I flew to Seville from Mallorca to see the must-see attractions in just one day, and I think I succeeded.
As I mentioned in my Mallorca report, my journey was not heading home but towards Andalusia. I flew to Seville on a Thursday evening flight, which had been on my bucket list for a long time based on pictures. And I was not disappointed…
I admit, after booking, I had a thought that one day might be too short. But it doesn’t require much sleep, just an early start to explore the city. (Almost all the attractions are in the city center, so I walked everywhere.)
From the airport, the EA bus takes you to the city, with the stop on the right side of the exit. The one-way ticket costs 4 euros, which you buy from the driver.
Heading to my accommodation, I took a little time to see what life is like at night. It’s well-known that the Spanish day is shifted, so it wasn’t surprising that restaurants and bars were bustling around 11 PM. It was already evident that Seville is a city with a great atmosphere.
On Friday morning, I started from my accommodation at 7:30 AM. Since it gets light around 8:45 AM, I reached the most famous attraction, Plaza de España, in foggy and twilight conditions (it rained at night). It’s a huge square with little booths in a semi-circle, where each Spanish province’s famous historical events are displayed in tiles. There were only a few people, but I planned to return in the afternoon when it’s sunny.
Next, I headed to the farthest north attraction, the Basilica de Macarena. Opposite it is the Andalusian parliament building and a section of the city wall a few hundred meters long.
I headed back towards the cathedral as the sun broke out, staying bright until I left for the airport. It quickly warmed up to 19 degrees, feeling even warmer.
On the way I visited Setas, a wooden rest area. It can also be seen as a community meeting place.
Seville’s cathedral, located on the main street, is a huge and magnificent building. It’s worth a tour, not least for the artwork on the church.
I had tickets for the Alcazar palace at noon (it’s advisable to buy online as the queue on-site is very long), and its garden is incredibly beautiful. Just take a look at the pictures:
Those who buy a ticket to the Alcazar should plan to spend hours there. You can encounter peacocks in the garden (very tame) and hear parrots all around.
Then, I went back to Plaza de España. Many people were there in the brilliant sunshine, and it’s worth spending a long time admiring it. The tiled booths are beautiful. You can go up to the first floor of the semi-circular building at two points and take amazing photos from above.
There’s a huge park next to it, and if you have time, take a nice walk. There are several fountains, a small waterfall, and more tiled benches and artworks.
One place was still missing from my initial list, the Triana district. Located opposite the city center, across the river, it’s a bit more authentic, not primarily for tourists. I love such neighborhoods and usually look for restaurants there. I had a late lunch in a bistro. It was a joy to see that many elderly people also participate in this kind of life. Next to me, three ladies over 70 were dining and sipping beer from a pitcher. That’s the way to do it, people. 🙂
The EA bus to the airport departs from the side of the Plaza de Armas bus station, but I still had some time and popped into the nearby Museo de Bellas Artes. In a beautiful palace, you can see works by Spanish artists. And it’s free for EU citizens.
Well, that’s how much I could fit into one day. Although I managed to see a lot, I would stay at least one more day next time. Especially to enjoy the evening life more, I really liked the lifestyle I saw here. I’m almost certain I will return to Seville!