Your Seville Travel Guide - International Traveller

In the heart of Andalusia, expect time to slow down and the flamenco beat to pick up.

While it might not get the number of visitors that Barcelona or Madrid receives, Seville has to be one of the best – and most stunning – cities to visit on the Iberian Peninsula.

Visigoth, Muslim and Spanish-Christian cultures have all made their mark on this city, contributing to the renowned Seville’s unique aesthetic. And with fame among travellers for sunny days spent sipping sangria and nights in crowded flamenco and tapas bars, what’s there not to like?

From streets perfumed with bitter orange trees to endless, untroubled gardens, here is what to see, do and eat in Seville.

Getting to Seville

Seville is in southern Spain in the Andalusian region. The closest airport is Seville (SVQ) Airport. From there, it’s a 15-minute taxi ride, or a short bus ride, to the city centre.

If you are coming from Madrid, the train takes you around three hours and the bus around six hours. From Barcelona, the train is six hours.

the city skyline of Seville, Spain — Seville is one of the most stunning cities to visit on the Iberian Peninsula. (Image: Sean Pavone via Getty Images)

While in Seville, you can also spend a day or two in the nearby town of Córdoba to check out its Moorish architecture, in particular the red and white arches of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

Stare in awe at the Moorish architecture of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. (Image: @girlwithredhat)

Further afield, Granada – home to the Alhambra palace – is three hours by car or three-and-a-half hours by high-speed train.

the columns of Alhambra palace in Granada — The Alhambra overlooks the city of Granada. (Image: MarcoRof via Getty Images)

Top tips for visiting Seville

A top Seville travel tip is to book your trip here off-peak in spring, late autumn or winter, and consider spending at least four days here to appreciate the sights while taking a chance to slow down in this relaxed city. Events like Semana Santa (Holy Week) or Feria de Abril (April Fair) might see prices rise.

Another tip before you arrive is to learn a few Spanish phrases or download Spanish on your Google Translate app, as English is not spoken by everyone – particularly by waiters running to take your tapas order during the lunch rush hour.

Also, go with the flow. One resident bocadillo shop owner gave me this underrated insider tip as he spread mouth-wateringly fatty and salty morcilla onto fresh bread: “Sit and enjoy your lunch instead of eating on the go – it’s not Madrid! Here people relax, enjoy and take it slow."

a bocadillo and jamon shop in Seville, Spain — Make a pitstop at a bocadillo shop. (Image: Thomas Vogel)

Things to do in Seville

The best way to explore Seville is a stroll as the city is very walkable. Otherwise, ride-sharing apps like Uber, tram, bus and bicycle rental, are available.

a bicycle parked on the side of a post in Seville, Spain — Explore Seville on a bicycle. (Image: Arslan Ahmed)

Royal Alcázar of Seville

On your first day in Seville, you will see the winding queue for those who have booked – or are looking to book – the Royal Alcázar of Seville. You might think, as I did, is a visit to these Moorish gardens worth it?

One thousand per cent. Minimise the wait to get into these unfolding, serene gardens and Mudéjar-style (Gothic-meets-Islamic aesthetic style) rooms by booking a time slot for Alcázar ahead of time. Make sure to bring your ID (I didn’t make the rules).

the external garden view of the Royal Alcázar of Seville — Stroll along the manicured gardens in the Royal Alcázar of Seville. (Image: biriberg via Getty Images)

Seville Cathedral

It isn’t hard to spot the Seville Cathedral, or Catedral de Sevilla, from here. If it wasn’t literally opposite the gardens, the Giralda bell tower – once a minaret when the Christian place of worship was a mosque – is over 100m tall.

the Giralda of Sevilla Cathedral — The Giralda is the bell tower of Catedral de Sevilla. (Image: MEDITERRANEAN via Getty Images)

Again, if you want to visit this grand mosque turned gothic cathedral, it is best to book ahead.

the Seville Cathedral and Triumph Square — Seville Cathedral is a mosque turned gothic cathedral. (Image: Vladislav Zolotov via Getty Images)

Barrio de Santa Cruz

Along with the outside of the Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar, most Seville walking tours will take you into the narrow streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter.

the orange tree-lined street in the Barrio Santa Cruz district of Seville, Spain — Orange trees are lined along the streets of Barrio de Santa Cruz. (Image: Kirk Fisher via Getty Images)

Plaza de España

From here, you may make your way past the opulent 1920s King Alfonso XIII Hotel, the old Royal Tobacco Factory, where Carmen from the opera ‘Carmen’ was supposed to be a cigarrera girl and end at the Plaza de España.

You undoubtedly will find the square, with the sun-sparkled moats lining the pavements spotted with honeymooners on boats sailing under the bridges, fountains and its wonderful pastiche of Neo-Mudéjar, Art-Deco and Spanish Baroque and Renaissance-style grand buildings.

the Plaza de España in Seville — While away the hours at the Plaza de España. (Image: alvarez via Getty Images)

But the Plaza de España is still a place of civic interaction, be that locals spending the morning relaxing with their families or protesting local laws.

the colourful ceramics in Plaza de España — The Plaza de España is decorated with colourful ceramics. (Image: Yassine Nacif)

Parque de María Luisa

Afterwards, take a break from the heat at the seriously underrated and under-visited Parque de María Luisa a few minutes’ walk away. It is a true paradise, with Mudejár-style archways, glowing tiled benches, whimsical fountains shaped from everything from frogs to birds, and afternoons spent on soft grass underneath orange trees.

Setas de Sevilla

At sunset, make your way to the Setas de Sevilla – commonly known as Las Setas or The Mushrooms.

Las Setas or The Mushrooms in Seville, Spain — Las Setas is one of the world’s largest wooden sculptures. (Image: Darwin Vegher)

While you can drop cash to ascend one of the world’s largest wooden sculptures and watch the sunset from the top, one of my favourite things to do here was to sit with a beer and watch the twisting sails turn nectarine shades of orange-pink from below.

an aerial view of Setas de Sevilla — Setas de Sevilla is stunning from above. (Image: Marcelo Kunze)

Watch a flamenco show

Now, it’s time for flamenco. Originally a tradition that emerged from the gitano or Romani-Andalusian culture, it has become inseparable from Seville. Today, watching a flamenco show at one of the city’s tablaos (flamenco bars) is the top cultural and nightlife experience in Seville and the wider Andalusia region.

These experiences range from tablaos like the hidden away La Carbonería bar, where entry to the old coal warehouse is simply a promise to buy a drink and not take photos, to ticketed flamenco venues.

flamenco dancers behind bars — You can’t skip a flamenco show in Seville. (Image: Stephan Valentin)

Best places to eat in Seville

Oftentimes, the best thing to do on a Seville itinerary is chill in a square to eat and drink with new friends you’ve met in this warm city.

What to eat and drink in Seville?

Any Seville food guide will stress the importance of trying out gazpacho and salmorejo (cold tomato soups), plates of rabo de toro (bull’s tail) and espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas).

a fresh tomato soup in white ceramic bowl — Dig into a gazpacho or salmorejo. (Image: Rixipix via Getty Images)

There is also tapas: including cured Jamón ibérico, the egg-based huevos a la flamenca, fried and marinated fish, ensaladilla rusa (potato salad), the ever-popular croquetas and many more dishes than you could ever possibly try.

For a sweet treat, you have to try pestiños, a deep-fried dough flavoured with orange, lemon and aniseed-flavoured olive oil, which is thought to be related to Moorish cuisine.

a close-up shot of pestiños — Deep-fried pestiños are delicious. (Image: nito100 via Getty Images)

If you’re on the go, there are plenty of bocadillo (sandwich) shops. Try to get one that is made fresh in front of you, rather than stacked up in the window.

To drink there is the sherry-based manzanilla, which is often mixed with lemonade, becoming rebujito. Alternatively, tinto de verano is a popular mix of red wine and lemonade – as opposed to the world-famous sangría: a jug of fruity wine, lemons, oranges and seasonal fruits, as well as a soft drink and a touch of liquor.

For something a little different, try the strong and sweet vino de Naranja or orange wine.

a close-up shot of ham and tortilla bocadillo — Grab a freshly-made sandwich. (Image: CrisRG via Getty Images)

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Where to eat and drink in Seville?

Dating back to 1670, El Rinconcillo is well worth the hype. This tapas bar meets restaurant is the oldest in the city, with tables and standing room available.

a person riding a bicycle passing by El Rinconcillo, Seville — El Rinconcillo is the oldest tapas bar in Seville.

Around a minute’s walk from the Catedral de Seville and the Alcázar Gardens, is Bar Casa Morales. Close to major attractions, the crowded bar, fast service of the dozens and dozens of different tapas, and fast turnover of old men patrons being enthusiastically greeted with cheek kisses by the staff before settling in with a lunchtime feed, is a total vibe.

For something a bit calmer and more intimate, Bar Alfalfa restaurant is one of the top-rated in the city. It can be hard to get in though: its compact nature means limited seating.

Note, Sevillenas eat late, with tapas places heaving up until around 11pm and often closing an hour or two later.

If you want to cook for yourself – or just have a coffee in a truly southern Spanish environment – stop by Mercado de Triana or Mercado Feria. The former is across the bridge in the up-and-coming, more local-neighbourhood Triana neighbourhood, while the Mercado Feria is near Las Setas.

a fruit stall in a mercado in Seville — Shop for fresh produce in one of the famous mercados in Seville. (Image: adisa via Getty Images)

For drinks, pick up and throw a Seville orange blindfolded, and you’ll hit a good bar. The best thing to do is take a stroll, perhaps ending up somewhere like the club and bar-spotted Alameda de Hércules square and pick what takes your fancy.

If you’re determined to have an impressively upmarket drink, the pricey-per-night Hotel Alfonso XIII – a luxury accommodation popular with celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Madonna – serves less pricey drinks.

the banquet hall at Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville — Step into the luxe and opulent Hotel Alfonso XIII.

Where to stay in Seville

Seville is home to some of the most romantic and historical accommodations around, with palatial architecture centring on Mudejár-style marble courtyards, complete with water fountains and tropical-looking potted plants.

the top view of the courtyard at Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, Seville — Mudejár-style marble courtyards with water fountains are classic in Seville.

Take Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. The once 18th-century palace, where the shield of the former family impresses on you the building’s long history as you climb the marble-like staircase to the upper floors.

the rooftop pool at Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, Seville — Cool down at Hotel Palacio de Villapanes’ rooftop pool.

When it comes to kicking back at the luxury hotel, there are plenty of delicately rendered options, and you will need at least a two-night stay to appreciate them all with the respect they deserve.

the Puerta Bar at Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, Seville — The hotel stands out with its palatial architecture.

First, there is the intimate and unusual courtyard downstairs, where a whole wall is embedded with whorls of soft pink and white shells. Tables for two – or one with a good book – are scattered underneath.

the Patio delos Naranjos in Hotel Palacio de Villapanes — Hotel Palacio de Villapanes has an intimate courtyard.

Next to the bar – with its 18th-century polished wood floors, deep pink walls, velvety cushions, and distressed mirror-lined alcove room – is a larger outdoor space for bigger groups, and a rooftop pool with views over the entire city.

the elegant interior of Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, Seville — Soak in Spanish elegance at Hotel Palacio de Villapanes.

The boutique hotel has 50 rooms that range from deluxe to palace and luxury. And if you’re lucky enough to be here during Holy Week, some rooms even look over the celebrations at Plaza Jesús de la Redención, right underneath their windows.

one of the suites in Hotel Palacio de Villapanes, Seville — Settle into one of its elegant rooms.

The writer was hosted by Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Tourism Spain.

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

The ultimate Seville travel guide