Free walking tours in Los Palacios y Villafranca and what to see

Must-sees

Los Palacios y Villafranca is in the Lower Guadalquivir area, a little over twenty kilometres south of Seville. It was formed by the union of two villages: Los Palacios, named after the country palace built by Peter I, and Villafranca de la Marisma. A stone cross marks the old boundary between them. In the centre, the parish church of Santa María la Blanca stands out, with a main altarpiece by Pablo Legot, and very close are the chapels of San Sebastián, the former church of Villafranca, and La Aurora.

It is worth wandering among the whitewashed houses with window grilles and iron balconies, and noticing the estates and oil mills that recall the farming past. Outside the town the marshland begins, with rice fields, cereal fields and wetlands. Part of the municipality lies in the Brazo del Este natural site, a good place to see waterbirds. At the table, tomatoes rule, the town's most famous product, eaten dressed or in fritada.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours or regular guided visits for tourists in Los Palacios y Villafranca. Most people explore the centre on their own and head out by car or bike to the marshes and the Brazo del Este, a very flat area that is easy to get around. If you want guided visits, the most practical option is to base yourself in Seville, which has a huge choice, and visit the town as a day trip.

How long to spend

The town centre can be seen in two or three hours, at an easy pace with a stop for lunch. If you want to head to the marshes and the Brazo del Este, give it a full day and bring binoculars. The best time is spring, when there are more birds and the countryside is green, or summer if you want tomatoes at their peak, though the heat is fierce then.

Where to stay

The town has modest accommodation, with some guesthouses and hotels by the Seville to Cádiz road and holiday flats in the centre, convenient if you travel by car. For a longer trip, the most practical option is to stay in Seville, less than half an hour away, or in Utrera and Dos Hermanas, which are close and have more variety.