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The short answer
Seville is one of the best city breaks in Europe for UK travellers: a direct flight of about 2.5 hours from London, a compact old town you can walk end to end, and sunshine for most of the year.
- Best time: March to May and October to mid-November. Warm, not hot, and perfect for terraces
- How many nights: 2 nights for the highlights, 3 nights to add Triana, a palace and a slower pace
- Where to stay: Santa Cruz or the Centro, within walking distance of everything
- Budget: about €100–130 per person per day on a budget, €170–250 mid-range, sharing a double room
- Book ahead: the Real Alcázar, the cathedral in spring, a flamenco show and your hotel
When to go
| Season | Weather | Crowds and prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| March to May | 22–28 °C, orange blossom in March and April | High, very high at Semana Santa and the Feria | Best weather, book early |
| June | around 33 °C | Medium | Fine if you like heat |
| July and August | 36 °C and often 40 °C in the afternoon | Lowest hotel prices | Only with a pool and a siesta |
| September | around 32 °C | Medium | Hot at first, good by the end |
| October to mid-November | 20–26 °C | High in October, medium in November | Excellent |
| Mid-November to February | 16–18 °C by day, cool nights | Low, busier at Christmas | Cheap and sunny, pack a jumper |
Big events: Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Abril are spectacular, but hotel prices double and many rooms sell out months ahead. In 2027, Semana Santa runs from 21 to 28 March. See Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril and the best time to visit Seville.
How many nights?
- One night: only the Alcázar, the cathedral and an evening of tapas. Rushed.
- Two nights (a weekend): the main sights, Plaza de España, Triana and a flamenco show. The plan below covers this.
- Three nights (a long weekend): add a palace such as Casa de Pilatos, the Setas at sunset and a more relaxed pace, or a day trip to Córdoba, 45 minutes by train.
Flights and getting in
Direct flights to Seville airport (SVQ) leave from London and several other UK airports, with more routes from spring to autumn than in winter. The flight takes about 2.5 hours from London. Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
If there is no good direct flight from your airport, fly to Málaga, which has far more UK routes, and take the direct train to Seville (about 2 hours). See Málaga to Seville and getting to Seville.
From the airport to the centre:
- EA airport bus: about €4, every 20–25 minutes, 35–40 minutes to the centre
- Taxi: a fixed fare of about €26 by day, €29–33 at night and at weekends, 15–20 minutes
- Private transfer: useful with children or for a late arrival. Book a private transfer
See Seville airport to the city centre.
Package or DIY? A package city break (flights and hotel booked together with a UK tour operator) is ATOL-protected and sometimes cheaper in spring. Booking flights and a hotel separately gives you more choice of hotels in the old town. Compare both before you book.
Where to stay
For a short break, stay in the old town so you can walk everywhere and go back to the hotel for a rest in the afternoon.
| Budget | Hotel | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hotel Simón | Arenal | Classic tiled patio, two minutes from the cathedral |
| Mid-range | Las Casas de la Judería | Santa Cruz | Connected palaces with patios and a rooftop pool |
| Mid-range to top | EME Catedral Mercer | Santa Cruz | Rooftop bar and pool facing the Giralda |
| Luxury | Hotel Alfonso XIII | Santa Cruz edge | Seville’s grand hotel, with a garden pool |
More options in where to stay in Seville, the best hotels in Seville and, for summer, hotels with a pool.
A 48-hour plan
Day 1: the monuments
- 9:30: the Real Alcázar at the first slot of the day, palaces then gardens. See the Alcázar guide.
- 12:00: wander Santa Cruz: Callejón del Agua, Plaza de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Doña Elvira.
- 14:00: lunch, tapas in Santa Cruz or El Arenal.
- 16:00: the cathedral and the Giralda. See the cathedral guide.
- 18:00: rest at the hotel, or a drink on a rooftop.
- 20:00: the Setas de Sevilla at sunset, then a tapas crawl in Alfalfa.
Day 2: Plaza de España, Triana and flamenco
- 9:30: Plaza de España before the crowds, then the Parque de María Luisa.
- 12:00: walk along the river to the Torre del Oro, or take the one-hour river cruise.
- 13:30: cross to Triana: lunch at the market or on Calle San Jacinto, then the ceramics shops and the Castillo de San Jorge. See Triana.
- 19:00 or 20:30: a flamenco show at a small venue. See flamenco shows in Seville.
- 21:30: dinner back in the centre or by the river in Triana.
Arriving on Friday evening? Go straight out for tapas: El Arenal and Santa Cruz are closest to most hotels. See where to eat in Seville. The same plan with more detail is in 2 days in Seville.
Budget per day
Per person, sharing a double room, in spring. July, August and January to February are cheaper; Semana Santa and the Feria much more expensive.
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel (half a double room) | €40–60 | €75–125 | €175+ |
| Food and drink | €30–40 (tapas, menú del día) | €50–70 | €100+ |
| Sights and a show | €15–30 | €30–60 | €60+ with guided tours |
| Local transport | €0–5 | €5–10 | €10–30 (taxis) |
| Total per day | about €100–130 | about €170–250 | €350+ |
Typical prices: Real Alcázar about €15.50, cathedral and Giralda about €13, Setas rooftop about €15, flamenco show €25–45, a tapa €3–5, a small beer €2–3. Many of the best sights cost nothing: see free things to do in Seville.
Money: Spain uses the euro. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small bars. Tipping is optional: round up in bars, 5–10% in restaurants for good service.
Practical tips for UK travellers
- Entry rules: check the UK government’s travel advice for Spain before you go, including the EU’s new border checks for UK passport holders.
- Plugs: Spain uses two-pin plugs (types C and F), so bring an adaptor.
- Meal times: lunch from 14:00, dinner from 21:00. Plan your day around them.
- Shoes: the old town is cobbled. Bring comfortable, flat shoes.
- Getting around: walk. The historic centre is compact, and the tram covers the rest. See getting around Seville.
FAQ
Is Seville good for a city break?
Yes. It has world-class monuments, great food, flamenco and warm weather, all within a compact, walkable old town, and direct flights from the UK.
How many days do you need in Seville?
Two full days for the highlights, three for a relaxed visit with Triana and a palace or museum. Add a fourth day for a trip to Córdoba.
When is the cheapest time for a city break to Seville?
July and August have the lowest hotel prices, but the heat is extreme. For a good balance of price and weather, go in November or from January to February.
How long is the flight from the UK to Seville?
About 2.5 hours from London, slightly longer from the north of England and Scotland.
Is Seville expensive for a weekend?
Less than most Western European capitals. Tapas cost €3–5, many sights are free, and a mid-range weekend costs about €170–250 per person per day, sharing a room.