6 Things To Do In Seville In December

This blog post was originally posted on November 26, 2015, and was updated on November 6, 2019.

As the temperatures get lower here in Seville, the festive cheer rises to unprecedented levels.

The halls are decked, the bells are jingling, and seasonal sweets like turrones and polvorones can be found on practically every block. That must mean one thing: the holiday season has officially arrived in Seville!

There are so many fun and festive things to do in Seville in December. If you’re visiting our lovely city this winter, read on to discover what’s on our agenda.

SEE ALSO: 8 Reasons to Visit Seville in Winter

Photo Credit: ludovic, Text Overlay: Devour Seville Food Tours

1. Visit a Christmas market

Anyone who finds themselves in Europe during the holiday season will find it nearly impossible to resist the charming array of Christmas markets scattered all throughout the continent. Luckily, the tradition holds strong here in Seville as well.

There are plenty of gorgeous Christmas markets where you’ll be able to find everything from handcrafted toys to intricate nativity scene components to delicious holiday treats. Get ready to do some serious holiday shopping—it’s definitely at the top of our list of things to do in Seville in December!

2. Enjoy the weather

With temperatures hovering around a pleasant 10–12 degrees Celsius (low 50s Fahrenheit), it’s hard to believe that what you’re experiencing in Seville in December is technically considered winter. (Especially if you come from a place where those temperatures are more probable in spring and fall!)

However, the pleasantly mild temperatures combined with plenty of sunshine make it easy to enjoy one of our favorite things to do in Seville in December: get up and get moving! Whether you’d like to stroll through one of the previously mentioned Christmas markets, check out the festive holiday lights adorning the streets, or wander around one of Seville’s lovely parks, there’s so much to see at this beautiful time of year.

3. Appreciate the nighttime views

Seville is an architectural paradise, with age-old icons like the stunning cathedral and new, modern favorites like Las Setas holding equal importance. And now that the sun goes down earlier in the day, you’ll have even more time to appreciate the spectacular evening views from the tops of many of these legendary spots.

There’s nothing quite like seeing Seville all lit up at night—you’ll almost feel like you’re in a fairytale! Whether experienced from the top of an iconic monument or a trendy rooftop bar, Seville’s stunning nighttime and evening views are a sight you won’t soon forget.

4. Ring in the new year Seville style

One of the most important things to do in Seville in December comes on the very last day of the month: celebrate New Year’s Eve, of course!

Known as nochevieja in Spanish, New Year’s Eve in Seville is a time-honored tradition where families come together to enjoy each other’s company (along with some seriously amazing food). However, even if you’re just visiting, there are still plenty of ways to get in on the festive fun!

Head to a restaurant offering a special holiday menu and enjoy a leisurely traditional dinner to start things off. Next, it’s time to party! Make your way to Plaza Nueva in the city center, where scores of sevillanos and visitors alike gather to ring in the new year with fireworks and the traditional midnight grapes.

5. Enjoy Seville’s finest convent sweets

Where can you find some of the best sweet treats in Seville? If you’re thinking of one of the city’s top bakeries or pastry shops, you’re not wrong, but that’s not the only place. In fact, some of our favorite indulgences actually come from the convents, handmade by cloistered nuns!

While the nuns seclude themselves from the outside world for most of the year, around the holidays they step out to show off and sell the fruits of their labor at a huge bake sale. Come pick up a fascinating foodie souvenir and help keep a storied tradition alive! The event usually takes place in the Real Alcázar‘s gorgeous Patio de las Banderas during the long holiday weekend starting on December 6, so save the date!

6. Warm up with a cup of coffee

In our opinion, there’s no bad time of year to enjoy this simple pleasure, but it becomes even more of a necessity in the colder months.

One of our favorite things to do in Seville in December is to duck into a cozy cafe on a chilly morning and start our day slowly over a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. From the varied international selection at Virgin Coffee to the smooth sounds filling Naima Café Jazz, there’s a charming coffee shop everyone will love. Bring a good book to enjoy while you sip your coffee, or simply sit back and people watch.