Four of the Best Day Trips from Seville without a Car
Hiring a car when visiting Andalusia is not always a good option. The streets are narrow, the roads are busy and parking can be a problem. But if you want to explore more of Andalusia, you need to know the best day trips from Seville without a car.
Suggested Day Trips from Seville without a Car
Here are a few ideas for day trips from Seville without a car and instead using the bus network.
Carmona is a 30 – 45 minute bus journey on the M – 124 (this departs from San Bernardo Bus Station on Cala Enramadilla)
Granada is roughly 3 hours from Seville by bus. This might be considered a little far for a day trip but -it’s a beautiful place to visit if you have time. The bus route you’ll want is the ALSA – Ca-Se-Al which departs from Seville Plaza Armas. There is a faster train to Granada from Seville.
Cadiz is a 2.5 hour bus journey from Seville. It’s quicker to take the train from Sevilla Santa Justa. But if you prefer to see more of Andalusia, the bus you need is the ALSA towards Algeciras that departs from Seville Plaza Armas.
Cordoba is 1 hour 45 minutes from Sevilla by bus. The bus you’ll need is the ALSA towards Valencia. It departs from Sevilla Plaza Armas. There is a train service running from Seville to Cordoba that takes just 45 minutes.
Public Transport in and around Seville
Getting the bus in and around Seville
If you’re looking to take one or two day trips from Seville without a car, you’ll be pleased to hear the bus network in Seville is good.
Finding the right bus stop might be your only challenge. Always ask. Even if you’re not able to communicate in the same language, the bus number and destination is all you need. Pointing is universally understood.
And don’t do what I did and get the destination name wrong. That leads to all sorts of confusion.
The official bus network is Tussum. The website is in Spanish and English, although not everything has been translated. And you do need to know the exact names of the stops.
The main bus station in Seville is Plaza de Armas. This is near the Puente Cristo de la Expiracion. Some buses depart from inside the building, others are in front of the building near the entrance. The airport bus departs from in front of the building.
The Train Network in and around Seville
The main train station in Seville is Sevilla Santa Justa. It’s a two kilometre walk from La Giralda.
Sevilla Santa Justa is found on Avenida Kansas City.
If you’re going to Cadiz, Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, Valencia, you’ll start your journey at Sevilla Santa Justa.
Seville to Carmona
This has to be one of the best day trips from Seville without a car. It’s a short bus journey from San Bernardo. So if you’re looking for a road trip from Seville without a car, this is a good option.
The bus you’ll want is the M-124. In March 2023 it cost €5 there and €5 back. We weren’t able to buy a return ticket.
The bus journey is just 30 minutes. That’s a nice short ride for a day trip from Seville.
What to see in Carmona
The bus stops near to the Alcazar de la Puerte de Sevilla (Fortress of the Gate of Seville) if you stay on until the last stop. It’s an ideal place to start your Seville to Carmona day trip unless you want to see the Necropolis or Amphitheatre. Then, you’ll want to get off at an earlier stop. It’s obvious when.
The Fortress of the Gate of Seville also acts as a tourist info, museum and viewpoint. Entrance to the museum is €2, access to the Tower of Gold is included in this price. And from the Tower of Gold you get the most spectacular view of Carmona and the Andalusian landscape.
From the tourist info you can also get a free map. This was really helpful to us because the windy streets can be tricky to navigate. Although we did also have to resort to Mr Google.
The main sights in the old town include the Alcazar of Carmona – a medieval fortress built in the 9th century. It has been redesigned over the centuries to fit in with the town’s needs. Today it’s open to tourists to explore the courtyards, palace, defensive walls, towers and gardens.
Another significant gate is found on the other side of the town – The Gate of Cordoba. It’s not as impressive as the Alcazar de la Puerte de Sevilla, but still worth a visit.
There are a number of churches of interest in the old town, including the Iglesia prioral de Santa Maria. And two squares which are perfect places to sit, rest your legs and do a little people watching. The two to look out for are Plaza San Fernando and Plaza de Abastos
Two more tourist attractions in Carmona are set on the edge of the town. The Necropolis de Carmona and Anfiteatro Romano are both open to explore. Both sites illustrate how important Carmona was in the Roman times. The bus stops close to the Necropolis on its way into and out of town.
How long to spend in Carmona
A good time to arrive is mid-morning, this gives you plenty of time to explore the Old Town. Plan on catching the bus back to Seville in the mid-afternoon.
If you want to spend time discovering the Necropolis and Amphitheatre, you’ll want to arrive earlier to make sure you have time to see everything.
As with any day trips from Seville without a car, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the bus timetable and your watch!
How to get to Carmona
The bus from Seville is the M-124. The bus station you catch this from is NOT Plaza de Armas.
The bus station to catch the M-124 from is San Bernardo.
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Seville to Utrera
Not as popular as Carmona, this town is set in the middle of olive groves and sunflower fields. Can you imagine the photos in May and June? It’s an agricultural town with a population of roughly 50000.
The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic era but remains from the Phoenician and Tartessian eras have also been found. Two Necropolises from the Romans are found in Utrera, one of which dates from the third century BC.
It has a rich history from the year 1253 onwards and in 1570 it became the first population of the Kingdom of Seville with Felipe II. In 1649, the bubonic plague wiped out the population of Utrera. It was repopulated in the 18th century but suffered again during the War of Independence.
What to see in Utrera
Religious Buildings of Utrera
Churches worth visiting in Utrera include the Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Mesa located in Plaza Porche de Santa Maria and Iglesia de Santiago el Mayor found on Calle Ruiz Gijon.
A Baroque-style chapel called Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Consolación was declared a historical-artistic monument in 1982. That’s situated on Paseo de Consolación.
There are two convents in Utrera. The first was founded in 1577, it is a cloistered convent and home to the nuns of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. It’s on Calle Ponce de León.
A second convent founded in the 18th century is located on Calle Santa Angela De La Cruz. It is attached to the Chapel Los Dolores. The elliptical floor in the chapel is a rare example of Sevillian Baroque architecture.
Other Places of Interest in Utrera
Castillo on Calle la Fuenta Vieya is an abandoned castle that was destroyed by Muhammed V of Granada. It was rebuilt but later abandoned in the 15th century. It has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
Teatro Municipal Enrique de la Cuadra. You’ll find this theatre on Calle Sevilla. It was built in the late 19th century in an Italian style. In 1993 it was renovated for public use. A small art gallery in the theatre building hosts many exhibitions throughout the year.
Cradle of Flamenco
A good reason to visit towns outside of Seville is to see life in Andalusia. Towns off the traditional tourist track can give you a glimpse of what Andalusian life is really like. And one great thing about Utrera is the gypsy flamenco tradition. It is considered to be one of few towns where orthodox flamenco is performed daily.
How long should I spend in Utrera?
Utrera is a perfect day trip from Seville without a car. The train journey is quick, the town is a good size to wander around and there’s a lot to see.
Aim to arrive mid-morning and you’ll have enough time to see the sights, stop for lunch and catch an afternoon train back to Seville for dinner.
Which bus or train should I use to get to Utrera?
The train is the best way to get from Seville to Utrera. It’s a 20 minute journey and costs a little more than €5 one way. The train departs from Sevilla Santa Justa at least once an hour during the day.
Seville to Cordoba
Cordoba is a beautiful city in Andalusia. It is located inland and 135 km away from Seville. If you are looking for day trips from Seville without a car, Cordoba could be a good option. A train from Sevilla Santa Justa takes just 45 minutes and the trains go regularly.
What to see in Cordoba
Palaces and Religious Places to Visit
The Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba. An iconic landmark of Cordoba. Originally built as a mosque in the 8th century. It was converted to a cathedral in the 13th century. The architecture and fine details make it a top tourist destination in Cordoba.
There are two palaces worth visiting in Cordoba, firstly the 14th century Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos. This fortress-palace was built for Spanish monarchs. The second is the Palacio de Viana: this one also dates back to the 14th century.
Historic Places of Interest
An ancient bridge called the Roman Bridge spans across the Guadalquivir River. It dates back to the 1st century BC. It’s somewhere to enjoy the views of the river. It features heavily in a lot of photos of Cordoba.
The Medina Azahara is an archaeological site just outside of Cordoba. It was once a palace-city but today it’s a place to explore the ruins and find out more about the ancient history of Andalusia.
Areas and Squares to Visit in Cordoba
The Jewish Quarter (Judería) is a neighbourhood in Cordoba known for its narrow streets and architecture. If you have enough time, it is a place to shop, dine and explore at leisure.
The Plaza de la Corredera is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The square is surrounded by colorful buildings. There are restaurants, cafes, and shops. It’s a good place to stop for lunch or just take a breather and people watch.
How long to spend in Cordoba
Cordoba is a large city, you’ll want to arrive early in the morning to make the most of your time here. There is a train every hour so there’s no stress trying to get back to Seville from Cordoba. The last train from Seville from Cordoba leaves around 9 or 10 pm.
How to get from Seville to Cordoba
The best way to travel on your day trip from Seville is by train. The journey is just over 40 minutes long. Trains leave from Seville roughly every 45 minutes. The train to Cordoba leaves from Sevilla Santa Justa Station.
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Seville to Cadiz
Cadiz is a port city on the southwestern coast of Spain, in Andalusia. The city dates back over 3000 years. It has beautiful beaches and has a rich cultural heritage. Sounds like a perfect day trip from Seville.
As with many historic towns in Andalusia, it has a windy, narrow streets intersected with public squares. Historic buildings line the roads and the city is dotted liberally with religious buildings. And of course, an historic city of size has plenty of museums to showcase its history.
If you’re looking for beach day trips from Seville without a car, this is a good option. The train journey is a little longer but the city has a lot to see and it’s right on the coast with beautiful beaches. And if you do have a car, it’s a great road trip from Seville with a beautiful drive through the Andalucian countryside (if you choose the scenic route).
What to see in Cadiz
Historical Sights of Interest
A few tourist attractions in Cadiz that are worth visiting are the Cathedral of Cadiz (also known as the Cathedral of Santa Cruz, the Castillo de San Sebastián, Torre Tavira and the Museum of Cadiz. The Tavira Tower offers a panoramic view of Cadiz and is a great place to watch the sunset.
Other Tourist Attractions in Cadiz
Make sure you check out Plaza de España, a square in the centre of the old town. It’s a hub of activity and a great place to stop for a coffee or lunch. Another top spot is the Playa de la Caleta, this popular beach has beautiful, clear water.
Also worth visiting is the Mercado Central. If you enjoy markets (like me), it’s a great place to see local foods and experience the local culture of Cadiz.
How long to spend in Cadiz
Take an early train to Cadiz from Seville Santa Justa to make sure you get the most out of this day trip from Seville.
The journey is a little longer than the other day trips suggested but it’s a place worth visiting, especially if you’re a fan of the beach.
How to get to Cadiz from Seville without a car
Without a car, this day trip on the train takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. Trains depart from Seville Santa Jura regularly.
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