This blog post was originally posted on March 8, 2015, and was updated on February 9, 2017.
Seville is such a wonderful city to explore, however, due to its location, it’s also the perfect launch pad for exploring all over the south of Spain.
This list has lots of our favorite day trip ideas from Seville! Whether you’re looking for great sherry or simply great beaches, there’s a wide array of beautiful places nearby. Just hop on a bus, train or car to experience the best day trips from Seville.
Photo credit: Colette, Text overlay: Devour Tours
Cordoba
With the high-speed AVE train getting you there in just 45 minutes, you really have no reason not to visit the beautiful city of Cordoba. Its 8th century Mezquita (Mosque turned Catholic cathedral) is absolutely awe-inspiring, not to mention a fantastic display of some of the best Islamic art in the world. Visit the charming Alcázar, as well as the ruins of Arab baths across the street. If you have time, get out of the city to see the Medina Azahara. It’s an ancient palace that again displays the incredible Moorish architecture that this part of Spain is oh-so-famous for.
Arcos de la Frontera
A little over an hour outside Seville you will find the charming white town, Arcos de la Frontera. It sits atop a cliff with incredible views of the Guadelete river valley, farmland, and rolling green hills. You will surely get lost in the tiny streets of the old city, but don’t worry! Follow the spire of the church to find your way to the Plaza de Cabildo and its formidable castle. Though it is privately owned and not open for visits, the castle still remains an awesome sight.
Cadiz
Visiting Cadiz is like taking a trip to the old world, and it’s no wonder why: this is the oldest city in Europe, dating back to 1100 BC. Standing on a small peninsula on Spain’s southeast coast, Cadiz remains wholly authentic in its deep Spanish roots. Find some of the best seafood here, from tortillitas de camarones (prawn fritters) to catch-of-the-day sardines, and then head to one of the city’s fantastic playas. La Caleta is one of Spain’s most famous and photographed beaches, while Playa Victoria is a local favorite. Boasting kilometers of perfect white sand and a backdrop of the old town and its yellow-domed cathedral, it’s certainly one of the best beaches near Seville.
Ronda
Ronda is undoubtedly one of Southern Spain’s most famous pueblos blancos, or white towns. Early risers can reach this day trip from Seville in about two hours by car or three by bus or train. It’s not the easiest of day trips, but worth every effort. The small city is divided across an enormous ravine, and the bridges connecting the two sides are jaw-dropping, to say the least. Ronda is home to Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring, which is not to be missed. Make sure you also visit the Palacio de Mondragón, a former royal palace that houses the city’s municipal museum.
Jerez de la Frontera
On the same train line as Cadiz, find the lovely sherry-producing town of Jerez de la Frontera. Sherry is one of the oldest wines in the world and a defining product of this region of Spain. Between bodegas, enjoy the winding streets of its old town and take a stroll through its beautiful 11th-century alcazar. The city is also known as the equestrian capital of Spain. Head over to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, where you can see dancing horse shows and other equestrian arts. If you’d like to learn more about sherry, you won’t want to miss our Jerez Winery & Sherry Day Trip!
Carmona
Only about a half an hour bus ride away, Carmona is the perfect day trip from Seville. Packed with history inside its narrow alleyways, the walled city boasts an expansive array of cultural heritage, from an impressive Roman necropolis to the Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro, the Arab fortress. The tapas scene is also pretty delicious and we love taking the opportunity to spend an afternoon eating our way around this cute town!
Lauren’s love of food and Spain led her create Devour Tours, which has now expanded to 18 countries – and counting! She is also a trained chef and the creator behind Spanish Sabores, a food blog dedicated to Spanish recipes.