Seville 7-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Cathedral

   Huge 15th-century church on the site of the former great mosque; richly decorated with the central nave rising to 37 m. An ornate canopy and statue marks the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. If there's a queue for tickets then go to the nearby Church of Salvador (Iglesia del Salvador) and buy a combi ticket. Cathedral admission includes La Giralda, the minaret that is now the magnificent bell tower.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Real Alcázar

   A beautiful palace in Mudéjar (Moorish) style, built in the 12th century by the Almohad Caliphs. Greatly remodelled and extended in the 14th century by Pedro I the Cruel, its myriad rooms, extravagant architecture, lavish gardens including a maze, with many courtyards, ponds and secrets to be explored, make it a fascinating place to visit. The room where Christopher Columbus's journey across the Atlantic was planned has his coat of arms embroidered on the wall along with those of royalty.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Hospital de los Venerables

   A 17th-century retirement home and hospital for aged and sickly retired priests, restored by the Fundación to preserve an example of Andalusian architecture at its very best. Includes a resplendent Baroque chapel which is highly recommended, as well as the Santa Rufina painted by Diego Velázquez.

4. Stop 4 · 9 min walk

   Torre del Oro

   A 13th-century tower, the top of which is rumored to have once been covered in gold. It now houses the local maritime museum.

Eat · Bodeguita Romero: A classic neighbourhood bodega, very popular with locals and serving excellent tapas.

1. Stop 1

   Alameda de Hercules

   Authentic and less touristy plaza with local food opportunities.

2. Stop 2 · 37 min walk

   Parque María Luisa

   Built for the 1929 Iber-Americano World's Fair and now landscaped with attractive monuments and museums.

3. Stop 3 · 31 min walk

   Palacio de Las Dueñas

   Las Dueñas is a palace belonging to the House of Alba. It was built in the 15th century, with Renaissance architecture style and Gothic-Mudejar influences. The palace is one of the major historic homes in the city. The poet Antonio Machado was born here in 1875. It is also said that Amerigo Vespucci married in this chapel at the beginning of the 16th century.

4. Stop 4 · 26 min walk

   Plaza de España

   The site of the Spanish pavilion from the 1929 exhibition: the semi-circle has little ceramic maps of every region of Spain plus images of them and/or their history. It was also used in the filming of the Star Wars prequels. Visit it early in the morning on a weekday to see a long line of immigrants outside one of the government offices it now houses, or visit it right before it closes (officially at 22:00 but likely half an hour later) to see it completely empty and rather eerie.

Eat · El Librero Tapas y Quesos: Does cheese dishes, ham dishes, tapas, menu del dia, etc. Very popular with locals.

1. Stop 1

   Real Fábrica de Tabacos

   The main building of the University of Seville was once the Tobacco Factory of Seville, and was constructed between 1728 and 1771 by Sebastián Van der Bocht. Over the main entrance, the triangular façade ends in a statue of La Fama (fame). The tobacco factory was then the largest industrial building in Spain. A monopoly assured high income, which is reflected in the factory's architecture and surrounding gardens. Its chapel and prison complement the main building.

2. Stop 2 · 17 min walk

   Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija

   The palace is considered the 'best paved house-palace in Europe' owing to its collection of Roman mosaics and marble floors in the 'opus sectile' geometric style, which paved practically the whole of the ground floor. There is also a collection of well parapets, vases, amphora, columns and sculptures of incalculable worth.

3. Stop 3 · 8 min walk

   Casa de Pilatos

   A 16th-century palace and generally thought to be one of the best in the city.

4. Stop 4 · 8 min walk

   Palacio Arzobispal

   It is in the historical section of the city and is home to various clergy and the Archbishop. On the outside you only can catch a glimpse of the patio but on the inside there are important works of art.

Eat · Los Coloniales: This tapas place is cozy and has only a few tables. Go there early to put your name on the board to get a table, then head inside for a couple of beers. Portions are large and food is very very good. Nice homemade desserts, too.

1. Stop 1

   Archivo General de Indias

   This Renaissance building houses extensive archives relating to the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included in the collection are the diaries of Columbus. The archive hosts rotating special exhibits.

2. Stop 2

   Metropol Parasol

   An enormous wooden structure, designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann, inspired by the Cathedral of Seville and in the form of giant mushrooms. Known to locals as 'las setas' (the mushrooms), the structure covers the Central Market and the Antiquarium; the top level contains a restaurant and provides some of the best views of Seville.

3. Stop 3 · 10 min walk

   Museo de Bellas Artes

   Considered by some as the second most important fine arts museum in Spain after the Prado in Madrid. The museum building is a former mercy convent renewed in the 17th century and the 15 exhibition rooms show a comprehensive picture of Sevillian art from the Gothic period to the early trends of the 20th century. The square just outside hosts an open-air art market on Sundays until around 13:30. Plenty of original paintings on local topics, although some not so interesting bits as well!

4. Stop 4 · 36 min walk

   Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla

   It has one of the best collection of Roman-era artifacts in Spain, brought from nearby Italica.

Eat · Duo Tapas: This bar offers a nice atmosphere and good food. The price is average and the size of the tapas is fair, but it may be crowded, so it's better not to go in a hurry, as you may need to wait for a table.

1. Stop 1

   Museo Antiquarium

   A museum with excavated Roman and Moorish remains, discovered during construction of the Metropol Parasol. You can enter for free if you show your ticket for the alcazar, even if the ticket is a few days old.

2. Stop 2 · 21 min walk

   Centro Andaluz de Arte Contempraneo

   Contemporary art museum in the former Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria of Las Cuevas, which has a fascinating history as a clay mine, monastery, and ceramics factory. The site and expansive grounds are worth a visit in their own right, including a striking rose window, industrial chimneys, and orange orchards. This was one of the places where the remains of Christopher Columbus were buried, before ending up in the Cathedral.

Eat · Naturalmente: Breakfast and lunch every day, with early dinner two nights a week - handy if you want to eat earlier than typical Spanish dining hours.

1. Stop 1

   Sierra de Aracena

   Listed as a next stop from Seville. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Sierra Norte

   Listed as a next stop from Seville. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Córdoba (city, Spain)

   Listed as a next stop from Seville. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.

1. Stop 1

   Museo del Baile Flamenco

   Offers an experience for all the senses with ambiental music, videos, touch-screens and artifacts to be found in this 18th century building at the heart of the historical Barrio Santa Cruz. On Friday and Saturday evenings a spectacular show is hosted at a discounted price for visitors to the museum. Flamenco art and photography exhibitions are also on display and dance, singing, percussion and guitar lessons are offered.

2. Stop 2

   La Casa del Flamenco

   A good spot to see real flamenco.

3. Stop 3

   La Carbonería

   Offers free flamenco shows nightly. Arrive early for good seats.

4. Stop 4

   Semana Santa

   The sombre Easter week processions feature thousands of people and go on all week, a spectacular display of conspicuous Catholicism.

Eat · Go back to a place that already worked.