How to Plan the Perfect Malaga to Seville Day Trip (+ Itinerary)

Where is Seville? 

Seville is the capital city of Andalusia and is located in the southwest of Spain. From Malaga, Seville is situated about 2.5 hours drive northwest.    

How to Get to Seville from Málaga

There are three main ways to go from Malaga to Seville:

1. You can drive there with a rental car, which gives you the most freedom.
2. You can use public transportation for a low-cost day trip.
3. You can join a local tour company to travel with peace of mind.

Get the details for each of these options below 👇

🚗 Day trip from Malaga to Seville by Car

Driving to Seville is a good choice if you’re already thinking of renting a car during your time in Málaga.

Seville is located 211 kilometers away from Málaga. The trip should take around 2.5 hours (but it can vary based on traffic and the route you choose). Having your own car lets you be flexible with your schedule and change it if needed.

Here are some tips for a day trip to Seville by car:

• Start early: Since the drive is quite long, it’s best to leave from Málaga as early as possible. This gives you plenty of time to explore Seville’s many attractions during your day trip.
• Plan out your day and buy tickets in advance: There’s a lot to see in Seville, and several attractions have fixed-hour tickets. It’s highly advisable to purchase your tickets ahead of time as they can sell out if you wait to buy them on the same morning. (Plus, you wouldn’t want to travel to Seville and then wait in line for 2 hours to get into the Real Alcazar.) Be smart and buy your tickets online as soon as you can.
• Avoid parking in Barrio Santa Cruz or near the Real Alcazar: Your best options are paid parking in the city center or free parking on the outskirts of the city.

Get the best rates for car rental to drive from Malaga to Seville.

Plaza de España

🚆 Day trip from Malaga to Seville by Public Transport 

Using public transit is great if you don’t want to spend too much money but still want to visit Seville.

From Málaga, reaching Seville couldn’t be easier.

The best way to get to the capital of Andalusia is by taking the train from Málaga María Zambrano Train Station. The journey takes about two hours, and from Seville Santa Justa Train Station, it’s a 2 km walk to reach Casco Antiguo (Seville’s old town).

The first trains to Seville leave Málaga at around 6:30 am, but it’s a good idea to check the schedule closely. Depending on the connections that day, it might be more advantageous to leave a bit later.

Tickets for the fastest routes start at EUR 37, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more time on the train, you could get away with EUR 20 for a one-way ticket.

Here are a few tips for your day trip to Seville using the train:

• Buy your train tickets early: You’ll get your ticket for less if you book them ahead of time. As your travel date approaches, the price usually goes up. Get them on Renfe, the official train service in Spain, to avoid booking fees.
• You don’t need to print out your tickets: You can simply show the QR code on your phone, but make sure your phone still has battery at the end of the day.
• Plan out your day: Since you’re relying on public transport, it’s even more important to have a general idea of which of Seville’s many attractions you want to see. Just like if you had a car, it’s highly advisable to purchase your tickets ahead of time and plan around your timed tickets.
• Wear a good pair of shoes: As you won’t have access to a car or a tour bus while visiting Seville, this day will likely involve more walking. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes for the trip such as this one.

Torre del Oro on the River Guadalaquivir

🗺 Day trip to Seville with a Local Tour Company

Visiting Seville on a tour is an easy way to see the city without worrying about how to get there or plan what to do.

There are many advantages to this. You can get picked up and dropped off in Málaga, have a guide who speaks English, and be able to cancel up to a few days before the tour if it is necessary.

On the downside, these trips don’t run every day and don’t provide you with the same freedom as you would have with a car or the train.

Here are some tips for visiting Seville on a tour:

• Check what attractions are included: Not all tours include the same things. For instance, most tours seem to include the Cathedral de Sevilla, but skip the Real Alcazar.
• Find out what you should see in Seville before the tour: Most tours will give you some free time in the city, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on its top sights just because you didn’t know about them.

View from Las Setas de Sevilla

Things to Do in a Day in Seville

There is so much to do in Seville, and unfortunately, it’s impossible to see everything in just one day.

So, for your day trip to Seville, you’ll need to decide what you want to see the most. Here’s a list of the best things to see in Seville. It includes the four biggest attractions and a few other must-see places. Now, all you have to do is make your choices!

1. Discover the Real Alcázar of Seville

Out of all the wonderful things you can see in Seville, the Real Alcázar of Seville is definitely the best one. It’s a really beautiful example of a special kind of a type of architecture called Mudéjar. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and one of Spain’s finest castles, the Alcazar of Seville will charm you, just like it has charmed visitors for a thousand years. If you need to make your visit shorter, know that its highlights are the Courtyard of the Maidens and the Salon de Embajadores.

The Real Alcazar is renowned for more than just its architecture and stunning tile decorations—it’s also known for its beautiful expansive gardens. Blooming flowers, peacocks, palm trees, and hidden pathways are just some of the things that make this spot in Seville so enchanting.

2. Step inside the Seville Cathedral

Seville’s Cathedral is part of the city’s trio of UNESCO World Heritage sites. You really shouldn’t pass up the chance to see it – it’s a major highlight you must experience on a day trip from Málaga!

There’s a distinct quality that’s a bit tricky to define, but it becomes clear once you discover its secret: it was a mosque before it became one of the largest churches worldwide.

Its exterior gives the impression of a massive walled fortress. But when you step inside, you’ll discover a world of treasures. One of the most noteworthy is a beautifully detailed tomb believed to hold the remains of Christopher Columbus. After you’ve looked around inside, you can go up to the top of the Giralda Tower and also visit the lovely Patio de los Naranjos, with its many orange trees.

3. Take shots of the marvelous Plaza de España

The Plaza de España is one of Seville and Spain’s top landmarks. Photos struggle to truly capture the immense size of the Plaza. You’ll fully understand why it’s considered one of Seville’s top attractions only when you’re standing there, amid the fountains, bridges, and delicate ceramic alcoves.

Built in 1928, this masterpiece of Renaissance and Moorish Revival architecture was meant to represent the different regions of Spain.

Spending a few hours at the Plaza de España is a breeze. An outstanding highlight is the opportunity to navigate a rowboat along the canal’s waters, often compared to Spain’s version of Venice.

4. Explore Barrio Santa Cruz

In the distant past, Santa Cruz used to be Seville’s Jewish neighborhood. But then it was left abandoned for about 400 years.

Thankfully, it went through significant restoration work during the 1900s. Now, it looks lovely, has been restored to its beautiful state, and has an ageless charisma, much like the Judería de Córdoba.

The small walkways, adorned with rows of colorful houses, are a truly charming sight. These narrow streets offer a welcome escape from Seville’s intense summer heat. At every turn of this labyrinth, you’ll feel like you’ve found your new favorite spot. Azulejos, the scent of oranges, hidden plazas, and pretty fountains await you in this flower-overflowing neighborhood.

5. Indulge in Tapas 

Enjoy the taste of Seville by sampling two or three of its hundreds of tapas bars. A tapas crawl will let you become familiar with the local flavors.

Why try Seville’s tapas if you’ve had them during your visit to Málaga? Well, Seville’s and Málaga’s tapas cultures are quite different from each other.

Malaga is indeed famous for its delightful fresh seafood and classic dishes like pescaíto frito and malagueña. Meanwhile, Seville is all about tapas, featuring a variety of small, shareable plates like tortilla de camarones and croquetas, along with delectable sweets such as pestiños and torrijas.

Where to eat: Restaurante El Pasaje Tapas, Pelayo Bar de Tapas

6. Wander around Triana

Known for its colorful houses and rich Azulejos heritage, this vibrant neighborhood has a completely different vibe than the old quarter of Seville.

A little off the beaten path, Triana’s highlights include the Mercado de Triana and the Centro Ceramica. When you’re done, take a stroll along Calle Betis for the view.

7. Las Setas de Sevilla

Also known as Metropol Parasol, Las Setas is a must-visit attraction in Seville. The main reason? It offers one of the most impressive panoramic views of the old town.

Notably, this massive mushroom-like structure holds the title of being the world’s largest wooden construction. Completed in 2011, Las Setas is more than just a sky-high walkway. It also contains an archaeological museum, a small public market, and a restaurant.

Other Must-See Attractions in Seville

If you happen to have some extra time, here are some fantastic places to consider adding to your Seville day trip itinerary:

• Catch a Flamenco show: Be swept away by the drama and passion of a flamenco show. Inside an intimate venue, feel the energy of the performers as you watch their graceful movements and hear the rhythmic clapping echo through the room. It can’t get more Andalusian than this.
• Palacio de las Dueñas: It is a beautiful, historic palace where a series of courtyards and buildings follow one another. What makes the Palacio de las Dueñas a hidden gem in Seville is how the elegant palace and lush gardens are much more intimate than those of the Alcazar, while still being just as enchanting.
• Maria Luisa Park: This peaceful park is situated right next to the beloved Plaza de España. Once a part of the nearby Palacio de San Telmo, traces of its history are clearly visible. Statues, fountains, and Moorish-style designs adorn the expansive grounds. Providing plenty of shade on hot days, Parque de Maria Luisa is a delightful spot for families with children.
• Casa de Pilatos: Seville boasts a few palaces finer than this one. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, many believe that Casa de Pilatos was modeled after Pilate’s house in Jerusalem. The design follows the typical Andalusian style, featuring a central patio decorated with colorful ceramic tiles and ancient sculptures.

Maria Luisa Park

FAQ About Visiting Seville from Malaga

Is a Seville day trip from Malaga worth it?

Seville is widely regarded as one of Spain’s top destinations, and particularly so within Andalusia. The reason is simple: it is one of the cities that offers the most in terms of cultural experiences and old-time charm. The truth is that there are countless things to do in Seville, more than can be done in just one day.

Perhaps the city’s atmosphere will convince you to stay longer. In which case it might be worth considering where to stay in Seville during your visit.

However, if your time is limited to just a day, taking a day trip from Málaga to Seville is absolutely worthwhile!

How often do trains operate from Malaga to Seville?

Every day, there are about 10 train connections available from Malaga to Seville. The first train departs as early as 6:30 am. The travel duration varies between 2 hours for direct trains and up to 3 hours for those with stops along the way.

Is it possible to travel from Malaga to Seville by bus? 

Yes, it’s possible to get to Seville from Malaga by bus using the local bus service ALSA. The journey takes 2.5 hours to 2 hours 45 min for about EUR 25 one way. 

What is the best time to go on a day trip to Seville from Malaga? 

Well, all I can say is to avoid summer if you can. Seville is indeed one of the hottest cities in Spain as the temperatures in July and August can soar up 50°C / 122°F (or even more)! 

Trust me, that kind of heat isn’t your best companion for exploring the city. If you’ve got just one day to enjoy Seville, you’ll want to make the most of it, and that’s nearly impossible in such high temperatures. 

The best times to visit Seville are spring and fall, particularly in April, May, and October. Temperatures are warm, ranging from 12°C / 53.6°F to 28°C  / 82.4°F on average, which is comfortable for a full day of exploring. 

Even winter isn’t a bad choice for a Seville day trip, especially around Christmas when temperatures rarely drop below 7°C / 44.6°F. 

Where to stay in Seville for one night? 

If you choose to spend the night in Seville, the best is to be in the center of the city to avoid wasting time on transportation. The best areas to stay in Seville city center are Bario Santa Cruz or Centro. 

Here are good accommodations to stay in these areas: 

✅ Best Hotel – abba Sevilla: this 4-star hotel is the best value-for-money place you could find. It features everything you could need including a terrace with a wonderful view and an outdoor pool.   

✨ Luxury pick – Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla: this 4-star hotel is ideally located inside a traditional building and has exceptional amenities such as a rooftop pool.  

💰 Budget pick – Guesthouse Apartment La Flamenka: spacious and clean fully equipped apartment with lots of restaurant options nearby 

More to visit in Spain:

• One Day in Malaga
• One Day in Cordoba
• Best Day Trips from Madrid
• One Day in Valencia
• Best Castles to Visit in Spain
• Famous Landmarks in Spain

And discover even more Spain travel guides here.

Hope this guide helped you and that you enjoy your Seville day trip from Malaga. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I’d be happy to help you with anything I can! 🙂