Seville is at the heart of Andalusia in a practical sense too: from here, much of the best the south has to offer is less than two hours away. Rome, the Caliphate, wine, the sea and the Alhambra are scattered around the city like chapters of a single story, and almost all of them can be visited in a single day.

Here are the day trips we recommend from the hotel, listed by distance, with travel times and a tip for each one.

Itálica: Rome, half an hour away

The nearest and the oldest. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, in Santiponce, Italica was the first Roman city founded outside Italy, in 206 BC, and the birthplace of two emperors: Trajan and Hadrian. Its amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Empire, and the mosaics in its stately homes can be visited with a tranquillity that would be unthinkable at other archaeological sites of this calibre.

Our tip: go first thing in the morning, when the site is almost empty, and set aside the rest of the day for Seville. Anyone who’s watched *Game of Thrones* will recognise the amphitheatre; those who haven’t will remember it just the same.

Córdoba: the Caliphate, just a 45-minute train ride away

Córdoba is the most convenient day trip from Seville: a 45-minute journey by high-speed train, from city centre to city centre. And the reward is immense: the Mosque-Cathedral, that forest of two-coloured columns and arches which was once the largest mosque in the Western world and remains one of the most extraordinary buildings in the world. Nearby lie the Jewish Quarter with its synagogue – one of only three medieval synagogues still standing in Spain – the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, and the famous patios of Córdoba, which open their gates to the public in May during the festival, recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Our advice: book your ticket for the Mosque in advance and get there early; first thing in the morning, with the light streaming low between the columns, the building looks as magnificent as it deserves to.

Jerez and Doñana: wine, horses and nature

Just over an hour’s drive away, Jerez de la Frontera brings together three of the south’s great traditions: wine, horses and flamenco. Visits to its centuries-old wineries include wine tastings; the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art puts on displays that alone make the trip worthwhile; and its tabancos – the taverns where sherry is served straight from the barrel – preserve flamenco in its natural setting.

The same south-westerly route offers another option: Doñana National Park, around 45 minutes from Seville, one of Europe’s most important wetlands. Marshes, unspoilt beaches, thousands of flamingos and the country’s most famous population of Iberian lynx. Visits to the park are by guided 4x4 tour, which should be booked several days in advance.

Cádiz: the oldest city in the Western world

An hour and a half from Seville, by road or train, Cádiz boasts three thousand years of history: it was founded by the Phoenicians and has been continuously inhabited ever since. Its historic centre occupies a peninsula surrounded by the sea, with city beaches such as La Caleta, watchtowers from which the arrival of ships from the Americas was monitored, and a seafood cuisine that makes any lunch the highlight of the day.

Our tip: head up the Tavira Tower to get a bird’s-eye view of the city and set aside the afternoon to explore the La Viña neighbourhood. If you’re visiting in February, the Cádiz Carnival is a unique experience; the rest of the year, the city retains that same lively atmosphere even without fancy dress.

Granada: the exception that’s well worth the three-hour journey

Granada lies outside the two-hour radius, about a three-hour journey away, but we’ve included it because we’re always asked: is it worth a day trip? Our honest answer: it’s worth it even as a day trip, although it’s much better if you stay overnight. The Alhambra and the Generalife require bookings made weeks in advance, and the Albaicín, with the Sierra Nevada in the background, is best enjoyed in the tranquillity of the evening.

If your schedule only allows for one day, the direct train is the most relaxing option; if it allows for two, Granada will easily fill them both.

From Tayko Sevilla, everything is close by

From Tayko Sevilla in Puerta de Jerez, getting around is straightforward: Santa Justa station, from where trains depart for Córdoba, Cádiz and Granada, is about 20 minutes away by taxi or public transport, and Itálica, Jerez and Doñana are easily reached by car from the city centre. The city bids you farewell in the morning and awaits your return in the afternoon, with the same advantage as always: coming home means returning to the heart of it all.

Tayko Seville. The start of your story in the city.