How to Explore Sevilla in 3 Days

Sevilla is Spain’s fourth largest city and it’s hard not to fall in love with architecture, hospitality and charm. The heart of Andalusia – Sevilla is everything that you imagine when you think of Spain.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Rey Alfonso X

Located in the famous Santa Cruz neighborhood and a 10 minute stroll to the Catedral de Sevilla, this hotel provides an unforgettable stay in Seville. The staff were professional and helpful and the room was comfortable with all the amenities that you could ever need. The rooftop pool and terrace is a nice escape when you want to get away and relax. I liked that there were plenty of good restaurants around the area and a laundromat across the street.

What to see:

Plaza de España was built in 1928 with a mix of Renaissance and Moorish style architecture to showcase of Spain’s industry and technology exhibits. Horse-drawn carriages and rowing boats in the moats, the plaza is a major tourist attraction and the filming site for Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.

Real Alcazar de Sevilla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a royal palace, built in the Mudéjar style, and is one of the oldest palaces still in use in the world. The palace-fortress is known for its plasterwork, tiling, gardens and use of water. I highly recommend taking a guided tour or using an audio guide as the plaques are not really informative and there is so much to learn and see. I took about 3 hours to see as much as I could before the Andulusian heat got to me.

The Catedral de Sevilla is a Roman Catholic church and one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Please buy your tickets for Alcazar and the Catedral ahead of time as lines can be long and utilize any senior or youth discounts that you can. This church is massive so leave plenty of time to walk through its many chapels, see the tomb of Christopher Columbus and walk up all 35 ramps of the Giralda Tower and take in some breathtaking views of the city.

The Torre del Orro is a military watchtower and a terrific maritime museum. Constructed during the 13th century, the tower served as a prison during the Middle Ages.

Where to Eat:

El Pasaje Santa María la Blanca had some good food choices that try to serve traditional and fusion cuisine. The mushroom risotto and chicken tikka over black rice were surprisingly delicious. It was conveniently located across from the hotel and the staff provided quick service.

Trattoria – La Gallina Bianca is an amazing Italian restaurant with good food, great wine selection and a lovely ambience. The waiters were nice and had a really good wine recommendation. The pizzas are so good and quite big, perfect to share between two people.

Jester was a cute breakfast right around the corner from the hotel with plenty of options from pastries, smoothies and their delicious acaí bowls. The seating outside is limited but it is a cute spot to grab something quick.

La Cacharreria de Sevilla (Regina, 14) was hands down the best breakfast I ever had during my entire trip. This small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant provided a homey atmosphere and food made with fresh ingredients and love. They provide a lot of food for the price but keep in mind it is cash only.

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For more on my trip to Spain, check out my post on Spain’s capital Madrid and how to navigate Spain’s Renfe train system.