There is a problem that few mention when planning what to see in Seville. Many tourists lose hours going to the hotel to leave luggage or dragging suitcases through the city during your visit. Sometimes, you can lose even between 3-4 hours doing this.
From our location next to the Cathedral and the Maestranza, we have seen thousands of travelers to make this mistake. That’s why we’ve created this route from Seville to walk optimized, with practical tips and local secrets that only we know of those who live here. If you’re going to spend the day by the city and you arrive with luggage, you can leave them in our luggage storage in Seville.
How much time do you need for a walking tour of Seville?
To enjoy the old town of Seville without rushing you need a full day: a full walking tour of Seville is between 7 and 8 hours including visits, breaks, and meals. If you’re tight for time, the basic tour (Cathedral, Alcazar, and Santa Cruz) requires a minimum of 5 hours. We recommend you to buy the tickets online in advance to avoid queues last time, especially in season in the Alcázar of Seville.
Best Time to Visit Seville
Spring (march-may) and autumn (September-November) are the best times to explore Seville on foot. The temperatures hover around 20-25°C. however, in the summer the city easily exceeds 40°C, and it is almost impossible to leave the hotel.
Times strategic: start your day at 9:00 in the morning. You’ll be among the first to enter the Cathedral and you’ll avoid the middle of the day and the crowds. The light of the morning, in addition, it is very nice for photographs. If you’re looking for peace of mind, prevents Holy Week and the April Fair. Both events will be live with a lot of intensity in the city and the prices for accommodation are fired. In addition, many businesses may close or change their hours.
The best intinerary through the old town
The old quarter of Seville is a maze of mosques turned into churches, palaces, moorish and patios andaluce. All points are connected in less than 10 minutes walk.
The Cathedral and the Giralda
Start your path by Seville Cathedral, the gothic church, the world’s largest. Spend 90 minutes minimum and passes through the chapels, the main altar and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The climb to the Giralda is mandatory. Has 35 ramps that take you to 70 meters in height, and you can enjoy the best views of Seville. Upload first to the Giralda before visiting the Cathedral.
Reales Alcazares
The Alcazar is just 200 metres away and it takes at least 2 hours for your visit. The Courtyard of the Maidens will leave you without words, but the true treasure are the gardens: the labyrinth of fountains, orange trees and pavilions where it is easy to get lost without direction. If you’re just in time, focus on the Palace of Pedro I and the main gardens. You can skip the more remote areas without missing what is essential.
Barrio de Santa Cruz
Salt of the Alcázar straight to the Barrio Santa Cruz, the old jewish quarter. Forget the map for an hour and get lost between the narrow streets, courtyards with tiles and hidden squares. Some of its streets are essential: Life, with their balconies brimming with flowers; Water, the most photographed; and Pepper, narrow as a corridor. You can also visit the squares of Santa Cruz, Doña Elvira and the Alley of the Water at sunset. Is the postcard for the excellence of Seville.
Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza
From Santa Cruz, walk 10 minutes to the Plaza de Toros Maestranza, considered the cathedral of bullfighting. You can visit it from within by doing a guided tour (45 minutes), which includes the bullfighting museum and the arena. This area is perfect for tapas at noon. On the Street Adriano and the surrounding area is concentrated in some of the best traditional bars in Sevilla.
Archive of the Indies
Between the Cathedral and the Alcázar, is the Archive of the Indies. This renaissance building houses documents from the conquest of America, including the journal of Columbus. The entrance is free and you can visit her inner courtyard, which also deserves a lot of worth.
How to Get there by Public Transport
- From the airport: the bus EA (Special line Airport) leaves you at the Puerta de Jerez in 35 minutes for 4€. There are 5 minutes walk to the Cathedral.
- From Santa Justa (train station): bus C1 or C2 to Archive of the Indies (15 minutes, 1,40€). Alternatively, a taxi will cost 7-8€.
- Tourist Bus: stops at all the points of the route. Useful if you get tired or short of time, although our advice is that all this tour is best enjoyed on foot.
If you arrive with luggage, you can leave them in the lockers in Santa Justa Station. You will earn those 3-4 hours that we mentioned at the beginning and you will enjoy every minute in the best area to visit Seville.
Make room for a snack break: here are the best places on our list of Seville restaurants and tapas bars.
