving you those tiny Madrid-like tapas portions, so be reasonable.
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Take a Segway Tour
I’m a big fan of doing touristy things when you visit someplace for the first time, and it doesn’t get more touristy than a Segway tour.
The first time I went to Seville, I booked a Segway tour and loved every minute of it. My girlfriend and I bumped into one of the tour guides right before closing time, and he offered us a discount since we’d be his last tour of the day. We paid 15 euros each, and the tour lasted about 50 minutes. Best of all, it was just the two of us, so we got to chat up the tour guide quite a bit.
The Segway tour will take you to all of Seville’s important tourist stops. In my opinion, it’s better than the bus tour because Seville has some tiny streets that buses just cannot fit in. Seville’s layout accommodates Segways perfectly because there are bike lanes throughout the city. You’ll be very comfortable and safe as you cruise around the city and enjoy the sights.
I recommend buying your tickets after you arrive because there are so many people offering tours that you’ll be able to haggle on the price. Numerous vendors are roaming the city, and they’re all competing for your business. You have a decent chance of obtaining a discount if you know how to haggle.
If you’d rather purchase your tickets ahead of time, GetYourGuide.com has a list of Segway tours in Seville. After my Segway experience in Seville, I look to take Segway tours everywhere I go. I guarantee that you’ll love it!
Go for a Walk in Old Seville
Seville is a beautiful city, and you should spend some time walking around. Personally, I think Seville is at its most beautiful at night. The lights come on, the people come out, and the city’s old-fashioned charm shines through.
I like to start in the center by Las Setas and make my way towards the Guadalquivir river. The moonlight bouncing off the water and the music emitting from the surrounding restaurants will enthrall you. It’s like stepping into a movie.
You can book a free walking tour with Heart of Sevilla Free Tours. Their tours cover every inch of the city, and they’re offered in English or Spanish.
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Visit La Plaza de España
Plaza de España is the main plaza in El Parque de María Luisa. The park itself is massive. Many locals take their siesta there, but the main attraction is the plaza.
It’s one of the most popular tourist locations in Seville among tourists and locals alike. There’s a canal that runs along the perimeter of the plaza, and it’s common to see couples sharing a boat as they drift along until sundown.
The Plaza de España is great for taking pictures, and it has become somewhat of a mecca for photographers in Spain. I love the little bridges that cross the canal. You can get some great views of the park, and they’re excellent for taking pictures. I’m not really into selfies, but if I was, I’d take thousands of them in the Plaza de España.
Editor’s Note: If you have more than a day to spend in Seville, check our top picks on where to stay!
Hike El Caminito del Rey
If you fancy yourself a brave soul and a thrill-seeker at heart, try hiking El Caminito del Rey. It’s known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world.
Located about two hours outside of Seville, the trail is roughly 4.5 miles long, and the hike should last two to three hours. You’ll be 300 feet above the El Chorro Gorge, so I hope you’re not afraid of heights.
You cannot enter without a ticket, and entry is limited, so try to get your tickets early. Depending on your tour, you might have an opportunity to swim in the El Chorro lakes, so ask your tour provider ahead of time if you should bring your bathing suit.
You can opt to drive to the entrance and buy tickets at the gate, but make sure to get there as early as possible, because the line builds fast, and you will be turned away if they reach capacity.
General admission tickets cost €10, and guided visits cost €18. If you’re staying at a hotel nearby, they might be able to secure tickets for you. Visit the official Caminito del Rey website for more detailed information on tours, transportation, etc.
If you’re the type of person who prefers to have all of the planning done for you, there are plenty of tour providers to choose from, but they aren’t cheap. I advise you to compare tour packages to see who is offering the best deal.
This particular tour is a pretty good package as includes transportation, food, and a guide. Tour packages for El Caminito del Rey last around 10 hours. If you’ve only got one day in Seville, be advised that this hike will last the bulk of your day.
If you can manage to secure transportation, I recommend ordering tickets directly through the official website. You’ll save a ton of money.
Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, put on sunscreen, and bring water.
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Tour the Alcazar of Seville
The Alcazar is said to be one of the most beautiful sights in all of Seville, but I still haven’t been inside. I don’t do long lines, and the line to enter the Alcazar is eternal. The mere sight of it can be quite the deterrent.
You’ll easily wait upwards of three hours to enter, but if long lines don’t bother you, I say go for it. You can buy a skip-the-line ticket, but you’ll still need to arrive early to avoid waiting in purgatory.
God help you if you’re one of the misguided souls who thinks that they’ll show up, buy a ticket, and walk right in. It’s not going to happen. I was once one of those misguided souls. There are lines for people who paid to skip the line, people who purchased regular tickets ahead of time, and people who bought tickets the day of. Guess which one is the longest.
AlcazarTickets has some ticket packages starting from €12.50 (€2 if you’re under the age of 16), and their guided tours start from €20. There are a few different tour packages that include other add-ons, so go to their website and do your homework.
The Alcazar is open every day from 9:00 am to 5 pm from October to March. From April to September, it’s open between 9:30 am and 7 pm.
The Alcazar is on my to-do list for Seville, and one of these days, I’m going to overcome my disdain for long lines and make it inside that place. If you plan on going, do yourself a favor and buy tickets online.
Go to a Flamenco Show
Seville is brimming with flamenco culture. The shops are packed with flamenco attire, and the people embody the spirit of flamenco.
In the streets of central Seville, it’s common for locals to put on impromptu flamenco shows for passersby. If you’re looking for a show in a flamenco bar, there are plenty of options. I went to La Cantaora, and I had a great time. The performers were energetic, the crowd was engaged, and it was a pleasant environment.
The main dancer seemed to have made a connection with one of the women in the front row. He danced directly in front of her without breaking eye contact for a good 30 seconds, and the atmosphere got pretty intense. My girlfriend and I had a good laugh about the whole thing. It was a lot of fun.
I paid 20 euros for show-only tickets, but they do sell tickets that include other add-ons. La Cantaora also has tickets that include a drink, tapas, and dinner. They cost €23, €55, and €65 respectively.
I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest flamenco fan in the world, but I’ve been to a few shows, so I can safely say that at this point. Seville is the flamenco capital of Spain, so I’d advise you to at least go to one show and see if it’s for you. If you don’t like it, at least you opened yourself up to something new, and you can say that you tried it.
Editor’s Note: Another great thing to do while in Seville is to go on food tour! Devour tours run fun tours all over Seville which are worth checking out!
Final Thoughts on Traveling Seville
Seville is one of my favorite provinces in Spain, and I’ve given serious thought to moving there. It offers a blend of excitement, tranquility, and culture. If you ever find yourself in the south of Spain, make sure to try out some of these awesome experiences and make the most of your time there.
Safe travels!
Headed to Spain? Check out these articles!
- Seville Food Tour Review: Experiencing Seville Through Food and Flamenco
- Best Places to Visit in Spain That You Shouldn’t Miss
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