Travel guide · Spain
Seville travel guide
Moorish palaces, orange-tree squares, tapas bars and flamenco
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
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 and ceramics. Seville is flat and best explored on foot, with tapas bars on almost every corner and evenings that start late. Spring brings Holy Week and the April Fair, while July and August are among the hottest months in Europe. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Spain
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- SVQ
- Mid-range daily budget
- $130–$230 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, Plaza de España and Flamenco
Why visit Seville
- The Real Alcázar is a working royal palace whose 14th-century Mudéjar courtyards and gardens rival the Alhambra.
- The Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with Columbus's tomb inside and ramps up the Giralda bell tower.
- Tapas culture is at its best here: small plates of salmorejo, spinach with chickpeas and pork cheeks for a few euros each.
- Flamenco is part of daily life, from tablao shows in Santa Cruz to informal peñas in Triana.
- Córdoba is about 45 minutes away by high-speed train, and Jerez, Cádiz and Granada are easy day trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
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Palace · Barrio Santa Cruz
Real Alcázar
Built largely for King Pedro I in the 14th century by craftsmen from Granada and Toledo, the Alcázar is the finest Mudéjar palace in Spain, with the Patio de las Doncellas, the gilded Hall of Ambassadors and acres of gardens with pavilions, fountains and peacocks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Religious site · El Centro
Seville Cathedral and the Giralda
The largest Gothic cathedral in the world was built on the site of the Almohad great mosque, whose minaret became the Giralda bell tower.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
- Rainy day
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Architecture · Parque de María Luisa
Plaza de España
Aníbal González's semicircular brick-and-tile complex was built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Experience · Barrio Santa Cruz
Flamenco in a tablao
Seville is one of the heartlands of flamenco.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
- Rainy day
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Park · Parque de María Luisa
Parque de María Luisa
Seville's main park is a shady landscape of palms, orange trees, ponds, tiled benches and fountains laid out for the 1929 Exposition.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Architecture · El Centro
Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
Jürgen Mayer's giant timber canopy over Plaza de la Encarnación, opened in 2011 and nicknamed 'the mushrooms', is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- After dark
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Barrio Santa Cruz is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and culture
Barrio Santa Cruz
Former Jewish quarter of narrow lanes, patios and squares beside the Alcázar
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, food lovers and nightlife
El Centro and Alfalfa
Shopping streets, Las Setas and the tapas bars of Plaza del Salvador and Alfalfa
$$$ · Best for families, first-timers and food lovers
El Arenal
Riverside quarter of the bullring, Torre del Oro and old-school bars
$$ · Best for food lovers, culture, budget and nightlife
Triana
Across-the-river barrio of flamenco, ceramics workshops and Calle Betis terraces
What to eat
- Salmorejo — A thick, chilled purée of tomato, bread, garlic and olive oil from Córdoba, topped with chopped egg and jamón.
- Spinach with chickpeas — A Moorish-influenced stew of spinach and chickpeas flavoured with cumin, paprika, garlic and fried bread.
- Pork cheeks — Iberian pork cheeks slow-braised in red wine or sherry until they fall apart, often served with fries or mash.
- Montadito de pringá — A small toasted roll filled with pringá, the shredded meats, chorizo and morcilla left over from a slow-cooked stew.
- Fried fish — Lightly floured and fried small fish, squid, cuttlefish and marinated dogfish (adobo), sold in paper cones in freidurías.
- Solomillo al whisky — Pork tenderloin in a garlic sauce made with whisky and olive oil, a Seville bar classic despite the unexpected ingredient.
When to go
The best times to visit Seville are March to May and October to November, when days are warm and sunny and the evenings are perfect for terraces. Holy Week and the April Fair are spectacular but crowded and expensive. July and August are best avoided unless you can cope with temperatures that regularly pass 35–40 °C.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Orange blossom, warm days and the city's two great festivals, Holy Week and the April Fair; book early and expect peak prices. |
| Summer | June–August | Extreme heat, especially in July and August; sightsee early and late, and rest in the afternoon. Hotel prices drop. |
| Autumn | September–November | Heat fades through September; October and November are warm, sunny and ideal for walking and tapas. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild days around 16–18 °C, cool nights, oranges on the trees and the lowest crowds; occasional rainy spells. |
Getting there and around
Seville Airport (SVQ) is about 10 km northeast of the centre. The Tussam airport bus (EA) runs via Santa Justa station to the centre and Plaza de Armas in about 35 minutes, and taxis charge a fixed fare to the city.
Seville is flat and compact, and almost every sight in the old town is within walking distance. The Metrocentro tram, Tussam buses, a single metro line and the Sevici bike-share fill the gaps.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Alcázar, Cathedral, Plaza de España, Santa Cruz and Triana with an evening of flamenco. Four days lets you add palaces such as Casa de Pilatos, slow tapas evenings and a day trip to Córdoba or Jerez.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and public fountains are common in parks and squares.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tipping is modest in Seville: locals round up or leave small change in bars and about 5–10% in restaurants for good service.
Seville is generally safe, but pickpockets work the crowds around the Cathedral, Santa Cruz and during Holy Week and the Feria. Summer heat is a real health risk: drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.
Flights to Seville
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Seville?
Two days covers the Alcázar, Cathedral, Plaza de España, Santa Cruz and Triana with an evening of flamenco. Four days lets you add palaces such as Casa de Pilatos, slow tapas evenings and a day trip to Córdoba or Jerez. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Seville?
The best times to visit Seville are March to May and October to November, when days are warm and sunny and the evenings are perfect for terraces. Holy Week and the April Fair are spectacular but crowded and expensive. July and August are best avoided unless you can cope with temperatures that regularly pass 35–40 °C.
+What is Seville known for?
Real Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, Plaza de España, Flamenco, Tapas, Holy Week, Feria de Abril and Orange trees. The Real Alcázar is a working royal palace whose 14th-century Mudéjar courtyards and gardens rival the Alhambra.
+Is Seville expensive?
Seville is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $130–$230 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Seville?
No. The old town is walkable and many streets are restricted to traffic. A car is only useful for exploring the white villages or Doñana; for Córdoba, Jerez and Cádiz the train is easier.