10 Things to Do in Seville in Summer

Seville is one of those cities that should be part of any 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 neighbourhood, 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 in the world (after St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London). 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 some 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 £30, which will take you inside the cathedral to the top of the beautiful Giralda. From there, you will have one of the best views of the city!

In the same area, opposite the Cathedral, is the famous Santa Cruz neighbourhood. This charming neighbourhood, 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 neighbourhood, despite its horrific history. The narrow, shaded streets, with the door of a courtyard half open, are a huge advantage for exploring the neighbourhood 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 Barrio de Santa Cruz:

• Plaza del Triunfo. Surrounded by the most emblematic buildings such as Seville Cathedral, the General Archive of the Indies and the Reales Alcázares, this square simply cannot be missed.
• Patio de Banderas. This place was the former 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. The main streets of Seville's Jewish quarter converge here. 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 its nickname due to the abundant vegetation and coolness it provides during the hot Seville 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: Arabic, 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 lots of 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.

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 city centre, 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 first-hand.

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 alluded to 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 in the cinema (Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven).

The Pilate's House is located in the Plaza de Pilatos, near Calle Águilas and the Jewish quarter. Admission costs 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 neighbourhood. A must-see if you are visiting the city at that time of year.

Its origins date back to the mid-13th century. It is said that when King Alfonso X was cured of an eye ailment after being touched by the hand of the Virgin of Santa Ana, the king ordered a temple to be built in her honour: 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 is a must. Flamenco dancing, art exhibitions, concerts, theatre cycles, good food and even greasy spoon competitions in front of the river are just some of the things you will find on these long summer nights.

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

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 neighbourhood. 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 neighbourhood.

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

If you fancy trying these dishes and don't know which bar to start with, I recommend a tapas tour. Starting at 65 euros, 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 a day trip to the beach. Doñana National Park is a convenient option, as it is close by, 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! Discovering 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 euros, they last all day and transport 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 early music, classical music and , of course , flamenco are some of the shows on offer. You can see the programme 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 Centre for Contemporary Art is also very popular for concerts on summer evenings.

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 centre 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 from £17 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 functioning 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 tribunal.
The passage of time and the flooding of the Guadalquivir River led to its abandonment for a long time, until a market was set up, 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 theatre, 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, the summer "feels" short, with few days of high temperatures, but you still need to be prepared by staying hydrated, wearing light-coloured clothing, using sunscreen and, as I mentioned, adjusting your itinerary to minimise direct exposure to the sun.

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. The 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 travelling to Seville in summer is light clothing, shorts, T-shirts and trainers for walking around the cobbled streets of the historic centre.

It doesn't usually get very cool at night, but just in case, pack a long-sleeved shirt or top in your suitcase 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.