24 Hours in Seville

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Road-Tripping Spain and Southern France Plus Ibiza in 12 Days – Day 1

If you ask me to choose the best destination from my travel diaries of 2017, it is definitely Seville – the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville, Spain. Seville was the first city we experienced in Spain. We spent a night here before we went on for a self-drive road-trip in Spain for a week. Seville is an ideal destination to spend few days and experience the Andalusian culture of Spain. It is famous worldwide for its culture, monuments, traditions, and artistic heritage. This is the birthplace of Flamenco and the city where the most amazing Easter procession called Semana Santa takes place. Sadly, we got only a day to spend here and I have articulated what all you can do and see here in a day’s time.

Highlights of the Day

  • Hostal Callejón Del Agua
  • Seville Cathedral
  • Real de Alcazar
  • Plaza de Espana
  • Flamenco Show

Fly to Seville and Check-In at Hotel

We arrived at Sevilla International Airport in early morning. The airport is located about 25 min drive from the city center. There is a bus service that runs about every 30 min from just outside the “Arrivals” hall during most of the day and costs €4 and takes 20-30 min. We could not wait and got a taxi. Taxis are always available next to the bus stop and run on a fixed fare to Seville center. For the fixed airport fare, taxi drivers turn off the meter.

View from the aircraft window
See those wind turbines? – Wind power is the second source of electrical energy in Spain, and it is pretty significant from the picture
View from the plane
This might be part of the Guadalquivir river that flows along Seville – just few moments before we landed
Inside Seville International Airport
Seville International Airport is a small yet busy airport, connecting different cities of Spain and other parts of the world
Details of taxi fare from Seville airport to the city
Airport taxis cost €22.02 during the day and €24.55 after 10 PM and on weekends/holidays

Our accommodation was in the Jewish Quarter. It is the area around the Cathedral of Seville, called Santa Cruz district, and the taxi driver took us in less than 20 min. It is filled with small winding streets and is generally regarded as the most charming part of the city, hence it is fairly touristy.

Hostal Callejón Del Agua

We had booked Hostal Callejón del Agua for a night-stay in Seville. Built in 1851 as a mansion, the guesthouse meets the comforts of the best bed and breakfast and a prime location in the historic center of Seville. The narrow streets around the guesthouse are full of traditional restaurants and tapas bars. The Giralda Tower, the magnificent bell tower of the Cathedral and a symbol of Seville, is within a 5-minute walk, while the Flamenco Museum is just 50 m away.

Hostal Callejon del Agua, Seville, Spain
Hostal Callejon del Agua is one of the most charming guest houses in Seville, located just 250 m away from Seville Cathedral, in the historic Santa Cruz district
The guesthouse has original terracotta tiled floors
Inside Hostal Callejon del Agua
Look at those beautiful French ornate doors, even the room balconies have them
Room in Hostal Callejon del Agua, Seville, Spain
Decorated in warm beige and creams, the rooms at Hostal Callejon del Agua have the most comfortable beds
Bathroom in Hostal Callejon del Agua, Seville, Spain
Each room is located on the main floor and includes a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer
Central courtyard in Hostal Callejon del Agua
The rooms are set around a central courtyard
Rooftop of Hostal Callejon del Agua
Callejon del Agua features a roof-top terrace with sun loungers and shower, and views of the Giralda tower can be appreciated from the terrace
Reception of Hostal Callejon del Agua, Seville, Spain
There is also a tourist information point at reception, where staff can provide free city maps and information on bicycle hire in case you need

There are 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area,  such as the Royal Palace (Real de Alcazar), along with the Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies (Archivio General de Indias).

We checked in and relaxed for a while. We have only one day in Seville, so wanted to make full use of it. The receptionist provided us the city map and helped us planning for the day. The three buildings – the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the General Archive of Indies – together form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. They are testimony to the civilization of Christian Andalusia. Also, all three of them are directly connected with the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. His tomb lies in the Cathedral, and General Archive of the Indies houses an important collection of documents from this period in time. We planned to visit the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the famous Spain Square (Plaza de Espana).

Rooftop breakfast
There was a spread of breads, jams, salsa sauce, pastries, fruit juices, and hot beverages for breakfast – we filled ourselves before heading to explore Seville

Seville Cathedral

We walked through the narrow winding medieval lanes of the Jewish Quarter and within 5 min, we reached the city’s vast cathedral. It was originally built as a mosque in the 12th century, until the beginning of the 15th century, when work began on the new Cathedral. It is the third largest church in the world. Not only that, it is a home of artistic treasures too. Look out for the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, and for something more fanciful, the crocodile.

The entrance fee is an hefty amount of €8.

If you are inside, you cannot afford to miss climbing the city’s most famous icon, the Giralda tower. The tower was originally a Moorish minaret used to give the call to prayer. Do not worry, it is not too arduous as it has ramps rather than stairs. You would get the best views of Seville from the top. Afterwards, we rested your legs in the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of Orange Trees) – a peaceful orange tree courtyard on the northern part of the Cathedral.

The vast Seville Cathedral
It is the largest Gothic cathedral and third largest church in the world, with the largest gold altarpiece
Posing in front of the Seville Cathedral
Seville’s cathedral looks magnificent from the outside
Posing in front of the Seville Cathedral
It is definitely a great place to click pictures
Say no to horse carriages
Horse-drawn carriages are ready to take you around just outside the cathedral – for the sake of the animals, try to avoid or discourage the use of carriage rides in the heat of the day in summer, though we do not prefer this at any time of the year

Real de Alcazar

The most beautiful palace in Spain and the most important site in Seville is the Alcazar of Seville or the Real de Alcazar (Royal Palace) of Seville. It was originally developed by Arab Muslim kings, but has since been updated several times.. The palace is regarded as one of the most outstanding examples of Mudejar architecture – a term used to describe a style in which Christian and Islamic elements are fused – found on the Iberian Peninsula.

To skip the long entry line, it is advisable to book the tickets online prior your visit. Also, do take the audio tour or a guided tour, which is totally worth. The regular entrance fee is €9.50.

The Alcazar is divided into sections dating from a succession of eras: Moorish (11th-12th century), Gothic (13th century), Mudejar (14th century), and Renaissance (15th-16th century). Give yourself plenty of time to wander through the lush gardens, tranquil courtyards, and centuries-old buildings of the palace. Strolling around the gardens is one of the most recommended activities while you are there. These beautiful gardens are breathtaking and will inspire you an incredible calm.

Gate of the Hunt, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
The entrance gate is called Puerta de la Monteria (Gate of the Hunt) – the name came from the ceramic tile panel above the portal with a heraldic rampant lion holding a cross
The Lion Courtyard, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Patio de Leon (the Lion Courtyard) is separated from the one behind it, the Patio de la Monteria, by a large wall with three arches – according to the plan of Islamic palaces, this patio is the Mexuar, the space between the street and the private residential area
The Courtyard of the Hunt, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
This is Patio de la Monteria (the Courtyard of the Hunt) derived its name from the scouts, who accompanied the king in his hunting parties
Palace of King Don Pedro, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Straight ahead is Fachada del Rey Don Pedro (Palace of King Don Pedro), an important civic building, which was made up in the use of the Mudejar style – a term used to describe a style in which Christian and Islamic elements are fused
Admiral's Hall, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
On the right side of the Patio de la Montería, a complex of rooms relates to relations between Spain and the New World, including America – this is one such room called the Salon del Almirante (Admiral’s Hall), where beautiful paintings stand out by the famous painters like Alfonso Grosso, Virgilio Mattoni, Eusebio Valldeperas, and Carlos Blanco, dated in the beginning of the 19th century
Near Admiral's Hall, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
I was just trying to find a good photo spot – found a dull one here though just outside the Admiral’s Hall
Chapel of the Casa de la Contratacion, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Alejo Fernandez, a Spanish painter best known for his portrait of Christopher Columbus, also created the Virgin of the Navigators, which is in the center of the Casa de la Contratacion room, which had been transformed into a chapel in the 16th century – the painting shows the Madonna sheltering a group of Native Americans under her cloak
Upper Palace, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
In the Upper Palace, we came across different beautiful tiles of Seville
Tiles of Seville, , Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Seville is a city of tiles, and we came across few of the oldest tiles from the 16-17th century in the museum room of the Alcazar
Delft tiles, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
This typical style of tiles had circles in a single motif. They were introduced in Italy in the 16th century though were practically produced in the Netherlands in the 17th century- they are usually known as “Delft tiles” in reference to the name of the Dutch town Delft where this type of pottery is produced
Seville tiles, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Collection of a tile having a road number during the Moorish reign
Ambassadors' Hall, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Salon de Embajadores (Ambassadors’ Hall or Throne Room) is the main room of a complex of rooms used for public events and affairs of state inside the Palace of King Don Pedro
Dome Inside Ambassadors' Hall, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
This stunning golden dome, made of really intricate interlaced wood, in the Hall of Ambassadors is the most magnificent part of the Royal Palace of Seville
Courtyard of the Dolls, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
The private area inside the Palace of King Don Pedro is the Patio de las Munecas (Courtyard of the Dolls) – you can spot the doll heads engraved in the columns inside this intimate patio
Courtyard of the Maidens, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
The public area inside the Palace of King Don Pedro is the Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens) – an arcaded patio with a long pool and orange trees – which refers to the legend that the Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Christian kingdoms in Iberia
Garden of the Flowers, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Jardin de las Flores (Garden of the Flowers) is situated at the back of the Pond of Mercury, which makes a great place to take photos
Gardens of the Royal Palace, RoyalPalace, Seville, Spain
Jardin de las Real de Alcazar (Gardens of the Royal Palace) make up one of the great palace sites of the Spanish crown, and possibly the oldest – they are the most original representation of a truly Hispanic style – the Mudejar
Garden of Mercury's Pond, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Jardín del Estanque (Garden of Mercury’s Pond) was named after the large water reservoir which formed the basis for the pool, a cistern which once collected water for the palace and for irrigation
English Garden, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Jardin Ingles (English Garden) is the transformation of old orchards in leisure gardens of the Alcazar
Garden of the Ladies, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Jardin de las Damas (the Garden of the Ladies) is an intervention made in the 16th century on an old Arab garden adjoining the palace
Pavilion of Charles V, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Cenador de la Alcoba (Pavilion of Charles V) surrounded by orange trees was transformed by Charles I on the occasion of his marriage to Princess Elizabeth of Portugal, – this pavilion was built over an Arab qubba, whose original function seems linked to the garden kiosk, oratory or palatial cemetery
Grotto Gallery, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Galeria de Grutesco (Grotto Gallery) overlooking the Gardens of the Alcazar are a heterogeneous conglomeration of styles where a pattern and common beauty seems to put it all together
Inside the Grotto Gallery, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Nice fake pose of mine inside the Grotto Gallery clicked by Richie
Dance Garden, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Jardin de la Danza (Dance Garden) is one of the oldest of the Alcazar, which shows the result of the consequence of the original Arabic gardens after the Renaissance restoration of the 16th and 17th centuries
Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclan, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Richie seems to be ultramad in the Jardin de la Marquis de la Vega Inclan (Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclan) which is designed in geometric patterns, in tune with the tastes of the Andalusian era
Alcubilla Courtyard, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
This is the garden in the Patio de la Alcubilla (Alcubilla Courtyard), also known as the “Tennis Courtyard” – a place where the Spanish Royal Family built a tennis court at the beginning of the 20th century
Troy Garden, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Sources say that Jardin de Troya (Troy Garden) was the first plant labyrinth of those that existed in the gardens of the Alcazar from the 16th century
Levies Courtyard, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
Patio de los Levies (Levies Courtyard) has a modern garden with a central pool of Andalusí flavour, while the elegant arcade with fountain on one of its sides recalls a gallery of Renaissance architecture
Garden of the Galley, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
The spaces in Jardin de la Galera (Garden of the Galley) are delimited by green hanging shrubs, a technique typical of the Andalusian medieval garden
Garden of the Galley, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
The stairway to the galley is surrounded by orange trees – it is interesting to see the introduction of citrus and vegetables in garden that represented a first “green revolution” in southern Europe during the Andalusi times
Peacocks, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
A family of peacocks inside the Royal Palace
Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
We took at least 2 hours to explore all the corners of the the Royal Palace and it was totally worth
Paintings, Royal Palace, Seville, Spain
We came across few mind-blowing hand-paintings of the palace right close to the exit gate of the Palace – these make great souvenirs

Are You a GOT Fan?

If you are a fan of Games of Thrones, then you would be jumping high here. Ask why? Because you can see the set of the Kingdom of Dorne right inside the palace. Many scenes from Game of Thrones Season 5 were shot here. Especially, the scene when Doran Martell looks over the gardens of Dorne from the Grotto Gallery of the Palace!  Also, the Water Gardens of the City of Dorne where Sand Snakes and Ellaria Sand plotted the death of Dorna Martell. Itwas shot in the Gardens of the Alcazar. Remember Ellaria Sand walking over the gardens overlooking a large pool decorated by frescoes and stonework with a small fountain with a statue of Mercury at its center in the Dorne Kingdom? Remember how Myrcella Lannister and Trystane Martell fell in love with each other in these gardens of the Dorne! Oops I mean the Alcazar!

Plaza de Espana

Our next point of interest was Plaza de Espana (Spain Square), which was walkable from the Alcazar. But we were pretty tired strolling for hours in the Alcazar. So we took a tram from Archivo de Indias stop to Prado de San Sebastian stop. From there, we crossed the road and went past across Maria Luisa Park and reached Plaza de Espana.

Tram station in Seville
We took the tram from Archivo de Indias stop, which was next to the other side of the Cathedral
Puerta de Jerez stop, Seville
The tram stopped at Puerta de Jerez stop where there is this beautiful fountain circle, and then we got down at the next stop

Did you know you can rent boats on the canals in the Plaza during summers?

Though many places in Spain have Spain Squares, this one located in Maria Luisa Park is one of Spain’s most spectacular plazas and one of the greatest attractions in Seville. The Plaza was originally designed and built as the ultimate symbol and the most ambitious project of the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition World’s Fair. The building is used as government houses now.

Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
The plaza has a semi-circular brick building, Renaissance/neo-Moorish in style, with a tower at either end, and in front of the building, following the curve of its facade, is a 500-metre canal crossed by four bridges, and in the centre of it all is the Plaza itself
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
The building has a ground-level veranda and first-floor balustrade with balconies framed between two impressive towers
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
Designed by Anibal Gonzalez, Plaza de Espana is an enormous semi-circle complex – approximately 50,000 square meters – in impressive Mudejar style
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
By the walls of the Plaza, are many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain – this one is Barcelona
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
The site was used as a filming location in the Star Wars movie series Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) — in which it featured in exterior shots of the City of Theed on the Planet Naboo
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
It was also featured in the 2012 film The Dictator
Plaza de Espana, Seville, Spain
TravelwithShreya and Richieseesplaces were here – yayyy!

Tapas for Dinner

It was a long day and we were damn hungry. We realized we did not really have anything after that heavy breakfast in the airport. We rushed back to the Jewish Quarter and settled us with amazing vegan tapas at Taberna Belmonte – yes, if you are a vegan, you can enjoy a range of plant-based tapas here. Tapas are Spanish savory dishes served with drinks at bar but as both of us are not much into alcohol, we enjoyed tapas as dinner.

Vegan range of tapas
We ordered a range of different vegan tapas and had an amazing dinner overall

Museo del Baile Flamenco

Flamenco is a Southern Spanish art-form based on the various folkloric music traditions in the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Extremadura, and Murcia.

Finally, our night ended in visiting the Museo del Baile Flamenco (Museum of Flamenco Dance), which was just 1 min away from our guesthouse. A visit to the Flamenco Museum followed by the flamenco performance is highly recommended. It is one of the most technologically advanced museums in Spain. Interactive exhibits show the origins and evolution of flamenco, covering the various styles of music and dance. The museum has become an impressive venue for some of Seville’s best flamenco. The combined ticket of the museum and the show cost us around €30.

Flamenco show in Seville
After a brief introduction of flamenco, the 1-hour show demonstrates the museum’s dedication to bringing its visitors an authentic and unique flamenco show at 7 PM

That was a crazy, beautiful 24 hours spent in Seville. We visited the best places to see in Seville, had delicious tapas, amd enjoyed flamenco show. Later, we got the best sleep on the comfortable beds of our guesthouse – Hostal Callejon del Agua.

There are few cities that blast you away instantly, for example what Amsterdam or Barcelona did to me; then there are few cities that slowly win you over, Seville was such a city. I am in complete love with the city – Seville has disarmed me and seduced me deep. The city’s rich history was evident from the colossal Gothic cathedral, Moorish palace, baroque churches, and winding medieval lanes. As I had mentioned in the beginning, if you ask me to choose the best destination from my travel diaries of 2017, it is definitely Seville, Spain.

NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN EUR)

Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 1 in Spain – Seville.

  • Stay at Hostal Callejon del Agua for twin sharing (1 night):  28.5
  • Food: 15
  • Public transport: 15
  • Entrance tickets including flamenco show: 47.5
  • Miscellaneous: 10

Total expense (roughly): 116 EUR

For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.

If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!

22 thoughts on “24 Hours in Seville”

  2. Medha Verma

    Your 1-day road trip itinerary in Spain sounds really cool! I also plan to do something similar in September this year and have been looking for inspiration on exactly what all cities and towns to visit and how to divide my time in each of them. Seville, of course, will be included in the list and I will also, most likely, not have more than a day there. So your tips are extremely helpful, thanks!

    Reply
  3. Suz

    This looks like a beautiful area. There is a definite African influence in the buildings. Your hotel looks lovely. Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  5. Alexander Popkov

    Seville is something I have missed during my last trip to Spain. There are so many things in Spain, that you cannot cover them in one trip. Now I have a good plan for Seville if I come back to this region. Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  7. 2 Backpackers

    The one-day itinerary of Seville is quite wonderful. You seem to have covered the best. I am so fond of the architectures there.These old buildings and their history are a great attraction.

    Reply
  9. Tales of travelling sisters

    What a perfect itinerary for a day in Seville! I missed out on this historic town during my visit to Spain two years ago. Clearly I made a mistake of not including Seville, it is so gorgeous! The Royal Palace is a sight truely and you look equally lovely Shreya!

    Reply
  10. ritika

    as always beautiful infrmative blog..love the fact u dont leave even a single tiny detail..REAL DE ALCAZAR looks amazing and would love to visit it one day.. continue writing..love ur posts.

    Reply
  11. AlwaysCarryOn.com

    I’ve not been to this city yet, but it’s absolutely on my list after reading this – it’s so scenic! So when I do get around to planning a trip here, I will consider the Hostal for sure x

    Reply

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