Best Seville Towns

Seville is a city with a great tourist attraction and one of the most beautiful in Spain. But the province of Andalusia hides many treasures of great beauty and cultural interest that deserve to be visited.

If you have a few extra days in the city of Seville or if you are thinking of a different itinerary, here is a list of 10 villages near Seville that you cannot miss on your holidays. Will you join me?

Carmona is the most popular town around the city of Seville due to its artistic and cultural heritage. In fact, its historic quarter has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest thanks to its countless churches, walls and ancient palaces.

Carmona is only half an hour from the city of Seville and really seems to have it all. It is located on the top of a hill, which gave it great strategic importance in ancient times. As a result, the history of this Sevillian town is marked by several civilisations, which left their mark and created a completely unique urban style. Just walking through its streets you will be able to identify Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style houses and you can find ruins from Roman times.

There is a lot to see and do in Carmona during your visit, but you can't miss the Alcázar del Rey Don Pedro, an imposing fortress of Arab origin, the Roman Necropolis and the old Jewish quarter of the city.

Carmona is a charming city with narrow streets, typical of Andalusian architecture, but with centuries of history to discover in every corner.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 35 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By bus: the companies Monbus and Socibus make the journeys in 30 minutes and the ticket price starts at €3 per leg.
  By car: it will only take you 30 minutes.
• You will like...: It has a great mix of cultures and incomparable architecture.

Marchena is another wonderful village in Seville that you should not miss on your visit to Andalusia. It is only 60 kilometres from Seville and you will find ancient ruins and religious heritage that are well worth a visit.

The particularity of the town of Marchena is that its historic centre is located between walls that have been preserved from medieval times, which you can enter from two large gates that will take you back in time: the Puerta de Sevilla, also called Arco de la Rosa, and the Puerta del Morón.

The streets of Marchena are also an open-air museum. Don't miss the façades, balconies and doors of its 18th-century houses and mansions. Its squares and fountains are works of art, so take the opportunity to take some original photographs.

Marchena is beautiful in every corner, but the undisputed jewel of this town is the sacristy of the church of San Juan Bautista, which contains a gallery with paintings by Zurbarán. Paintings by this renowned Spanish painter have been exhibited in New York, Amsterdam and Paris, so you can imagine the quality and artistic level of his work.

To round off your visit to Marchena, don't forget to go up to the viewpoint of the Puerta de Carmona tower. The views from there are very beautiful and you will be able to witness a sunset like no other.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 62 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Marchena by train, from Sevilla San Bernardo station. The price of the ticket starts at €8 per section and the journey takes around 50 minutes.
  By bus: the Monbus bus service from Seville to Marchena takes around 1 hour and the ticket price starts at 4€ each way.
  By car: the journey takes around 45 minutes.
• You will like...: its well-preserved walls and artistic heritage.

The area in and around Seville was an important settlement region of the Roman Empire. If you are a history buff, I recommend you not to overlook all that Santiponce has to offer.

Only 13 kilometres from the city of Seville, this town attracts thousands of tourists every year, as it is home to the famous ruins of Italica, an ancient city founded in 200 BC.

Going to Italica from Seville is very easy and will allow you to discover this incredibly preserved ancient city, which includes an amphitheatre, walls and different dwellings from the period. You can also book a guided tour, the best way to discover this unique site in the region of Andalusia.

The old town of Santiponce is quite picturesque. In fact, some chapters of the Game of Thrones series were filmed here. You can also visit the monastery of San Isidoro del Campo, founded in the 13th century and with a completely imposing architecture.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 13 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By bus: Damas autobuses makes this route in just 15 minutes and the ticket price starts at €2 per leg.
  By car: it will take you only 10 minutes to do this route.
  By guided tour: this is definitely the best option to visit Santiponce and the ruins of Italica from Seville. The price of a guided day tour starts at 30€.
• You will like...: its great Roman ruins.

If you are thinking of visiting Doñana from Seville, you have probably heard of the village of Aznalcázar.

On the banks of the Guadiamar River, this small village serves as the starting point for a visit to the Doñana National Park, one of the largest ecological reserves in Europe. This territory is of great importance, as it is home to many endangered species and is a key environment for the migratory movement of many birds. I recommend you to take a guided 4x4 tour through this unique area of Andalusia, where you will get to know another wild side of the villages of Seville.

As well as being able to enjoy the tranquillity, the village also has historic buildings such as the Church of San Pablo and even the remains of an ancient Roman Bridge. If you are a fan of nature and archaeology, don't hesitate to include Aznalcázar in your visit to Seville.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 33 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By bus: Damas autobuses makes this route in 40 minutes and the ticket price starts at €3 per section.
  By car: it will take you only 30 minutes to do this route.
  By guided tour: this is definitely the best option to visit Doñana for the day. The price of a guided tour starts at €70.
• You will like...: if you like nature and archaeology.

Osuna is considered by many to be one of Seville's villages par excellence. This town is located 80 kilometres from Seville and 100 kilometres from Malaga, making it a perfect stop on a driving tour of Andalusia. Osuna is a town with a long history, which stands out mainly for being full of imposing baroque palaces and stately homes, which I recommend you visit on your way through the town.

Although always a recommended destination for its cultural and architectural richness, in recent years it has gained great popularity due to its appearance in the series Game of Thrones.

This town is divided into two very different parts: the lower part, where you can visit some squares, spectacular streets such as San Pedro and very beautiful facades; and the upper part, where you will find very important monuments such as the Convento de la Encarnación andthe Colegiata.

Osuna also hides a very special secret destination: the Coto de las Canteras. This place is also called the "Petra of Andalusia", as you will be able to contemplate a majestic stone front carved with incredible details.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 88 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Osuna by train, from Seville San Bernardo station. The price of the ticket starts at 10€ per section and the journey takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
  By bus: Monbus makes this journey in 1 hour and 15 minutes and the ticket price starts at 6€ per leg.
  By car: it will take you one hour.
• You will like...: if you like ancient ruins and architecture.

Estepa isthe Sevillian village that smells of cinnamon. And you are probably wondering why. The town of Estepa's fame is mainly due to its confectionery industry of mantecados and polvorones. In fact, the town is Spain's leading producer of this type of Christmas sweets and many tourists visit the town every year to visit factories such as La Colchona or La Estepeña.

But beyond its gastronomy, Estepa also has a lot of history to discover and monuments to visit. Its 3,000 years of history have left a very valuable legacy such as its ancient fortress and the Victoria tower, one of the greatest symbols of Estepa and where you will get wonderful views of the town and the countryside of Seville.

Other interesting buildings worth visiting are the Church of San Sebastián, the Church of Santa María and the Convent of Santa Clara, which were declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1965.

But the biggest prize undoubtedly goes to the famous Balcón de Andalucía, a viewpoint located at the top of the Cerro de San Cristóbal that will leave you speechless.

Estepa is 110 kilometres from the capital of Andalusia and is one of the places you should include in your next itinerary through the villages of Seville.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 110 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Osuna by train, from Seville Santa Justa station. The price of the ticket starts at 25€ per section and the journey takes around one hour and 30 minutes.
  By bus: Monbus makes this journey in 1 hour and 45 minutes and the ticket price starts at 8€ each way.
  By car: it will take you one hour.
• You'll like...: if you're in the mood for good views and local gastronomy.

Ecija is a Sevillian town 85 kilometres from the Andalusian capital, renowned for the perfect preservation of its Baroque-style architecture. The so-called "City of Towers" is located on the banks of the river Genil and is a wonderful place for those who wish to learn a little more about the Roman and Phoenician past of the region.

Walking through the streets of Ecija means delighting your eyes with ancient churches with incredible façades, visiting convents and squares that are historical relics. Don't miss a visit to the Convento de los Descalzos, the Iglesia Mayor de Santa Cruz or the Casa Palacio de Palma.

In addition, the Benamejí Palace contains perfectly preserved mosaics and the famous statue of the Wounded Amazon. A visit not to be missed for the curious or art lovers.

Sevillian traditions are very present in Ecija, which makes it an ideal stop if you want to enjoy a flamenco show or witness the old stud farms, the equestrian heritage of the Andalusian region.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 85 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By bus: Damas autobuses makes this route in one hour and the ticket price starts at €5 per leg.
  By car: it will take you only 50 minutes to do this route.
• You will like...: if you want to know more about flamenco and Sevillian horses.

Utrera is a town you must visit if you want to go back to the true origins of Andalusian flamenco. Just 30 kilometres from the city of Seville, you will find this town of 50,000 inhabitants where you can delve even deeper into the customs and traditions of this Spanish region.

The town of Utrera is also famous for the breeding of the fighting bulls and horses of the Andalusian region. It is a place of complete reference for those who are fond of these themes.

But apart from this, a visit to Utrera is a worthwhile experience just to enjoy the beauty of its historic quarter, also declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, and its characteristic white streets.

If you take a stroll around Utrera, don't miss a look at the Plaza del Altozano, the busiest urban space and meeting place for all its inhabitants. Here you will be able to see a little of the local life of the town, which also houses remains from the 17th and 18th centuries.

But the star of Utrera is undoubtedly its castle, a legacy of its Moorish-influenced past that still preserves some curious fortresses to visit.

Utrera also has historic churches such as the church of Santiago, and palaces to suit all tastes such as Vistahermosa or the Surga house.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 33 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Marchena by train, from Sevilla San Bernardo station. The ticket price starts at €5 per section and the journey takes around 20 minutes.
  By bus: Autocares Casal makes this journey in 50 minutes and the ticket price starts at €2 per leg.
  By car: it will take you only 20 minutes to do this route.
• You will like...: if you want to get to know one of the White Villages of Seville and its monuments.

The villages of Seville also offer a dose of nature and tranquillity. This is the case of the village of Constantina, a favourite destination for Sevillians to escape and disconnect from the city.

Constantina is located in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla, and its white streets are easily distinguishable among the surrounding vegetation. In the centre of the village you will find the castle, located in the middle of a hill that juts out into the horizon and is truly a sight to behold.

On a normal stroll through its streets, you will find yourself surrounded by old stately homes and stately mansions. That is why its historic quarter has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. I recommend you to visit the Barrio de la Moreríawhen you pass through Constantina, as here you can immerse yourself in the Muslim past that creates such a contrast with the Spanish culture.

Constantina is a paradise for those who want to go hiking in nature. The Castañar area offers many options for different levels, as does the Cerro del Hierro.

Finally, don't miss a visit to the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, which stands out for its 55-metre high tower.

For all this and much more, do not hesitate to visit Constantina on your way through the city of Seville and its charming villages.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 85 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Marchena by train, from Sevilla San Bernardo station. The price of the ticket starts at €6 per section and the journey takes around 20 minutes.
  By bus: Autocares Casal makes this journey in 45 minutes and the ticket price starts at €3 per leg.
  By car: it will only take you 20 minutes to do this route.
• You will like...: if you like nature, hiking and archaeology.

In the last place of this list of the best villages of Seville, we find Lebrija. This small town is located in the south of the province, bordering the city of Cadiz, which makes it a town with a special atmosphere.

Many tourists visit Lebrija only for the ruins of its 11th century Moorish castle, but just breathing in the local atmosphere and deep-rooted culture makes it worth a visit in itself.

Its historic quarter is distinguished by its beautiful manor houses and all kinds of religious buildings. But within its walls you will find the hermitage of Santa María del Castillo, in a perfectly preserved Mudejar style, as it has hardly been renovated at all since its creation.
Lebrija is famous for being home to the sister of the famous Giralda of Seville: La Giraldilla, which stands out among the relief and the white houses, and was built in the 13th century.

Lovers of wine tourism will surely know this Sevillian town for the popular González Palacios winery, whose strategic location on the banks of the Guadalquivir River and only a few kilometres from the sea, make it perfect for the production of the region's white wine. In fact, it has been awarded as one of the 1,000 best wines in the world.

Interesting facts

• Distance from Seville: 66 kilometres.
• How to get there:
  By train: you can get to Marchena by train, from Sevilla San Bernardo station. Ticket prices start at €8 per section and the journey takes around 45 minutes.
  By car: it will take you only 45 minutes to make this journey.
• You will like...: if you are a fan of wine tourism.