Sevilla is the capital of Andalucia. It’s dynamic all year round, especially in winter. Monuments and museums are open, tourist numbers are lower, and the city is marked by numerous celebrations. This seems an ideal solution, despite the climate, which is less conducive to lounging on the terrace.
Here are our tips for discovering the city in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
Plus information on how to spend Christmas and New Year’ s Eve on site.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Visiting Sevilla in winter: is it worth it?
Our review
Yes, absolutely! Sevilla is a city where tourist pressure is quite high, especially in spring. You’ll need to book your visit to the Alcazar and the Cathedral several months in advance. In winter, you’ll be a lot quieter, and you’ll be able to give way to a little more spontaneity when organizing your visits. For peace of mind, however, we advise you to book your visit to the Alcazar now.
Sevilla may be known for its springtime celebrations (Semana Santa, Feria de Abril…), but it’s a party town all year round! December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. You can watch a procession of the Virgin Mary through the streets of the city and a traditional dance (Dance of the Six) in the cathedral. In January, the We Love Flamenco fashion festival offers a chance to see the most beautiful traditional outfits, as well as flamenco performances in the Triana district. Finally, early to mid-March is carnival season. The one in Cadiz is particularly well known, but the one in Sevilla is also worth a visit!
Benefits
- fewer tourists,
- it’s easier to park and get around the city,
- temperatures are more bearable than in summer,
- hotels are less expensive,
- almost everything is open,
- there are events and celebrations even in winter!
WHERE TO STAY IN Seville
Option 1: In the historic center
Convenient for visiting everything on foot, we recommend:
Option 2: El Arenal
Between quiet streets and riverside ambience, we recommend it:
See our complete selection of the best hotels and neighborhoods in Sevilla
Disadvantages
- it’s colder and, above all, less sunny,
- the beauty of facades and monuments is less visible under grey skies,
- some events (Feria de Abril, Semana Santa) only take place in April,
- you’ll find it harder to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the terraces of bars and restaurants.
Weather, temperatures and conditions
The weather in Sevilla is mild, even in winter. Temperatures range from 6° to 8° in the morning to 15° to 18° in the afternoon. So it’s a pretty pleasant climate. If the weather’s fine, you won’t suffer from the very high UV indexes found in spring (between 8 and 9). If, on the other hand, the sky is grey, don’t worry, it rarely rains in Sevilla! (4 to 8 days of rain maximum per month in winter).
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
Things to do in Sevilla in winter
In Sevilla, you can do all the things you’d do in any other season!
- Visit the Alcazar,
- Explore the Notre-Dame du Siège cathedral,
- Explore the city’s best museums,
- Admire the Plaza de España,
- Discover Sevilla’s magnificent Baroque churches,
- Attend a flamenco show,
- Marvel at its palaces,
- Take a day trip to other places of interest in Andalucia.
Find more ideas in our article on the best things to do in Sevilla!
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO andalucia
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What you can’t do in Sevilla in winter:
- Relax under the sun on the terrace,
- Enjoy uninterrupted views from the Torre del Oro, the panoramic tower of the Pabellón de la Navigación, or the Torre de Sevilla,
- Attend Holy Week and the Feria de Abril.
How do I get to Sevilla?
You can get to Sevilla by train, which is well connected to Spain’s other major cities, including Madrid (2h40) and Barcelona (5h20). You can book your tickets on the Renfe website here. If you’re travelling from France, trains now run between Barcelona and Paris, and Madrid and Lyon. Visit the SNCF website to find out more. To get to Sevilla Santa-Justa station from Sevilla city center, we recommend you take a cab.
Sevilla airport is served by major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam and Vienna.
Sevilla is easily accessible by car, with major highways such as the A-4 and E803.
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Christmas in Sevilla
Sevilla is festive at Christmas! As well as splendid illuminations, Andalucia’s capital offers a wide range of activities. First of all, a Christmas light switch-on ceremony takes place at the end of November. Nearly 300 streets and businesses are lit up for the occasion. A nativity scene fair, a creative crafts fair and Christmas markets are also held in November and December. A special itinerary is proposed each year to discover the most beautiful nativity scenes on display in the city. Enjoy a concert of Christmas carols in the Teatro de la Maestranza or a Christmas mass in the cathedral. Finally, the Muelle de las Delicias park is home to the Sevilla On Ice theme park, with its many attractions (ice rink, Christmas fair, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, toboggan…).
New Year’s Eve in Sevilla
As in the rest of Spain, New Year’s Day in Sevilla is marked by the tradition of eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight (1 grape for each sound of the bell). In general, locals get together as a family or in their town’s main square (the Plaza Nueva in Sevilla), to perform this tradition. You can also opt for flamenco dinners and shows, which are held all over the city. Between January 4 and 6, several parades are scheduled to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men in different parts of Sevilla. Sevilla is a lively city all year round!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
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