Last updated on March 16, 2020
Seville is bursting with great tapas bars, culture and historic sites, and if you’re savvy about your spending, you can do it all on a tiny budget.
If you’re planning to visit Seville in the near future, here are some serious money-saving tips to help you make the most of this glorious riverside metropolis.
When’s the Best/Cheapest Time to Visit Seville
Seville is best enjoyed in the springtime when the weather is just about perfect and the prices are cheaper.
If you wait until summer, you’ll get blistering hot Spanish sunshine that can, at times, be quite oppressive.
With warm weather also comes crowds: Seville is packed with tourists in summertime, often displacing the locals, who’ll take the opportunity to visit the smaller seaside resorts nearby – such as the serene little beach town of Chipiona.
Of course, this influx of tourists pushes up accommodation prices, so you’ll end up spending more during the summer months than in, say, March.
What are the Best/Cheapest Things to Do in Seville
While in Seville, you should definitely visit the many historic buildings and parks, many of which can be explored for free (or for a small fee).
Visit the Seville’s Ginormous Cathedral and Giralda Bell Tower
At the very top of the list is the enormous cathedral, which, by volume, is the largest anywhere in the world.
There’s also evidence of the mosque that once stood in the vicinity, most notably in the form of the Giralda: a gigantic bell tower which once formed the minaret. Inside you’ll find a series of upward ramps rather than a staircase.
This allowed the Muezzin who led the call to prayer to reach the top on horseback rather than by foot.
Take the walk up and you’ll sympathise with this effort-saving measure!
Explore Plaza de España and the Surrounding Maria Luisa Park
Away from the cathedral, and completely free to enter, you’ll find the iconic Plaza de España, which was built just over ninety years ago in the verdant Maria Luisa Park.
The buildings here still serve an administrative function for the city, but they’re noteworthy mostly for the stunning architecture.
The park itself, by the way, is more than worth a visit in its own right – and completely also completely free to enter!
Nibble Your Way Around the Historic (and Cheap) Tapas Bars of Triana
If you’re looking for an authentic slice of Sevillano culture, you should definitely make time to cross the river and explore the Triana neighbourhood, on the banks of the Guadalquivir.
This is said to be where flamenco originated, while the area is also home to many of Seville’s best tapas bars and restaurants – where you can eat and drink from as little as €2.
Where to Stay in Seville on a Budget
Located within strolling distance of the city centre, the boutique For You Hostel Seville and Black Swan Hostel both offer outstanding comfort and value for money.
The Alminar Hotel is a great value 3-star option and and provides excellent views of the nearby Giralda bell-tower.
Take a trip to the Jewish quarter, on the other hand, and you’ll find the great Itaca Sevilla 3-star hotel, which is just a ten minute walk from the cathedral
And the family-run Hotel Alcántara is a fantastic budget hotel located in the historic Santa Cruz barrio.
Make it Happen
Get there: I use and recommend the Omio portal to find and book the quickest and cheapest flights, trains and buses to and around Europe (and beyond).
Get around: I use and recommend using the Discover Cars portal to find the best deals on car rental.
Sleep there: I use and recommend Booking.com and Airbnb to book the best hotels and apartments when travelling – often with free cancelations.
Find local tours and experience: I use and recommend using the GetYourGuide app to quickly, cheaply and securely book travel tours and experiences wherever you are. From food tours and theatre tickets to skip-the-line entry to famous museums and landmarks, you can book it all with a few swipes of your phone.
Store your luggage: Wherever you’re travelling, free yourself up by storing your luggage with Eelway. Drop off your bags at their partner network shops and hotels, where your luggage is securely stored and insured. There’s no minimum or maximum storage time and most of their luggage storage drop-off points are open 24/7.