Seville to Italica: Roman Ruins & Monastery Half-Day Tour

Summary

Walk ancient Italica’s mosaics & amphitheater then see San Isidoro monastery on a relaxed half-day trip from Seville

You’ll step into Roman history at Italica’s amphitheater near Seville, wander intricate mosaics with a local guide, and pause in the cool halls of San Isidoro del Campo monastery. Expect real stories, quiet moments among ruins, and easy round-trip transport—plus a few surprises you might not expect until you’re there yourself.

What’s the experience like?

"Did you know this was the Dragonpit in Game of Thrones?" our guide asked as we stepped out of the minivan, sun already warming the stone underfoot. I’d seen photos of Italica’s amphitheater before, but standing there—where emperors once watched gladiators and HBO filmed dragons—it felt oddly familiar and totally new at the same time. The air smelled faintly of wild herbs and dust. Our group was small, mostly quiet, except for one couple from Cádiz who kept trading stories about their own family legends (I only caught half of it, my Spanish is still a work in progress).

Walking through Italica’s old streets, I kept running my hand along the rough mosaic edges—somehow still bright after centuries. Our guide, Marta, pointed out which patterns marked a wealthy domus. She had this way of pausing just long enough for us to really see things; not rushing. At one point she crouched down to show us a tiny lizard sunbathing on the stones. I didn’t expect to laugh so much at her stories about Hadrian’s supposed bad haircut (she swore it was true). The main keyword here is "Italica tour from Seville," but honestly it just felt like wandering with someone who grew up among these ruins.

We stopped at San Isidoro del Campo on the way back—a fortress-like monastery that looks stern from outside but inside smells like candle wax and cool stone. It was quieter than Italica, almost echoey. I remember touching one wall and feeling how cold it was compared to the heat outside. There was something comforting about that silence after all the ancient drama of the amphitheater; maybe because you could imagine monks instead of emperors here.

The drive back to Seville was sleepy—everyone a little sun-dazed and thoughtful. I kept thinking about those mosaics and how people made them by hand so long ago. If you’re looking for an easy day trip from Seville that mixes history with a bit of TV magic (and includes pickup), this half-day tour is probably worth your morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Italica ruins and monastery

• Travel from Seville to Italica
• Explore Italica archaeological site
• See mosaics and Roman amphitheatre
• Visit San Isidoro del Campo monastery
• Return to Seville

Top questions

How far is Italica from Seville?

Italica is about 9 kilometers (around 20 minutes by minivan) northwest of central Seville.

Is transportation included in this Italica tour?

Yes, round-trip shared transfer between Seville and Italica is included in the tour.

What will I see during the Italica day trip?

You’ll visit Italica’s archaeological site—including its amphitheater and mosaics—and stop at San Isidoro del Campo monastery.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and public transit is nearby.

Was Game of Thrones filmed at Italica?

Yes, scenes for Game of Thrones were filmed in Italica’s Roman amphitheater—the Dragonpit location in season seven.

Are infant seats available during transport?

Specialized infant seats are available upon request for this tour.

What’s included

Your half-day includes round-trip shared transfer from Seville by minivan, entry to both Italica’s archaeological site and San Isidoro del Campo monastery, all taxes covered, plus guidance throughout from a knowledgeable local—so you can just focus on exploring without worrying about logistics or tickets.