You're Going to Love Seville
Seville is the capital of Spain's southern Andalusia region and the top tourist destination in the south. It has a population of 1.6 million in the metropolitan area and is Spain's fourth largest city.
The city sits on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, connecting the agricultural interior of the Guadalquivir valley with the sea. This position has led the city to act as an important trading port since Roman times, and increased Seville's importance through Moorish rule, especially after new trading routes opened up to the Americas.
Seville's rich history has contributed to its architecture and culture, which made the city an important stop for wealthy 19th-century travelers on their Grand Tour of Europe. Today it has some of the most impressive sights in Spain and an exciting culture of fiestas and fun.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Seville
1. The Cathedral of Seville
If measured by volume, the Cathedral of Seville is possibly the largest church in the world. It dates from the 15th century and incorporates some features of the earlier 12th-century mosque that was built on the site. The central nave rises more than 120ft and the cathedral contains the remains of Christopher Columbus. An adult ticket costs EUR8.
2. La Giralda
La Giralda was originally built as the minaret for the Moorish city's mosque but was converted into the bell tower for the cathedral. It is now the symbol of Seville and an unmissable part of any visit. You can climb up the 34 ramps to gain a fantastic view of the city. Admission is EUR9, which also includes admission to the cathedral.
3. Real Alcázar
The Real Alcázar is a beautiful Moorish palace, built in the 14th century by Pedro the Cruel. It has countless rooms, intricate architecture, and lush gardens. You can also visit the room where Columbus planned his voyage to the Americas. Admission is EUR9.50 and the palace offers a cool retreat from the searing heat in the summer.
4. Seville Nightlife
Seville has more bars per capita than any other city in Europe. It has a huge choice of nightclubs, some of which are open air, giving you the opportunity to dance the night away beneath the stars. Seville's nightlife will carry on right through the night until 7 am, so be prepared to party hard.
5. Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza
Bullfighting is not for everyone but it is an important part of Seville's culture. To gain an understanding of this ancient sport without attending an actual bullfight, you can visit the arena and the museum of bullfighting. The arena is regarded as the most beautiful in Spain and admission is EUR7.
When to Visit Seville
Estimated hotel price
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Seville can get very hot in summer and temperatures can top 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It is perfectly possible to visit the city during these months but do take precautions in the powerful sun and keep well hydrated. March through to May is perhaps the best time to visit the city, with the major festivals of Semana Santa and Feria de Abril taking place back to back. Fall is quieter, with warm temperatures and winter is mild and even quieter.
How to Get to Seville
Plane
Seville International Airport (SVQ) is a 25-minute drive from the center of the city. It has good connections to major European cities but fewer international routes. A bus leaves every 30 minutes from just outside the arrivals hall and should get you into the center in around 30 minutes. It costs EUR4. Taxis can be found just beside the bus stop and offer a fixed fare of EUR22 into the city center.
Train
Seville's main train station is the Sevilla Santa Justa Station, on the eastern side of the city. This is the terminal for the high-speed Spanish rail network. These trains will take you to Cordoba in under an hour, and it is less than three hours to Madrid. The San Bernardo station operates more regional routes.
Car
Spain has a good network of modern roads. The E-5 runs south from Seville to Gibraltar and east to Cordoba. The main route north is the E-803, which connects with the E-90 to take you to Madrid. The A-49 goes west to Portugal.
Bus
The Spanish bus service is excellent and Seville has good connections to other Spanish cities. There are regular services to Cordoba, Malaga, and Alicante. The two main bus stations are in the center: Prado de San Sebastian and Plaza de Armas.
Airlines serving Sevilla
Where to stay in popular areas of Sevilla
Most booked hotels in Sevilla
How to Get Around Seville
Public Transportation
Seville has an excellent public transport system. There are frequent buses running to all parts of the city and a single journey costs just EUR0.70. You can buy a refillable bus card at news kiosks for EUR1.50 and top it up as required.
Taxi
Taxis in Seville are plentiful and relatively affordable but do take care to pay only the metered fare. It will cost EUR1.20 to flag down the taxi and around EUR1.20 per mile thereafter. There is a minimum charge of EUR3.24.
Car
Traffic in Seville can be heavy and parking in the city center difficult to find. Much of the city center is closed to cars, so you may have to park elsewhere and walk or use public transport. Car hire will cost around EUR50 per day, and Europcar and Sixt are both present in Seville.
Car rental agencies in Sevilla
The Cost of Living in Seville
Shopping Streets
Seville's main shopping streets are Calle Sierpes and Calle Tetuán, with stores selling everything from fashion to ceramics. Avenida de la Constitución is a pedestrian street with good shops and cafes, close to the Cathedral.
Groceries and Other
A pound of apples will cost around EUR0.80, while a dozen eggs typically costs EUR2.27. Major supermarkets include SuperSol and Hiper Oriente.
Where to Eat in Seville
Tapas are the local specialty, consisting of small plates of varied food. Good tapas bars include Pedalquivir on the banks of the river, and El Patio San Eloy. Habanita is a good vegetarian restaurant in the city center, with a nice open air terrace. A couple of tapas and a drink will cost around EUR10. Dinner in a top restaurant like La Azotea will cost around EUR50 per person without wine.