Some of Andalusia’s greatest cultural sites lie beyond its major cities.
Each day trip from Seville offers a new experience: a Roman amphitheatre with echoes of ancient battles, a mosque transformed into one of the world’s most spellbinding cathedrals, a bridge perched dramatically over a gorge, and a village carved into the rock that surrounds it.
Despite the history and tradition that binds them together, they stand in remarkable contrast.
Each represents a different part of Andalusia’s story—one I was lucky enough to experience firsthand when I lived there.
As Seville draws more travellers, I encourage you to step beyond the city to engage with these nearby places. Every spot invites you to see Andalusia through a new lens.
1. Itálica
Have you ever visited a place so stunning you wondered, how am I the only person here right now?
That was how I felt when I took the 20-minute bus trip from Sevilla to Itálica, Iberia’s first Roman city.
There is no ticket office or queue at these quiet ruins, despite its feature in Game of Thrones—remember the dragon pit where the characters tried to negotiate a truce due to the impending threat of the White Walkers?
Founded in 206 BC, Itálica was the birthplace of Trajan and Hadrian, and it played a significant role in spreading Roman culture throughout the southern region of Spain. Today, you can walk around its incredibly well-preserved amphitheatre, mosaics, and ancient streets and imagine what life was like before the fall of the Roman Empire.
The footfall here is modest compared to better-known Andalusian attractions, so you can enjoy peacefully exploring the Roman streets and bath complexes, notable for their drainage systems and porticoed sidewalks.
Walking through the amphitheatre will take your breath away, offering a much more intimate experience than Rome’s Colosseum. It was one of the largest amphitheatres in the Roman Empire and could sit over 25,000 for Gladiatorial combats.
How to get there: Take Bus M-172 from Plaza de Armas in Seville. Ride for 20 minutes to the town of Santiponce and walk to the site.
2. Córdoba
More famous but still often overlooked, Córdoba is a marvel of Spain’s Islamic Golden Age.
I felt transported into another era when I went by train on a day trip from Seville to Córdoba. Once I stepped into its UNESCO-listed centre, I was mesmerised by its narrow, cobbled streets and flower-filled patios.
The city is anchored by the captivating Mezquita; although it’s a mosque-turned-cathedral like the Catedral de Sevilla, don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re alike.
Hypnotising red-and-white arches and columns made from marble, granite, and jasper stretch in every direction. Light and shadow create a mystical aura that magnifies the layered history of this converted 8th-century mosque. More than anything, I remember its cool, hushed atmosphere.
When you’re ready to step back into Spain’s largest historical centre, you can find artisan shops and family-owned tapas bars along the labyrinthine streets and ancient stone walls of the Jewish Quarter.
How to get there: Take a Renfe AVE high-speed train from Santa Justa Station in Seville. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
3. Ronda
How did I feel when I first saw the dramatic views from Ronda‘s Puente Nuevo? Alive.
When you peer over to see the dramatic river and canyon sprawled below, you, too, will find it profoundly beautiful.
This iconic 18th-century stone bridge connects the old Moorish Quarter and the more modern area of the city across El Tajo Gorge. Puente Nuevo means ‘new bridge’; the 18th century is new to Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest towns.
If you don’t fancy hiking down the gorge, you can go to one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, the location for one of Madonna’s music videos in the ’90s. I also recommend doing as the Spanish do—finding a spot among the historic buildings and whitewashed houses to linger with a beer.
How to get there: Take a Renfe train from Santa Justa Station in Seville. The journey takes about 2 hours. Alternatively, take a bus from Prado de San Sebastián Station in Seville for about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
4. Setenil de las Bodegas
Don’t visit Ronda without making the short bus journey to Setenil de las Bodegas, the town built into cliffs.
Jagged rocks crown the whitewashed homes and cafes in this storybook town; people have lived in harmony with nature here for centuries, sheltered against sieges by the cliffs.
Many of the buildings here are caves—I have fond memories of echoing conversations under a rock ceiling, local cheeses and wines at hand.
Yes, there are tourists here, but it feels like tradition has been built into the landscape itself. Even on the hottest day, this town’s narrow, cool streets feel otherworldly. Not to be missed.
How to get there: Take a train or bus from Seville to Ronda (around 2 hours). From Ronda, take a local bus for 15 minutes to Setenil de las Bodegas.
Day Trips from Seville
Seville draws you in; you can easily get lost in its rich culture and stories.
But pulling yourself away, even for a day, reveals the full depth of Andalusia’s heritage—deeply rooted in the land and its people.
So, as you explore Seville, take the chance to step beyond it. The day trips I’ve highlighted aren’t just destinations but parts of a living history that Andalusians continue to shape.
The region is waiting to surprise you, each time in a different way.
Words: Hayley Donigan
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