Free walking tours in Santiponce and what to see

Must-sees

Santiponce is a few kilometres from Seville, on the edge of the Aljarafe, and its great attraction is Itálica, the Roman city founded by Scipio in 206 BC. It was the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. The archaeological site keeps grid-planned streets, remains of houses with mosaics and a huge amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Roman world, which also served as a filming location for a well-known television series.

Don't miss the Roman theatre either, which sits within the town itself and adds to the visit. The other big stop is the monastery of San Isidoro del Campo, founded in the early 14th century by Guzmán el Bueno, where his family's tombs lie. Inside it holds an altarpiece by Martínez Montañés and very valuable mural paintings, in a building mixing Gothic and Mudéjar.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Santiponce, but there are several guided visits. You can tour Itálica with a guide who explains life in the Roman city or do it on your own with an audio guide. There are also organised visits to the monastery of San Isidoro del Campo. Many of these activities are booked from Seville, as Santiponce is an easy half-day trip from the city.

How long to spend

Itálica needs about two or three hours, especially if you want to see the amphitheatre and the mosaics without rushing. Add an hour for the Roman theatre and another for the monastery. In total, a long half day or a relaxed day. In summer, start early, as there's little shade on the site and the heat is intense.

Where to stay

Santiponce has very little accommodation, so the usual approach is to stay in Seville and come on a day trip. Triana is a good base, as it's on the side of the river from which you head out to Itálica. You can also look in other Aljarafe towns, quieter and with good road links.