12 Key Insights Before Visiting Seville

Seville shines as the dazzling gem of Andalucía, offering a wonderful introduction to this vibrant region.

Within the relatively compact area of Seville’s Casco Antiguo (Old Town) lie some of Spain’s most remarkable architectural wonders, including the Real Alcázar, along with the passionate art of flamenco and a multitude of museums, grand mansions, and intricately designed churches.

The Romans, Moors, and Reyes Católicos (the Catholic Monarchs of Spain) left a rich legacy, each contributing their unique touch for everyone to admire. To ensure a smooth journey, here are essential details regarding health, safety, and etiquette to consider before your trip to Seville.

1. Aim to spend at least three days exploring Seville

Seville deserves an in-depth exploration. For first-time visitors, Barrio Santa Cruz is an ideal starting point, featuring three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Real Alcázar, Catedral de Seville, and Archivo General de Indias—all situated near the edge of this winding neighborhood. These landmarks could easily fill a couple of days, especially with the treasures of the Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes and flamenco tablaos like Casa de la Guitarra nestled within. Yet, there’s much more to discover within walking distance, including numerous captivating museums, churches, and mansions, not to mention the local cuisine. A minimum of three days is recommended to truly enjoy the area.

2. Try not to visit the cathedral and Real Alcázar on the same day.

While it may be tempting to squeeze all three of Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage sites into one day, it's best to avoid this if you want to appreciate each one fully. Both the Catedral de Sevilla and Real Alcázar operate on specific entry time tickets (show up early or late, and you might be turned away). Rushing through one site to meet the entry time for another detracts from the experience. Each location is extensive, requiring significant walking and standing. The Real Alcázar and its gardens alone demand at least half a day for thorough exploration. The cathedral is among the largest in the world, and climbing its Giralda involves about a 100-meter ascent, which can be exhausting in warm weather. The Archivo General de Indias, however, serves as an excellent first stop on day one, leaving you refreshed to visit either the cathedral or Real Alcázar the following day.

3. If you're watching your budget, look for free tickets to popular attractions.

Every week, Catedral de Sevilla distributes 100 free tickets, granting access to both the cathedral and the Giralda tower. From Monday to Friday, 20 tickets are available each day, valid for entry between 2 and 3 PM. These tickets can only be obtained through the official cathedral website. Given the high demand, they tend to disappear quickly, so be prepared to try multiple times.

Likewise, the Real Alcázar offers free admission for one hour every Monday. You can reserve these complimentary tickets on the official website for entry from 6 to 7 PM between April and September, and from 4 to 5 PM between October and March.

4. Embrace summer travel; just be well-prepared.

One of the wonderful aspects of Seville is that there's really no bad time to visit. While some sources may suggest steering clear of July and August, it's not as daunting as it seems. The old city was designed to keep most streets shaded throughout the day. Many hotels offer air-conditioned accommodations, and visiting during the off-peak months often means scoring lower hotel rates in the Casco Viejo. If you're okay with including an afternoon siesta in your plans—when many places close—you can still enjoy the mornings and evenings for exploration. Just remember to pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and stay hydrated throughout the day.

5. Seville's major spring festivals attract large crowds.

Spring is becoming an increasingly popular time to visit Seville, with average temperatures surpassing 15°C (60°F), fewer tourists, and the sweet scent of orange blossoms filling the air. However, this season also hosts Seville's two largest festivals. The first, Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), sees huge crowds take to the streets for various processions and events. Two weeks later, the Feria de Abril celebrates Andalusian culture and cuisine, often accompanied by lively festivities. Dates for both festivals change annually, so if you wish to partake in the celebrations, plan ahead. Alternatively, consider visiting just before or after these events to avoid the throngs.

6. Navigating central Seville by car can be tricky.

If you're thinking about renting a car to explore Andalucía, you might want to consider forgoing it during your stay in Seville. Like other historic cities in the region such as Córdoba, Seville's narrow streets, one-way systems, pedestrian areas, and severe lack of parking make driving quite a hassle. Plus, it's one of the best cities in Spain to discover on foot.

7. Dinner doesn't start until after 8pm

In Seville, mealtimes are lively affairs filled with quick bursts of culinary excitement, followed by periods of rest. Like much of Spain, restaurants here aren't designed to satisfy spontaneous hunger. Instead, kitchens open at specific, strict times, and generally, you won't find them serving before 8pm. By 9:30pm, expect the dining scene to be bustling as locals gather for a light dinner of tapas.

For most people in Andalucía, lunch is the highlight of the day and typically occurs during a strict timeframe from 1 to 3pm. If you're used to different meal times, consider picking up some snacks at a supermarket like Carrefour Express to tide you over.

8. A friendly cheek kiss is (mostly) standard

When meeting a local, you might find it surprising when they lean in for a quick kiss on both cheeks, especially if you're from a place that values personal space. In the case of two men, a firm handshake is the norm, while any other gender combination follows the two-kiss tradition.

9. Seville’s LGBTIQ+ community is embraced and celebrated

As with other urban areas in Spain, Seville is a culturally accepting and progressive city where the LGBTIQ+ community is welcomed. The city hosts the largest Pride celebration in the region—Orgullo de Andalucía—each June, and you'll find many gay-friendly establishments throughout. The central hub for this community is around Alameda de Hércules, which is also known as Seville’s premier nightlife spot.

10. Tipping is welcomed but not obligatory

Like much of Europe, tipping in Spain is not a requirement. Customers aren’t expected to add to anyone's salary. However, leaving a little extra—about 10%—at restaurants and tapas bars is always appreciated and often well-deserved. You'll quickly learn that service in Spain during busy mealtimes is a skillful blend of patience, resilience, and the remarkable ability to navigate through crowded spaces while balancing a mountain of dishes.

11. Stay hydrated—drink more water than you think you need

One of the charms of Seville is its warm, dry climate, making it unlikely you'll face rain during your visit. However, this dry heat can be deceptive; you may not notice how much you're sweating since it evaporates so quickly. This means dehydration and heat exhaustion can sneak up on you. Always carry at least a liter of water and sip regularly throughout the day.

12. Seville is generally safe, but…

While it’s wise to stay cautious and maintain your composure (moderate that sangria), Seville is regarded as one of the safest cities in Spain. The tap water is safe to drink, and there are low instances of pickpocketing and street crime, even after dark, allowing you to relax your guard a bit. Of course, like any city, crime can occur, though it is infrequent. Stay aware of your belongings, especially in train and bus stations, and during busy times like festivals.