Essential Travel Tips for Seville, Spain
If you're planning a trip to Seville, Spain, here are some essential tips, whether you're visiting for a short getaway or an extended stay. This guide covers everything from language tips to restaurant recommendations and grocery shopping advice.
Hi everyone! I'm excited to share my experiences and insights from my time in Seville, part of a larger travel series that included a cruise to Spain, Italy, and France, along with time in Barcelona. After spending four weeks in Seville, I've gathered valuable information and tips that I wish I had known before my trip.
This guide is divided into two sections: tips for short trips (around a week) and advice for longer stays (3-4+ weeks).
Tips for Short Trips to Seville
Language
When traveling to Spain, learning key phrases is highly recommended. A helpful phrasebook and working with a tutor can significantly enhance your experience. While some people in Spain speak English, many do not. Knowing how to order food and drinks, ask for directions, request the bill, and engage in basic polite conversation is essential. In Seville, you'll also encounter shortened, casual versions of phrases:
- Por favor (please) = porfa
- Hasta luego (see you later) = a luego
- Buenos días (good morning) = buenas (also used instead of hola for hello at any time of day)
- Gracias (thank you) = gracia
You'll also frequently hear and use “Vale,” which can mean agreement, OK, do you understand?, are you ready?, I’m ready (Sí, vale), let’s go!, etc.
Footwear
Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking. Seville's cobblestone streets can be uneven, so avoid heels. Sneakers and sandals are excellent choices, and you can switch to dressier sandals or espadrilles for dinner. I usually wear Vejas when I'm in Europe.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is not as common in Seville, even in restaurants and shops. A cute fan can be a lifesaver and help you blend in. While the heat didn't bother me much, my kids struggled, so we bought a face mister and a neck fan.
Reservations
Book dining reservations and tickets in advance, especially for popular spots. Some of my favorite places include:
- Royal Alcazar
- Museo del Baile Flamenco
- Las Setas
- Plaza España
- Triana Market
- The Cathedral
- Flamenco shows at Las Setas, Casa de la Memoria, or La Cabonería
Restaurant Tips
- Specify if you want agua con gas (sparkling water) or agua natural (still water).
- Coffee shops might ask if it’s para aquí (to eat there) or para llevar (to go). Some restaurants don't offer takeout or charge extra for takeout supplies.
- To-go boxes are not as common, so you'll need to ask and might pay a small fee (0.50-1 euro).
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated for excellent service (around a euro or two).
- Order tinto de verano instead of sangria; it's less sweet and very refreshing. Albariño wine is also highly recommended.
- Paella is more commonly eaten for lunch rather than dinner.
Top Restaurants in Seville
- Mokambo for brunch
- Alfalfa 8 for cocktails and dinner
- Petra for cocktails and dinner
- El Rinconcillo for lunch or dinner
- Maria Trifulca for a romantic dinner
- Cañabota (Michelin-starred restaurant)
- Chok gluten-free bakery
- Almazen for breakfast
Tips for Longer Trips to Seville
Spending four weeks in Seville allowed us to experience what it's like to live there, with more downtime, grocery shopping, cooking in our Airbnb, and a less rushed pace.
Grocery Shopping Tips
We shopped for groceries most days to buy fresh produce and snacks for the kids. When traveling for extended periods, we try to limit restaurant meals to once a day (plus a snack or ice cream) to save money and eat healthier. Vegetables can be scarce in restaurants, so I made an effort to snack on them and cook them at our Airbnb for extra nutrients and fiber.
Produce Shopping
You must wear gloves to handle produce and place it in a produce bag. Weigh the bag at a nearby scale, select the item on the screen, and print a barcode sticker to attach to the bag.
Bags
Bring your own reusable bags, as you have to pay for them at the store. Toting a couple of bags for beach, pool, and grocery runs is helpful.
Grocery Staples
Some of our staples included:
- Fruits
- Vegetables and hummus or guacamole for dipping
- Gluten-free picos and Nutella
- Refrigerated prepared Spanish tortilla
- Yogurts
- Eggs
- Chips and bars
- Peanut butter on toast with berries or banana
I also brought Daily Nutritional Support and Truvani from home to make protein pudding with berries, bars, or peanut butter.
Laundry
Doing laundry while traveling can reduce the amount you need to pack. I bring laundry pods from home. Dryers are less common in Spain; clothes are typically line-dried outside, which I love because they dry quickly and feel fresh. However, towels can become a bit crunchy. Our Airbnb had a washing machine and a drying rack, which I often took to the rooftop to dry clothes. When the rooftop was locked, I dried them in the living room.
Airbnb
For longer stays, I highly recommend finding an Airbnb with air conditioning (especially in the summer) and a patio.