Seville in Spain is one of the hottest cities in Europe come summer, but in February its temperatures are far more bearable.
Seville in Spain is less than a three-hour flight from the UK, but its climate offers an entirely new experience depending on when you visit. In the height of summer, Seville in recent years has been known to top 40C heat, with the city creating a name for itself as one of Europe’s furnaces. Despite the southern holiday-hotspot sizzling in the sun, travellers should consider a visit in February for two main reasons.
The first is that the mercury sits at a cool 18C, a far more tolerable heat for many looking to explore. Secondly, as it’s technically out-of-season, tourists may avoid the crowds regularly seen from around April and May onwards. The milder weather, and emptier streets will not only create a better experience, but visitors will be able to admire all the spectacular architecture without the hustle and bustle, and in more comfort.
Seville’s city guide recommends a visit to the Alcazar of Seville, which is the city’s royal palace. It is the most famous attraction as it’s still used by the Spanish King today. As there’s a limited number of visitors per hour, people are urged to pre-book their tickets to avoid disappointment. Next on the list is Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, one of the world’s largest cathedrals. Simply looking at this grand building is enough to wow anyone, but tourists are allowed to go inside. There’s also the option to climb the Giralda tower for panoramic views of the city.
For those wanting to get a real feel of modern life in Seville, a simple walk through the narrow streets in Santa Cruz, the historic city centre, is worthwhile. This is the middle point between both the palace and the cathedral, but it’s also the central hub where shops and restaurants welcome in customers. Even in February, when the mercury sits at around 18C, it is still considered warm enough to dine outside.
In low-season, grabbing a table for a spot of tapas shouldn’t be as hard to do, giving tourists the run of the authentic restaurants to try and their leisure. This central location, come summer, is said to be bursting at the seams with crowds of people, which could make the experience less enjoyable.
On TripAdvisor, travellers who have been to Seville in February urged people to pack accordingly. They say the nights can quickly become “nippy” and while rain is not out of the question, there’s a good chance of a dry visit. Sun-seekers wanting a slightly hotter climate don’t have long to wait, as Seville quickly hots up between April and May to the mid-20Cs, with the usual sweltering peak between July and August.
Flights to Seville range from £54 each way, with some early-bird discounts available from January sales. No-frills airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet operate routes from the UK to Seville directly. People can generally fly to Seville from Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester Airport to name a few.
