Seville
Spain · Country profile
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and the great city of the southern Spanish soul, the home of the flamenco, the orange trees, the magnificent cathedral and the largest Gothic building in Europe that rises above one of the most beautiful historic cities in the world. The Alcazar of the city, with its Moorish courts and its gardens, the immense cathedral with the tower of the Giralda, the river and the historic districts of the Santa Cruz and the Triana give the city its legendary charm. Seville is a city of the festivals, the processions of the Semana Santa and the joyful ferias of the spring, and of a burning summer heat that shapes the whole rhythm of life. Romantic, intense and unmistakable, Seville is the essential city of the Spanish south.
About Seville
Seville is a city in Spain. The city's documented population is around 700,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +34. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Seville Airport.
The Cathedral, the Giralda and the Alcazar of the City
Seville is the great cultural capital of the Spanish south, a city built around the river, the cathedral, the Alcazar and the narrow lanes of its historic quarters. The art and the architecture of the city are staggering, and its rhythm, the tapas bars, the orange trees and the long, languid afternoons, is one of the great pleasures of Europe. The flamenco, the festivals and the everyday street life of the city carry the Andalusian passion. It is a compact, walkable, spectacular city that can be seen in a few full days, and the wider region of the south, the mountains, the white towns and the coast, spreads easily from it.
The Spring Festivals, the Tickets and the Heat of the Summer
The heat of the summer is the great constraint, with the months of July and August almost punishingly hot and the spring and the autumn the true seasons of the city; the spring brings the famous festivals, the Semana Santa and the feria. The cathedral, the Alcazar and the great museums of the city need the advance booking of the tickets, and the walk of the historic districts is made for the mornings and the evenings. The euro is the currency, the cards are universal and the Spanish is the language. The tapas of the city, among the best in Spain, run the evening life, and the city is safe and walkable. Bring the hat, the water and the comfortable shoes.
The Santa Cruz, the Triana and the Flamenco of the Evenings
The cathedral of the city, the largest Gothic building in Europe, with the tower of the Giralda converted from the old minaret, is the essential sight, and the climb of the tower gives the classic panorama over the whole city. The Alcazar, the royal palace of the Moorish courtyards and the gardens behind the cathedral, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country. The historic districts of the Santa Cruz and the Triana, with their lanes, their plazas and their ceramic workshops, hold the charm, and the river with its bridge and the old quarter of the port complete the picture. The tapas culture of the city runs from the bars of the centre to the markets of the river and the evening flamenco fills the venues of the old town.
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- Country
- Spain
- Population
- 700,000
- Coordinates
- 37.4180, -5.8931
- Capital
- Madrid
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +34
- Country code
- ES
Entry requirements for Spain
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Spain for tourism.
Getting to Seville
Airports we list for Seville:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Spain
Other cities we cover in Spain:
Frequently asked questions
Is Seville the capital of Spain?
No — the capital of Spain is Madrid.
What currency do I need in Seville?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Spain include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Spain?
The international dialling code for Spain is +34.
Which airport should I fly into for Seville?
Seville Airport (SVQ) is the airport we list for Seville.
How far is Seville from the nearest airport?
Seville is about 396 km from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Spain?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Spain visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Seville? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.