Andalusia in five days
Andalusia is an essential destination for holidays in Spain. You really have to visit the south, because it’s home to some of the world’s most famous historic sites, a really delicious culinary tradition, unique Arab heritage, picture postcard villages of whitewashed houses, a wealth of shops selling artisan products, and a bustling street life with a cheerful atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.
Andalusia is the second largest region of Spain. It measures 500 kilometres from end to end, so if you have just five days and you want to explore the region as an independent traveller, your best bet is to hire a car and concentrate on a few of its most famous cities.
DAY 5: Seville
Seville is 140 kilometres from Córdoba, just an hour and a half by car. The capital of Andalusia is so beautiful and with so much to see that several days are needed to visit it properly, but we’ll try to show you the essential sites you can see in a day.
The Cathedral, Giralda and Alcázar
In the heart of the old town is perhaps the most significant heritage site in Seville: the Cathedral and its bell tower, the Giralda, once the minaret of a mosque. We recommend visiting both of them, and of course, going to the top of the Giralda, once the tallest towers in the world at nearly 100 metres. No visitor should miss seeing this iconic building.
Opposite is another site worth visiting, the lovely Alcázar of Seville, one of the world’s oldest palaces still in use.
A walk and lunch in the Santa Cruz district
After a morning of monuments, you could visit one of Seville’s most charming traditional districts, Santa Cruz, a former Jewish quarter full of narrow streets and picturesque squares. A wonderful place to walk around and sample the tapas in different bars.
The place for shopping is around Plaza Nueva and the pedestrianised Calle Sierpes and Calle Tetuán. Perhaps you’d like a souvenir - how about a Flamenco outfit, a fan, embroidery, or leatherwork…?
An afternoon in Plaza de España and María Luisa Park
After lunch, you can visit the area around the river Guadalquivir and the iconic Torre del Oro, and then one of Seville’s prettiest squares, Plaza de España. You won’t be able to resist taking lots of photos of the canal with rowing boats, the central fountain and semicircular colonnade… This square is part of the gardens of María Luisa park, where many visitors choose to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Dinner in the Triana district
Cross the Isabel II Bridge (known locally as Puente de Triana) to reach a part of the city that is less stately but has an attractive seaside character and a lively atmosphere, the perfect place to end the day.
Here you can make any last-minute purchases (Triana is famous for its ceramics) and have dinner on the terrace of the many good quality bars and restaurants with views.
Seville with kids: optional visit to Isla Mágica
If you only have a day to spend in Seville, you won’t have time to see this theme park. But if you’re travelling with children and you have an extra day, we recommend you spend it enjoying the rides and attractions of Isla Mágica.
Do you have more than five days to visit Andalusia? Have a look at the travel tips in “Andalusia in seven days”.