Seville holidays

Seville, Spain

City breaks to Seville give you a real feel for Spanish traditions. They come drenched in sunshine, too.

City breaks to Seville

Seville, with its year-round balmy temperatures, takes bronze when it comes to Spain’s visitor numbers – it’s the county’s third most-popular spot. Its super-compact centre makes it a great city break destination, as it means you can explore the city at speed – Seville’s main sights and stops are all within walking distance of one another. That goes for its trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, too – they all rub shoulders in the centre of the city. And when it comes to plotting where to stay, the three neighbourhoods that top the ranks are El Centro, Santa Cruz and El Arenal – it takes just a few minutes to walk between this trio.

Spain’s southern capital

Seville is the capital city of Andalucia – an autonomous region that covers most of Spain’s southern coast. The city spans both sides of the River Guadalquivir, and most of it lies on the east side of the river, including the city’s geographical and historical centre. The Triana Bridge connects you to the west side of the city. It leads right into Triana, an area that’s trademarked by cobbled streets and a lively flamenco scene.

Tapas and traditions

It feels like Seville has taken every element of Spanish culture and amplified it by ten. Take tapas, for example – the city’s home to more than 3,000 restaurants serving the stuff. And their menus range from your standard selection of ham croquettes and cheese-filled filo parcels, to upmarket places that dish up crab tacos. Then, there’s the dancing scene – no visit to Seville is complete with an authentic flamenco show. Triana is the best spot to see one, its streets showcase countless flamenco bars.

Popular hotels in Seville

Top things to see and do in Seville

Beaches

Coastal day trips

Seville is pitched inland, which puts your closest beach around an hour’s drive from the centre of the city. But, as long as you’re up for travelling, you’ve got a bucketload of beaches within driving distance.

The big beach

Matalascanas is an hour’s drive from the city. It’s got more than three miles of sun-drenched sand and its huge sand dunes create a postcard-worthy backdrop. It sits next door to Donana National Park which is home to migrating birds from far and wide, and a flamboyance of flamingos.

The secret beach

If you’re on the hunt for a lesser-trodden swathe, you’ll need to travel a little further. Cala del Aceite is around a 90-minute drive from the centre of Seville. Its short stretch of sand is framed by toffee-coloured cliffs and pine trees.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Seville’s main market takes place on Feria Street every Thursday. It’s the oldest market in Seville and takes its place next door to the 13th-century Omnium Sanctorum Church. It’s a great place to head for hand-crafted souvenirs, and market-fresh food. There’s a seafood tapas place that serves up a low-cost lunch here, too.

Mid-range buys

Sierpes Street is the city’s central shopping hub. It’s lined with shops on both sides, and it’s the place to go for everything from high street brands to local shops selling authentic flamenco dresses.

Designer buys

Tetuan Street runs parallel to Sierpes Street and it’s known as one of the most expensive streets in Spain. Local and international designers have outlets here, and it’s a great spot to pick up exclusive jewellery and one-of-a-kind accessories.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

The neighbourhood of Alameda is the glamourous face of Seville. And, nights here come in the shape of classy rooftop bars and terraces which serve up first-rate views of the city.

Lively evenings

Seville doesn’t sleep after dark, so there are plenty of places to head to for a big night out. One of the city’s best spots, though, is along Betis Street. It’s in Triana, so you can expect a flamenco show or two to keep you entertained.

Food & drink

Jamón ibérico

Seville is a short drive from Huelva, an area known for being one of the best producers of Iberian ham. This dish has got a certified spot on tapas menus all over the city.

Salmorejo

Salmorejo is a thicker and creamier version of gazpacho – a cold tomato soup. It’s usually eaten as a starter at dinner time, particularly in the summer months.

Pringá montadito

Montaditos, or small sandwiches, come in a variety of different flavours and they’re a big hit in tapas restaurants. A pringá sandwich is made up of slow-cooked pork, chorizo and morcilla – which is similar to black pudding.

Churros and chocolate

These are a popular choice for anyone with a sweet tooth at breakfast time. Or, as a tasty treat for dessert. They’re sticks of deep-fried sweet batter served alongside a thick hot chocolate for dunking.

Orange wine

Seville’s love for oranges is no secret, but this drink takes things a step further. The city’s version of orange wine isn’t like the one you’d get elsewhere, which is usually a specific type of white wine. But, in Seville, orange wine is a sweet fortified tipple, flavoured using the peel of Seville-grown oranges. It’s best as a dessert wine, or paired up with cheese.

Average Weather in Seville

Facts about Seville

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Spanish
Time zone
GMT +1
Flight duration
2 hours 40 minutes from Gatwick

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