Sevilla Guide: Cathedral, Alcázares and When to Go
Provincia de Sevilla · Andalusia · Spain · 686,741 residents
Sevilla is the capital of its province in Andalusia, a city of around 687,000 people sitting just 16 metres above sea level on flat inland ground, well away from the coast. Its two great landmarks sit about a mile from the centre point: Seville Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral that was formerly a mosque, and the Reales Alcázares, the royal palace. Around them cluster palaces, museums and a historic bullring, almost all within a mile and a half. For British travellers the practical appeal is plain: Seville Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly seven minutes' drive away. Come in spring, when April and May bring warm days before the fierce summer heat arrives.
Why go
- Seville Cathedral, a former mosque, and the royal Reales Alcázares stand barely a mile from the centre.
- Seville Airport has direct UK flights and sits only 5 miles, about seven minutes, from the city.
- April and May bring highs of 23°C to 29°C, ideal for walking between palaces and museums.
Top sights in Sevilla
Cathedral, Palaces and City Museums
Start with the two names that define the city. Seville Cathedral, a Catholic cathedral that was formerly a mosque, lies about 1.1 miles from the centre point, and the Reales Alcázares, the royal palace, is roughly a mile away. Next in standing is the Plaza de toros de la Maestranza, the historic bullring, at around 1.4 miles, followed by the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla, housed in a former monastery about 1.6 miles out.
Palaces are a theme here. The Palacio de San Telmo (1.1 miles), Casa de Pilatos, now a museum (0.9 miles), the 15th-century Palacio de las Dueñas (1.2 miles), the Archbishop's Palace (1.1 miles) and the house-museum of the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija (1.3 miles) can be linked on foot. Families and history lovers will also find the Archeological Museum of Seville (1.1 miles), the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Saint Isabel of Hungary (1.1 miles) and Casa de Murillo (0.9 miles), plus the Isabel II Bridge and the Basílica de la Macarena, both about 1.6 miles away.
Tours and entry tickets for many of these sights can be booked directly from this page.
1cathedralSeville Cathedral
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Catholic Cathedral in Seville (Formerly a Mosque), Spain
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3amphitheatre
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6monastery
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Tours & tickets in Sevilla
See which tours and tickets are available near Sevilla.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Sevilla
Staying Close to the Historic Core
Sevilla is inland, so there is no beachfront to weigh up; the real choice is how close you want to be to the monuments. Nearly every major sight, from the cathedral and the Reales Alcázares to Casa de Pilatos and Casa de Murillo, sits within about a mile and a half of the centre, so a base in or near the historic core means you can walk almost everywhere.
This is a large city of nearly 687,000 people, so expect a lively feel around the landmarks; travellers after quieter evenings may prefer streets slightly further out and walk in. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Best time to visit Sevilla
Spring Is the Sweet Spot
- 16°CJan39 mm
- 19°CFeb31 mm
- 21°CMar80 mm
- 23°CApr52 mm
- 29°CMay28 mm
- 33°CJun10 mm
- 37°CJul1 mm
- 37°CAug3 mm
- 32°CSept24 mm
- 27°COct87 mm
- 20°CNov59 mm
- 17°CDec60 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April and May are the most pleasant months. April averages highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C, while May warms to 29°C with only around four rainy days, comfortable for long days on foot between palaces.
July and August are the hottest months, with average highs of 37°C, overnight lows of 22°C and virtually no rain; June and September are not far behind at 32°C to 33°C. October is the wettest month at 87mm, and March has the most rainy days, around ten. Winter is mild, with January highs of 16°C. Being inland, Sevilla has no sea temperature to consider.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 6°C | 39 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 19°C | 8°C | 31 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 10°C | 80 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 12°C | 52 mm | 11 h |
| May | 29°C | 16°C | 28 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 33°C | 19°C | 10 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 37°C | 22°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 37°C | 22°C | 3 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 32°C | 19°C | 24 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 27°C | 16°C | 87 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 11°C | 59 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 8°C | 60 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drives and Ferries
Seville Airport (SVQ) is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies just 5 miles from the city, around seven minutes by car. Jerez Airport (XRY) also has direct UK flights and sits about 44 miles away, roughly an hour's drive. Córdoba Airport (ODB), about 69 miles away and around 1 hour 40 minutes by road, has no direct flights from the UK.
Driving from Calais takes around 23 and a half hours of motoring, so most people split it over several days. For onward sea travel, Huelva (55 miles) and Cádiz (62 miles) run ferries to the Canary Islands, and Algeciras (91 miles) has crossings to Tangier Med and Ceuta.
By air
- Seville (SVQ)5 miles, about 7 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Jerez (XRY)44 miles, about 1 h 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Gibraltar (GIB)92 miles, about 2 h 10 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 33 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Huelva (55 miles), Cádiz (62 miles), Algeciras (91 miles).
Sevilla is good for
Around Sevilla
Easy Outings from the City
Camas, about 4 miles away, and Santiponce, about 5 miles, are right on the city's doorstep. Carmona, a town of around 28,600 people some 19 miles out, makes a good half-day trip.
Further afield, El Coronil lies about 28 miles away, while Almonte and Bollullos par del Condado are both around 31 miles away. Lebrija (32 miles) and Montellano (35 miles) round out the options for a day with car hire.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
Summer heat is the main thing to plan around: with July and August averaging 37°C and lows of 22°C, sightsee early and late, and save indoor museums like Casa de Murillo or the Archeological Museum for the afternoon.
Sevilla sits only 16 metres above sea level on flat ground, and most sights are within about a mile and a half of one another, so walking is easy on the legs. Pack a light layer for October and March, the wettest stretches of the year.
Questions people ask
Are there direct flights from the UK to Sevilla?
Yes. Seville Airport (SVQ) has direct flights from the United Kingdom and is only about 5 miles from the city, around seven minutes by car. Jerez Airport, roughly 44 miles away and an hour's drive, also has direct UK flights.
What is the best month to visit Sevilla?
April and May are the most pleasant. April brings average highs of 23°C and May around 29°C, with May seeing only about four rainy days. Both are far more comfortable for sightseeing than July and August, when highs average 37°C.
How hot does Sevilla get in summer?
Very hot. July and August both average highs of 37°C with overnight lows of 22°C and almost no rain. June and September are slightly milder at 32°C to 33°C, so plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
Is Sevilla good for a family holiday?
It suits families interested in history. The Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla, the Archeological Museum of Seville, Casa de Murillo and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts are all within about 1.6 miles of the centre, alongside the cathedral and Reales Alcázares.
Is Sevilla near the beach?
No, Sevilla is inland and not on the coast. The nearest ports, Huelva at about 55 miles and Cádiz at about 62 miles, are mainly ferry departure points for the Canary Islands, while Algeciras at about 91 miles serves Morocco.
Can you drive to Sevilla from the UK?
You can, but it is a long trip. The drive from Calais takes roughly 23 and a half hours, so most travellers spread it over several days. Flying into Seville Airport, just 5 miles from the city, is far quicker.