Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Seville, Spain! This is one of the coolest cities in Spain and it’s definitely worth traveling all the way to the south of Spain. Here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new country. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about Seville travel.
Hate #1: Seville Weather
Spain is known for having amazing weather, but Seville weather can be too hot. It gets super hot in the summer and even the locals clear out in August to find cooler destinations. If you decide to visit Seville in the summer be prepared. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and bring a hat or umbrella.
Hate #2: Seville Pickpockets
Spain seems to have more than it’s fair share of pickpockets and Seville is no exception. My Spanish friends all warned me, and even the hotels will warn you; keep your valuables locked up (or leave them at home) and wear a money belt to keep pickpockets from getting to your wallet.
Read: How to Avoid Travel Scams & Rip-Offs
Hate #3: Driving in Seville
Driving in Seville is insane. There are so many one-way streets and crazy roads, that only a native to Seville can really know their way around. Expect to get lost while driving. Have a map and GPS, you’ll still get lost, but at least you can find your way back. There’s also a serious lack of parking in Seville. If your hotel or rental apartment tells you there is on-street parking, plan to spend a lot of time looking for it.
Hate #4: Seville Tourists
Word has gotten out on how awesome Seville is, so loads of tourists want to come to see for themselves. It can get pretty crowded, and with tourists come the long lines and higher prices and noise, so be prepared and know you aren’t going to have a quiet Spanish holiday to yourselves.
Hate #5: Seville Prices
Seville is a bit more expensive than some of the other cities in Spain. In some areas, Spain is still a good value destination compared to the rest of Europe, but you’ll find higher prices in Seville. Tapas, beer, and accommodation are all higher than elsewhere in Spain. If you visit during Holy Week in April, the prices are extra high.
Love #1: Things to Do in Seville
There are so many things to do in Seville. There’s the Plaza de Espana, cathedrals, the tomb of Columbus, Old Town and so much more. You will not run out of things to do in Seville because it’s such an interesting city and there’s always something going on. You will love it, but you might also hate it because you will want to stay forever to see all the sights.
Love #2: Seville Accommodation
Finding a place to stay in Seville is not a problem at all. They hosted the World Expo in 1992, so there are tons of hotels plus apartment rentals and hostels. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than other areas of Spain, but finding a place to stay in Seville, for any budget or travel style, will be relatively easy.
Love #3: Seville Nightlife
Whether you want to relax at a bar and enjoy tapas, hit up the nightclubs, or check out the theater, there are tons of nightlife options in Seville. Everything in Spain operates on a later timeline, so dinner is later and the nightlife definitely goes into the wee hours, if you can handle it.
Love #4: Day Trips from Seville
While Seville is fantastic, it’s also in a prime location in Andalusia, one of Spain’s best regions. Seville is just 45 minutes from Cordoba, less than two hours from Cadiz, two hours to the beaches of Malaga and less than two hours from Ronda. Even Granada is doable as a day trip from Seville. If you like to stay in one place and not move hotels all the time, Seville is a great home base for exploring Andalusia.
Read: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Spain
Love #5: Seville Historic District
You will fall in love with the Santa Cruz neighborhood. The atmosphere is so much fun, it makes you feel like you are Spanish, and you’ll want to just sit and soak it all in for a while. Everywhere you go in Seville, just walking around is a fun experience. Make sure you leave some slack in your schedule to just slow down and enjoy life in Seville.
Obviously, we love Seville and can’t recommend it highly enough! The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a trip to Seville. Want to know more about travel in Spain? Check out some of our other blog posts!