Picture yourself walking down a sunny Spanish street, you pass under an orange tree and smile as you watch people enjoying their morning cafe con leche. You are in Seville, Spain, the capital of Andalucia. To me, you are almost in heaven. Seville is a place in our travels that totally captured me. Maybe it was the sunny weather or the beautiful architecture – or maybe it’s the culture of slow-paced enjoyment and daily happy hours after work. Happy Hour, Happy Ashley. Easy math.
I loved everything about our time in Seville. There are so many wonderful things to see and do – and eat! If you wanted to dream up the ideal day spent in one of the most inviting cities in Europe, from sunup to sundown, here are some ideas to plan your perfect day exploring Seville!
Breakfast: Cafe Con Leche and Something Sweet
The typical desayuno (breakfast) in Spain consists of strong coffee with milk and some small, sweet baked goods. Whether it be bollos (sweet rolls) or magdalenas (similar to the French madeleine), the typical Spaniard doesn’t make too much of the day’s first meal. Much like the rest of western Europe, it’s focused on simple, but exceptional, items to get you going for the day.
After you’ve slept in just a bit (or maybe you rose before the sun, good on you!) make your way over to your nearest coffee shop or bakery and order a cafe con leche. Literally a “coffee with milk”, this is the most common breakfast beverage in Spain. You’ll find that most coffee options are actually espresso drinks so if you want something similar to drip coffee ask for an “americano” and that should do. I should also note that you might find the typical coffee in Spain to be well beyond a “dark roast”. The Spanish usually roast their beans with a method called “torrefacto” which basically involves coating the bean with sugar then allowing it to caramelize during roasting. This produces an especially dark and bitter espresso product. I suspect that’s why sweets are so commonly found alongside coffee, for balance. Not all cafes use this method, but just be aware as you make your choice. Here are a few great places for sipping and enjoying the morning.
- Virgin Coffee: Blink and you might miss this itty bitty shop. While it is small in size the coffees are large in flavor and craft.
- Parcería: Very trendy vibes and if you are in need of an iced coffee, they have you covered.
- Lalita Café: A bit of a walk from the city center but well worth the stroll. Known for their freshly made baked goods, Lalita is the ideal breakfast spot.
- Cafe Mama Ines: This is the spot for a traditional breakfast experience. Warm and lively, you’ll find great bread and aromatic cafes on almost every table.
- Torch Coffee Roasters: Probably the most popular choice for craft coffee enthusiasts. You’ll find expertly roasted brews in a cafe that feels like you might actually be in New York or California.
See The Sights: Seville’s Best Attractions
Now that you are caffeinated and fed, you’re ready to explore a new city. One of my favorite things about Seville is how easily it’s explored on foot. Grab your favorite walking shoes and enjoy the many plazas and side streets throughout town. While you’re walking, be sure to stop by some of the main highlights.
- Real Alcazar: Perhaps the most famous tourist attraction, this gorgeous property (the oldest palace still in use in Europe!) is worth a stop. If you want to make it quick, buy tickets in advance and skip the audio guide. Instead, just stroll the gardens and admire the lovely architecture. You really get a feel for the Moorish influence in this region here at the palace.
- Catedral de Seville: You really can’t miss it, this church is enormous. Aside from its imposing size, this cathedral is special for its blend of architecture. As I alluded to before, Spain was at one time ruled by the Moors and so the cathedral was originally a mosque! You can clearly see the two styles from its time serving Muslims to its current use as a Catholic cathedral.
- Barrio Santa Cruz: If you want more of the slower-paced, strolling around town this is your neighborhood. Known for its especially lovely buildings and atmosphere, Barrio Santa Cruz is the place for a post-lunch walkabout.
- Torre del Oro: Literally meaning “Gold Tower” or “Tower of Gold” this structure along the river dates back to the 1200s and is a great place to start for a walk along the waterfront.
- Las Setas de Sevilla: Mostly known for the mushroom-like sculptures, this museum and viewpoint is a great stop for something a little different.
Soak Up The Atmosphere: Parque Maria Luisa and Plaza de España
The star of the day for me are these two stops. They sit side-by-side, so really it’s all one single stop but they are my most favorite of all we explored in Seville.
We didn’t get to do this but I highly recommend renting some bicycles and cruising through the huge Parque Maria Luisa. It’s a gorgeous, well-maintained garden and park area. You can grab a snack from a vendor and watch kids play before heading over to the Plaza.
Plaza de España is part plaza, part museum, and just an incredible spectacle of architecture and culture. If you’re lucky, as we were, you can catch buskers performing live flamenco on the steps of the government building. Flamenco is a traditional dance style that originated in this region of southern Spain and has a rich history of expression and storytelling.
You really cannot skip these two on your day about town. Honestly, if you wanted to make an entire day out of biking around and enjoying the sun and dance, I approve!
Finish Strong: Tapas and Flamenco
Tapas. If you’ve done even an iota of research on “things to do in X, Spain” then tapas have almost certainly been suggested to you. I’m going to get inline as another blog telling you about this tapas bar or that one. Really though, the location doesn’t matter as much as the spirit behind the event.
Tapas are just a lovely way to soak up the wine or beer while you enjoy what is essentially a happy hour in Spain. Standard meal times are quite different than what the typical American tourist would expect. Tapas around 6 pm is the perfect way to enjoy some traditional culture while holding you over until your 9 o’clock dinner reservation. Spaniards eat late, like very late.
It truly seemed to be something almost everyone partook in. The bars we stopped by were often filled with patrons, often spilling into the streets with wine in hand. The atmosphere of it felt so communal and exciting that I couldn’t help but be charmed by it all. I’ll list a few recommendations but you really can’t go wrong with almost any local spot. Where there are people, you can usually expect to find a good time.
TAPAS:
- Bar Alfalfa: One of the most popular, more traditional, spots. Expect a crowd but don’t worry – you’ll grab a seat in no time. We loved this place. Once we got the hang of things we settled in with great wine and a snack and just vibed along to the hum of the crowd enjoying the evening.
- Los Coloniales: Another popular joint, with a bit more elbow room. They have a great selection of tapas!
- La Chunga: This one is much more modern, but still knows to play the hits. All the best tapas options in a bright, airy atmosphere.
- La Brunilda Tapas: For a more upscale vibe try La Brunilda. I love the decor, it feels fresh and contemporary and the food is beautifully presented.
End your day with a show at the Tablao Flamenco El Arenal. Flamenco truly is an integral part of the traditional culture in this region. Be ready to go on an emotional ride as these artists stomp and kick their way through stories of hardship, love, and more. It’s the best way to end a perfect day in a perfect place.
Tired of reading? Watch our travel vlog on YouTube! Be sure to like and subscribe if you enjoyed our video 😊
What would make your day in Seville perfect? I hope this post was helpful in planning your next trip to Spain. If you enjoyed this content and want to support us in creating more like it, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Sign-up for our e-newsletter below to be notified as soon as new posts are released!
