12 Best Day Trips from Seville, Spain – Top Excursions & Tours
Seville, or Sevilla in Spanish, is the capital of the Andalusian region and one of the cities to visit in Spain. Thousands flock here to immerse themselves in the Seville culture led by flamenco dancing, art, rich architecture, and the like.
Given that list of attractions and activities, you may be forgiven for wanting to spend your entire vacation in this charming city. However, that would mean you only get to see a speck of what Andalusia offers. This quaint region is home to a myriad of towns and villages, all boasting splendor worth leaving Seville for—even if it’s just a day.
From seeing the majestic Alhambra and the magnificent white villages to visiting the region’s natural splendor at Doñana National Park, day trips from Seville are all worth it.
The Top Seville Day Trips
Without further ado, here’s a list of the best destinations to visit on a day trip from Seville.
1. Granada
Nestled in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is Granada, a city synonymous with acclaimed culture and dramatic architecture. The enchanting city is one of the largest in Andalusia and is therefore teeming with attractions and activities.
Once you arrive, head straight to the Alhambra Palace, the city’s crown jewel. This majestic congregation of palaces is perched atop a hill, offering ornate beauty inside and scenic views outside.
Within its walls, you can see incredible flora at the Generalife Gardens and enjoy panoramic views of Granada from the Alcazaba fortress. Prepare to be amazed by the ornate Nasrid Palaces, the pinnacle of architecture from Spain’s Islamic period.
The bulk of your fun outside the palace will be spent strolling the sprawling city’s incredible streets. Here you’ll find a score of tapas bars and clubs blasting tunes, or enjoy something a little more quiet by visiting the Granada Cathedral.
Getting here: You can embark on a 2.5-hour drive or train ride here or let someone else worry about the logistics of your Granada day trip from Seville by booking a Seville to Granada tour.
2. Córdoba
Córdoba is rich in heritage, and the bulk of what awaits here are historical wonders. This is mainly because the city long enjoyed harmonious living between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In fact, the city’s center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so history buffs get ready to drool over basically everything.
The main highlight of a visit to Córdoba is the La Mezquita mosque-turned-cathedral, which has been around since 784 A.D. To this day, it’s considered one of the best Islamic buildings found in the West.
Another architectural masterpiece is the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, which dates back to the 14th century. Here you can see fountains and a spectacular garden teeming with beautiful flora.
Stroll the city’s narrow alleys, and you’ll eventually find yourself in the old Jewish quarter. This neighborhood is home to a majestic synagogue, a Jewish museum, and whitewashed houses.
Getting here: A drive or train ride here takes 50 minutes, but you can opt for a guided tour if you don’t want to miss out on anything.
3. Gibraltar
Just because you’re in Seville doesn’t mean your excursions should end in Spain. A visit to Gibraltar will take you on the grounds of a British Overseas Territory.
It’s the perfect blend of nature and man, with over 40% of the area declared a nature reserve. As such, the nature’s what has made a Seville to Gibraltar day trip is so popular.
The main highlight, which you can see well before you even get here is the towering Rock of Gibraltar. You can enjoy a challenging hike to the top of this iconic landmark, and the reward is an incredible view of the Iberian Peninsula as well as Morocco. If you like, forgo the torture of hiking and opt for a scenic cable car ride.
Aside from the rock, hiking trails, meeting the infamous Gibraltar monkeys, and seeing the Saint Michael’s caves are on the cards. These caverns also offer fantastic views of the coastline and the port of Gibraltar.
Getting here: Take a 2-hour drive or opt for one of these Seville day tours to Gibraltar.
4. Ronda
Ronda is one of the famed Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), but it deserves to be mentioned on its own. It’s so magnificent that it warrants a Seville to Ronda day trip.
This awe-inspiring village is perched on a hilltop that overlooks the El Tajo gorge, its breathtaking vegetation, and the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge.
Continue the scenic views by visiting the Casa del Rey Moro’s staircase that passes through a beautiful garden. Another unmissable vista is the Mirador de Ronda, where you can enjoy undisturbed views of the gorge’s splendor.
Ronda is most famous for its fervent bullfighting exhibitions, passionate flamenco dancing, and infamous bandits. If that’s your type of thing, you’ll love visiting the Plaza de Toros bullring, where dozens of bulls and matadors have dueled. There’s also a bullfighting museum that should interest you.
In September, Ronda plays host to the Feria Goyesca de Pedro Romero festival. This week-long fiesta sees people cosplaying as bandits, dazzle with flamenco, and showcase their bullfighting skills.
Getting here: Trips from and to Seville last around 1 hour and 50-minutes by car or two hours by train.
5. Pueblos Blancos (White Villages)
While Ronda is the most famous among them, the other Pueblos Blancos are well worth visiting. They’ll remind you of the world-renowned Santorini, but without worrying about contending for space with hordes of people.
The countryside towns feature whitewashed buildings and winding alleyways that stand out from as far as the eye can see. There are a ton of towns, but you won’t be able to see them all in a single day. The must-see towns include Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, and Zahara de la Sierra.
The lovely Arcos de la Frontera is often considered the gateway to the White Villages, and for good reason. Whitewashed buildings, spectacular views, and architectural marvels like the Church of San Pedro and the Basílica of Santa María de la Asunción await here.
Mountainous Grazalema is most popular for its location in a natural park and the unspoiled treasures found there. Zahara de la Sierra is renowned for its blue lake and a Moorish castle that the town surrounds.
Getting here: Public transport is a little unreliable, and you can easily get lost driving yourself, so a guided tour would be your best bet.
6. Cádiz
Some of what makes Cádiz cool is the summery weather, a cool breeze, busy promenades, and incredible ocean views. Despite all this, the city has long been a hidden gem of Andalusia that travelers never think to stop by.
It’s made up of two neighborhoods: the cobblestoned-street El Pópulo and the La Viña fishermen’s village, where fresh seafood awaits. The ancient Roman theater, the spectacular Cádiz Cathedral, and Costa de la Luz’s beautiful coastline are among its best points of interest.
After strolling the city’s alleyways, head to the Torre Tavira observation point, equipped with a camera obscura. Undisturbed views of the city await, and they’re particularly magnificent in the sunset.
Cádiz is home to mouthwatering tapas like the rest of Andalusia, so it would be a trip wasted if you leave without trying one or two—or five, no one will judge.
Getting here: A 1.5-hour train ride or drive is the best way to get to Cádiz.
7. Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera, or Jerez as it’s known, is another of Andalusia’s best-kept secrets. Although you’ve probably heard of it before if you’re a sherry enthusiast—after all, it’s the Sherry capital of Spain. There’s a spot selling bottles of sherry or samples on practically every corner.
This city is steeped in rich history, so its heritage and culture are the major tourist draws. Its historic center is home to the Alcázar de Jerez, which has gardens and traditional Arab baths on exhibition.
Jerez is heaven for equestrian enthusiasts as a school of equestrians features horses with the most majestic strides.
In true Andalusian fashion, the city also has a flamenco craze of its own; it even has a center dedicated to flamenco. Ask around and the locals can point you to the nearest flamenco performance.
Getting here: Jerez is just an hour away by car and train. However, due to its proximity to Cádiz, we recommend joining an organized tour with stops in both cities.
8. Carmona
Carmona is an easily accessible Seville day trip as it lies just 30 minutes from the city. It’s smaller than most Andalusian cities, but it still has enough to warrant a day trip—most of which is history.
It enjoys a ridge location which means picturesque vistas galore behind its towering Roman walls. The two most popular attractions here are the Alcázar del Rey Don Pedro and the Church of Santa María la Mayor.
Instead of touring these sights without prior knowledge, stop by the Carmona City Museum to learn about the city’s history. As evidence of its past Roman influence, you can find an ancient Roman amphitheater which is interesting, to say the least.
Getting here: The cheapest way to enjoy this day trip to Seville’s closest neighbor is by taking the bus, which frequently departs from Seville and takes an hour to arrive.
9. Tangier
Thanks to how close the two nations are, you can visit both Spain and Morocco in a single day. Your gateway to the African nation would be Tangier, a melting pot of Moroccan culture.
Your first stop here should be the Kasbah found in the Dar el Makhzen palace, originally built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Today, the palace is a museum showcasing various Moroccan artifacts and has beautifully carved ceilings.
Afterward, head to the Tangier old town, where all paths lead to the Petit Socco square. This part of the city is home to elegant buildings, and you can enjoy authentic Moroccan dishes or buy a souvenir to take back home.
If you are into Greek mythology, you can’t leave Tangier without seeing the Hercules cave where he reportedly slept.
Getting here: The only way to get to Tangier is by ferry. Avoid any logistical mishaps by joining this guided tour that includes lunch.
10. Doñana National Park
Spain certainly isn’t particularly well-known for its natural splendor besides its mountainous regions. That makes a visit to Doñana National Park even more important.
Its incredible biodiversity has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the perfect escape for nature lovers.
Marshlands, dunes, and verdant forestry filled with different wildlife await. While deer and wild boars are rare sights, bird lovers are highly likely to see graceful flamingos or eagles soaring to the sky.
Adding to the natural splendor is Playa de Matalascañas, a beach with inviting waters and a quiet promenade.
Getting here: The buses along this route are available every two hours, so we’d recommend driving for 45 minutes.
11. Aracena
Aracena is a charming town curved around a medieval church and an ancient castle. It isn’t one of the white villages, but it does feature whitewashed buildings worth gazing at.
Enjoy a light stroll on its sloping streets before going to the Gruta de las Maravillas limestone caves and rock formations. Learn your fair share of medieval history at the Castillo de Aracena. If you’ve got time to spare, take on a few of the Sierra de Aracena’s hiking trails and castles.
Getting here: You can catch a bus that takes an hour-and-a-half to get here or drive for an hour and 15 minutes.
12. Málaga
Málaga is the Andalusian region’s art capital but is also replete with natural splendor in the form of some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. The city’s also loaded with a rich history but has successfully struck a balance between old and new.
As the famed artist’s birthplace, it’s only right to start your visit to Malaga with a stop at the Museo Picasso. This museum is home to over 200 pieces of Picasso’s work. Another place to enjoy art is the Contemporary Art Center in Soho.
While the Costa del Sol coastline is the premier natural attraction, the Jardin Botánico Histórico La Concepción is worth stopping by. It has a calm atmosphere that offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are also stunning views of the city and the sea waiting here.
In between all the exploration, be sure to stop by one of the tapas bars to fill up some authentically Andalusian delicacies.
For a comprehensive guide on visiting this fantastic city, check out this guide on the best things to do in Malaga.
Getting here: Malaga sits around two hours away from Seville, and the two best ways to reach the city would be by driving or taking the train.
Final Thoughts on a Seville Day Trip
Seville is a city that doesn’t lack sights or attractions, so it can be easy to see why you wouldn’t be easily pried away. However, sticking in just Seville means you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg of what makes Andalusia tick.
If you want to see the region in its full glory, consider one of these day trips from Seville, Spain—you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. Now, pack your bags and watch flamingos grace the waters or navigate narrow pathways around whitewashed buildings; the choice is all yours!