The Cathedral, the Giralda, the Real Alcázar, the Plaza de España, the Torre del Oro and many more sights have made the historical centre of Seville a true open air museum.
WHAT TO SEE IN SEVILLE IN TWO DAYS
Got a couple of days to spare for a getaway? Well, read on, because this guide will tell you all about the must-see places to visit in Seville in 48 hours. Get ready for a truly enjoyable cultural and gastronomic escape in the Andalusian capital!
What to see in Seville on Day 1
What better way to start your tour of Seville than with a typical Andalusian breakfast? We recommend the Génova Café-Bar, an establishment full of character, situated on the Avenida de la Constitución, just 200m from the Cathedral.
Enjoy a coffee, milkshake or freshly squeezed fruit juice on its pleasant terrace, along with toasted bread topped with cured ham, tomato and olive oil. But if you feel like something more substantial, maybe order some scrambled eggs with pancetta or a slice of potato omelette.
After breakfast, make your way to Seville Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monumental complexes in Spain (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987) and which you can explore either independently or on a guided tour.
In our opinion, the best way to visit Seville Cathedral is accompanied by a guide, as you can then be sure of getting into the complex (which has a limited capacity) and you also avoid the queues at the entrance. But once you’ve seen the inside of the Cathedral, don’t forget to visit the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of Orange Trees), the Giralda belltower and the Biblioteca Colombina library. You’ll be entranced!
Just a short walk from the Cathedral you’ll find another of the unmissable monuments to include in your 48-hour tour of Seville: the Real Alcázar. This royal palace complex boasts an extraordinary fusion of architectural styles and some wonderful gardens, where you’ll feel what it was like to be a caliph!
After a full-on morning of sightseeing, you’re bound to feel ready for some lunch. Within the vicinity, we recommend the Taberna Peregil, not far from the Real Alcázar, on Calle Mateos Gago.
The Taberna Peregil is one of these bars that’s been around forever, popular with both locals and visitors, where you can enjoy the famous orange wine and plenty of dishes typical of Andalusia and Seville itself: salmorejo (a cold soup made with tomatoes and bread), chicharrones (crackling), tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters), carrillada (pork cheek), montaditos de pringá (meat-filled rolls) or pescaíto frito (fried fish) are just some of the many options.
Now with your stomach full, we suggest you continue your 48-hour tour of Seville with a stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, along the Paseo de las Delicias towards the Puente de los Remedios bridge. At this point you can go into the Parque de María Luisa and sit down for a rest in the shade of the trees in this park, or walk straight across it to the beautiful Plaza de España.
This square (built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition) is renowned for the exquisite tiles adorning its benches, where all the provinces of Spain are represented. The Plaza de España may even look familiar to you, as it has featured in many famous films, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: Episode II.
To finish off Day 1 of your 48-hour visit to this wonderful city, we suggest you go back to the area around the Cathedral and visit the Barrio de Santa Cruz. The pretty squares and cobbled streets of this neighbourhood not only formed part of the city’s old Jewish quarter but today they’re home to some of the best tapa spots in Seville.
What to see in Seville on Day 2
Your second day on this weekend tour of Seville starts on a high, at the viewpoint in Plaza de la Encarnación, commonly known as the Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville), due to its unusual architecture.
From the top of the Setas de Sevilla you can enjoy 360º views of the city, whilst on the lower floors you’ll find the largest archaeological site in the city (Antiquarium Museum) and the La Encarnación Market, the first food market to be built in the city.
On the way to the Setas we suggest you walk through the Plaza del Salvador, a lively square and a popular spot for many locals to meet up with friends for a drink.
Whether or not you’re a fan of bullfighting, we’re sure that you’ll like the Maestranza Bullring, as it’s a lovely 18th century building. If you’re interested in bullfighting, you should visit the museum on the ground floor.
Crossing the river, you’ll come to the popular Barrio de Triana (the district that has produced numerous singers, flamenco dancers and bullfighters), where you can enjoy the glorious art of its residents.
To finish off this tour of Seville in style, there’s no better place than the Torre del Oro. This “Tower of Gold”, built in the 12th century, is now home to the city’s maritime museum, the Museo Naval de Sevilla. It’s also one of the most iconic images of Seville.
What to see in Seville for free
If you’re travelling to Seville on a tight budget, there’s no need to worry. The Andalusian capital has plenty of interesting places that you can visit at no cost whatsoever, or for a very small fee. Here are some examples:
- The General Archive of the Indies.
- The Museum of Fine Arts.
- The Basílica de Santa María de la Esperanza Macarena.
- The Convent of Santa Clara.
- The Castle of San Jorge.
What to see in Seville off the beaten track
And if you like wandering off the beaten tourist track, see below for some of the less familiar places in Seville:
- The Plaza del Cabildo, a meeting place for coin collectors.
- The Artillery Factory, declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
- The former Pavilion of Morocco for Expo ‘92, now home to the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean.
- The Monastery of San Jerónimo.
- The view from the terrace on the 37th floor of the Torre Sevilla skyscraper, better known as Torre Pelli. Its panoramic views are truly amazing!
We hope this 48-hour tour of Seville appeals to you. Hurry and find a flight to Seville and succumb to the charms of the capital of Andalusia!
