Seville, Spain Travel Guide
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Seville the capital of Andalusia and famous for oranges, tapas and sunshine, is a city you must visit in Spain. You’ll feel the life in Seville as soon as you meander the cobbled alleyways. Historians date the city back to the 8th century so safe to say there’s a lot of life that has been lived in Seville.
I fell in love with Seville during my time there, it was the perfect mix of relaxing and intriguing. You can spend your days taking tours of historical sites and discovering the culture. Or maybe you're looking for a more slow-paced holiday with spa trips, shopping and searching for the best tapas dish.
So get ready to dive into the world of Seville, Spain with my ultimate travel guide.
Brief Overview of Seville, Spain Travel Guide
Best Time to Visit Seville Spain
April-June and September-October are the most popular times to visit Seville. During this time the temperature is not too hot but not too cold, there is plenty of sun and little rain. Naturally, due to this being the ideal time to visit, you will be sharing the city with plenty of other tourists.
If you wish to dodge the crowds consider visiting in November, February or March. You’ll find the weather is cooler with a little less sun, however, reduced prices and fewer people can still make it an appealing time to visit.
During July and August temperatures regularly soar to 40 Celsius and above, making it unbearable to walk around the city. Also, December and January are the months with the most rain, so don’t forget your umbrella if you choose to visit then.
One last thing to consider when planning on when to visit is two of Seville’s biggest festivals Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. Semana Santa also known as Holy Week is held usually the week leading up to Easter Sunday and you can expect big celebrations and parades in Sevilla. Feria de Abril often takes place 2/3 weeks after Semana Santa and is a giant city fair to celebrate the local culture.
How to Get to Seville Spain?
If you are flying in it’s likely to be Seville airport, you can either choose to hop into a taxi or there is a bus service running to Plaza de Armas in the centre of Seville. The ticket costs 4 euros and the service runs regularly throughout the day, see the schedule here.
Another popular way to get to Seville is by train, the station is called Seville Santa Justa. You will find high-speed trains leaving and arriving from Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and many other destinations around Spain. One tip for train travel in Spain is to try to book any long-distance journeys in advance, it will help save some money. We booked our ticket from Madrid to Seville nearly 4 months before but got tickets for £15.
It is manageable to walk from Seville Santa Justa into the city centre. However, it takes about 30 minutes so if you have heavy luggage, you might want to hop in a taxi, I don’t believe the tram is connected to the train station yet.
Things to do in Seville Spain
Visit the Real Alcazar de Sevilla
This UNESCO-listed heritage site is arguably the top attraction in Sevilla and for good reason. You’ll find a blend of Gothic, Mudéjar, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture within the Alcazar and no lack of stunning detail at every corner. Take your time strolling around and make sure to visit the beautifully curated gardens too.
It’s recommended to book your tickets online, otherwise, you will end up queuing twice. If you book online you will have to choose a time slot, I recommend getting in the queue around 15 minutes before your time. To avoid big tour groups go for the first slot in the morning or one of the last few slots of the day.
Explore the Cathedral de Sevilla and Giralda Bell Tower
The Cathedral de Sevilla is the largest Gothic church in the world and is full of intricate details to marvel at. Once inside the cathedral, you will be able to make your way up to Giralda bell tower for some stunning views around Sevilla. You’ll need to buy a ticket online, they cost 11 euros and similar to the Alcazar you will get a time slot to visit.
Stop by Plaza del Cabildo
The Plaza del Cabildo contains an enchanting moon-shaped building with detailed archways and columns. It’s located just opposite the cathedral square and be sure to check out the Sunday market here if you get the chance.
Climb the Torre del Oro
The Torre del Oro was once used as a military watchtower, however, now you will find a small naval museum and a lovely viewpoint here. I recommend heading up as you get some beautiful views of Sevilla’s skyline including the towering cathedral. Entry only cost us 3 euros for 2 adults.
Cruise along the Guadalquivir River
The Gudalquivir River has played a major part in Sevilla’s history, so why not relax and learn more whilst you cruise down the river? I recommend going with Gudaluxe, the boat was spacious and not crowded like other tours, meaning you could easily see and hear about the sights. Plus they use electric boats, so that’s a bonus, check it out here —>
If a river cruise isn’t your thing, there are plenty of companies offering paddle board/kayak tours along the river.
Take a Tour of Plaza de Toros
As the largest and most important arena for bullfighting in Spain, a tour of the Plaza de Toros is a lovely half-day activity. If you don't want to take a guided tour, the general entrance can be bought on-site for 10 euros per adult.
See the Stunning Plaza de Espana
Without a doubt, the Plaza de Espana is one of the most spectacular sights in Sevilla. It was built to impress at the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, in which Spain’s goal was to make peace with its former Latin American colonies. Nowadays many of the buildings inside the semi-circular structure are used as government offices.
You’ll find it's located in Maria Lusia Park and surrounded by a small waterway in which it is possible to rent a rowing boat. If you get lucky you may even catch a Flamenco performance which regularly happens within the plaza.
Head to the Setas de Sevilla at Sunset
The Setas de Sevilla are rather hard to miss, as they were built in 2005 you’ll find it’s quite the contrast from the ancient buildings nearby. Head up to the walkways for some gorgeous sunset views and if you stay a little after sunset you’ll even catch a light show. Find ticket options here ->
Wander the Streets of Barrio Santa Cruz
The lively streets of Barrio Santa Cruz are not to be missed whilst you are in Sevilla, as the most picturesque part of the city it can get very busy throughout the day. On your wonders, you’ll find small squares lined with orange trees, plenty of tapas bars, art galleries, museums and the famous Calle Agua.
Explore the Neighbourhood of Triana
Head across the Guadalquivir River to the beautiful neighbourhood of Triana, where you can discover more about Sevilla’s culture. Some people believe Triana to be the birthplace of Flamenco, so why not catch a show whilst here? Another thing this neighbourhood is known for is ceramics with plenty of gorgeous shops to check out. I recommend this fantastic Ceramic Painting Workshop offered by BarroAzul in Triana to learn more about these traditional methods.
Shop at Mercado El Postigo
We stumbled across this small market by complete serendipity on a stroll back to our accommodation. With quite a few different workshops selling a variety of crafts, it’s the perfect place to get some souvenirs. Not to mention the gorgeous interiors and architecture of the building.
Take a Day Trip to Cádiz
If the heat of Sevilla is getting too much for you, escaping to the coastal town of Cádiz may be just what you need. It takes just under 2 hours to reach Cádiz by train from Sevilla. Whether you choose to head to the Mercado Central, visit the Catedral de Cádiz or soak up the rays on La Caleta Beach you won’t regret it.
Relax at the Aire Ancient Baths
Fancy treating yourself a little whilst in Sevilla? Well if your answer is yes then Aire Ancient Baths is for you. Located in Barrio Santa Cruz you will be able to completely relax and unwind with a range of different experiences to choose from.
Do a Scavenger Hunt around Seville
After 8 months of travel Josh and I were quite tired of walking tours, but still wanting to learn more about a destination had us looking for different experiences. This is when we stumbled across this scavenger hunt, check it out here ->
It had us adventuring around the city’s famous landmarks solving puzzles for historical stories and information, I loved it! If you're looking for something different to do in Sevilla this one is for you.
Where to Eat and Drink in Seville Spain?
It would be a sin to come to Sevilla and not eat Churros, so be sure to head to Bar El Commercial for Churros con Chocolate.
Bar El Rinconcillo is the oldest bar in Sevilla and is known for its delicious tapas. Dating back to 1670, you’ll discover some traditional cuisines here.
We had a delicious Italian at Gallina Bianca, I know eating Italian in Spain may not be everyone's preference, but I love pasta.
If you are in the mood for breakfast or brunch head to Filo, they have some delicious coffee here.
Fancy a fancy place, well the Alfonso Hotel has a lovely outside terrace if you're in search of a place for a cocktail or mocktail.
On a sunny day head to Mercado Lonja del Barranco, you’ll find different food vendors around the market. It’s the perfect place for lunch and a drink by the river.
As Sevilla is famous for its oranges it would be a shame to not try the local produce. Now I don’t remember the name of this little stand, but it sold all sorts of orange-based products and did takeaway fresh juices, highly recommend it. It was on the Plaza de Jesus de La Passion, see the location here.
Where to Stay in Sevilla Spain?
Our requirements for accommodation in Sevilla were that it was under £50 a night, centrally located and had kitchen facilities. We hit a jackpot when we found Alegoria Coliving, it was perfect. Our room was spotless, with space to unpack, a desk to work from and even a balcony over the cobbled streets of Sevilla. The kitchen had everything we needed and there was even a rooftop to chill on. Not to mention the interior design of the building had me feeling like I was on the set of Mamma Mia, great vibes. I would recommend it to those travelling longer term, who want all the facilities of a hostel, but are tired of dorm rooms.
Sevilla blew me away with its charm and I’m sure it will have you feeling the same the second you arrive.
As always feel free to ask me any questions you have about Sevilla or leave your best Sevilla recommendations in the comments below.
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