Santa Cruz
First-timersThe old Jewish quarter by the Alcázar.
Seville city guide
Things To Do In Seville
Flamenco, orange trees, a Moorish palace still used by the king and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Andalusia at its most itself, and too hot in August.
41
Hostels in the city
8.5
Average, from 68,513 reviews
1987
The Alcázar and cathedral join UNESCO
40°C+
August afternoons
1929
Plaza de España
The heart of Andalusia
Seville was a great city of Muslim al-Andalus, and after 1492 it grew rich as the only port licensed to trade with the Americas. The Alcázar palace, the cathedral with its Giralda tower, and the Archive of the Indies are together a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is the home of flamenco and of two of Spain's great festivals, Holy Week and the April Fair, and its streets are lined with orange trees.
Seville is also the hottest city in Europe in summer, when the afternoon regularly passes 40°C. Visit in spring or autumn. Three days is right.
Where to stay
Stay in Santa Cruz or the centre for the sights, or across the river in Triana.
Centro
Being centralAround Las Setas.
Triana
AtmosphereThe flamenco quarter across the river.
Alameda
NightlifeBars on the long square.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How long have you got?
The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.
Things to do
Things to do in Seville
Book the Real Alcázar ahead: a Moorish-style palace built by Christian kings, with tiled courtyards and huge gardens. The cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world, holds the tomb of Columbus; climb the Giralda, the old minaret, by ramps.
Plaza de España, built for the 1929 exhibition, is a vast semicircle of tiles and bridges, and it is free.
The Metropol Parasol, known as Las Setas, has a rooftop walkway over the old town.
Cross the river to Triana, the old potters' and flamenco quarter, and see flamenco in a small tablao or a peña rather than a dinner show.
More on things to do in Seville
Free things
Free things to do in Seville
Plaza de España, the Parque de María Luisa and the streets of Santa Cruz are free.
The Alcázar is free at set times for those who book; check ahead.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Seville
Seville is a tapas city: salmorejo, a thick cold tomato soup, pescaíto frito, fried fish, espinacas con garbanzos and jamón. Tapas cost €3 to €5 each, and you order at the bar.
The Triana market is the place for fresh food.
A menú del día is €11 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Seville
Seville goes out late, in the squares and bars of the Alameda de Hércules, Triana and the centre. Summer nights run outdoors after the heat.
Flamenco is the other night out.
A beer is €2 to €3.50.
More on nightlife in Seville
Getting around
Getting around Seville
The centre is walkable. The EA airport bus reaches the centre in about thirty-five minutes.
AVE trains reach Madrid in about two and a half hours and Córdoba in about forty-five minutes. Buses reach Granada in about three hours and Cádiz in under two.
Costs
What Seville costs
Seville is mid-priced, with prices rising sharply for Holy Week and the April Fair. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €45 to €60.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Seville
Seville is safe.
The summer heat is the real danger, passing 40°C in July and August. Stay out of the sun in the afternoon and drink water.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Seville
White villages, Roman ruins and the coast.
Córdoba
The Mezquita.
Cádiz
An ancient port on the Atlantic.
Ronda
A town split by a deep gorge.
Day trips from Seville
What's on
What is on while you are there
Holy Week and the April Fair are the two great weeks.
Staff pick
9 Sep – 3 Oct
Bienal de Flamenco
The Bienal de Flamenco in Seville, Spain, is the world’s premier flamenco festival, celebrating the art form’s rich heritage and innovative spirit since 1980.…
Staff pick
6–14 November
Seville European Film Festival
The Seville European Film Festival in Seville, Spain, is a premier celebration of European cinema, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film lovers for…
Staff pick
29 November
Seville Half Marathon
The Seville Half Marathon offers runners a fast, flat course through the heart of Seville, Spain, showcasing the city’s rich Andalusian heritage and historic…
Staff pick
12 October
Día de la Hispanidad (National Day of Spain/Columbus Day)
Experience the rich heritage of Día de la Hispanidad at Seville Cathedral, where centuries-old traditions come alive through solemn choir performances and special religious…
Staff pick
1 November
Día de Todos los Santos
Experience All Saints’ Day in Seville, Spain, where tradition and culture blend in a truly unique celebration. Locals honor the day by decorating cemeteries…
Staff pick
15 November
Carrera de la Mujer de Sevilla (Seville Women's Race)
The Seville Women's Race in Seville, Spain, is a celebrated event that unites thousands of women each year to champion breast cancer research and…
Staff pick
8 December
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Experience a unique blend of tradition, music, and devotion at the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Seville, where university tunas—musical groups with a…
Staff pick
31 Dec – 1 Jan
New Year's Eve
Celebrate New Year's Eve in Seville, where crowds gather in the heart of the city to welcome the new year with the cherished Spanish…
Hostels
Where to stay in Seville
The top-rated places to stay in Seville right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hotel Plaza
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La Banda Living Hostel
Dorms from €25 a night
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Hotel Abanico
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La Banda Rooftop Hostel
Dorms from €28 a night
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Onefam Catedral
Dorms from €19 a night
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The Loft House Sevilla
Dorms from €24 a night
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JOY Plaza de Armas
Dorms from €20 a night
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Black Swan Hostel Sevilla
Dorms from €21 a night
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Triana Hostel
Dorms from €17 a night
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New Samay Hostel
Dorms from €22 a night
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The Spot Central Hostel
Dorms from €31 a night
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Toc Hostel Sevilla
Dorms from €16 a night
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When to go
March to May and October are best. Avoid July and August.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Orange blossom soon
Mar
Orange blossom
Apr
Holy Week and Feria
May
Excellent
Jun
Hot
Jul
Extreme heat
Aug
Extreme heat
Sep
Still hot
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. One of the hottest cities in Europe.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Holy Week and April Fair prices run far higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Seville travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Do I need to book the Alcázar?
Yes, ahead, especially in spring.
When should I visit Seville?
March to May or October. Avoid July and August.
Where can I see flamenco?
In Triana, at a small tablao or peña.
How do I get from the airport?
By the EA bus, about thirty-five minutes.
How far is Córdoba?
About forty-five minutes by AVE.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When are Holy Week and the April Fair?
In spring; dates move with Easter.
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