For those of you wondering when the best time to visit Seville is, I’d love to share the story of my perfect weekend in this beautiful city. Having visited Seville several times myself, I’m excited to offer you some personal advice based on my experiences. 

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When is the Best time to visit Seville

Is Seville worth visiting?

Seville is one of the top cities to visit in Spain, right after the famous capitals of Madrid and Barcelona. However, I must admit that Seville is one of my favorite places on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the greatest gems in Southern Spain. It’s an absolute must-see on any Andalusia itinerary. The city hosts one of the most iconic festivals in Spain and is simply perfect for rekindling one’s romance with Spain (and life itself).

The countless small details form Seville’s most charming side: the Moorish walls and Roman ruins, the Baroque churches and Renaissance architecture… not to mention the orange-tree-lined plazas, charming tiled patios, delicious tapas, and vibrant flamenco outfits displayed in local shop windows. All the famous things Spain is globally known for can be found in Seville. So, there’s no need to look for more reasons to plan a weekend getaway to the city – just go and enjoy it to the fullest.

Get this ultimate Seville City Pass to make the most of your time in the city (Read more)

Seville is truly a gem when it comes to unique Spanish landmarks. In fact, this visit completely exceeded my initial expectations for my weekend in Seville. The city is a perfect blend of traditional Spanish charm and endless sightseeing opportunities.

Seville can’t be called a hidden gem or one of the most underrated towns in Spain, as it’s already well-established on the tourist track. However, when compared to Barcelona, which attracts 16 to 32 million visitors each year, Seville is far more appealing as the city welcomes just 2 million travelers annually.

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When in Seville

How I didn’t like Seville at first

My personal love match with Seville didn’t actually happen at first sight. The moment I admit that I didn’t like Seville the first time I visited the city, I almost feel like I’m about to get booed before finishing the sentence (very much like when I say I prefer Madrid to Barcelona). Literally, no one ever agrees with me on this one. But before you stop reading, just hear me out – there’s more to the story.

The first time I visited Seville was in July (I think that fact alone explains a lot for those who know the city). The trip took place long before moving to Spain, during one of my first visits to the Iberian Peninsula. So, I was obviously unaware of the temperatures: the official average for Seville in July is 36°C. But in reality, it was way beyond that – around 40°C, at least (though it felt like 50°C). Walking around the city was exhausting. Even the desert-like Wild West theme parks of Almería felt more refreshing to me. And as if that wasn’t enough, the city was packed with tourists. Apparently, lots of people had no clue what they were getting themselves into.

After that trip, I was fully convinced that Seville simply wasn’t my kind of city, and over time, I had settled on that conclusion. I immediately clicked with Spanish destinations like the Canary Islands or the Spanish Pyrenees. With Seville, it just felt like it was never meant to be.

But the years went by… and suddenly, one of my Spanish road trips changed that perception forever. I got to spend a weekend in Seville one October and fell in love with it. Just like that. Noticing the “second-time charm” of places isn’t something that happens to me very often, so take my word for it – Seville is one of a kind. Over the last few years, I’ve occasionally returned to Seville while traveling to Extremadura and the Algarve. I’ve always loved it. Finally, the city has somehow made it onto my list of favorite destinations in Spain. So, that first impression of mine was definitely wrong.

Plaza toros Seville
Bullring in Seville

Best time to visit Seville

Ironically, I often feel that the reason I didn’t like Seville during my first visit was because I went in the summer. So, when is the best time to visit Seville? This is a common question that many people ask. The answer, however, is quite subjective: let’s dive into the details.

The timing may not be crucial for every visitor, but knowing when to visit can make or break your Seville weekend. After all, who wouldn’t want to have the best experience possible? Let me share my impressions of Seville across different seasons.

Seville in Summer

While those who handle high temperatures well might enjoy Seville in summer, personally, I would not recommend it.

Summer is officially considered the low season in Seville, as it is one of the hottest places in Europe. Temperatures often soar above 36°C (97°F), and in my experience, it felt way hotter than that. Interestingly, the same blogs who swore by these high temperatures were also promoting the off-season concept of the city during the summer months. While there aren’t many people out and about during midday due to the heat, the city still feels fairly touristy for the rest of the day.

Summer in Spain is also when work and school holidays take place, so don’t expect to have the monuments all to yourself anywhere in the country. To sum up, neither was the weather ideal for exploring the city, nor was Seville empty.

one day in seville city pass
This Seville Pass by Online City Pass Includes all the bucket list experiences in the city, along with a few nice extras (read more here)

Seville in Autumn

Autumn is a different story. For me, it’s undeniably the best time to visit Seville.

I’m referring mainly to October and even early November. Schools in Spain typically start around mid-September, so the first half of the month can still feel like vacation time for some people. As a result, Seville tends to be quite busy in September.

By November, the South and East of Spain remain relatively warm, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F). A few years ago, I was still able to swim in Benicassim (in the region of Valencia) in November, but you can’t count on that every year. Seville remains relatively warm throughout the year, but that summer-like warmth in November depends on your luck.

Best time to visit Seville weekend
Best time to visit Seville – October

Seville in Spring

The next best time to visit Seville for me is during the spring – except for April. However, you could certainly make a strong case for it, as that’s when one of the top festivals in Spain, Feria de Abril, takes place every year. If you’re interested in experiencing traditional religious processions and don’t mind a busy Seville weekend filled with non-stop partying and dancing, April might actually be the best time for you to visit.

As I mentioned earlier, I once stopped in Seville around May on my way to the Algarve in Portugal. It was busier than October, but still lovely. While the rest of Europe is just warming up for summer, in Seville, May already feels like the height of the season.

Seville in Winter

My last road trip through Southern Spain took place in February, and it truly felt like the off-season. Seville in winter is still a fantastic winter-sun destination in Spain, with average temperatures ranging from 8°C (46°F) to 16°C (61°F). However, it felt like there was less of the usual festive atmosphere, and in Seville, that’s something you’d definitely miss out on.

Personally, I liked Seville in winter slightly less than in October or May, when the city feels livelier. Still, if Seville happens to be on the itinerary during one of my future Spanish road trips, I’d be happy to plan another winter getaway there as soon as possible.

How to spend a perfect weekend in Seville

Now that we’ve established the best time to visit Seville, let me share my perfect Seville weekend, the one that marked a new beginning in my relationship with the city.

During this trip, we stayed at the NH Collection Sevilla. I really appreciated the location – it was centrally located enough to be convenient but still relatively quiet. Since both my husband and I love exploring cities on foot, we usually try to stay close to the center (but not too close, to avoid the nightlife buzz).

Day 1 in Seville

Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España

We began our weekend in Seville with a leisurely walk towards Parque de María Luisa, a tranquil green space filled with quiet fountains and beautiful gardens. It was around 9 a.m., so the city was just starting to come to life.

This peaceful morning made it the perfect time to visit Plaza de España, undoubtedly one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Built for the 1929 Ibero-American Expo, which took place in 1929, the plaza was completed in 1928. Its grand semicircular building features stunning tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain.

Plaza de España is not only a stunning architectural gem but also a popular filming location. It has appeared in several famous films, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002). The plaza’s majestic design and impressive scale make it a must-see attraction in Seville.

Plaza de España in Seville was absolutely stunning in the morning, with the first tourists beginning to arrive. However, I had heard that the square is especially magical during the blue hour, when the setting sun casts a beautiful glow over the area. So, we decided to return later in the day to experience it again.

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Plaza de España
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Tiled alcoves representing different provinces in Spain

Guadalquivir river

After exploring the heart of Seville, we took a leisurely stroll along the Guadalquivir River, enjoying the scenic views. We then stopped at one of the charming waterfront cafes, where we relaxed with drinks and snacks, soaking in the atmosphere of the beautiful riverside.

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Guadalquivir River in Seville

Centro Ceramica Triana

Since I’m a fan of Spanish pottery and traditional arts and crafts, we couldn’t miss visiting the local ceramic museum, Centro Cerámica Triana.

Although I found it less impressive compared to the Ceramic Museum of Manises or the Valencia Ceramic Museum, visiting Seville’s Ceramic Museum was still an enjoyable and artistic experience. The best part was that it wasn’t crowded at all, making the visit even more pleasant and immersive. The museum offered a great insight into the rich history of ceramic production in the Triana neighborhood, which has been renowned for its pottery for centuries.

We also stopped for coffee at one of the local cafes nearby, and the inside had such a cool vibe.

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Coffee in Seville anyone?

Seville´s Cathedral and La Giralda

Seville’s Cathedral is one of Spain’s most famous religious landmarks and a key site connected to Christopher Columbus. Built on the site of a mosque after the Reconquista in 1248 ( you can learn more about this historical event through my list of Spanish documentaries), it stands as a symbol of Seville’s rich history. The mosque’s original structure was largely replaced, with the exception of the Puerta del Perdón, the main entrance, which remains as the only part of the original mosque still intact. Inside the cathedral, you’ll find an impressive collection of around 600 paintings by renowned Spanish artists, including Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Francisco Pacheco.

The Giralda Tower is another iconic symbol of Seville, constructed between 1172 and 1195 as part of the mosque. Today, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. Visitors can climb the tower’s 34 ramps to reach the top and enjoy stunning vistas of Seville. However, during our visit, we decided not to climb the tower as it was getting late, and we had already enjoyed the view on a previous trip.

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The Cathedral of Seville with the Giralda Tower in the backdrop

A curious thing I’ve noticed about this weekend in Seville is that we were moving around quite slowly, despite my usual fast-paced vibe on the road.

The city center was full of beautiful shops and cafes, and I lost count of the occasional stops we made along the way. Actually, I feel like that’s part of the Seville vibe that gets under your skin (not just because they take their time serving you in restaurants). It’s all about no rush, enjoying the small things in life, and taking it easy.

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Flamenco outfits in Seville (some of the most popular souvenirs from Spain)
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Some of the most unique Seville giftsDeAnita fans

Seville weekend – Day 2

Real Alcazar of Seville

On the second day of our weekend in Seville, we had booked a tour (a few days in advance) of the Real Alcázar of Seville, a stunning palace complex and one of the most famous filming locations for Game of Thrones in Spain. Getting in felt a bit chaotic: there was a huge line. In theory, there were supposed to be two separate lines – one for those with pre-purchased tickets and one for those without. But somehow, both lines got mixed together, so pre-booked tour with guide is the best option to skip the line.

Anyway, once we finally got inside, the Real Alcázar was absolutely breathtaking. Without a doubt, it was the highlight of our weekend in Seville. The intricate architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history made it my favorite spot in the city. It is often called one of the top Spanish storybook locations for a reason.

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The Real Alcazar of Seville – a must-stop for every Seville weekend
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That facial expression had stayed on my face throughout our weekend in Seville

The walls and towers of the Real Alcázar date back to 913 and were built by Abderramán III, the emir of Córdoba. Later Arab rulers and Christian kings (especially Pedro I el Cruel) added lavish architectural details to the unmatched interiors.

If I’m being completely honest, I enjoyed the Real Alcázar of Seville even more than the world-famous Alhambra in Granada. After this tour, we had originally planned to visit the Metropol Parasol, a wooden structure resembling giant mushrooms, built over a Roman antiquarium. However, after visiting the Real Alcázar, we spontaneously decided to spend more time wandering around the city center and shopping for Seville gifts.

I felt like I hadn’t had enough of Seville’s architecture before leaving. Anyway, this wasn’t my first city break in Seville, and it definitely won’t be the last.

Read more about Southern Spain:

  • An Epic 7-day Southern Spain Road Trip with Kids (read it)
  • One Day in Seville with Seville City Pass (read it)
  • The Most Stunning Seville Gifts For All Occasions (read it)
  • 16 Best Places to visit in Andalusia (read it)
  • Top Things to see in Cadiz (read it)
  • Prettiest of Andalusia´s White Villages – Mojacar (read it)
  • Wild West Town experience in Almeria (read it)
  • The Ultimate Almeria Holiday Guide (read it)
  • Blue Smurfs Village of Juzcar in Andalusia (read it)
  • How to spend an epic one day in Cordoba, Southern Spain (read it)
  • The Ultimate Itinerary for One Day in Cadiz (read it)

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