What to see in Seville in 1 day

The Real Alcázar is first on the agenda: the fortified royal palace, still the official residence of Spain's royal family when visiting Seville, weaves Mudéjar and Gothic architecture around courtyards with fountains and terraced gardens.

Nearby stands the Cathedral, the world's largest Gothic church by volume, which holds Christopher Columbus's tomb and adjoins the Giralda, the former mosque minaret converted to a bell tower, climbable via a ramp instead of stairs.

Proceeding through the lanes you reach the Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter with its narrow streets designed for summer shade and balconies draped with geraniums.

For lunch, the tapas bars of the zone offer the chance to sample multiple small dishes instead of one meal, as Andalusian tradition calls for.

The Plaza de España is the grand semicircular square built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, with its navigable canal and ceramic benches dedicated to each Spanish province.

Beyond the Guadalquivir river, Triana is the working neighbourhood that birthed many flamenco artists and Seville's pottery tradition.

As evening approaches, a flamenco tablao remains the most direct way to close the day, amid guitar, song and the rhythmic pulse of baile.

The Royal Alcázar, the Cathedral, and Barrio Santa Cruz are enough to convey Seville's historic soul, while the afternoon choice between Plaza de España and Triana complete the picture with its monumental or popular side.

The Tower of Gold on the riverfront and a trip to Córdoba remain chapters for a second visit. Seeing the Giralda rise above the white rooftops of Barrio Santa Cruz sums up Seville in a single scene.