Seville

Seville is located in southern Spain, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It sits on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, about 80 kilometers inland from the Atlantic coast.

As Andalusia’s capital, Seville is well-connected by train to cities like Madrid, Córdoba, and Málaga. Its strategic position made it a major port during the Spanish Empire, shaping its cultural and economic legacy. Today, Seville remains a central hub for exploring southern Spain’s landscapes, from olive groves and vineyards to Moorish towns and coastal plains.

The best times to visit Seville are spring (March–May) and fall (September–November), when daytime temperatures are comfortable and major festivals fill the calendar.

Summers in Seville are among the hottest in Europe, with July and August highs often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Spring and fall offer mild conditions ideal for walking, sightseeing, and outdoor dining. Winters are cool and relatively dry, with daytime highs around 60°F (16°C).

Spring is especially lively with Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the April Fair (Feria de Abril)—both major cultural events that draw visitors from across Spain.

For fewer crowds and better hotel deals, early March or late October are ideal. These months also avoid the extreme summer heat while keeping most attractions open and accessible.

For the most convenient base, we recommend staying in Casco Antiguo, Seville’s historic center. This is where you’ll find many of the city’s key sights clustered together—especially around Santa Cruz, with easy walking access to the Seville Cathedral (La Giralda), the Real Alcázar, and a dense concentration of tapas bars and small plazas.

If you want to be close to the riverfront and evening strolls, look at El Arenal (still within Casco Antiguo). It sits near the Guadalquivir, with quick access to central landmarks and plenty of dining options.

Use the interactive map below to explore accommodations by date, budget, and amenities.

Seville Airport (SVQ) is about 10 kilometers northeast of the city center. It offers domestic flights and international connections across Europe. Travel time to central Seville is 20–30 minutes by taxi, bus, or car.

Santa Justa Station is the city’s main rail hub, with high-speed AVE service to Madrid (2.5 hours) and regional links to Córdoba, Granada, and Málaga.

Seville operates on Central European Time (CET = UTC +1) and observes daylight saving time from late March to late October (CEST = UTC +2).

Spain uses the euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful for small purchases, cafés, and local markets.

Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in many hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, though a few local phrases go a long way.

Visitors from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia can stay in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. For more details, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Spain uses Type C and F plugs. Voltage is 230V. U.S. visitors should bring a plug adapter and check if their devices are dual-voltage.

We recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins if you have many items to plug in. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

For mobile data, travelers can use a local SIM or eSIM. We recommend Airalo eSIMs for convenience—they activate automatically on arrival and are ideal for short-term stays with modest data needs (under 5GB).

Not needed within Seville, which is best explored on foot or by tram. Rent a car only if you plan to visit smaller towns or rural areas in Andalusia.

In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.