Travel tips · Seville · Spain
Seville travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Seville lives outdoors and late. Religious brotherhoods, flamenco and the city's two big spring festivals — Holy Week and the April Fair — shape the calendar and local identity. Sevillanos are proud, sociable and loyal to their barrio, and life slows down in the hottest hours of summer afternoons.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- EUR
- 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…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Hola, buenas' when entering a bar or shop; it is polite and expected.
- During Holy Week, do not cross through processions or block the route; wait for gaps signalled by officials.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, and stay quiet during services.
- At the April Fair, most casetas (marquees) are private; enter only the public ones unless invited.
- Expect a slower pace during the afternoon siesta hours, when some small shops close.
- Book Real Alcázar ahead: Timed tickets sell out days ahead in spring and autumn; buy on the official site in advance.
- Book Seville Cathedral and the Giralda ahead: Buying a timed ticket online avoids the long queue at the entrance in high season.
- Book Flamenco in a tablao ahead: Small venues sell out on weekends; reserve a day or two ahead.
- Eat tapas rather than full raciones to try more dishes for less.
Tipping
Tipping is modest in Seville: locals round up or leave small change in bars and about 5–10% in restaurants for good service.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hola, buenas | Hello (informal greeting) |
| Una caña, por favor | A small draught beer, please |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Una tapa de… | A tapa of… |
| ¡Olé! | Bravo (at a flamenco show) |
What to wear
Sevillanos dress smartly, especially during festivals. In summer wear light, loose clothing and a hat; in churches cover shoulders and knees.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and public fountains are common in parks and squares.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Good mobile coverage throughout the city; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and hotels.
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Spain's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Seville?
Tipping is modest in Seville: locals round up or leave small change in bars and about 5–10% in restaurants for good service.
+Can you drink the tap water in Seville?
Tap water is safe to drink, and public fountains are common in parks and squares.
+What plugs are used in Seville?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Seville?
Spanish.