If you had a week in Seville...

Tracy,

My mom & I spent 5 nights in Sevilla and wished we'd had more time there.

Here is a list of what we did and visited:

• Royal Alcázar

• Cathedral & Giralda (bell tower) & Church of the Savior (combo ticket)

• Plaza de España & María Luisa Park

• Toured the Bullring & Museum-- We did not see a bullfight.

• Flamenco show at, 'La Casa del Flamenco'- one hour show, small venue, no dinner or drinks.

• University -- former Tobacco Factory

• Torre del Oro (Golden Tower)- only the exterior.

• Triana- shopped at, Mercado de Triana, right across Puente de Isabel II. In Triana we also found beautiful ceramics at, 'Cerámica Santa Ana'.

• Shopped at, El Corte Inglés, and other shops along Calle Sierpes & Calle Tetuán.

• Ate ice cream & pastries at La Campana

• Ate delicious tapas at, La Antigua Bodeguita, on Plaza del Salvador, three days in a row!

We didn't get to the Museo de Bellas Artes, Basílica de la Macarena, Plaza de la Encarnación, Arenal Market.

Have a wonderful trip!

Edit to add...

I'd considered taking a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera but we decided to stay in Sevilla instead.

Jerez and Cadiz are easy days by train. Arcos de la Frontera is perhaps a little more time by bus. It's a shame you haven't scheduled time for Ronda and the pueblos blancos.

Priscilla--wow. Thanks! Clearly we did not make a poor choice staying for so long. That was super helpful. Thanks!

David--I've been considering Cadiz. It gets mixed reviews. But I figure I can decide for myself if I like it, right? And yeah, I know. We didn't add in any hill towns time. Our actual plan is always 'we will return'. Our first trip to Spain (2 years ago) we just did Madrid and Barcelona; this time we are doing the cities in the south. We figure we will return again in the future and check out the smaller towns and villages, once I'm more secure in my Spanish and my ability to drive stick. We do a strange form of slow travel which involves going back to the same areas often.

If there is a bullfight while you are there, give it a try. I love them while my wife doesn't. There are very few people in the middle as to liking or disliking them. When we lived in Spain years ago while at a fight in Puerto de Santa Maria, my wife kept saying "poor bull" a lot. Then the matador got gored and it was, "poor matador." I told her she had to choose. Other than the already recommended places, there are some nice neighborhoods. Don't forget to walk along the river by the Torre de Oro. At night, cross the river by the tower and you'll get a nice view of the tower, cathedral, and giralda lit up. Last, if you enjoy Roman ruins, just outside of Sevilla is Italica. There are some nice murals and stadium/theater/arena there (possibly more since It's been a while since I've been there.)

I wouldn't take a day trip to Cadiz. To me, it's only worth 2-3 hours..
Tracy, even after living in Spain for 3.5 years, we still go back every few years and never have a problem finding new things to see.

Tracy, you've gotten good advice here. I loved Seville and the Andalusia region, was there just last year, in late April and early May. The Alcazar, Cathedral, and Tower, are certainly highlights, all right together. The Plaza de Espana was beautiful. Great food and music. I did attend a bullfight, the pageantry was impressive, there were six very similar "rounds" of bullfighting, three matadores, two bouts each. All six bulls lost, badly, and yes, that seemed cruel and also wasteful to me. Only one matador was awarded an ear, for an excellent bout. Pretty glad I went once, no need for a second visit. I enjoyed Jerez de la Frontera, about an hour from Seville by train. There are various sherry wineries, some with tours and tastings. Also a horse show, I didn't see that but many have enjoyed it. I also liked the market place in the center of Jerez, totally local, no tourists, friendly and very photogenic. Also there is a low-key Alcazar. I went to Cadiz my final day in Spain, did not especially enjoy that day, but perhaps because I was finally running out of energy.

thank you, all! i've done some research and am now sold on jerez as a day trip. thanks!

and...now i have train booking questions. i will post separately.