An expert guide to the perfect weekend in Seville this summer
Known for its steamy-hot summers, mild winters and sultry operatic gypsy heroine Carmen, Seville is a bijou city whose fabulous food, extraordinary Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and exotic flamenco rhythms never fail to charm and seduce. History oozes through its pores, with ancient Moorish walls, Roman ruins and Baroque churches at every turn.
Follow the locals to hole-in-the-wall bars, sip cañas (small glasses) of beer, and then get lost wandering the tiny streets of Barrio Santa Cruz, dotted with orange-tree-filled plazas, before resting in a quiet, shady corner on a tiled bench. For a more authentic experience, head to boho Macarena or tile-and-gypsy quarter Triana. Then, after dusk, head up the rooftops to admire the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and its Moorish-Christian tower from a terrace bar.
For further Seville inspiration, see our in-depth guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, bars, things to see and do, and things to see and do for free. If planning a longer trip, discover our ultimate itinerary in Andalusia here.
In this guide:
What's new in Seville this summer
Experience
Sacred art exhibition at Castillo de San Jorge
Admire artisan pieces from Seville's Semana Santa processions at the medieval Castillo de San Jorge, until late August – from lifelike wooden images and elaborate silver floats to carved candles and exquisitely embroidered velvet canopies. I also loved the Divina Pastora's (Holy Shepherdess) gold lace bonnet and the wax petal installation.
Stay
Casa del Limonero
A winning combination of magnificent 15th-century palace, tranquil garden and swimming pool, plus a stunning contemporary art collection. Casa del Limonero is Santa Cruz's intriguing new boutique hotel opening. Sit on a Jacobsen Egg chair, see captivating Malick Sidibé portraits and then float in a sea-green mosaic-tiled pool.
Eat
Augurio
A women-led team brings the finest catch and the warmest service to centrally located Augurio. As always, the delectably tender, juicy atún de almadraba (sustainably caught bluefin tuna) is best appreciated raw as tartare, paired with a rich Amontillado sherry.
How to spend your weekend
Day one: morning
Be swept back in time to King Pedro the Wise's Mudejar (Christian-Moorish) royal court at the 14th-century Alcazar Palace, with its exquisite ceramic tiles and heavenly gold ceilings. Explore the gardens, home to peacocks, pavilions and pools. Look familiar? You may have seen it as the Water Gardens of Dorne in Game of Thrones.
In summer, outdoor night-time concerts are held here, probably Seville's most magical venue, with the grutesco stone wall as a backdrop as moonlight streams through the palm trees. Note that tickets are collected from the office in the Patio de Banderas, not at the main entrance; entry is free on Monday afternoons. Find more of the city's best attractions here.
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