A Weekend City Break in Seville

Without being blunt, 48 hours is nowhere near enough time to get the most out of Seville. This is a big city, the largest in Andalusia and one of the biggest in Spain, so you could easily spend a lifetime here without fully discovering all of its nooks and crannies. But this is a fast-moving modern world we’re living in, and time is well and truly of the essence. More and more people are heading off to Andalusia for a weekend city break ― here is how to have the perfect weekend getaway in Seville.

DAY ONE: MORNING:

Where else to start? Seville’s cathedral is its most eye-catching attraction, the most iconic spot in a historic city that has plenty in its present and future. Buy your tickets ahead of time to beat the queues, or get up nice and early to find yourself first in line before doors open. The Cathedral is Seville’s must-visit, so give yourself plenty of time here on your first morning. The Real Alcazar is next door and is another of Seville’s must-visits. Both of these spots lie on the edge of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the old Jewish Quarter that is far and away the most adorable part of the city, all narrow streets and tranquility. Wander the streets and see where your feet take you, before heading back to the cathedral to get your bearings.

AFTERNOON:

Head south of the cathedral as the afternoon sun kicks in, as you’ll likely need to find some peace and shade in order to avoid melting into a pool of startled tourism. The Maria Luisa Park is the most magnificent green space in Seville, and it is here that we find the Plaza de España, the finest square in town. The square was opened in time for the 1929 expo and is every bit as elegant as such an important spot should be. Take your time in and around these parts, before nipping into the Old Tobacco Factory, now home to the headquarters of the city’s university.

NIGHT:

You’re in Seville, the capital of Andalusia, so of course you’re going to tuck into plenty of tapas, drink a heap of wine (or maybe a gallon of Cruzcampo) before finding yourself some flamenco. You might need to plan ahead of time to get the best of the latter, as the queues for the city centre shows are almost as long as those for the cathedral. Either way, get full, get merry, get your flamenco on.

DAY TWO: MORNING:

Not feeling too hungover? Good, we’ve got the most creative part of the city to explore. Triana is a neighbourhood like no other, a fiercely independent part of town that was home to the Spanish Inquisition’s headquarters before that became a historic joke that we aren’t sure anyone should be making. There are a plethora of breakfast and coffee options in this part, so let your feet take the lead and stop here there and everywhere. There is plenty of fascinating street art in these parts as well. Head back over the bridge that crosses the Guadalquivir in the direction of the city’s famous bullring, the mecca of bullfighting in a region that still adores the sport. Take a look around the bullring’s museum and pick up an old poster or two as a souvenir.

AFTERNOON:

Time to head north. The Metropol Parasol is just about the most modern of Seville’s attractions, but it doesn’t get much more Instagrammable than this. Thought to be the largest wooden structure in the world, the views from the top are every bit as astonishing as the engineering from the bottom. It also provides plenty of shade from that vicious afternoon sun, although we’re more likely to find ourselves a cafe or two in which to sink a Cruzcampo (or three). Head to the nearby Palacio de las Dueñas to get a feel for the magnificence of 15th century Andalusia. This is just about as representative as palaces get in these parts.

NIGHT:

Seville is one of the hottest cities in Spain not just when it comes to temperature, but also when talking about craft beer. There are a hot of craft beer spots in the north of the centre, although we’re all sorts of partial to spending hour after hour in Maquila. Why? Well, this is the only genuine brew pub in the city at the time of writing, and it also serves a fine menu of tapas classics. The beer selection is the best in Seville, and the bull’s tail positively drips off the fork. This is the perfect way to end a whistle-stop tour of Andalusia’s most famous city.