One Day in Seville from Malaga or Cádiz
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
Seville is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, and even with just one day, you can see its most famous landmarks.
I’ve visited Seville twice—once on a cruise excursion from Cádiz and once independently by train from Málaga.
Both work, but the experience is a bit different.
If you’re planning one day in Seville, whether on a cruise or a quick trip, this guide shows exactly how to use your time and what you can realistically see.
Is Seville Worth a Day Trip?
Yes. Even in one day, you can see the main highlights.
Seville is the capital of Andalusia, known for its mix of Moorish and Gothic architecture, lively squares, and orange-tree-lined streets.
In a day, you can visit:
- Seville Cathedral and La Giralda
- Real Alcázar
- Plaza de España
The historic center is compact and easy to explore on foot.
How to Get to Seville
From Malaga
I took the train from Malaga, and it’s the best option.
High-speed trains run from Málaga María Zambrano to Sevilla-Santa Justa in about 2–3 hours.
Aim for the earliest departure to maximize your time.
Driving takes around 2 hours (210 km), and buses are slower, so the train is the most practical choice.
Book tickets in advance on the Renfe website—prices are lower, and you’ll get a better choice of times.
💡 If you’re docked in Malaga, Seville is quite far, so a shore excursion is usually the easiest option.
If your ship has a long stay or overnight, doing it independently is doable. Just allow time for transfers and leave a buffer for the return.
For more details on the port and what to do, check my Malaga cruise port guide.
From Cádiz
My first visit was from Cádiz on a cruise excursion, and for most cruise passengers, that’s the easiest option.
Seville is about 120 km away:
- ~1 hr 15 min by road
- ~1 hr 45 min by train
You can go independently, but you’ll need to manage timing carefully.
👉 For detailed port information, tips on getting around, and what to do in port, see my Cádiz cruise port guide.
Getting from Seville Train Station to the City Center
Trains arrive at Sevilla-Santa Justa, about 2 km from the old town.
A taxi takes around 15 minutes and costs about €10, with taxis waiting outside the station and Uber also available.
Walking takes roughly 30 minutes.
If you’re short on time, it’s best to take a taxi straight to your first stop.
One Day in Seville – At a Glance
- Arrive at Santa Justa Station and take a taxi to Plaza de España
- Explore Plaza de España
- Walk to Seville Old Town and visit Seville Cathedral and La Giralda
- Take a short coffee or ice cream break in the old town
- Visit the Real Alcázar and its gardens
- Late lunch in the old town
- Stroll Calle Sierpes and the nearby streets
- Return to Malaga or Cadiz (tour/transport)
One Day in Seville Itinerary
One of the best things about Seville is how walkable it is, especially in the old town—the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar are right next to each other, so it’s easy to move between the main sights.
You can follow this route from both Malaga and Cádiz, just adjust the timing based on your arrival.
Stop 1: Plaza de España
From the train station, head straight to Plaza de España—it’s one of Seville’s most impressive landmarks and well worth seeing first.
Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, the square is known for its semi-circular design, tiled alcoves representing each Spanish province, and small bridges over the canal.
We spent about 30–40 minutes here, which was enough to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the views.
🧭 If you want more context and local stories, a guided walking tour is a great option—it usually includes Plaza de España, the Cathedral, the Alcázar, and Santa Cruz.
Stop 2 – Seville Cathedral & La Giralda
From Plaza de España, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the Cathedral.
The Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in the world and the main highlight of the city.
La Giralda, the former minaret, was later converted into the bell tower and can be climbed via ramps.
We booked a timed entry and spent around 1.5–2 hours here.
The Cathedral itself is the highlight—La Giralda is interesting, but the views are partly blocked by protective nets.
The surrounding area is also worth a short walk, with good photo spots and plenty of cafés nearby.
🧭 If you’re planning to visit the Cathedral and La Giralda, book your tickets or a guided tour in advance to skip the lines and secure your preferred time slot.
Stop 3 – Coffee Break
After the Cathedral, we stopped for a quick coffee and ice cream in the old town.
It’s a good moment to slow down before the afternoon visits.
Stop 4 – Real Alcázar of Seville
The Real Alcázar was one of the highlights of the day.
This royal palace blends Moorish and Christian architecture, with beautiful courtyards, detailed tilework, and large gardens.
The palace is still used by the Spanish royal family, and it also appeared in Game of Thrones as the Water Gardens of Dorne.
We spent about two hours here, which felt like the minimum to see it properly.
Booking in advance is essential—entry times are strict and lines can be long.
🧭 A skip-the-line ticket or guided tour is worth it here—it saves time and helps you understand what you’re seeing. Book in advance to avoid long queues.
Stop 5 – Late Lunch
After the Alcázar, we had a late lunch in the old town.
There are plenty of restaurants and tapas bars in this area.
We went for seafood paella, but you’ll also find local dishes like salmorejo if you prefer something lighter.
Stop 6 – Old Town Walk
To finish the day, we walked through Calle Sierpes, one of the main pedestrian streets in Seville.
It’s a lively area with shops, cafés, and a good atmosphere in the evening, perfect for a relaxed stroll before heading back.
Other Things to See (If You Have More Time)
If you have extra time, there are a few more places worth adding:
- Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) – a modern structure with great city views
- Triana – a local neighborhood known for ceramics and tapas
- Torre del Oro – a historic riverside tower along the Guadalquivir
- Casa de Pilatos – a smaller but beautiful palace with quiet courtyards
Practical Tips for Visiting Seville on a Cruise
- Allow 9–10 hours from Cádiz, 11–12 from Málaga
- Shore excursions are safest; trains work only with long stays
- Book the Cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar, and trains in advance
- Plan to return to port a few hours early
- Carry backup cash/card in case of delays
- Bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes
Helpful Resources for Planning Your Visit
- Seville Cathedral official website – tickets and visitor info
- Renfe – train schedules and tickets
- Real Alcázar of Seville official website – tickets and entry times
If you’re visiting Malaga or Cadiz, these guides will help with port info, getting around, and what to do on a cruise:
- Malaga cruise port guide
- Cadiz cruise port guide
- Malaga one day itinerary
- Malaga to Granada day trip
Planning more cruises? You can browse all my regional cruise port guides here: Mediterranean • Caribbean • Northern Europe • USA & Canada • Australia & New Zealand • Middle East
