Last Updated on March 11, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: May 15, 2018
Colorful, passionate Seville will steal your heart from the moment you first set foot on its cobblestone streets. The jaw-dropping architecture, beautifully manicured avenues, and warm, friendly locals will help make the city one of your new favorites! Before you go, here’s 6 things to know before traveling to Seville to help your trip go off without a hitch!
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1. Time of Year Will Impact Your Visit
Seville is absolutely glorious in the springtime—think comfortably warm temperatures, sun-drenched plazas filled with locals enjoying a drink, and flowers filling the city with color. It’s also a festive time of year, with both Holy Week and the iconic April Fair taking place in the spring months. However, this means it’s quite a popular time to visit. Be prepared for crowds and higher accommodation prices.
In the summer, temperatures skyrocket and many small businesses in the city close up shop, especially in August, as they take vacations. Fall and winter are generally milder months with less touristy crowds, making them a pleasant option for visiting.
2. Don’t Run Errands in the Afternoon
One of the most important things to know before traveling to Seville is that the siesta tradition still lives on. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone goes and takes a nap in the middle of the day—though it can be a refreshing way to beat the heat in Seville during the scorching summer months. Generally, it means that many businesses close from around 2 to 5 pm. This allows employees to go home, rest, and enjoy a leisurely lunch with family before coming back for the afternoon.
The city doesn’t go completely silent during siesta. Bars and restaurants will stay open for locals to eat lunch, and most larger supermarkets and brand-name stores don’t close, either. However, most smaller shops still continue this tradition, so plan your errands accordingly.
3. Stick to Local Mealtimes
You’ll be hard-pressed to find any sevillanos eating lunch at noon. If you see any locals at a bar during that time, they’re likely still finishing their morning coffee! Lunch isn’t usually on the table until 2 pm at the earliest. Likewise, nobody sits down for dinner until around 9 or 10 pm.
The Seville eating schedule is one of the key things to know before traveling to Seville. While many restaurants open earlier, they tend to be tourist traps (though not all of them are; here’s where to eat early in Seville!) Try your best to adapt, and you’ll feel practically sevillano in no time.
4. Book Your Alcázar Tickets Online
It costs one euro more, but reserving your tickets for Seville’s famous Alcázar online in advance can save you tons of time. If you wait until you arrive to buy tickets, you’ll more than likely end up waiting in a line that stretches along two sides of the enormous building and can take hours.
The palace has always been a popular tourist attraction, but its appearance in a recent season of Game of Thrones has increased visitors massively. Buying online allows you to skip the line and walk right in!
5. Seville Is Very Safe, But Stay Alert
Violent crime is all but nonexistent in the Andalusian capital, and most areas of the city are perfectly safe at all hours of the day. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing does happen, especially in crowded touristy areas.
In the area surrounding the cathedral, be wary of women who offer you a sprig of rosemary and offer to read your palm—they’ll ask for money as soon as they’re done. (A polite but firm “no, gracias” will usually get them to back off.)
6. Don’t Forget about Triana!
Triana is one of Seville’s most beautiful and quintessential neighborhoods. You won’t find many tourist attractions here; what gives Triana its charm is the ease with which you can simply immerse yourself in local life.
Enjoy stunning views of the city from Calle Betis along the river, stop at the market and join the locals as they shop, and enjoy tapas and a beer at one of the neighborhood’s many characteristic bars and restaurants. Living like a local has never been easier or more enjoyable!
Want to Taste Seville’s Tapas & Watch Authentic Flamenco?
Book your spot on our next Seville Tapas & Flamenco Tour! This tour will steer you away from the tourist traps so you can learn about and experience these pillars of local culture with a friendly culinary expert to lead the way. Learn the unwritten rules of eating in Seville and get a primer in flamenco so you can fully appreciate every beat of the passionate performance you’ll see.
Featured Review: Seville Tapas & Flamenco Tour
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a wonderful experience! We loved all of the food and drink. Some of the best we’ve had. The Flamenco show was outstanding!! Kai was a terrific guide. She shared her knowledge about food, drink and Flamenco. She is so friendly sharing information and stories about the city. We would definitely recommend this tour!”
– Colleen on Tripadvisor
Things to Know Before Traveling to Seville FAQs
How many days should you spend in Seville?
Most travelers find that two to three days in Seville is enough time to see the city’s major sights, including the cathedral, the Alcázar, and Plaza de España, while still leaving room to explore local neighborhoods and enjoy tapas. If you want to take day trips or dive deeper into Seville’s food and flamenco culture, four or more days is ideal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Seville?
Yes, tap water in Seville is safe to drink and meets strict EU safety standards. While some locals prefer bottled water due to the mineral taste, visitors can confidently refill reusable bottles at hotels, restaurants, or public fountains.
Do you need cash in Seville, or can you pay by card?
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Seville, especially in restaurants, hotels, and major attractions. However, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases, local markets, taxis, or traditional bars that may have a minimum card spend.
What should you wear when visiting Seville?
Seville is generally casual but stylish. Comfortable walking shoes are essential since the historic center is best explored on foot. In summer, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, sunscreen, and a hat are important due to the intense heat, while spring and fall are perfect for lighter layers.
Do you need to book Seville’s main attractions in advance?
It’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance for popular attractions, especially during peak travel seasons. Sites like the Royal Alcázar of Seville and the Seville Cathedral often sell out days ahead, particularly in spring and during major festivals.
Great article, great information. I dream of the day when I can visit.
We’ll be here waiting for you, John!
Lovely article! Thank you…unfortunately I didn’t come across your article before I visited. My friend’s handbag was snatched from beside her as we sat resting in the plaza area. Bank cards, driving license, cash – vanished in a second. We didn’t let it ruin our trip but just totally unexpected
So sorry to hear that, Rosie
Thank you for an insightful report. My husbsnd and I are visiting for six nights in October. We read recently in the Seville Forum on TripAdvisor, that it is a cultural act for older folks to come up and stare at foreigners giving them an uneasy feeling. Do you know of such a thing?
Hi Teresa! While staring isn’t considered particularly rude here in Spain (especially among the older generations), it’s not anything to worry about and usually comes from a place of interest more than anything else. Many Spaniards are very excited to meet people visiting their country from abroad, so if anything be ready for them to ask a lot of excited questions about your culture and be eager to show you the best of Spain! Enjoy Seville!
As someone who has lived here for over a decade, I can say that this article is spot on. I found myself nodding along as I was reading. Really useful stuff for visitors.
Glad you enjoyed it, Terry! Thanks for reading!
Hi,
I was just wondering if you could help me. Before I book to visit beautiful Seville with my boyfriend I would just like to make sure that the middle of July is a time to visit. We love to sit out and watch the world go by with good food and drinks. I’m worried that in July many of the restaurants will be closed? Is this right or will we be okay? I’ve visited Spain many of times and I am aware that they close around 2pm till 5pm. But I would be gutted to find that there is nowhere to eat and drink on the evenings and that’s something we love to do. I would be so grateful for your response. Thank you!
Hi Hayley,
Very good question! While it’s true that many restaurants do close for a few weeks in the summer, this is more common in August. You may find a few spots closed in July, but you’ll still have plenty of options. If you need some help narrowing it down, we’ve just published a piece rounding up our favorite restaurants in Seville that rarely, if ever, close: https://devoursevillefoodtours.com/seville-restaurants-open-holidays/
Other than that, July is quite hot in Seville during the daytime, but the evenings are still lively as the locals will come out and start enjoying the milder temperatures once the sun goes down.
We hope this helps—have a lovely trip!
Hi! Is el dia de Los muertos celebrated there?
Hi Jo, Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday, so it’s not celebrated here in Spain. We do celebrate All Saint’s Day around the same time, which is also a way for people to honor their deceased loved ones, but it is a different holiday with its own traditions! We hope this helps 🙂