Matt
Seville is an incredible city to visit in Spain, and a great option for a day trip from Madrid.. While it’s a little more effort than your average day trip from Madrid, Sevilles’ gorgeous weather, fascinating mudéjar architecture, and fabulous flamenco shows make it well worth the journey.
Unless going where the wind takes you is your vibe (and in this case, the wind might mean expensive last-minute train tickets and tourist sights), you should start planning your trip from Madrid to Seville early.
Wondering where to start? We’ve got your back. From how to get there to seeing the sights, this article will give you the lowdown on the best options for your day trip.
Getting From Madrid to Seville
Choosing the best transportation from Madrid to Seville for a day trip is very important. After all, a slow or unreliable option could add hours of travel time. You could’ve spent that drinking sangria in the square or wandering the lush gardens of Reales Alcazares. Just saying.
How To Get From Madrid to Seville
Well, first, you’d have to ask, “How far is Seville from Madrid?”. And we won’t lie, it’s a bit of a trek. 242 miles away, to be precise. Luckily, we’ve lined up a bunch of transport options for getting to Seville, so you can compare which suits you best.
Madrid to Seville by Train
A quick and efficient option for your day trip is taking the train from Madrid to Seville and offers some pretty views of the Spanish countryside en route.
Most main railway stations are conveniently located in the city center, and by opting to take the train, you avoid expensive transfers, long security queues, and traffic. All things considered, the train to Seville is well worth looking into.
Take the high-speed AVE train and be in Seville in two and a half hours. Train tickets from Madrid to Seville start at around €30 ($32) each way. The earliest train goes from Atocha Station at 6:20 am on weekdays and 7 am on weekends.
Top tip: We wouldn’t leave this one til the last minute. It’s well worth booking at least a week before your trip. In peak season, try to book a month or more in advance to nab the cheapest train tickets.
Getting to Seville by bus
Taking the bus can save you some cash, but bear in mind that it’ll take at least 3 hours. Without traffic, that is, otherwise, you’re facing a 5-hour trip. The cheapest buses can be found for as little as F11 ($12) each way.
On average, there are around 2 buses a day from Madrid to Seville, but make sure to check out the specific travel dates before you go.
Getting to Seville by Car
If you decide to go by car, leave early. Make the entire experience easier by renting your car online, with it ready for you as soon as you land in Madrid!
Driving from Madrid to Seville takes around five hours but can be broken up with visits en route to the Old Town of Cáceres, Mirador del Valle, and Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo. If you plan to stay the night in Seville, driving is a great option, but otherwise, a 10-hour commute is a little much for a day trip.
Getting to Seville by Flight
Technically, this is the fastest way to get to Seville from Madrid, taking only 1 hour and 10 minutes. This doesn’t include time spent getting to and from the airport, security queues, and general airport waiting time.
Prices start from around €40 ($43) return, depending on the time of year. Make sure to book early for the best prices.
Getting Around in Seville
Despite being the largest city in Andalusia, Seville is surprisingly walkable. It takes only 45 minutes to get from one side of the city to another.
If you’re not much of a walker, you’ve got the metro, trams, buses or even bikes to choose from.
There’s only one metro line in Seville, which doesn’t pass through the historic center. Still, it makes a reliable and fast mode of transport when out and about. Somewhat confusingly, Seville’s tram network is called MetroCentro. It has five stops and is a handy option for visiting the main tourist sights.
Seville’s bus network, called TUSSAM, runs through the center and its Triana and Los Remedios neighborhoods.
For sporty travelers, Seville has Sevici, a bike-sharing scheme with affordable short-term subscription plans and many pick-up stations across the city. Some areas are too narrow to cycle in, so don’t be a pest and stick to the 112 miles of bike lanes.
What To Do in Seville
Royal Alcazar
You can’t miss the Royal Alcazar when spending a day in Seville. This royal palace boasts incredible architecture and rich history to boot, with endless hallways, patios, and gardens to explore. It was commissioned by a Christian king 100 years after the reconquest of Spain and is one of the best examples of Mudéjar architecture around.
Plan your visit for the early morning or during the siesta in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Or, get your learning hat on and take a guided tour of the palace.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is a beautiful 20th-century square in the heart of Seville. Built in a Spanish Renaissance style, this architectural marvel is an ode to Spain, with 52 frescoes depicting the 52 Spanish provinces. You might recognize the building from the Star Wars movies.
During the summer, Plaza de España is used as a venue for live music and is the perfect place to spend a warm summer evening.
Torre del Oro
Torre del Oro, or Tower of Gold, is a 12-sided tower built in the 13th century. The Torre del Oro is now the site of the Maritime Museum, from which you’ll see beautiful views of the Guadalquivir River. Dive into its fascinating history – not the river – and learn about the towers’ past as a military watchtower and prison in the Middle Ages. We recommend seeing the tower as part of a bike tour of Seville.
La Giralda Cathedral
The most visited site in Seville and the biggest Gothic building in the world, La Giralda is a site (get it?) for sore eyes. Construction began all the way back in 1401, and it’s rumored that the remains of Columbus were buried there. We can neither confirm nor deny.
Get ramped up to explore the Cathedral since you’ll be climbing 70 meters of ramps instead of stairs. It’s worth it for the view. Afterward, take a stroll around the quaint Santa Cruz district
(the third largest in the Christian world) and wander around the closeby and beautiful location.
Top tip: Get the full experience of La Giralda by taking a walking tour.
Additional Tips for Seville Day Trips From Madrid
You know the phrase, ‘planning makes perfect’? Well, now you do.
Our top ten tips for an easy breezy day trip in Seville are as follows:
- Research well in advance how you plan to travel from Madrid to Seville. It’ll save you money and that last-minute booking stress.
- Have an idea before your trip of which sites you plan to visit. La Giralda? The Alcazar? Seville is your oyster.
- Join a tour! Whether or not you’re a history buff, tours are a great way to learn about Seville.
- Eat, eat, eat. Seville has some amazing restaurants where you can sample an array of Andalusian delights. Read about them, book ‘em, and prepare to be blown away.
- Check the weather! In the height of summer, temperatures can soar, so if you’re going then, dress appropriately and stay hydrated.
- Avoid the areas of Las 3000 Viviendas, El Vacie, Polígono Norte y Los Pajaritos. They’re the most dangerous neighborhoods in Seville.
- If you don’t already have one, get yourself a travel-friendly debit card.
- Brace yourself for queues. If you’re going in peak tourist season, the summer, you might feel like you’re at Disneyland. Three-hour queues in the sweltering Spanish heat? No thanks. Try to go during the off-season, or arrive at the tourist sights early.
- Eat at local meal times. The Spanish run on their own, very relaxed schedule. Which can be quite unrelaxing for the unwitting tourist. Go for lunch at 2 or 3 pm, and consider having dinner back in Madrid, since restaurants won’t be open until 9 pm.
- Budget accordingly. Being a tourist hotspot, Seville can be expensive. Food and transport are fairly cheap, but watch out for tourist-trap restaurants right on the square and overpriced tours if you’re on a budget.
Final Thoughts on the Day Trip from Madrid to Seville
So, there you have it, a guide with all the important information you need to make the most of your time heading from Madrid to Seville. Now, how about looking at these private day trips from Madrid to see other beautiful Spanish destinations?
