10 Things to Do in Seville in August

It's not all downsides when it comes to visiting one of Spain's most beautiful cities in summer. In fact, if you choose to spend your August holidays in Seville, you'll be able to take advantage of the less crowded low season and some cultural events that only happen at this time of year.

If you're finally planning what to see and do in Seville, don't forget to take into account everything the city has to offer in August. Just arm yourself with a good sun cream, plenty of water and above all the desire to explore the magical city of Seville. Let's go!

If you are one of those who like adventure during your holidays, a plan you can't miss in Seville is a trip on the Guadalquivir River. But if you're not a risk-taker either, don't worry because you can also go down this river in a comfortable way.

There are many options available to you and in all of them the views of the Torre del Oro and the Triana Bridge from the water will take your breath away. Here are the different alternatives that the city offers to sail along the Guadalquivir:

• Yacht trip with dinner or lunch: if you want to live the full (and more comfortable) experience, opt for this activity in which you will spend 2 hours aboard a yacht while you discover the city from another perspective with music in the background.
• Yacht trip with typical food tasting: if you prefer to spend a little less time (1 hour and a half) and instead of having lunch or dinner you can have a small snack, I recommend this option.
• Boat trip: this activity is a little cheaper than the previous ones and is aimed at those who are only interested in the views and prefer to eat on land.
• Paddle surfing tour: if you like adventure, this and the following activities are for you. For two hours and in small groups of 15 people you will paddle along this beautiful river while you get some exercise.
• Kayak tour if paddle surfing is not your thing or you don't feel up to it, a kayak is also waiting for you to explore the waters on a tour with an expert guide who will accompany you throughout the whole trip.
• Kayak rental and if you feel like kayaking but you want to go your own way, you also have the possibility of simply renting a kayak and explore the city at your own pace.

If you want to take advantage of the days you spend in Seville in August to get to know its surroundings a little better, there is no better plan than to go to one of the nearest beaches. This way, as well as getting to know the city, you can take a dip in the cool waters of the sea and have a change of scenery.

The closest beaches to the city of Seville (around 100 km away) are Matalascañas and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. But beyond them, I also recommend some of these excursions from Seville to make the most of your stay:

• Excursion to Gibraltar: you can spend half a day exploring the natural wonders of the rock, such as the incredible Caves of San Miguel and the entire Nature Reserve. Without a doubt, taking advantage of your visit to Gibraltar is an opportunity not to be missed.
• Excursion to Ronda and the white villages: in this case, we must reserve one day of our itinerary. Both Ronda and the white villages are beautiful and if you have a return transfer, you will enjoy them even more.
• Excursion to Cádiz and Jerez: this is also a day trip to two of Andalusia's liveliest cities. In total, the experience lasts about 10 hours and you will be able to see the most emblematic points of the city and enjoy a wine tasting if you wish.

Seville is a city that receives an average of 2.5 million tourists every year. So it happens that, although it is adapted and has all the services to receive them, its main monuments are always crowded. In fact, the most common thing when you arrive in Seville is to see queues of tourists.

One of the main advantages of visiting in August is that, unlike other Spanish cities, Seville is in low season. This means that the crowds are smaller, there is less traffic, the noise and hustle and bustle is not so overwhelming and, therefore, it is possible to visit the quieter and more peaceful side of the city.

The main monuments to visit in Seville are:

• Seville Cathedral and the Giralda: being the largest gothic temple in Spain, it is a must-see. You can also climb to the top of its bell tower**(the Giralda**) and see panoramic views of the whole city. Get your camera ready!
• Real Alcázar of Seville: another essential visit where you can lose yourself in a paradisiacal setting full of culture, styles and gardens full of water and life.
• Torre del Oro: located next to the Guadalquivir River, this tower is undoubtedly one of the most photographed places in the city.
• Casa de Pilatos: a palace with a mix of Mudejar and Renaissance styles and a beautiful courtyard.
• Palacio de las Dueñas: dating from the 15th century, belonging to the House of Alba. Its visit will delight you with its courtyards, gardens and rooms full of antiques and souvenirs.

If the city of Seville is already beautiful by day, imagine adding the magic of the night lights and the scent of orange blossom that bathes its streets.

A night visit to the Jewish quarter and the historic centre of the city is one of the best plans, plus you can take advantage of the fact that the heat is easing. And if you're up for it, don't miss the panoramic views of the illuminated city from the Metropol Parasol.

Finally, to make the evening plan even better, you can treat yourself to a good film in the cool of the evening at one of the many summer cinemas.

You'll find something for everyone, from current films and films on the billboard, to films in the original version with subtitles and even documentary cycles.

During the summer nights in Seville there are numerous concerts, some of them in the most magical and exclusive settings you can imagine. One of the most emblematic is the Nights in the Alcazar Gardens.

During the nights of June and until September it is possible to see these concerts in the gardens of the Real Alcázar of Seville. With a variety of musical styles such as flamenco, classical music and world music, this picturesque setting offers a first-class visual and acoustic spectacle.

If you have already visited the Real Alcazar during the day, you will undoubtedly be surprised by the change of feeling you will get when you see it at night.

Practical information

• Where: public access is through the Alcoba Gate, located on Paseo de Catalina de Ribera (Jardines de Murillo).
• Price: around 7 €.
• Opening hours: you must enter between 8.30pm and 9.45pm.

Seville is home to the Isla Mágica amusement park, set in the theme of pirates and the discovery of America.

This park has six different themed areas, as well as Agua Mágica, the water park that has managed to bring a beach to the city of Seville.

Whether you come to visit the city with children or not, spending a day in this park will be a great day out for all the senses. You can swim in the wave pool, enjoy the beautiful waterfalls, slow rivers, zip lines and green areas where you can relax and just chill out.

Practical information

• Where: Isla Mágica Roundabout (Isla de la Cartuja)
• Price: 9 € for a full day
• Opening hours: from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm.

Holidays in August are for discovering new places, resting and of course sunbathing so you can come back with a tan, don't you think? Well, if there is a perfect plan that combines everything in Seville is to enjoy a terrace with a swimming pool. This way, you will have the best views of the city and you can cool off in the hottest hours.

There are many terraces with swimming pool in Seville but my personal recommendations are:

• Terraza Doña María: with a pool exclusively for guests and amazing views of the Cathedral and the domes of El Salvador.
• El Quimera Food&Pool: also with a pool exclusively for guests and views of the Plaza de España. It offers very tasty healthy dinners.

The Alamillo Park is a park in Seville that covers an area of 85 hectares, located at the end of the Guadalquivir riverbed and next to the Olympic Stadium. This park is ideal to get close to nature and go for a walk, without having to go too far away from the city.

It also has lakes and lots of trees, so you can stay cool and even have a picnic followed by a good siesta in the shade.

During the month of August this park celebrates the Veranillos del Alamillo, a summer cycle full of culture and activities for the whole family such as: children's and family film screenings, illusion and magic shows, copla recitals, family workshops and flamenco cinema, among others.

Practical information

• Where: Alamillo Park (Isla de la Cartuja)
• Price: free entrance until full capacity is reached.
• Opening times: depending on the event

During the summer months most shops have summer sales and it is possible to find some real bargains! An ideal way to enjoy Seville in August is to beat the high temperatures by strolling through the shopping streets of the city centre.

You'll find tarpaulins to provide shade in the streets, much less crowds than in other shopping areas and you'll be able to take advantage of the best offers.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to take refuge from the heat with a good air conditioning, you have the option of going shopping in the Lagoh shopping centre.

Nocturama is a music festival with concerts by national and international groups that has been held in the city of Seville since 2005.

Since 2016 it has been held in the gardens of the Casino de la Exposición, a beautiful and cool place to enjoy this cutting-edge festival full of good energy.

It is a very varied festival where all kinds of audiences are welcome, from children or very danceable people, to festival veterans or people who prefer to be quiet and simply dedicate themselves to feeling the music.

Practical info

• Where: Gardens of the Casino de la Exposición de 1929. Access: Calle La Rábida on the corner with Calle Palos de la Frontera.
• Price: from 20 euros
• Timetable: normally starts at 21:00.

During the month of August, the heat is the main protagonist in the city of Seville. Being in the middle of the Guadalquivir Valley, temperatures in the city can be extreme. During the summer months it is possible to reach a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius and an average minimum of 25 degrees Celsius.

Although it is low season, in order to best combat the high temperatures in the city, these are my recommendations:

• Carry out activities and strolls during the hours of less heat, that is to say, during the early morning and late afternoon.
• The rest of the time, take the opportunity to eat, rest, visit air-conditioned places or take a dip in the pool.
• If you choose to walk during the day, take light, comfortable clothing, a bottle or two of water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Take the opportunity to cool off and drink whenever you can. You can find several public fountains such as in the Alameda de Hércules, the Puerta de Jerez or the Jardines de Cristina.

Seville's gastronomy is very complete and you will find all kinds of offers, but I would like to give you some recommendations for lighter or cooler meals to enjoy during the hottest months in the city:

• Papas aliñás
• Red prawns
• Salmorejo
• Mojama, salted or cured meats