Where to Cool Off in Seville

Seville has a reputation for heat, and is colloquially known as el horno, the oven. With average summer temperatures of 36ºC or 97ºF, and can reach highs of 46ºC or 115ºF you can see why knowing where to cool off in Seville is a priority. 

Luckily, there are some things that you can do to make the most of your summer trip to this brilliant, yet sizzling city. Here’s everything you need to know about where to cool off in Seville.

Where to cool off in Seville outdoors

The river 

The first tip to feel cool is to head to water. The largest body of water in the city is the river. You can find a park or a walkway the entire length of the river on the Seville side. 

Early in the morning, taking a stroll along this part of the river is a great way to warm up and take in the view of Triana before the temperatures rise. While you are on the river, why not take part in some of the water sports offered? 

Try out paddle surfing at Paddle Surf Seville or later in the day, head to the Jardines de Chapina, right next to the Triana Bridge. This lush green space, littered with shade providing trees, is the perfect oasis of calm. Come here with a picnic and watch the world go by. 

Maria Luisa Park

Speaking of green spaces, Seville’s largest park should be on your list of places to cool off. Maria Luisa Park, home to the famous Plaza de España, provides a shady outdoors spot to explore. 

This botanical garden is filled with mature trees that provide much needed shade, and its hidden spots offer hours of fun exploring to discover them all, find the Monte Gurugú, a waterfall with a viewpoint at the top, the frog fountain and the monument to the Infanta Maria Luisa among many others.

City parks

Dotted around the city are smaller, shady parks, perfect to take short breaks to recover while you walk around the city. Some, like the Jardines de Murillo, have beautiful secluded seating areas away from the main walkways for visitors to enjoy the surprisingly quiet ambience. 

If you find yourself in Triana, Parque de los Príncipes is a great green space to explore. Similar to Maria Luisa, there are a lot of areas to explore. A beautiful spot for a picnic or just to relax in the shade to get out of the blistering midday sun. 

Other parks around Seville that are worth a stop if you find yourself nearby are Jardines de Cristina, next to Puerta de Jerez metro stop, Jardines del Valle, on the circular road that surrounds the old town and the Parque del Parlamento Andaluz, in front of the Andalusian Parliament in Macarena.

Water parks and pools

As we’ve mentioned, being surrounded by water can help in your quest to stay cool in the summer. There are many beach options within easy reach of the city. 

However if beaches aren’t your thing, Seville has a host of easily accessible water parks and pools. 

Isla Mágica/ Agua Mágica

Isla Mágica is Seville’s theme park. Fun for all the family, with spectacular rides and many different attractions and shows throughout the day, it is a fantastic way to spend the day, especially with kids and teens. 

Within this theme park you will find Agua Mágica, a water park packed with attractions that will keep all the family entertained. From the slow flowing river to gently float along and the relaxing wave pool for those wanting a more relaxing experience, to the large waterslides and a zipline, there is something for everyone. 

Note, that entrance to the waterpark is bought separately to the entrance to the themepark and you need a ticket to Isla Mágica to enter. We recommend booking online to save some money as the tickets at the entrance can be significantly more expensive. The water park is only open in the summer period, from the beginning of June to the end of September.

Guadalpark

On the outskirts of the city, in Sevilla Este, you will find Seville’s other waterpark, Guadalpark. With a variety of waterslides and other activities, if you are traveling with a family this is a spot that cannot be missed. 

Open from the beginning of June to the beginning of September, it is the perfect space for family fun in the summer. 

For those wanting a calmer experience, take advantage of the jacuzzi and the Blue Lagoon, or for the more adventurous, take in the wide variety of water slides and other activities the park has to offer.

Hotel Meliá Lebreros

This four-star hotel—Hotel Meliá Lebreros—in the Nervion district opens its doors to the public to take advantage of tranquil outdoor pool. 

The day rate is reasonable and gives access to the pool and the poolside bar and restaurant so you can lap up the luxury all day. You can’t pre-book a spot, but access is available via the reception. 

Where to cool off in Seville at cultural stops

By far the best way to beat the heat is to stay indoors as much as possible. 

Luckily for you, Seville has some incredible cultural stops that are inside, and in most cases air conditioned and those that don’t use traditional methods that have been common in Andalusia for centuries to create a cooling environment for visitors. 

Bellas Artes

Art lovers rejoice, due to the need to preserve the valuable and beautiful art, art galleries and museums are climate controlled and so are the perfect place to spend a hot summer day.  The Bellas Artes museum in Seville is home to some of the best examples of works of the Spanish Renaissance, and the building itself should be considered a work of art in its own right. 

Set in a former convent constructed in the early 17th Century, the museum has existed in this location since 1835. Get lost among the stunning artwork to discover works by Seville’s most important and influential artists such as Velasquez, Murillo and Becquer. It is easy to spend a blazingly hot summers afternoon wandering the cooled corridors and cloistered patios of this must-see cultural stop.

The Cathedral and Alcazar

These two sights, opposite each other in the Plaza del Triunfo demonstrate how good the ancient methods of keeping cool are. 

 

• The Alcazar: features a maze of airy rooms, with lots of fountains and water features to cool the air was the original ancient air conditioning used by the Islamic rulers of Seville. Explore the gorgeous gardens, and take plenty of breaks in the shady spots and small manicured gardens. 

 

• The Cathedral: with its thick stone walls and high ceilings that seem to stretch up to the sky, maintains a refreshingly cool temperature throughout the hottest days. A visit here is not complete without a walk up to the top of the Giralda, the original minaret of the mosque that used to sit on this spot before the reconquest.

 

• At the end of your visit, be sure to take in the tranquillity of the Patio de los Naranjos, a beautiful patio filled with orange trees offering shade and a feeling of being transported in time. This patio, along with the tower, are the only remaining elements of the original almohade mosque. 

Churches

Seville is full of highly decorated and ornate churches. For those interested in art and religion, exploring these important cultural locations scattered all over the city offer both an educational and a cooling experience. 

Some of the best to visit are the Iglesia del Salvador, in Plaza del Salvador, Iglesia de San Luis on Calle San Luis, Iglesia de Jesús del Gran Poder  in Plaza de San Lorenzo and Iglesia de Santa Ana in Calle Vázquez de Leca in Triana.

Palaces

For more ancient air conditioning and exquisite exhibitions and collections, Seville has it covered. There are many palaces around the city, in addition to the famous Alcazar that are all well worth a visit in their own right. 

Our top picks are the Palacio de las Salinas on Mateos Gago near the Cathedral, Casa Palacio de las Dueñas on Calle Dueñas and Casa de Pilatos in Plaza de Pilatos. 

Barrio Santa Cruz

Barrio Santa Cruz in the old town is always on the list of places to visit and get lost in as a tourist. In the summer, this neighborhood has an added advantage. The narrow, winding streets means that they are almost always shaded and can feel more refreshing than the more open and wider streets in the rest of the city. 

This is also one of the oldest barrios in the city and the most culturally significant, being a part of the old Jewish Quarter. Explore these streets and find the small, picturesque plazas and maybe stop to have a bite or a refreshment in the bars and restaurants of this area.

For more ideas, check out our post of 8 Awesome Seville Museums  for more indoor cultural stops to visit during your stay.

Where to find the best local delicacies to cool off in Seville

What to eat and drink in the summer can be a struggle, but we can help you out here with some local favorites.

Cold tapas

Tapas are everywhere, but in the heat, a lot of people aren’t in the mood for carrillada (slow cooked pork cheeks) or solomillo al whisky (pork loin with a whisky sauce).

Here are a few lighter, cold tapas to satiate your hunger without adding extra heat.

Soups and drinks

A traditional thick, cold tomato soup, salmorejo is made with olive oil and bread and accompanied with topping of jamón and egg is the perfect summer refresher. 

If you want something more like a savory smoothie, gazpacho is what you are looking for. This cold tomato drink is made with bell pepper, cucumber and garlic or onion is the perfect way to hydrate on a hot summer’s day. 

Looking for something new, why not try ajo blanco? Similar to salmorejo, in that it is a thick, cold soup, this one is made primarily of almonds and garlic. Accompanied with a sweet fruit and tuna, this is truly a taste of Andalusia. 

Cold bar tapas

Enter any bar in Spain and you will see some cold tapas behind the bar. In the summer, these are a great option for a quick snack. Jamón is the obvious choice, especially in Seville which is close to where some of the best in Spain is produced.

Have it on its own, with some bread or as an accompaniment to other tapas, you cannot go wrong with this local delicacy. Another ubiquitous tapa is patatas aliñadas. This is a tapa of well seasoned potatoes in oil and vinegar, and each bar has its own version, some with fish, some with vegetables, it is truly a taste of summer in Seville. 

Each bar has their own specialties so don’t be afraid to ask what they have that day, you will find delicacies such as Salpicón de mariscos, a cold seafood dish and ensaladilla rusa, which is a mayonnaise potato salad, usually containing seafood.

Drinks

Cold drinks are the hallmark of any summer, and Seville has some incredible terraces in which to enjoy them. Locals will drink beer, but in small glasses called cañas so that the beer remains cold and doesn’t warm up too much in the sun. 

Wine is also popular, but we recommend enjoying it in the form of tinto de verano or tinto con limon, red wine with either a tonic like mixer or a lemon mixer for the ultimate summer refresher. You will also find sangria in a lot of bars around the city, with it being the quintessential Spanish summer cocktail.

Ice cream and gelato

What better way to cool down in the summer than with an ice cream? There are gelaterías and heladerías scattered across the city, but here are two of our favorites.

Olmo 

Olmo (Cta. del Rosario, 1) is a favorite among locals, and one visit here and you will see why. Known for its unique flavors among the common ones, this is the place you need to try. 

When you have your ice cream in hand, head to the plaza around the corner to enjoy it. This location features on our tastes, tapas and traditions tour during the summer.

Freskura

Just off the Alameda de Hercules, Freskura (Calle Vulcano, 4) offers a taste of Italian ice cream in Seville. With a mix of traditional and creative flavors on offer, you can’t go wrong with any choice. 

Local’s tip: Stop here after enjoying a meal or a few drinks on the Alameda to really round off your afternoon in the city. 

A local’s tips to keeping cool in the summer 

When it comes to keeping cool in Seville, act like a local with these tips.

Embrace the siesta

Aim for your outings to be in the morning to take advantage of the overnight drop in temperatures. After lunch, retire to your accommodation to relax and get ready to go out in the evening after 8 for dinner. 

You will notice families doing this and will see children playing in the playgrounds until well into the night as this is the best time for them to use up all of their energy. Try to keep activities for the cooler parts of the day.

Keep hydrated

There are water fountains around the city marked agua potable to refill water bottles and most kiosks around the city sell water bottles either chilled or unchilled. 

If you are sweating a lot and struggling, we recommend getting sports drinks which are designed to help with hydration after sweating as they are packed with minerals. The most common brand you will see in Spain is Aquarius and it is very commonly available.

Dress the part (and don’t forget the sunscreen)

Dressing in light, breathable fabrics can help with feeling cooler. Wearing a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes is essential, as is sunscreen as the UV index is always very high in this part of the world.

Update Notice: This post was updated on July 15, 2024.