Traveling the Iberian Peninsula: A Guide for Day and Weekend Trips from Seville, Spain
Cádiz, Spain
Cádiz is a gorgeous city located in southwestern Spain. It is connected to mainland Spain only by a narrow strip of land, making Cádiz almost entirely surrounded by ocean. Thought to be the oldest city in Europe, Cádiz was founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 B.C.E and has had a rich history of occupation by the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. This history has lead to a mixing of cultures that can be seen when one walks down the quaint streets of Cádiz. The beauty of the city makes this a wonderful place to take a day trip with friends and to enjoy the sun and sand of Southern Spain!
Getting there:
The cheapest and most efficient way to get to Cádiz from Seville is by bus. Tickets to Cádiz can be bought at Estación de autobuses el Prado de San Sebastián, which is located near the University of Seville on Calle Manuel Vazquez. Buses usually leave every hour and tickets cost between 12-15 Euros. The trip to Cádiz is only about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
What to do:
The biggest attraction in Cádiz for most students is the beach. The best beaches in Cádiz are La Playa de la Caleta, La Playa de la Victoria, La Playa de Santa María del Mar, and La Playa de la Cortadura. Getting around in Cádiz is fairly simple, as it is a walk able city, but if you wish to visit areas that are farther away, the bus system in Cádiz is great and only costs about 2 Euros for a ride.
Other places to see in Cádiz are in the old town area. This area has the cathedral, which is a beautiful site to see. The winding streets of the old town have many shops and plazas to enjoy, and this is a great place to stop for some gelato or to get a bite to eat. As it is practically an island, expect to see menus containing mostly seafood. Try the pescaditofrito – fish fried in a unique Cádiz style.
Events:
A major event that happens in Cádiz is Carnival. Carnival in Cádiz is the second largest Carnival celebration in the world, only behind Rio de Janiero’s in Brazil. It is celebrated around Shrove Tuesday, and locals take to the street and enjoy dancing, fireworks, and wine. Essentially, Carnival is one massive party, and it is an event you do not want to miss!
Getting home:
After enjoying all Cádiz has to offer, getting back to Seville is as easy as getting there. The bus station of Cádiz is located in Plaza Sevilla and return tickets will cost between 12-15 Euros.
Madrid
The capital city of Spain, Madrid is a bustling city rife with Spanish history and culture. Madrid is a modern city and the political seat of Spain, but it has any historic neighborhoods and sites that are worth exploring.
Getting there and back:
A bus ride to Madrid takes around 6 hours, but a faster way of getting to Madrid from Seville is the AVE train. The AVE is a high speed train that cuts the 8 hour drive down to about 2.5hours of travel; however, tickets are a little more expensive, costing around 80 Euros. Tickets for the AVE train can be bought online at renfe.es, but if this is out of your budget, tickets for the bus cost only around 20 Euros and can also be bought online at secorbus.es.
What to do:
Madrid has many options and activities, but the two best are visiting the El Museo del Prado and El Palacio Real. These two sites will take your breath away and the histories involved are amazing! El Museodel Prado is considered to be one of the greatest art museums in the world and it houses the best collection of Spanish art. Many works you will see are by Velázquez and Francisco de Goya, but make sure that you visit the museum’s most famous work of art: Las Meninas by Velázquez. Guided tours are provided in the museum. You can choose between a tour conducted in English or one in Spanish and they cost around 18 Euros per person.
El Palacio Real, or the Royal Palace, is the official residence of the Spanish monarchs; however, it is only used for state ceremonies today. It is located in downtown Madrid, and is a must-see site. The construction of the palace began under Kind Philip V in 1738. Today it is the largest palace in Europe and contains 2,800 rooms. You can take a guided tour of the palace for the low ticket price of just 10 Euros.
Where to stay: Although the AVE train makes it possible to go to Madrid for just one day, staying more than one day will allow you to experience more of the city. Therefore, a great hotel in the heart of Madrid is the NH Paseo del Prado hotel. A room for one night here can cost around 89 Euros, but it is in a great location and the accommodations are excellent.
Food: Simply walking down the streets in the downtown area, one can find many great places to sit down for a bite to eat. While in Madrid, I recommend trying the tortilla de patatas, a typical Spanish omelet made of eggs and potatoes. For dessert, try porras, which are a thicker version of churros and are served with hot chocolate for dipping. These are foods you cannot pass up on while experiencing Madrid!
Toledo
Toledo is quaint, small city located along the Tagus River in Spain. In Toledo, the mixing of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic cultures is extremely apparent, and this is what makes Toledo such a beautiful and unique city. It is also the residence of the famous artist, El Greco
Getting there:
Traveling to Toledo and back to Seville is best done by bus. The main bus station in Seville is Plaza de Armas and the ticket costs around 20 Euros. The trip is fairly long; however, and takes around 5 hours.
What to do:
Toledo once was a rare site in Spain, as it was a city where 3 cultures combined: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic. The mixing of these cultures has made Toledo a magical place to visit, and there are several sites worth seeing. Probably one of the most beautiful sites in Toledo is the cathedral. Built in the first century, the cathedral became a mosque under the occupation of the Moors and was restored into a Christian church after the Moors were expelled. Tours of the cathedral are offered for between 5-10 Euros.
Another site to see in Toledo is the Museum of El Greco. Toledo was once the residence of El Greco, so visiting his former home is a great activity to do while in Toledo. The museum houses many of his works of art and admission to the museum is inexpensive – a ticket for one adult is 5 Euros.
Food: typical dishes in Toledo include Cuchifrito (lamb, tomatoes, eggs, and olive oil), and PistoManchego (cold dish made of tomato, onions, olive oil, egg plant, and zucchini). These are great local dishes to try, and after your main meal, Toledo is known for its sweets. One notable dessert you can get is a batido, which is much like an American milkshake.
Italica
Although a small town just 15 minutes away from Seville, Italica is a great place to go on a day (or half-day) trip. Italica was one of the first Roman settlements in Spain during the Roman Empire and was the birthplace of three Roman emperors, including Trajan. For this reason, if you are interested in history and the Roman Empire, Italica is the perfect place for you to visit!
Getting there: As Italica is only 15 minutes from Seville, taking a bus is cheap and easy. Buses from Plaza de Armas run every 30 minutes, and they drop you off and pick you up right on the edge of the town. The trip will cost you around 5 Euros.
What to do: truly, the only activity to do in Italica is to explore the Roman ruins. Entrance into the ruins costs only 1.50 Euros for nonresidents of the European Union (it is free for EU citizens). While in the ruins, you will see many Roman statues, the mosaic baths, and a large amphitheater. Slowly walk through the ruins and take time to explore all that Italica has to offer!
Food: Italica is a small town with few options for dining. After leaving the ruins, you can walk down the street that runs by the ruins and grab a bocadillo (sandwich) if you are hungry. Otherwise, it is probably best to wait until you return to Seville to grab a bite to eat.
Ronda
Ronda is a spectacular site for a day trip from Seville. Located on the edge of the El Tajo canyon, it offers a great view and majestic scenery. A town of about 35,000 residents, Ronda is a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Seville and to relax and enjoy the view.
Getting there: There are no trains or flights to Ronda from Seville, so the only options are by car or bus. The bus is probably the cheapest and most efficient way of getting there. The bus for Ronda leaves from the Prado de San Sebastian station in Seville. It takes about 2.25 hours to reach Ronda and a one-way ticket costs 9 Euros.
What to do:
Other than taking in the breathtaking view, Ronda has other activities you can enjoy. To begin, a site that you must see in Ronda is Puente Nuevo. A beautiful bridge, Puente Nuevo stands 390 feet tall over the canyon and was built in 1751. It is a gorgeous monument that every visitor of Ronda must see. In addition to Puente Nuevo, there are two other visit-worthy bridges in Ronda: Puente Romano and Puente Viejo.
After viewing the bridges, another fun place to visit is the bullfighting ring of Ronda. This bullfighting ring, La Plaza de los Toros, is the oldest one in Spain and was built in 1779. It is located about 2 blocks from the Puente Nuevo and is open to the public. The bullring also has a museum with various relics that visitors should observe throughout their visit.
Food: There are many good restaurants in Ronda where one should stop and enjoy the local favorites (one of which is bull tails!). If you find yourself hungry in Ronda, try eating at Parador de Ronda. This restaurant overlooks the gorge from the dining room, and it is here where you can try the best of the local cuisine such as rabbit or oxtail.
Córdoba
Córdoba was once the capital of the Islamic caliphate and shows a clear mixing of the three cultures of Spain: Islamic, Christian, and Jewish. It is thought that the city was the most populous city in the world in the late 10th Century, and today it is a striking site to visit.
Getting there:
Again, a bus is the cheapest and most efficient way of getting to the city of Córdoba. Buses leave Seville from the Prado de San Sebastian bus station every two hours. The trip takes approximately two hours, and a one-way ticket costs 9 Euros.
What to do:
The main attraction in Córdoba is the Mezquita. The Mezquita has a long history, as it started out as a pagan temple, then became a Visigoth church, then an Islamic mosque, and after the Reconquista became a cathedral. This long history has made it into a building with unique and interesting architectural features. Exploring the Mezquita is a great activity to do in Córdoba, and admission costs only 5 Euros.
Another activity worth doing in Córdoba is exploring the Jewish Quarter, or the Judería. Jewish life flourished in Córdoba during the Roman occupation, and the remnants of that can be seen in the winding streets of the downtown area. Walking through these winding streets is a wonderful experience, as it is a less commercial and well preserved area of the city. As you walk, you will see a statue of Maimonides, a famous Jewish philosopher, and one of the only 3 ancient Jewish synagogues still standing in Spain.
Food:
While in Córdoba, try a dish special to the city: caldereta de cordero. This dish is a stew made with lamb, garbanzo beans, almonds, garlic, and paprika. If visiting during the summer, try a white gazpacho dish called ajoblanco. This version of gazpacho has an Arabic flavor to it with its mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, bread and almonds. After satisfying your appetite, try some of the desserts with an Arabic twist like pastel Cordobes—a cake with pumpkin filling.
Granada
Granada is a city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it is known for its large university, the University of Granada. This university is home to about 80,000 students, making the city of Granada largely a “college town”. For this reason, Granada is a city filled with fun and many activities for tourists to enjoy.
Getting there:
Taking a bus from Seville to Granada is the best means of transportation. Buses leave from the Prado de San Sebastian station approximately every 2 hours and the trip lasts 3.25 hours. A one-way ticket to Granada costs around 17 Euros.
What to do:
The most famous site to visit in Granada is the Alhambra. The Alhambra was a Moorish fortress built in the 14th Century. After the Reconquista, it was used by the Catholic monarchs as a site for the Palace of Charles V. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is largely an attraction for history-minded tourists. Visiting the Alhambra takes around 3 hours (it is a large site with many attractions), and a ticket will cost around 13 Euros.
After visiting the Alhambra, other sites to explore are the Albaicín and the Sacromonte. The Albaicín is the old Moorish area of Granada, and throughout this area one can find various Moroccan tea shops and Arabic restaurants. After exploring the Moorish area, explore the gypsy quarters located in Sacromonte. This part of Granada has spectacular flamenco clubs and is a beautiful area of the city to walk through.
Food: perhaps one of the best parts of Granada is the tapas. Tapas are simply just appetizers, but they are a traditional part of Spanish cuisine and culture. In Granada, tapas are free when purchasing a drink. Therefore, do not spend your money on a full meal! Simply make your way through Granada and explore the tapas bars the city has to offer.
Lisbon, Portugal
Although farther from Seville than most sites, Lisbon is a city worth the travel time and money. It is the capital city of Portugal and is regarded as one of the oldest cities in Europe, as it predates Rome, Paris, and London. It is located on the coast of Portugal and is a scenic and beautiful city.
Getting there:
Traveling to Lisbon is slightly more complicated and expensive than getting to other sites, as it is too far to travel by bus. Probably the most convenient way of getting to Lisbon is by plane. Tickets can be purchased for flights from Seville’s airport to Lisbon’s airport online through sites like, edreams.com or ryanair.com. Tickets cost between 100-130 Euros (depending on the website and time). Getting to Seville’s airport is simple. Buses travel to the airport every 30 minutes and pick up passengers at most bus stops within the city. The ticket for the bus to the airport is 2.5 Euros, and buses from the airport back into the city leave from the airport every 30 minutes, as well. When getting to the airport in Lisbon, the best way to get around is by taxi.
What to do:
A major attraction in Lisbon is the Jerónimos Monastery. Today the monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a symbol of the wealth and power Portugal had during the 16th Century. Built in 1502 by Prince Henry, Jerónimos Monastery was home to the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome. Overall, the monastery is a beautiful piece of architecture and is a place to plan on spending hours in admiration. Entrance into the monastery is also inexpensive, costing only 6 Euros.
Lisbon has yet another UNESCO World Heritage site, as well. The Belém Tower was built in 1515 in the harbor of Lisbon. It was built to protect the city, and it was the starting point for many of the world explorers. Today it is an important site to the history of Lisbon and is the symbol of the country of Portugal. Entrance into Belém Tower is allowed Tuesday-Sunday and costs 4 Euros.
Where to stay: As a trip to Lisbon is going to be a longer trip, you will want to find a hotel or hostel. A great hostel to stay in is the Lisbon Old Town Hostel. This hostel is located in the heart of the city and costs only about 15 Euros per night.
Food: The famous dish in Lisbon is salted cod—a dish every tourist must try. You can find this dish at most restaurants in Lisbon, as well as other fresh fishes and shellfish. Various cheeses are usually served with the meal, as well. For dessert, try the cinnamon-flavored rice pudding or the brigaderos—chocolate truffles.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain behind Madrid and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. It is located on the northeast coast of Spain facing the Mediterranean Sea and has a mild climate. Overall, Barcelona’s best feature is its architecture, the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi.
Getting there:
Getting to Barcelona is relatively simple by plane. Tickets are inexpensive when flying through sites like Ryanair and probably average around 50 Euros. The flight takes less than 2 hours, and again, you can get to and from Seville’s airport by a bus that costs only 2 Euros. Once in Barcelona, getting around is easiest by taxi and walking.