Comparison · Madrid vs Seville · Spain
Madrid vs Seville
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas; choose Seville for Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and a milder winter. Seville is generally less expensive, and the two are about 390 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 390 km
- Less expensive
- Seville
- Best time for Madrid
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Seville
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Madrid | Seville | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Spain | Spain |
| Known for | Prado Museum, Tapas and Royal Palace | Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de España |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $130–$230 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C (50°F) | January, 16°C (61°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MAD | SVQ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Madrid for…
Prado Museum and Tapas. Spain's capital sits on a high plateau in the centre of the country, and its great draw is the Paseo del Arte: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums within a 15-minute walk of each other, beside the Retiro park. The old centre around…
Choose Seville for…
Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and a milder winter. Andalusia's capital has one of the largest old towns in Europe, a maze of whitewashed lanes and orange-tree squares around the Cathedral, the Giralda tower and the Real Alcázar palace. Across the Guadalquivir river, Triana is the traditional home of flamenco…
Top sights compared
| # | Madrid | Seville |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prado Museum | Real Alcázar |
| 2 | Reina Sofía Museum | Seville Cathedral and the Giralda |
| 3 | Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum | Plaza de España |
| 4 | Royal Palace of Madrid | Parque de María Luisa |
| 5 | Retiro Park | Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) |
Food compared
| Madrid | Seville |
|---|---|
| Churros con chocolate | Salmorejo |
| Calamari sandwich | Spinach with chickpeas |
| Cocido madrileño | Pork cheeks |
| Huevos rotos | Montadito de pringá |
Which is cheaper?
Seville is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $130–$230 per person there, against $150–$260 in Madrid (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Seville on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Madrid and Seville are about 390 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Madrid and 4 in Seville.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Madrid or Seville cheaper?
Seville is usually less expensive: about $130–$230 a day mid-range against $150–$260 (estimates).
+Is Madrid or Seville better for a first trip?
Pick Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas, or Seville for Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and a milder winter.
+How far is Madrid from Seville?
About 390 km in a straight line.