10 Things to Do in Seville in January
January is one of the most recommended months to visit Seville, since winter is not too cold and invites you to enjoy its many attractions.
Seville is a particularly attractive destination, as it always seduces tourists and locals with plans and activities to enjoy with friends and family.
Visiting Seville in January allows you to still take advantage of many of the attractions that the city prepares for the Christmas and Three Kings festivities and, of course, attend some events typical of this month. All this, obviously, without leaving aside everything you can usually see and do in Seville.
1. Admire the Cathedral of Seville without agglomerations
The Cathedral of Seville is the largest Christian Gothic temple and one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Europe. Although it is open all year round, in January you will be able to get tickets to the Cathedral of Seville without the usual crowds of other times.
It was built over an Almohad mosque and its Moorish architecture then added elements of Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance and even Baroque that can be seen in many of its altars. The interior of the Cathedral is equally beautiful, exquisitely decorated and bombastic.
I recommend booking a guided tour of the Cathedral of Seville to learn more about its history and the illustrious historical figures who are buried here. Did you know that here are the tombs of Christopher Columbus, Alfonso X the Wise and Pedro I The Cruel among others?
Everything to see in the Cathedral of Seville
- The Prince's Gate
- The Door of Forgiveness
- The Orange Tree Courtyard.
To finish this tour you can not miss climbing the bell tower of the cathedral, the famous Giralda, one of the most recognizable symbols of Seville. It was originally the main minaret of the Great Almohad Mosque but after the reconquest it became the bell tower of the Cathedral.
In case you didn't know, not only can you enjoy the Giralda from below but you can also climb it.
Practical information
- Where: Av. de la Constitución, s/n
- Price: the guided tour with ascent to the cathedral costs about 34 €.
- Hours: in January it is open from 10:45 am to 5:00 pm, approximately.
2. Combat the cold with wine and tapas
If you have traveled to Seville in winter you will have noticed that it is not as severe as in other parts of Spain. However, temperatures sometimes approach 3ºC, so it's always good to stop at a bar for some delicious tapas paired with a glass of good local wine.
Tapas are dishes served in small quantities and covering all kinds of ingredients. The best thing is that you can try different specialties without getting full with a single serving.
To get to know the best places in Seville, my recommendation is to go with a Sevillian. If you can't, don't hesitate to book a tapas and wine tour of Seville.
3. Go to a flamenco show
Even in Seville, during some nights in January, you may want to keep your plans indoors. One of the most recommended activities is to book a flamenco show at a tablao in the city.
Seville is one of the cradles of flamenco, so you will have no trouble finding a show to see. The dancers, both men and women, are absolutely seductive.
The women wear their long, frilly, tight-fitting dresses, and the men wear dark pants and a shirt knotted at the chest. Accompanied by guitars, castanets and hand clapping, they stomp their feet on the tablao and at every movement the spectators can't stop watching them.
4. Discover Flamenco Fashion
January marks the beginning of the flamenco fashion season in Seville. Different events and fashion shows are held where it is possible to appreciate beautiful gypsy costumes and flamenco fashion.
The focal point of the Flamenco Fashion is the We Love Flamenco catwalk, famous for being the first catwalk that presents the trends of the season.
Anyway, if you don't get a ticket but you feel like learning more about the attire of this famous dance, I recommend booking tickets to the Museum of Flamenco Dance in Seville, which houses dresses and other artistic pieces.
Practical information
- Where: Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville
- Price: depends on the parade. It is recommended to buy tickets well in advance.
- When: mid-January, for about a week.
5. Discover places of interest without queuing up
Seville has the largest historic center in Europe. The best way to get to know its main monuments is to hire a guided tour of the city, which will take you to the most important tourist attractions. However, it is also worth going off the beaten path and seeing lesser-known places.
In January, you won't have to wait in line anywhere, as it is not high season.
Another great option for January is to visit some of **Seville'**s museums. Not only will it be less crowded, but you will be able to warm up for a while.
6. Enjoy the last Christmas activities in Seville
Unlike other countries, in Spain the Christmas holidays last until the first week of January. Seville is no exception and if you visit during these dates you will be able to enjoy the last activities of the season:
- If you've spent New Year's Eve in the city, head to Plaza Nueva to listen to the chimes as you eat the traditional twelve grapes.
- Afterwards, find a good spot to watch the fireworks show and stroll through its bars to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
- Another thing I recommend you to do is to visit one of the Christmas markets in the city text.
- Make the route of the nativity scenes, a perfect plan if you have gone to Seville with children.
7. Enjoy the New Year's Concert
Every year, the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville offers a New Year's Concert. In this Andalusian version of the traditional New Year's Concert in Vienna, different conductors and soloists are summoned to delight the audience with an attractive program for music lovers.
Since this is an increasingly popular event, I recommend that you buy your tickets in advance on the official website of the ROSS, the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.
Practical information
- Where: at the Teatro de la Maestranza.
- Price: between 30 € and 50 €.
- When: first days of January, usually from 8:00 p.m.
8. Take part in "La Cabalgata de Los Reyes"
La Cabalgata de los Reyes is one of the most striking activities you can enjoy in Seville with children in the month of January, specifically on January 5.
In this traditional children's festival, beautiful floats travel through the main streets of the city in a colorful and extravagant parade with the presence of Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar, who throw candy for spectators to pick up.
This is already a traditional event in the city, which was organized by the Ateneo for the first time in 1918.
Practical information
- Where: all over the city center. It starts at the University and goes through the rondas, the center, the Macarena, Triana and the Remedios.
- Price: totally free
- When: January 5 from 17:00 to 22:00.
9. Be sure to try the Roscón de Reyes
January 6th not only marks in Seville the arrival of the Three Wise Men but it is also the day when Sevillians can taste the Roscón de Reyes, one of the most delicious jams in Spain.
The Roscón de Reyes is a ring-shaped sweet filled with cream and decorated with glazed fruit as if it were a royal crown.
If you want to do as the Sevillians do, choose one in any bakery or cafeteria and enjoy it later at breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee with milk.
10. Take advantage of the sales!
After the exchange of gifts on January 6, Sevillian stores start with the sales, a unique opportunity to take advantage of the most affordable prices and buy gifts for the whole family and friends.
It is a particularly interesting time for tourists, who can enjoy a quieter and more comfortable shopping experience, as they avoid the crowds typical of the days before Christmas.
Whether you choose the big stores or the Torre Sevilla or Nervión shopping centers, you will see how they compete with each other to see which one offers the most attractive prices and offers to seduce potential customers. Just like those in San Jacinto, Triana, Los Remedios or Los Arcos shopping center.
What is the weather like in Seville in January
One of the advantages of traveling to Seville in January is that, unlike other cities, the weather is not too harsh. Thus, highs usually rise up to 16º, while lows rarely drop below 6º.
On the other hand, it is not a particularly rainy month either, with an average of six days of rainfall.
In any case, it is always advisable to check the weather forecast a few days before traveling.