Seville – the 2,200-year-old capital of Andalusia. Phoenician, Roman, Arabic, Spanish. This magnificent city is a beautiful testament to the melting pot that is European civilisation and definitely worth a closer look if you find yourself wandering Spain.

Everyone knows to visit the staggeringly beautiful cathedral and the Giralda and you can be sure that they will both be packed with tourists whenever you visit.

So what if you choose to spend another day in Seville? What else would you do?

Here’s a trusty guide to the other bits of Seville that the tourist hordes do not overwhelm:

If you fancy a grand road trip through Spain, I’ve got you covered too

Morning

1. Head straight to the river Guadalquivir and stretch your legs along the river banks. Seville is a river-port and the size of ships in those days meant that the city was one of the great cities of note in Spain. Magellan set off for his round the world trip from Seville, for example. The port also held a monopoly on routes to the Americas which made this city a great place to be in those days.
   The architecture along the river banks is a blend of old and new; a testament to the living status of the city. Total time – about an hour or so, but I would factor in 2 hours as you leisurely watch the city come to life.

2. Head to the city centre and snigger at the long lines of tourists queuing to get into the cathedral. Ignore them and head opposite to the Real Alcazar. This is a magnificent moorish castle with lush, aromatic gardens that will leave you lack-jawed with wonder and surprise.The detail in the mosaic, the tiles, the colours and the layout are matched by the extensive gardens, the well-kept orchards and the smell of citrus fruit throughout the place. (Total time – two hours to see the Alcazar at a leisurely pace. If you feel like enjoying a little greenery, take a good book with you and relax in the gardens for a little longer.)

3. Wind your way through the alleys and back streets of Seville, heading north-west towards the Casa do Pilatos. This 15th century palace is a fusion of Renaissance Italy and the Spanish norms at the time. Reconstruction and works in the 19th century have turned it into an architectural jewel of muddier-Gothic, Renaissance and romantic styles. (Total time – 1 hour plus a further 30 minutes if you choose the guided tour of the upper level of the building)

4. Just about time for lunch. Seville spoils you with its abundant choice of excellent Andalusian fare. If you’re not sure where to go, or if you don’t have a favourite yet, head to La Huerta on Plaza Teceros for a great choice of tapas, including vegetarian options. Take your time here; the locals eat lunch late and enjoy their food as much as they enjoy their cervezas!

5. You’re now full of food and perhaps an excellent Rioja, so take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Seville and admire the little boutiques and shops that you encounter. Head towards the futuristic Plaza de la Encarnacion which was the setting for a few scenes in Star Wars.

6. I would head back to the hotel now to rest a little as the Sevillian evenings are soul soothingly unmissable. If you prefer an early night, then head to the Triana market to get a feel for local life. Watch the locals argue with stall holders and watch the merchants move, flit and dance their way through a working day like incognito flamenco dancers

7. As night falls, you now have two choices ahead of you: You can either tackle the many tapas bars on Patio un Santa Cruz and find anything that it is you’re looking for. Or you can indulge in that most Andalusian of art – Flamenco! La Carboneria is one of those tourist traps that you can’t help but love (the sangria is noteworthy) but T de Triana may be a more authentic experience.

And so you’ve seen some parts of Seville that a quick trip to the city might have hidden from you.

What is your favourite thing to do in Seville?

When will you go back?