Sevilla city steals the spotlight as the crowning jewel of its namesake province – and rightly so.
But once you’ve ticked off the Cathedral, the Alcazar and those sunset strolls along the Guadalquivir, it’s time to dig deeper.
Beyond the capital lies a province packed with baroque towers, Roman ruins, cinematic backdrops and some of Andalucia’s most photogenic plazas.
If you want to experience the real depth of Sevilla province, these are the three cities you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Carmona: The balcony over the plains
Perched dramatically above the Vega del Corbones, Carmona feels like a fortified island rising from an ocean of olive groves.
Just 30 minutes from Sevilla city, this ancient stronghold has been inhabited for over 5,000 years.
Romans, Moors and Christians all left their mark. You’ll enter through the imposing Puerta de Sevilla, part Roman, part Islamic, and entirely cinematic.
Don’t miss:
- The Alcazar de la Puerta de Sevilla for sweeping countryside views
- The remarkably preserved Roman Necropolis
- Wandering its honey-coloured lanes without a map
Carmona is compact but atmospheric, ideal for a slow afternoon of tapas and terrace views. It’s less polished than Sevilla, but arguably more authentic.
It’s perfect for history lovers, photographers and anyone wanting dramatic Andalucia without the crowds.
Osuna: Game of Thrones grandeur
If Osuna looks familiar, that’s because it played a starring role in Game of Thrones. But long before Hollywood arrived, this hilltop town was already a masterpiece of Renaissance and baroque architecture.
Dominating the skyline is La Colegiata, an imposing 16th-century church that watches over one of the most elegant townscapes in Andalucía.
Ecija is also home the ‘most beautiful street in Europe’ – Calle San Pedro – an award given by UNESCO to a few years ago.
Why visit?
- Its vast, almost theatrical main square
- The surprisingly large bullring
- A wealth of palaces and convents that hint at its aristocratic past
Osuna feels grand yet quiet. You can wander for hours without tour groups, stepping from shaded cloisters into sun-drenched plazas.
It’s perfect for architecture lovers and anyone craving a slower, stately Andalucian escape.
Ecija: The City of Towers
Ecija is nicknamed La Sarten de Andalucia (Andalucía’s frying pan) thanks to its fierce summer heat (which I can attest to, having fried an egg on a bench for a report for the London Evening Standard).
Ecija rewards visitors with one of the most spectacular baroque skylines in southern Spain.
As you approach, you’ll see church towers rising in every direction — ornate, colourful and surprisingly elaborate for a town of its size.
Highlights:
- The flamboyant Palacio de Peñaflor and its sweeping frescoed balconies
- Plaza de España, one of the most elegant squares in the province
- A maze of convents, patios and palatial homes
Écija is less touristy than Carmona and Osuna, giving it a lived-in authenticity. Come in spring or autumn if you can — summer temperatures regularly soar well above 40C.
It’s perfect for baroque enthusiasts, culture hunters and travellers who like to explore off the usual route.
Why you shouldn’t stop at Seville
Too many visitors base themselves in Sevilla city and never venture beyond the city limits. That’s a mistake.
Within an hour’s drive, Sevilla province shifts from monumental Roman ruins to Renaissance grandeur to baroque excess, all framed by olive groves and rolling countryside.
If you’re living in Andalucia, or just visiting, these three cities prove that Sevilla province is far more than its capital.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
