Best Day Trips from Seville
The capital of the autonomous region of Andalucia in southern Spain, Seville has lots to recommend it. This is a fascinating and vibrant ancient city with a unique culture and a fascinating history that you can learn about in the best museums in Seville.
But one of the things that makes Seville such a great place to visit is its surroundings. The best day trips from Seville can take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient Roman ruins, exhilarating modern cities, the stunning scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the glittering coastline of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic Ocean. Whatever you like to do, you'll find day trips from Seville that will make for an incredibly memorable vacation.
So drop off your unneeded bags at a Bounce luggage storage and get ready to enjoy the best day trips from Seville. Before you know it, you'll be planning your next trip to this interesting region.
How to get out of Seville
Seville gets millions of tourists every year, and so it has the transport infrastructure to match. As you'll see from our guide on how to get around Seville, the city has multiple options for public transportation that will take you from the city center to the outskirts.
The same is true for more ambitious day trips. Santa Justa train station serves as a regional hub in the area, with both regional and high-speed trains to other Spanish cities and towns, making it easy to explore.
If the train won't get you there, some of the best day trips from Seville can be experienced by long-distance bus. There are many tour companies in the city center that will take you to fascinating places in the surrounding region. It's easy to find tours that run in English, and people who work in the tourist industry in Seville usually have a very high level of English.
Finally, if you want to go on day trips from Seville to more out-of-the-way locations, you might want to consider renting a car. But however you choose to explore, you won't be short of places to go.
From Seville to Jerez de la Frontera
If you're a sherry fan, you can't afford to miss the chance to visit Jerez de la Frontera. The capital of the so-called Sherry Triangle, made up of the only three towns on earth that can produce authentic sherry, Jerez de la Frontera is the ideal place to learn more about this fortified wine.
But there's more to Jerez the just sherry. Don't miss the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation to see the beautiful spectacle of pedigree Andalusian horses performing elaborate routines. In fact, everything about Jerez de la Frontera recalls the aristocratic traditions of a vanished world. No question, this is one of the best day trips from Seville for anyone interested in history and culture. And if you weren't a sherry fan before you visited, you probably will be afterward.
How to get to Jerez de la Frontera
It's easy to reach Jerez de la Frontera from Seville. A direct train line connects the two cities, and the journey takes around an hour and 15 minutes through some beautiful countryside, making this one of the easiest day trips from Seville you could go on.
From Seville to Zahara de la Sierra
If you're looking for a day trip from Seville that will take you into the stunning natural scenery of Andalusia, Zahara de la Sierra is an excellent choice. This small town is located in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, one of the most beautiful places in Spain.
The park is famous for its abundant wildlife, including several species of endangered birds. If you're lucky, you might even see some of the park's resident herds of wild boar or Iberian lynxes. But even if you don't spot any animals, the landscape itself is incredibly beautiful, with rocky mountains and green meadows dotted with Spanish Oaks and other Mediterranean trees.
How to get to Zahara de la Sierra
This being a natural park, public transport probably isn't the best way to take this day trip. It's possible to find tour buses that will bring you from Seville to Zahara de la Sierra on a guided tour. But if possible, the best way to take this day trip is in your own car so you can explore more of the park and get away from the crowds.
From Seville to Setenil de las Bodegas
Setenil de las Bodegas is one of the most unique towns in Spain. Built into a cliff face, this unusual place looks like it's been carved out of stone.
The town has a long history, dating back to Roman times when it was an important stop on the road from Seville to Cadiz. But its most distinctive feature is its architecture, with many of the houses built into the rock itself.
It's a fascinating place to explore, and you'll find plenty of photo opportunities around every corner. If you're looking for somewhere unusual and off the beaten track, Setenil de las Bodegas is definitely one of the best day trips from Seville. Exploring the narrow streets and historic center of what was once an Arab fortress is an unforgettable experience. A guided walking tour can help you learn more about the history behind the place, but just exploring the winding streets for yourself will also give you an insight into the city's rich history.
How to get to Setenil de las Bodegas
There's no train station in this ancient city, so driving yourself in a rental car or taking a guided tour from Seville is the quickest and easiest way to get here. By car, Setenil is around one hour and 45 minutes away, making this an easy day trip from Seville
From Seville to Doñana National Park
If you want to get away from it all, Doñana National Park is one of the best places to go. This huge nature reserve covers nearly 600 square kilometers and is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals.
The park is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 200 different species living here, including the Spanish Imperial Eagle and the endangered Black Stork. But even if you're not into birdwatching, Doñana is well worth a visit for its stunning landscapes, from wetlands to sand dunes.
How to get to Doñana National Park
There's no direct public transport to Doñana from Seville, so the best way to take this day trip is on a guided tour. These typically include pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, as well as entrance to the park. Or, if you're driving yourself, it's around one hour and 45 minutes away.
From Seville to the Pueblos Blancos
For what is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable day trips from Seville, make the journey to the Pueblos Blancos. Technically, if you visited Setenil de las Bodegas, you've already seen one of these white villages. But there are so many more to explore.
Arcos de la Frontera is generally considered the gateway to the Pueblos Blancos. The whitewashed houses of this lovely town will give you an idea of what you're in for as you explore the rest of the region. It's just one beautiful city after another, and you could easily spend a day or more exploring these charming towns, whether on a guided tour or on your own.
How to get to the Pueblos Blancos
Arcos de la Frontera is just over an hour away from Seville by car. It's also reachable by bus, but the journey will take longer, and you'll probably need to make a few changes along the way. You can also take a guided tour to the white villages, which will make it easier to explore more of them. Alternatively, rent a car in drive yourself to discover this beautiful region of Spain.
From Seville to Granada
Granada is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, and it's easy to see why. The city is home to the magnificent Alhambra, a Moorish palace and fortress which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But Granada has more to offer than just the Alhambra. The city's old town is also well worth exploring, with its winding streets and atmospheric squares. Or you can take a cable car up to the top of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains for some incredible views.
How to get to Granada
Granada is around three hours away from Seville by bus or car. You can also take a direct train from Santa Justa station in Seville, which takes around two and a half hours. It's best to go with the train since it's shorter and doesn't require you to find parking.
From Seville to Tangier
It's not often that taking a day trip from the city will expose you to a completely different culture in a completely different country. But if you're looking for one of the more ambitious day trips from Seville, don't neglect the chance to visit the Moroccan city of Tangier.
You can take a ferry from Spain to Tangier, which takes around 35 minutes. Once you arrive in Tangier, there's plenty to keep you occupied, from exploring the labyrinthine medina to relaxing on one of the city's many beaches.
How to get to Tangier
The best way to get from Seville to Tangier is by ferry. The journey takes around 35 minutes, and there are several ferries per day. You can also take a bus or a train, but the journey will be much longer. Of course, you'll need to get to the coastal city of Tarifa to catch the ferry, which takes a little over two hours by car.
From Seville to Córdoba
Córdoba was once the capital of Muslim Spain, and it's easy to see why from a visit to the city's grand mosque. The Mezquita is an incredible example of Moorish architecture, and it's one of the most popular tourist attractions in Andalusia.
But Córdoba has more to offer than just its mosque. The city's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can explore its atmospheric streets and squares, or visit one of its many palaces and museums.
How to get to Córdoba
Córdoba is around one hour and 40 minutes away by train from Seville. You can also take a bus, but the journey will take longer. Alternatively, you can drive, which will take around an hour and 30 minutes, but then you'll have to worry about parking in the ancient city. Either way, however you choose to get there, there's no denying this is one of the best day trips from Seville, especially for those with an interest in history.
Conclusion
It doesn't take long to realize that Seville is close to some truly incredible locations. Whether you want to take a walking tour of the capital of Moorish Spain, lose yourself in the narrow streets of the atmospheric white villages, or get away from it all in a National Park, day trips from Seville give you a variety of options for how to spend your time on vacation in Southern Spain.
Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Seville, and you're ready to set out on one or more of these exciting day trips. Don't miss the opportunity to see more of what makes Spain so special.