Forget Barcelona with its anti-tourist sentiment, Madrid with the overpriced restaurants, and Bilbao’s overcast October weather: if you’re headed to Spain this season, and you’re craving a laid-back city break that won’t bleed your wallet dry, Seville’s the spot you should be hitting.
The capital of Andalusia, a sunlit region that boasts summer-like temperatures long after summer’s gone, is one of Spain’s most vibrant cultural hubs, with an unrivaled gastronomy and the beautiful architecture to go with it.
It’s no wonder The Independent has ranked it one of its ‘best autumn sun’ destinations, and if we’re being honest, we’re inclined to agree with them:
Beautiful Buildings Everywhere You Look
One of the most culturally-charged destinations in Spain, Seville is located in the Andalusian hinterland, away from the tourist-packed coast, and instead of the usual beach bars and all-inclusive budget hotels, visitors come here primarily for the architectural wealth:
Casco Antiguo, or Old Town, hosts one of Europe’s most monumental cathedrals, famous for its adjacent Giralda, a former minaret, now converted into a bell tower, built by Seville’s former Muslim rulers in the High Middle Ages.
Yep, in case you weren’t aware, Seville (and much of Southern Spain) remained under Arab control for much of the medieval period.
A short walk from the cathedral, the Real Alcázar is yet another impressive Arab-constructed fortress, and an imperial complex with several interconnected palaces, lush gardens, and arcaded courtyards, and let’s not forget Plaza de España:
On the edge of the historic center, this half-moon-shaped public square, bordered by a semicircular canal and a central building that combines elements of the Renaissance and the Muslim eras, is considered Spain’s most beautiful.
Vibrant Districts & Delicious Food
You haven’t truly been to Seville until you’ve done a deep dive into its lively social scene. We’re talking winding streets lined with tapas bars, leafy plazas where locals gather to chat away and people-watch, and cozy eateries where you can have some salmorejo on a hot autumnal day.
From Barrio Santa Cruz’s narrow alleys, to Triana’s ceramic shops and flamenco tablaos, where the iconic gitano dance is performed, to Macarena’s hippy atmosphere and lively markets, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
If you’re looking to sample Seville’s Moorish-influenced cuisine, there’s nowhere better than Bodega Santa Cruz Las Columnas. They serve the absolute best tapas in town (just try their spinach with chickpeas and fried cod), and their tinto de verano is silky-smooth.
We know summer’s gone and tinto de verano‘s mostly a summer drink, but hey, it seems Seville hasn’t really got the memo:
Summer Isn’t Over Just… Yet
Believe it or not, this sun-drenched city that sees very few rainy days a year is still experiencing summer-esque highs of 86°F during the day, and lows of 61°F in the evenings. It’s no wonder Andalusia (the wider region) is considered Europe’s hottest destination regardless of season.
This ties directly into our next point:
Fall is the perfect time to visit Seville, especially if you’re still mourning the end of the sunny months. As we pointed out just now, you’d have a hard time convincing yourself it’s not the middle of July as you down a few pints alfresco in a sun-drenched patio in the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz.
In fact, visiting Andalusia in the fall is preferred over summer. If it’s still pushing 86 degrees and higher right now, you can probably guess how unbelievably hot it gets in July and August.
On top of that, there are far fewer tourists out now that the high season’s finished. It’s not like Seville turns into a ghost town—far from that, after all, it’s still one of Spain’s most sought-after spots—but it definitely feels calmer and peaceful to stroll.
Last but not least, hotel prices typically see a noticeable decrease over the fall: a fully-equipped private apartment in the centrally-located Triana will set you back by $165-a-night (for 2 adults) this November.
To sum it up, Seville is all the rage right now, but if you’re heading to Spain this season, make sure you also don’t miss out on this secret, medieval gem that, unlike an unfriendly Barcelona, actually wants more Americans to visit.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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