10 Things to Do in Seville in Summer

Seville is one of those cities that should be part of every tourist itinerary in Spain, even in the height of summer.

Get ready to discover architectural gems where Arab, Jewish, and Christian cultures have left their mark, starting with the monumental Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar Palaces. Wander around the Santa Cruz neighborhood, sample some delicious tapas, or attend a pure flamenco show. This, among all the things to see and do in Seville, awaits you here! And with the weather this time of year, you probably won't have to wait in line.

One of the first things you have to do when you arrive in the city is visit its imposing cathedral. Its spacious interior will give you a break from the high temperatures outside, so there's nothing like taking refuge in its unique beauty.

It's not just "the city's cathedral," I'm talking about the Gothic-style cathedral and the third largest temple (after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London) in the world. This extraordinary and ancient architectural masterpiece will be your best welcome to the city.

The temple, which also houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus, was built on the site of a former Muslim mosque, of which some elements survive, such as a few doors, a courtyard, and its unmistakable landmark: the minaret or "La Giralda."

To learn more about the Arab and Christian history behind these architectural works, I recommend a guided tour starting at $35, which will take you inside the cathedral to the top of the beautiful Giralda. From there, you'll have one of the best views of the city!

In the same area, opposite the Cathedral, is the famous Santa Cruz neighborhood. This charming neighborhood, with houses nestled among alleys, hidden corners, and orange trees, reflects the city's Jewish heritage.

Wandering aimlessly through these narrow, quiet streets, guided by whatever catches your eye, is perhaps one of the most interesting ways to discover and be captivated by this neighborhood despite its atrocious history. The narrow, shaded streets, with the door of a courtyard half open, are a huge advantage for exploring the neighborhood this season without breaking a sweat, even if you do so during the day.

But references are always necessary. Here are the stops you can't miss in the Santa Cruz neighborhood:

• Plaza del Triunfo. Surrounded by the most emblematic buildings such as the Cathedral of Seville, the General Archive of the Indies, and the Reales Alcázares, this square simply cannot be overlooked.
• Patio de Banderas. This place was the old parade ground of the Alcázar, and the old gate leading to it had flags painted on it. Today, it is a curious square full of orange trees and surrounded by houses where famous figures such as the writer Fernán Caballero and the painter Joaquín Domínguez Bécquer once lived.
• Plaza de Santa Cruz. This is where the main streets of Seville's Jewish quarter converge. This square is home to Seville's most famous cross: the Cruz de la Sierpes.
• Calle Verde. Its real name is San Bartolomé, but it has earned this name due to the abundant vegetation and coolness it provides during the hot Sevillian afternoons.
• Church of Santa María la Blanca. With its simple architecture, this small church is one of the most amazing, as it has notable elements of the three great historical influences of the city: Arab, Jewish, and Christian.

Seville doesn't have a beach, but it does have a fabulous water park called Isla Mágica, where you can enjoy a wide range of attractions with your family, including a water park with a wave pool, slides, and sand that looks just like a real beach.

There are many options for exploring Seville with children, but this is definitely one of the best. Isla Mágica, located on Isla de la Cartuja, is very central and well connected by public transport. It also offers shows, games, shops, and restaurants inside.

For around $25 or $30, you can enjoy a full day of fun and, above all, cool off and enjoy an oasis in the middle of the Seville heat. However, I recommend that you buy your tickets online here because the price at the ticket office is much higher.

Discover the Seville Aquarium

Another recommendation for escaping the Seville heat is to buy tickets for the Seville Aquarium. Located very close to the center, next to the Jardín de las Delicias and on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, it is a space with more than 7,000 animals and numerous water tanks where you can discover sharks, sea turtles, and many other species.

The Casa de Pilatos is the perfect place to escape the high temperatures of Seville, a unique place where you can experience the history of the Andalusian capital firsthand.

During the Renaissance, the city of Seville was adorned with splendid architecture. It was a time when wealthy families built residences inspired by... yes, the Royal Alcázar.

A ground floor with a main courtyard and several rooms around it, and an upper floor where all the bedrooms were located, was the basic design of these houses, which was reminiscent of the Mudéjar Palace.

The Casa Pilatos is an excellent example of these designs. It clearly incorporated Mudejar plasterwork , along with Gothic and Renaissance architectural and sculptural elements. It is a sight to behold in person and even on film (Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven).

The Casa Pilatos is located in the Plaza de Pilatos, near Calle Águilas and the Jewish quarter. Admission is around €10.

If there is one popular Sevillian festival par excellence, it is the Velá de Santa Ana. It is held at the end of July in the famous Triana neighborhood. A must-see if you are visiting the city during this time.

Its origins date back to the mid-13th century. It is said that when King Alfonso X was cured of an eye disease after being touched by the hand of the Virgin of Santa Ana, the king ordered a temple to be built in her honor: the Temple of Santa Ana.

Like many festivities, this religious origin and motive has been joined over time by a more festive tone with music, dancing, and food, which cannot be missed. Flamenco dancing, art exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, fine dining, and even greasy pole competitions in front of the river are just some of the things you'll find on these long summer nights.

Calle Betis, on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, is the star attraction.

During the summer season, one of the most popular activities in Seville is dining on the summer terraces.

For tapas, head to the Santa Cruz neighborhood. This is the best place to escape the heat and enjoy these dishes and refreshing drinks in a truly Sevillian atmosphere. Here's what to see and do in the Santa Cruz neighborhood.

The Plaza de El Salvador area is not far behind, with bars that are very popular among young people, keeping the old Alfalfa neighborhood alive .

If you feel like trying these dishes and don't know which bar to start with, I recommend taking a tapas tour. Starting at €65, you'll have the opportunity to visit different bars and try several options from their menus. The tour lasts between three and four hours and is spent in the company of a small group of people with the same interest: enjoying the food and having a good time.

One activity you can enjoy during this hot season is to escape to the beach for a day. Doñana National Park is a convenient option, as it is a short distance away, the climate is milder, and, best of all, you can discover one of the most famous natural areas for bird watching in this part of the continent.

The park maintains a very diverse mosaic of ecosystems that are home to unique species. And as I was saying, it is very important as a stopping place, breeding ground, and winter home for thousands of bird species from Europe and Africa.

The last weeks of summer are the best time to see birds. But if you go at another time, don't worry! Exploring this landscape and swimming at its beaches is still a very worthwhile experience.

There are some tours from Seville to the park that I recommend. Prices start at €72, they last all day, and transportation is in 4x4 vehicles. In addition to the park, you will visit other places along the way, such as the Ermita de El Rocío and Matalascañas beach.

During these months, the night is the setting for music shows in different parts of the city.

The gardens of the Alcázar are a must-see. Concerts have been held here daily for decades and full houses have become the norm. Performances of ancient and classical music and , of course , flamenco are some of the shows on offer. You can see the program at the following link. The Patio de la Montería is another venue within the Alcázar complex where outdoor concerts are occasionally held.

Outside the palace, the Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art is also very popular for concerts on summer nights.

Seville and the Guadalquivir River have a long history. It is the best gift the city could have had from the beginning, placing it on the world map as a commercial center with America, a route for conquistadors, a source of fishing and water, recreation, and today, as a very important tourist navigation area.

Discovering Seville by boat will give you a different perspective of the city. There are daily tours starting at €19 that will take you along the waters of this river. If you do it in summer, you will have the advantage of calm waters, but I recommend doing it at night. The heat will be less and the city lights will adorn the scene.

It is said that one of the best ways to get to know and soak up the culture of a place is to visit one of its markets, and in Seville, the Triana Market is the place to do it. It's also a great place to hide from the summer sun.

The most interesting thing about this market is that it is also a working museum, as the remains of an Almohad cemetery lie beneath its foundations , as well as those of the Castle of San Jorge, the headquarters of the former Inquisition court.
The passage of time and the flooding of the Guadalquivir River led to its abandonment for a long time, until a market was built, conveniently located at this strategic point on the river.

Here you will find everything you would expect from a market: fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, cold meats... but also a cultural space with a theater, the remains of historic buildings around it, and a promenade with art exhibitions on the riverbank. Are you up for it?

As I've been saying, summer in Seville is very hot, as it is one of the Spanish cities with the highest temperatures. The hottest month of the year in this city is July, when the average maximum temperature is around 35°C (although it can exceed 40°C).

Fortunately, summer "feels" short, with few days of extreme heat, but you still need to stay hydrated, wear light-colored clothing, use sunscreen, and, as I mentioned, adjust your itinerary to minimize direct sun exposure.

Tourist numbers in Seville in summer

It is precisely this "caló" that keeps many visitors (and even locals) off the streets during the day. The heat had to have an advantage (don't you think?).

That's why, in summer, although the city doesn't completely empty of tourists, there are fewer people in general on the streets. Locals take advantage of the holidays to escape the heat and flock to the nearby beaches.

As for prices, they don't vary much from the rest of the year.

Of course, the most comfortable thing to wear when traveling to Seville in summer is light clothing, shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers for walking around the cobbled streets of the historic center.

It rarely gets cool at night, but just in case, pack a long-sleeved shirt or top in case the humidity from the river brings a breeze in the evening.
You can even sunbathe in your swimsuit on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, so it's a good idea to pack a swimsuit. Don't forget your sunscreen, as the sun is strong and the ultraviolet rays are powerful in the summer months.