Seville Weekend Escape
- Irene
- Dec 15, 2025
- 4 min read
Weekend in Seville: The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
Planning a quick getaway? Seville is a city that blends history, culture, and charm. While you could easily spend four or more days exploring its stunning architecture, lively streets, and rich traditions, a weekend is enough to capture its essence and fall in love with its vibrant atmosphere.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Explore the City Centre
Plaza de España
Torre del Oro
Real Alcázar
Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower
Day 2 – Relax & Stroll
Parque de María Luisa
Best time to visit Seville: For me, the best time to visit is winter, and I would definitely avoid summer—from mid-June until mid-September at least. Seville is famous for its incredibly hot summers, often reaching 42°C on many days, which makes it almost impossible to go out and explore the city. However, in winter, the weather is mild and can be a fantastic time to visit. We went at the beginning of November, and it was perfect! During the day, we wore jeans and a shirt, and at night, a light jacket. It was the perfect weather for sightseeing and walking around town.
Where to stay in Seville: We stayed at the “Melia Sevilla”, which was very nice—especially if you are visiting in the hotter months, as the hotel has a swimming pool. I would say it is slightly outside the main attractions but not so far that you need public transport; you can still walk to the center. Another good alternative is the “Abba Sevilla Hotel”.
Day 1: City centre
Because our hotel was very close to Plaza de España, we started the day by exploring this incredible place first.
Plaza de España – Built between 1914 and 1928 by architect Aníbal González as the main event for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Designed to be the symbolic centerpiece of the fair, its purpose was to modernize Seville and strengthen Spain's relationships with its former American colonies. The plaza's architectural style is a unique blend of Renaissance Revival, Baroque Revival, and Neo-Mudéjar elements.
The plaza is open 24/7, and entry is free. I would say it takes around 45 minutes to visit properly.
From Plaza de España, we walked for 15 minutes to the next stop: Torre del Oro – Built in 1220–1221 by the Almohad dynasty as a defensive military watchtower to control the Guadalquivir River. It was part of Seville's medieval walls, once connected by a chain to a tower across the river to block enemy ships. The tower later served various functions, including a gunpowder store and naval headquarters, and is now a naval museum. We decided not to go inside and just admired it from the outside.
After this, we walked another 10 minutes to the Real Alcázar de Sevilla – The Real Alcázar began as a 10th-century fortress for Muslim rulers and is now the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use. It was later expanded by Christian monarchs, resulting in a unique blend of Islamic and Christian architectural styles, known as Mudéjar architecture. The Alcázar was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
It will take you 60 to 90 minutes to visit the palace.
Tip: Skip the first few rooms near the entrance and head directly to the main patios. It is very important to get your ticket in advance, as this is probably the most visited place in Sevilla. The basic ticket costs €15.50—be careful before booking and look for the official website, as the first few search results are often unofficial and overpriced! You can just buy the entrance ticket; a private tour is optional.
After the Alcázar, we went for lunch. We wanted tapas and planned to try different places. I had the following on my list: Casa Roman, Bodegas Santa Cruz, Cervecería Giralda, Bodeguita Romero, Casa Moreno, and Flor de Toranzo.
However, this turned out to be impossible—every single one of these places was absolutely packed and impossible to enter or order anything. Maybe it was because it was a Saturday? On a weekday, this might be more feasible. In the end, we found a place called Mamarracha Tapas, and the food was excellent! Tip: Try the anchovies—they were incredible!
The plan after lunch was to visit the cathedral, but we went during a bank holiday, and it was unfortunately closed. Again, make sure you buy the ticket on the official website; the price is €14.
Seville Cathedral was built on the site of a former mosque, with construction beginning in 1402 and largely finishing by 1506. The cathedral's minaret, the Giralda, was preserved and incorporated as the bell tower. Today, it is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church in Europe, housing Christopher Columbus's tomb.
For dinner, we went to “Rio Grande”, and oh wow—the views from the restaurant are spectacular, the food incredible (especially the turbot), and the service and atmosphere amazing.
After dinner, you can either go to the terrace downstairs for drinks overlooking the river or try one of the following options: “Premier Garden Cocktail Bar” if the weather is nice (it’s fully outdoors in a park) or “Montana Cocktail Bar” if you prefer something closer to the old town.
Day 2: Stroll around the park
A nice way to finish the weekend trip is to walk through Parque de María Luisa and wander around. In the park, there are a few outdoor bars—perfect for stopping for a drink.
Afterward, you can go for lunch at “Dculto Restaurante”. I recommend staying in the bar area at the tall tables and ordering a few tapas and raciones to share. They have excellent tuna, so try it in a few different styles.
After lunch, you can head to the airport.
Sevilla offers the perfect mix of culture, history, and warmth—making it an ideal destination for any traveler looking for an unforgettable experience.
