Seville Holidays

The star of the south

Seville heads things up in Andalucia – the region that covers a huge chunk of Spain’s southern coast. This city’s split into two parts by the Guadalquivir River, and while the east side covers a load of the main sights, the west side is pretty hot on things to do, too. Triana’s the main area on this side of town – it’s your nightlife go-to and home to the city’s famous flamenco dancing scene.

Gorg architecture

There’s no shortage of set-to-stun sights in Seville. Taking the crowning glory is The Royal Alcazar, the oldest European palace that is still in use today. Visiting this place might give you a bit of a déjà vu moment – it’s appeared in a pair of Star Wars movies and Game of Thrones. Not one to be left out, Seville Cathedral has got a couple of big claims under its belt, too – it’s the third largest cathedral in the world and spans across an area the same size as two football pitches. The third sight in Seville’s UNESCO-ticked trio is the General Archive of the Indies – a wow-worthy building that houses documents relating to Spain’s 16th-century empire.

Best time to visit Seville

The best time to visit Seville isn’t when you think it is… While the rest of Spain is usually a peak summer pick, Seville is actually too hot then. This is when all the locals escape for their holidays but not to get some sun like us Brits – they need to escape it! High 30s in a city aren’t the best sightseeing conditions… Seville is Spain’s hottest city after all, so spring and autumn are the perfect times to go. Orange season is from the end of December to mid-February, where it’s still nice and warm in the teens. Or, wait until the blossom comes out from late-Feb to early March for temps to creep into the 20s. Then, Seville’s autumn really is no different to summer for most of Europe, with September still hitting the early 30s and October and November sitting comfortably in the mid-20s – perfect for some shoulder-season sun.

Language

Spanish (Castellano) is the official language in Seville, and while English is spoken in most tourist areas, hotels and at major attractions, it’s less common in smaller neighbourhood cafés, markets and local shops. People in hospitality and younger generations are more likely to speak some English, but learning a few basic Spanish phrases will always earn you a smile from locals.

Basic phrases

Here are some Spanish essentials to try on your trip:

• Hello / Good day – Hola / Buenos días
• Thank you – Gracias
• Please – Por favor
• Excuse me – Perdón / Disculpe
• Do you speak English? – ¿Habla inglés?
• How much does this cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta?

Social norms & etiquette

Tipping

Tipping in Seville isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated for good service. In restaurants, locals often round up the bill or leave some small change. For excellent service, leaving 5-10% is considered generous. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but rounding up the fare is common, and tour guides, hotel porters and concierge staff also appreciate small gratuities.

Dress code

Think light, breathable fabrics in warmer months and easy layers in cooler weather. When visiting churches or religious sites like Seville Cathedral, it’s respectful to your cover shoulders and knees, so carrying a light scarf or shawl is useful.

Money

Currency

Spain uses the Euro (€) and Seville caters to all budgets, from affordable tapas bars to high-end dining and boutique shopping.

Exchange

ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are easy to find, especially around major plazas, transport hubs and shopping streets. They generally offer better rates than currency exchange desks. Just remember to let your bank know before travelling to avoid any card blocks.

Mobile payments

Visa, Mastercard and contactless payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) are widely accepted. However, some small bars, market stalls and family-run places still prefer cash – especially in traditional neighbourhoods – so it’s always handy to carry a few euros.