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 middle of summer.

Get ready to discover architectural gems in which the Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures left their legacy, starting with the monumental Cathedral and the Palaces of the Real Alcázar. Wander around the Barrio de Santa Cruz, sample some delicious tapas or attend a pure flamenco show. This, among all the things to see and do in Seville are waiting for you here!...And with the weather this season, you won't have to wait in line.

One of the first things you have to do when you arrive in the city is to visit its imposing cathedral. Its ample spaces will take you away from the high temperatures on the street for a while, so there's nothing like taking refuge in its unique beauty.

It's not just "the cathedral of the city," 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 work of architecture will be your best welcome to the city.

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

To learn more about the Moorish and Christian history behind these architectural works, I recommend a guided tour from 30 euros, which will take you inside the cathedral to the top of the beautiful Giralda, where you will have one of the best views of the city!

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

Walking aimlessly through these narrow, quiet streets, guided by whatever catches your eye, is perhaps one of the most interesting ways to discover and get caught up in this neighbourhood despite its atrocious history. The narrow, shady streets, with the occasional courtyard door ajar, is a huge advantage for getting around the neighbourhood this season without breaking a sweat, even if you do it 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 the Cathedral of Seville, the Archivo General de Indias and the Reales Alcázares, this square is simply not to be missed.
• Patio de Banderas. This place was the old parade ground of the Alcázar and the old gate to access it had flags drawn on it. Today, it is a curious square full of orange trees and surrounded by houses where people such as the writer Fernán Caballero and the painter Joaquín Domínguez Bécquer lived
• Plaza de Santa Cruz. This is where the main streets of Seville's Jewish quarter converge. This square is home to the most famous cross in Seville: the Cruz de la Sierpes (Sierpes Cross)
• Calle Verde. Its real name is San Bartolomé but, because of the abundant vegetation and coolness it provides during the warm Seville afternoons, it has earned this name.
• Church of Santa María la Blanca. With its simple architecture, this small church is one of the most amazing, as it has noticeable elements of the three great historical influences of the city: Arab, Jewish and Christian.

Seville doesn't have a beach but it has a fabulous water park called Isla Magica, where you can enjoy with the family multiple attractions, including an aquatic area with a wave pool, slides and sand simulating a real beach.

You have many options to discover Seville with children, but this is definitely a great plan. Because Isla Mágica, located in Isla de la Cartuja, very central and well connected by public transport, also offers shows, games, shops and has restaurants inside.

For around 25 or 30 euros, 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.

Visit the Aquarium of Seville

Another recommendation to escape the Sevillian heat is to go to the Aquarium of Seville. Located very close to the centre, next to the Garden of Delights and on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, it is a space with more than 7000 animals with numerous water tanks where you can discover sharks, sea turtles and many other species.

Perfect to take shelter from the high Sevillian temperatures is the Casa de Pilatos, a unique place to experience first-hand the history of the Andalusian capital.

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 Reales Alcázares.

A ground floor with a main courtyard and several halls around it, and an upper floor where all the rooms would be located, was the basic design of these houses, which alluded to the Mudejar Palace.

The Casa Pilatos is an excellent example of these designs. It clearly incorporated Mudejar plasterwork , along with elements of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and sculpture. A setting worthy of being seen live and even in the cinema ("Kingdom of Heaven" by Ridley Scott).

The Casa Pilatos is located in the Plaza de Pilatos, near Calle Águilas and the Jewish Quarter. The entrance fee is around 10 euros.

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 if you are visiting the city at this time of year.

Its origins date back to the middle of the 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, in gratitude, the king ordered a temple to be built: the Temple of Santa Ana.

Like many festivities, this religious origin and motif, over time was added a more festive tone with music, dance and food, which can not be missed. Flamenco dancing, painting exhibitions, concerts, theatre cycles, good gastronomy and even cucaña competitions in front of the river are some of the things you will find on these long summer nights.

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

During the summer season, one of the most "practised" and enjoyed activities in Seville is dining on the summer terraces.

For tapas, the Santa Cruz district. This is the best place to take shelter from the heat and enjoy these dishes and refreshing drinks in a very Sevillian atmosphere in every sense of the word. I show you here what to see and do in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

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

If you feel like tasting these dishes and don't know which bar to start with, I recommend you to take a gastronomic tapas tour. With a price starting at 65 euros, you will have the opportunity to visit different bars and try several options from their menu. A tour of between three and four hours to spend in the company of a small group with the same interest: to enjoy the food and have a good time.

A great activity to do in this hot season is to escape for a day at the beach. 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 serve as home to unique species. And as I said, it is of great importance as a passage, breeding and wintering place for thousands of species of birds from the European and African continent.

In the last weeks of summer it is more possible to see birds. But, if you go at other times, don't worry, getting to know this arrangement of landscapes and swimming in its beaches is still a very worthwhile experience.

There are some tours from Seville to the park that I recommend. The price starts at 72 euros, they last all day and the transport is on board 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 stage for music shows in different parts of the city.

One place not to be missed is the gardens of the Alcázar. Here, concerts have been held daily for decades and full houses have become customary. Performances of early music, classical music and obviously flamenco are some of the shows. You can see the programme at the following link. The Patio de la Montería is another venue on the Alcazar grounds where open-air concerts are occasionally held.

Outside the palace, the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo is also a popular venue for concerts on summer evenings.

Seville and the Guadalquivir have a lot of history. It is the best gift the city could have had from the beginning, it placed it in the world as a commercial centre with America, a route for conquistadors, a source of fish 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 19 euros 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 that you do it better 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 opportunity to do so is the Triana Market. It is also another good option for hiding from the summer rays.

The most interesting thing about this market is that it is a functional museum at the same time, as under its foundations are the remains of an Almohad cemetery, as well as those of the Castillo de San Jorge, the seat of the old Inquisition tribunal.
The passage of time and the floods of the Guadalquivir river, led it to abandonment for a long time, until a market square was installed, conveniently located in this strategic point of the river.

Here you will find the typical market: fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese and sausages... but also a cultural space with a theatre, remains of historic buildings around and a promenade with art exhibitions on the river bank. Are you up for it?

As I have been telling you, the summer in Seville is very hot, being among the first Spanish cities where the thermometer points higher. 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, there are few days with notorious maximum temperatures, but you should still be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, wear light, light-coloured clothes, use sun protection and, as I said before, adjust the activities you have planned for your visit so as to reduce direct exposure to the sun to a minimum.

It is precisely this "caló" that prevents many visitors (and even locals) from being present in 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, it does have fewer people in general on its streets. The locals take advantage of their 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 things to bring to Seville in summer are light clothing, shorts, T-shirts and trainers for walking the cobbled streets of the historic centre.

It rarely gets cooler at night, but just in case, pack a long-sleeved shirt or top in case the humidity of the river brings a breeze in the evenings. On the banks of the Guadalquivir River you can sunbathe in your swimming costume, so it's a good idea to pack some in your suitcase. Of course, along with your sunscreen, as the sun is strong and the ultraviolet rays are powerful in the summer months.