3 Days In Seville: BEST Girls Trip Itinerary!
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My friends and I spent 3 days in Seville this past May and loved it. This itinerary is our epic weekend in Sevilla, the places we loved learning about, the food we ate, and the bars that had us befriending locals, and well – aren’t those the best!
Now, this is not a packed itinerary full of all the possible things to see and do in Seville. We focused on food and culture above a massive tourist checklist, and these were our priorities :
👉 Seeing 1-2 cultural things a day (flamenco, city highlights)
👉 Staying in a beautiful central location
👉 Eating at the best restaurants (and bodegas) in Seville
👉 Enjoying the nightlife in Sevilla (cute neighborhoods)
High level, here are the 3-day itinerary highlights, with day-to-day details below on where to shop, what to do and see, our favorite restaurants, opening hours, costs, and how to make reservations:
✔️ Day 1: Old Town Seville History Tour, Seville Cathedral, Tapas & Wine Bar, Real Alcazar, Fancy Dinner at Hotel Alfonso XIII Restaurant
✔️ Day 2: Spanish Tapas Food Tour, Plaza De España & Carriage Ride, Traditional Flamenco Show, Bar Hopping In Sevilla
✔️ Day 3: Shopping, Barrio Santa Cruz, Mercado de Triana, Local Flamenco Club
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
3 Days in Seville: Major Lessons Learned
Here are a few things we learned along the way and from locals about avoiding tourist traps and navigating Sevilla more authentically. Keep these in mind while you go through this itinerary and make your plans.
✅ Avoid the summer months between June and September, because temperatures will be well above 90°F (32°C). If you must go, get a hotel with a rooftop pool. We went in May and it was warm enough for sun dresses.
✅ If Tickets Sell Out online to popular places, book the tour. This is especially true for the Real Alcazar, where tickets get booked out days in advance. If that happens, you can book a guided tour & skip the line or go early (before they open) and wait in line to buy tickets old-school. We did this!
✅ Dinner is much later than you think. The Spanish eat at an absurdly late hour. Some restaurants don’t open their kitchen till 9 pm, so I recommend a happy hour snack – I share a few of our favorites below.
✅ There are so many great restaurants, from high-end to low-key. The food scene in Sevilla is amazing, and we’re coming from foodie cities like London and Austin. Our favorite tapas spots were: Bar Alfalfa, Las Coloniales, and La Chunga.
✅ Get Arroz Del Dia instead of Paella in Sevilla. It’s the thing to eat in the city and made fresh every day. Paella is actually a Valencian dish, served in Sevilla because that’s what tourists know, and probably not made fresh every day (rather giant reheated batches from yesterday).
✅ Get Tinto de Verano instead of Sangria. Again, don’t fall for the tourist traps! Rather, get the local Spanish wine and Tinto de Verano (similar to Sangria, but a local brew).
✅ See multiple Flamenco shows, not just one. Each one is unique, and they don’t all do the same dances. We loved the Sevillanas and Flamenco in Sevilla!
✅ There is so much good shopping in the Regina neighborhood and Calle San Jacinto in Triana. Save room in your suitcase to bring home cute new things – we bought new purses, earrings, a dress, and one of those Flamenco shawls!
✅ Get ready to walk. While there is public transport and Uber, this is a big walking city. I don’t recommend bringing heels, and if you do, bring the ones with a chunky heel.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Best Things To See & Do In Seville
My friend and I ended up staying a few more days in Seville, toured a few more of the historic highlights, walked through more of the little neighborhoods, and explored a few more restaurants. While we liked everything, here are the 5 things we loved the most on our trip, and I recommend you prioritize.
❌ You Can Skip These: Casa De Pilatos, Metropol Parisol, Toro del Oro near Triana (best seen from a walk along the river), and the bullfighting ring (not much to see and do here, plus we are not a fan of the practice).
✔️ Real Alcazar
The Real Alcazar is a gorgeous palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds a special place in Sevilla’s heart for several reasons and is one of the most beautiful things we saw in Sevilla.
NERD FACT: Its historical importance extends to the Age of Exploration. It was here that Christopher Columbus received royal sponsorship for his voyages. He thought he was headed to the Indies, but landed in the Americas like a man who doesn’t ask for directions.
I loved the unique blend of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles of architecture, showcasing the cultural diversity that has influenced the Andalucian region over the centuries. The Alcazar has served as a royal palace for Spanish monarchs for centuries and has some pretty intricate tilework, and stunning courtyards that would blow the socks off Japanese gardens.
It’s a place where you can step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of Spain’s history and Andalusian heritage.
✅ Pro Tip: The general entry tickets are best and give you access to the halls, courtyards, and gardens. Buy entry tickets online a few days early, book a tour, or go early to wait in line (right when they open) to get tickets.
⏰ Time It Takes: 2 hrs.
📍 Location: Google Map
➡️ Opening Hours: October – March: Daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, April – Sep: Daily 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, Closed: January 1st & 6th, Good Friday, and Christmas.
Get Real Alcazar Guided Tour & Tickets Here!
✔️ Seville Cathedral & Giralda
Seville Cathedral is not just any church, but one of the greats in Spain. It’s where the city’s Christian story began after the Moors, and the architecture is very Gothic. Inside, you’ll find art, fancy altarpieces, and colorful stained glass windows. Oh, and Columbus’s tomb is here!
Now, let’s talk about the Giralda Tower, right next to the Seville Cathedral. It started as a minaret during the Moorish days, then became a bell tower when the cathedral was built by the Christians. Climbing it is fun – no stairs, just ramps! Back then, the muezzin used to ride up on horseback to call folks to prayer. When you reach the top, the views are unreal – a bird’s-eye peek at Seville!
✅ Pro Tip: Dress like you’re going to church, and cover your shoulders. They also have free entrance on Mondays from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
⏰ Time It Takes: 1 hr
📍 Location: Google Map
➡️ Opening Hours: Monday 11:00 am – 4:30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday after service 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Get Seville Cathedral & Giralda Entry Tickets here!
✔️ Plaza de Espanya
Plaza de España is a massive and stunning square, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition, surrounded by a beautiful park. It’s an iconic example of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture, and when you see pictures of Sevilla, this is usually the image you see.
It was designed to showcase Spain’s role in the discovery of the Americas and its relationship with its former colonies. The building’s details and the tiles depict scenes from Spanish history and the different regions. You can walk along the bridges, take a boat ride on the canal, or simply enjoy the architecture. We made ourselves at home and had a full-on Instagram photo shoot.
✅ Pro Tip: It’s Free! There are usually Spanish guitar & flamenco dancers playing in front of the main square for the crowds (tip the musicians).
⏰ Time It Takes: 2 hours (+ walking around Parque de Maria Luisa & carriage ride).
📍 Location: Google Map
➡️ Opening Hours: 8 am – 10 pm
✔️ Spanish Tapas Crawl
All of us on the girl’s trip are foodies – and some of us winos. So of course we had to explore the food scene in Sevilla, which means a lot of tapas, Tinto de Verano wine, and Arroz del Dia! Do the tapas & wine tour, and then explore on your own.
I have a few restaurant recommendations for lunch and dinner beyond this food crawl in the day-to-day itinerary, including Bar Alfalfa, our favorite happy hour & lunch tapas bar, Las Coloniales for traditional arroz del dia on the patio at lunch, and a more modern twist to tapas, La Chunga.
✅ Pro Tip: Come hungry to the Tapas Crawl and ready to try some weird and delicious Spanish food. The wine helps keep down the little snails! 🙈
⏰ Time It Takes: 3-4 hours
Schedule Your Sevilla Tapas & Wine Crawl here!
✔️ Casa De Flamenco Show
Watching a live flamenco performance in Seville is one of those things that will have you connecting with the depth of Spanish culture and emotion instantly. We saw a couple of shows, but my favorite was at Casa De Flamenco – the acoustics and the look and feel of the venue all added to the experience. Not to mention the dancers were phenomenal!
What To Expect: Two flamenco dancers will present a couple of different styles of flamenco: Bulerías, Sevillanas, and a few others – each performance is different. While the dancers take a break, the guitarist will blow your mind with some Spanish guitar magic, all while you sit and sip on your adult beverage of choice.
✅ Pro Tip: Each city and region in Spain adds its flavor to flamenco. See more than one show, in cities all over Spain if possible.
⏰ Hours: Spring / Summer Shows: 7:00 pm, 8:30 pm, 10:00 pm, Fall / Winter Shows: 7:00 pm, 8:30 pm
💃🏻 Fun Fact: Flamenco is the fusion of Andalusian, Gypsy, Moorish, and Jewish traditions, and has three key elements: “cante” (singing), “baile” (dance), and “toque” (guitar playing). Each of these elements adds to the rich feel of a flamenco performance.
Buy Tickets To A Casa de Flamenco Show Here!
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
FULL Itinerary: 3 Days In Seville
We focused our 3 days in Sevilla on history, culture, and great food. The itinerary will include our favorite spots, links to make reservations to shows and restaurants, and the highlights of Seville we did that wowed us.
Day 1: Old Town Seville, Seville Cathedral, Tapas & Wine, Real Alcazar
Today was about getting to know the city and its history, as well as getting grounded by spending some quality time together around good food and wine. Here’s how we structured our day:
✔️ Seville Walking History Tour: City of Queens, Nuns, Sex Workers & Witches
✔️ Cathedral de Seville & Giralda Tower (entry tickets)
✔️ Tapas & Wine Lunch at Taberna Coloniales or Vineria San Telmo
✔️ Real Alcazar UNESCO World Heritage Site (entry tickets)
✔️ Fancy Dinner & Drinks at Restaurant San Fernando
✔️ Bar Hopping anywhere on La Alameda Street
We loved starting our morning with a female-focused historic walking tour of Sevilla because it was a fresh perspective on a story usually told by and through the lens of men. While we didn’t climb the Giralda Tower, opting instead for wine and tapas, we did love going into the Cathedral of Sevilla – it was one of the more impressive churches I’ve seen in Spain.
The Real Alcazar was amazing – peacocks are roaming in the gardens, which I thought was so extra, but hey, when in Sevilla!
Dinner at Restaurant San Fernando as a group was yummy, but a bit pompous for my taste – how many waiters with earpieces does one need to serve a meal?! I digress. The draw of this place is in its beauty – the restaurant is in the glitziest hotel in Seville, Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel owned by Marriott. This is where Lady Gaga and the Presidents of the world come and stay!
Day 2: Spanish Tapas Food Tour, Plaza De España, Rooftop Bars, Flamenco
Our second day was a deep dive into the culture of Seville, with a Spanish Tapas education and food tour, walking all of it off through Plaza de España & Parque de Maria Luisa, and a night of rooftop bars and Flamenco. Here’s how our day was structured:
✔️ Seville Market & Tapas Food Tour
✔️ Explore Plaza de España & Parque de Maria Luisa (+ Carriage Ride)
✔️ Bar Alfalfa Tapas & happy hour
✔️ Rooftop Bars: La Terraza de Eme ($$$$) and Terraza Doña Maria ($$$)
✔️ See a Flamenco Show
On our food tour, we learned to order the Arroz del Dia instead of the Paella and the Tinto De Verano local wine instead of the Sangria!
Here are our favorite restaurants in Sevilla recommended by friends and locals so they don’t get lost in the post. Steal the list and make reservations for your trip:
- Bar Alfalfa – Our favorite happy hour & lunch tapas bar. Very hectic & Spanish.
- Las Coloniales – Loved their outside patio for lunch. Traditional tapas.
- La Chunga – A modern twist to tapas, a bit fancy, but great for the girlies.
- Vineria San Telmo – Local tapas spot, also on a few lists of best tapas in Seville
- Arrocería Criaito – In Mercado de Triana; super authentic, and while it will take a while to get your arroz (rice), worth it!
- Abades Triana Restaurant – Elevated Andalucian food with a phenomenal view
- Restaurante San Fernando – More pomp than I prefer, but nothing beats how pretty it is!! Located in the fanciest hotel in Seville, Hotel Alfonso XIII.
The rooftop bars La Terraza de Eme, Terraza Doña Maria, and Flamenco show afterward in Barrio Santa Cruz were a wonderful end to a pretty food-intensive day.
Day 3: Shopping, Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana, Local Flamenco Club
For our last day in Sevilla, we did a bit of shopping and cafe hopping in the morning around Barrio Santa Cruz, then went exploring the more local side of Sevilla in Triana. Here’s how we structured our day:
✔️ Coffee & Shopping in Regina Neighborhood
✔️ Explore Seville’s Jewish Neighborhood (Barrio Santa Cruz)
✔️ Lunch at Mercado de Triana
✔️ Fancy Dinner & Drinks at Abades Triana
✔️ See a Different Flamenco Show (Free, Local Flamenco Club)
Both lunch and dinner were in Triana. Dinner was especially great at Abades Triana Restaurant, right on the river and overlooking the Torre Del Oro. We watched the sunset and feasted for 2 hours – highly recommend letting the staff pair your dinner with the local wines!
To end the day, because we loved the Flamenco from the night before so much that we caught another show at a local Flamenco Club. It was different and equally as good, which is why I recommend seeing as many Flamenco shows in Spain as you can – just to experience the nuance and difference!
If You Have 4 Days In Seville
If you have one more day around Sevilla, here is what I would get into.
➡️ Day Trip To Córdoba: Easyest Trip from Sevilla – Plus it’s super pretty. You can grab the guided tour or go by yourself – check the OMIO App for bus & train schedules, it’s only 45 minutes away from Sevilla by train.
➡️ Day Trip to Gibraltar Once In A Lifetime Trip – While it is a 2.5-hour drive each way (and I normally think that’s too long for a day trip), the uniqueness makes this worth it. You’ll be seeing the famous Rock of Gibraltar, and the Barbary macaques, the only wild monkey population in Europe, that inhabit the rock.
I wish I could say that Granada or Mérida are good day trips from Sevilla, but I think they’re a bit too far for just a day trip – it’s a 3-hour bus ride one way. If you have a few more days to spare, both of these cities would be excellent additions to the Sevilla trip.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
How many days should I spend in Seville?
I thought 3 days was just enough to scratch the surface of Sevilla. It was most of our first time (I had been once before for a week in college), and we were able to go on a couple of amazing historical and food-focused tours, see the most iconic things in Sevilla, and still have time for siestas, lazy espressos, flamenco, a bit of shopping, and quality girl time.
I would stay 5-7 days in Sevilla to fully appreciate the neighborhoods, the cafes, and the nighttime bar & Spanish guitar scene. Then again, I do enjoy slow travel and wandering the streets a bit more than most.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Getting To Seville
You can get to Seville by plane, train, and bus, depending on where you’re coming from and how you prefer to travel.
✈️ By Plane
Seville has its own international airport, Seville Airport (Aeropuerto de Sevilla), which is well-connected to major European cities and serves as a hub for the region. Once you get here, you can reach the city center by Uber, taxi, bus, or private transfer.
The cheapest way is to take the bus into the city. Buses leave from the Arrival Gate and run from 5 am to 1 am every day. Tickets cost €4 one way and the ride is about 40 minutes.
🚂 By Train
Seville’s main train station is Santa Justa Train Station (Estación de Santa Justa), which is well-connected to other Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, as well as cities in Portugal. You can take high-speed trains (AVE) for a faster and more comfy journey. The train station is located close to the city, making it convenient to get to from the city center.
🚌 By Bus
Seville has a modern bus station called Estación de Autobuses Plaza de Armas near the city center, which offers long-distance bus services from various Spanish and European cities. I used OMIO to book my bus tickets from Sevilla to Granada.
🏃🏻♀️ Getting Around Seville
This is absolutely a walking city. Public transportation like the metro is available but not well connected to the main attractions, so get ready to walk most of the time, and everywhere. My best advice is to get lodging in a central location and wear comfy shoes for walking.
Yes, there are Uber and taxis in Sevilla, but sometimes it’s not worth it, because they can’t get into the smaller neighborhood streets where a lot of the restaurants and places on our itinerary are located.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Where To Stay In Seville
We stayed in Barrio Santa Cruz, and the Arenal and Tirana neighborhoods for the girls who stayed a few extra days. There’s honestly no bad place or neighborhood, so here are the hotels I recommend in great areas!
Best Luxury Hotels in Sevilla
📍 Hotel Mercer Sevilla – A gorgeous property with a restaurant, rooftop bar, pool, and sun terrace available.
📍 Palacio Villapanés – wooden floors, elegant modern furniture, marble columns, sun terrace and pool.
📍Hotel Alfonso XIII – where famous dignitaries, musicians, and presidents stay. It’s by far the most beautiful hotel in Sevilla and a Marriott property for those with points.
Boutique & Chic Hotels In Sevilla
📍Hotel Casa Del Poeta – super charming property with homemade breakfast, a rooftop terrace, and a library.
📍Hotel Posada de Lucero – luxurious, modern, and simple vibe, the hotel is a renovated 16th-century building.
📍Suites Murillo Plaza Santa Cruz – Boutique, modern, in the heart of Sevilla.
PRO TIP: It is hot as hell in Seville in the summer, so if you are visiting June through September, get lodging with a rooftop pool for afternoon cooldowns. Trust!
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Best Time to Visit Seville
The best time to visit Seville is in the spring, especially during Feria in April.
Feria de Abril in April is a lively festival that usually takes place two weeks after Easter. The city explodes into vibrant colors with locals wearing traditional flamenco dresses and horse-drawn carriages parading through the streets. You can join in the fun by dancing Sevillanas, stuffing your face with delicious tapas, and immersing yourself in the neighborhood parties.
Outside of Feria, spring is a great season to explore Seville. The weather is pleasantly warm, not scorching, with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). This is an ideal time to visit the Real Alcazar, the Cathedral, and other historical sites without the summer crowds. Plus, you can enjoy the city’s parks and gardens in full bloom.
It’s best to avoid the scorching summer heat between June and September. Summer temperatures can soar well above 90°F (32°C), which is not comfortable for anyone. This is when you’ll need a pool to cool down in.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Quick (Non-Boring) History of Sevilla
For those who need a little context, here’s a brief history of Seville by century, highlighting significant events and their importance, as well as the most famous people to come out of this city.
1st Century
✔️ Roman rule establishes Hispalis (Seville’s ancient name) as an important port city.
✔️ Establishment of infrastructure, roads, and trade networks, setting the stage for future growth.
6th Century
✔️ The Visigoths (a Germanic tribe) replaces Roman rule.
✔️ Introduction of Christianity as the dominant religion, shaping Seville’s religious landscape.
8th Century
✔️ Muslim Moors capture Seville, leading to a period of Islamic rule.
✔️ Flourishing of art, science, and culture under Muslim influence, contributing to Seville’s rich heritage.
13th Century
✔️ Christian Reconquista forces led by Ferdinand III recapture Seville.
✔️ Integration of Christian and Muslim elements in architecture and culture, creating a unique blend.
15th Century
✔️ Christopher Columbus requests support from Queen Isabella to sail the ocean, eventually leading to the discovery of the Americas.
✔️ Seville becomes a key center of trade with the New World and experiences an economic & cultural boom due to its monopoly on trade with the Americas.
17th Century
✔️ Seville’s decline as the main trading hub as trade routes shift to other European cities.
✔️ Cultural and artistic flowering with the establishment of renowned institutions and artistic achievements.
19th Century
✔️ Seville experiences the turbulence of the Napoleonic invasion and the Peninsular War.
✔️ Socio-political changes and struggles for independence shape the city’s modern identity.
20th Century
✔️ Seville hosts the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, leading to significant urban development. This is when Plaza de España is built.
✔️ Transition to democracy in Spain in the late 20th century, bringing political stability.
21st Century:
✔️ Seville continues to be a major cultural and economic hub in modern Spain.
✔️ It continues to preserve its rich history and cultural heritage while embracing modernity and progress.
3 Days In Seville Itinerary
Final Thoughts: 3 Days in Seville Girls Trip
All in all, we loved our 3 days in Sevilla, and it’s a great city for a girls’ trip. As a recap, here is how we approached each day to prioritize culture, history, food & wine, and squeeze in a bit of shopping and party!
Day 1: Old Town Seville, Seville Cathedral, Tapas & Wine, Real Alcazar
✔️ Seville Walking History Tour: City of Queens, Nuns, Sex Workers & Witches
✔️ Cathedral de Seville & Giralda Tower (entry tickets)
✔️ Tapas & Wine Lunch at Taberna Coloniales or Vineria San Telmo
✔️ Real Alcazar UNESCO World Heritage Site (entry tickets)
✔️ Fancy Dinner & Drinks at Restaurant San Fernando
✔️ Bar Hopping anywhere on La Alameda Street
Day 2: Spanish Tapas Food Tour, Plaza De España, Rooftop Bars, Flamenco
✔️ Seville Market & Tapas Food Tour
✔️ Explore Plaza de España & Parque de Maria Luisa (+ Carriage Ride)
✔️ Bar Alfalfa Tapas & happy hour
✔️ Rooftop Bars: La Terraza de Eme ($$$$) and Terraza Doña Maria ($$$)
✔️ See a Flamenco Show
Day 3: Shopping, Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana, Local Flamenco Club
✔️ Coffee & Shopping in Regina Neighborhood
✔️ Explore Seville’s Jewish Neighborhood (Barrio Santa Cruz)
✔️ Lunch at Mercado de Triana
✔️ Fancy Dinner & Drinks at Abades Triana
✔️ See a Different Flamenco Show (Free, Local Flamenco Club)
So what are you waiting for, get to planning your own 3-day trip to Sevilla!
