Seville Budget Guide: What to Expect and How to Save Money
Welcome to Seville: the Andalucian capital known for its flamenco dancers, architecture, and food. It’s a passionate, sun-soaked city, with green parks bursting with fresh-scented orange trees and beautiful Moorish buildings aplenty. It’s fast becoming one of Spain’s most popular city breaks, and that comes with a price. Seville might not be as expensive as Barcelona or Madrid, but it is pricier than other cities in southern Spain. However, if you plan accordingly, and have a few money-saving tips up your sleeve, you can visit Seville on a budget.
A Breakdown of Average Travel Costs in Seville
How Much Do Things Cost in Seville
Expense | Cost |
---|---|
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | €40 |
Taxi | From €2.40 |
Metro | €1.35 for a one-way ticket |
Cup of Coffee | €1.60 - €3 |
Bottle of water | €1.10 |
Local beer | €2.50 |
Imported beer | €3.50 |
Local Wine | €5 |
Accommodation |
|
Attractions |
|
Where to Stay in Seville on a Budget
Self-catering apartments: Save money when staying in a self-catering apartment. They are often cheaper than hotels, and you can cook some meals at home. Apartmentos Sevilla Este by Qhotels offers high-spec apartments in a central location, while Apartmentos Metropolis Sevilla has a terrace for breakfasts in the sun. For those with slightly larger budgets, Oak & Sandstone Apartments are comfortable, sleek, and equipped with everything you could need.
Pensions: Pensions are affordable accommodations in various European countries, including Spain, Greece, and Portugal. They’re similar to guesthouses or B&Bs – although, they don’t always offer breakfast. They’re typically basic but cosy, and usually in a central location. Pensions are a great option for travellers on a budget who simply want somewhere to rest after a day of exploring. Some of the best budget-friendly pensions in Seville are Pension Perez Montilla and Pension Nuevo Suizo.
Hostels: Seville has a great selection of hostels, with a mix of dorm rooms and private rooms. Room 007 Salvador Hostel is a great choice – it has clean, comfortable rooms and is a ten-minute walk from Seville Cathedral. The Spot Central Hostel has a great mix of dorms and private rooms, as well as a sunny terrace.
The Best Options for Finding Affordable Accommodation in Seville
Seville’s historical centre is the most expensive place to stay. Barrio Santa Cruz is the heart of Seville, and while it is beautiful, it can be pricey. The best option for budget travellers is to stay in Seville’s outer neighbourhood.
Triana: This colourful neighbourhood is the birthplace of flamenco, alive with buzzing tapas bars and late-night spots. You’ll find lots of self-catering apartments in Triana.
Macarena: Once one of the city's poorest neighbourhoods, now an up-and-coming area with lots to see and do. There’s a good mix of pensions and hotels here.
The Pros and Cons of Staying in Seville and How to Find a Good Deal
Seville is one of Europe’s best city breaks, but the city isn’t without its cons. Here are the pros and cons of staying in Santorini:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
It’s incredibly beautiful. Walking around and soaking up the architecture is completely free. | It is extremely hot in summer. There is no coastal breeze. |
It’s well connected to other parts of Spain. Seville also has an airport. | Unless you have a hotel with a swimming pool, there are few public swimming pools to cool off. |
Good range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to upscale hotels. | The ancient streets were not designed for cars. It can be difficult to drive in Seville. |
The city is very walkable. | Prices can be high during peak season (March to May). |
While there are some cons to visiting Seville, the pros far outweigh them. Most of the downsides to Seville are down to the extreme weather. Seville is far from the coast, so the heat during the summer months can be overwhelming. However, many of Seville’s attractions are indoors, there are shady parks to take solace in, and there is excellent air conditioning infrastructure.
Accommodation is the biggest expenditure in Seville. Here are some tips to help you find a good deal:
- Book at least 3 - 6 months in advance for the best deal.
- April is Seville’s busiest month for festivals and events.
- Forgo a pool for a cheaper stay. Although it can be incredibly hot in summer, hotels with pools are considerably more expensive than those without.
- Stay on the outskirts of the historic centre.
- The cheapest months to visit Seville are December and January. November and February are great shoulder months, with appealing low rates and sunnier skies.
How to Get Around Seville Easily and Cheaply
Seville is a walkable city with beautiful streets, so you’ll want to explore its seductive boulevards and narrow alleyways on foot. However, there is public transport if you need it. There is just one metro line, which makes it very easy to navigate. It doesn’t pass through the historic centre, but it helps you get from one side of the city to the other quickly. The line is divided into three zones and the total price will depend on how many zones you pass through. A single ticket is €1.35.
Seville also has a tram system. It’s a small network with just five stops, mainly catering towards tourists. It can take you from the Royal Alcazar to Seville Cathedral in just a few minutes. However, if you can, we recommend sticking to walking this route as you will pass through some of the most atmospheric parts of the city.
Cycling is a popular mode of transport in Seville. There are some 180km of bicycle lanes in the city. Sevici is the city’s bike-sharing system and while prices vary, the first 30 minutes are free.
Fancy an Andalucian road trip? Seville does have a significant bus network, but there’s nothing like the freedom of taking to the open road. Explore traditional villages and secret beaches when you hire a car. You can pick up your hire car from various points in the city, including Seville Airport and Seville Santa Justa Train Station.
How to Eat Well in Seville Without Spending a Fortune
Avoid restaurants near main tourist attractions: Restaurants surrounding the main tourist attractions will rely on visitors being hungry and tired. The prices will typically be a lot higher.
Visit family-run tapas spots in Triana: This neighbourhood is filled with family-run restaurants serving delicious, traditional tapas at a fair price.
Eat in Macarena’s student-friendly restaurants: Macarena is full of students, and restaurants in this area cater to their budgets.
Cook at home: If you stay in a self-catering apartment, you can enjoy some meals at home. Groceries in Seville are affordable, fresh, and seasonal, resulting in cheap yet delicious and nourishing meals.
Our Top Picks for Free and Cheap Activities in Seville
Plaza del Cabildo: This small, little-known plaza is a quiet place to relax after the rush of Seville Cathedral. It’s charming and traditional, with a few small local restaurants and shops.
Cool off in parks: Marvel at bright orange trees while enjoying an ice cream in the shade while you escape the mid-day heat. Parque María Luisa is the most well-known: an enormous green space with fountains and shady footpaths.
Plaza de España: Visit this extravagant, vast plaza for completely free. The square is characterised by archways and ceramic tiles, and visitors can watch flamenco shows for free.
Top tip: Several monuments and attractions are free to visit on Mondays. The Alcazar Royal Palace, the Torre de Oro, Palacio de Las Dueñas (after 4pm), and the Plaza de Toros (3pm - 7pm) are all free on Mondays.
How to Enjoy the Nightlife and Culture in Seville on a Budget
From flamenco shows in Santa Cruz to bar-hopping in Triana, Seville has an eclectic nightlife scene. While you can watch free shows in Plaza de España and other places, there’s nothing quite like being in a low-lit bar with a cocktail in hand. The prices of flamenco shows range from €15 - €70, depending on if you’re getting a meal with the show. If that’s out of your budget, there are plenty of relaxed alfresco bars in narrow cobblestone streets to soak up the distinctive Sevillan atmosphere. Vermouth is the drink of choice amongst Sevillans – it’s usually around €1.50 per glass, so a great option for those on a budget.
More Expensive Cities
Tourist Board Info For Seville
Seville Hotels
Seville Airport Hotels
Seville Airport Parking
MOST VIEWED
SIMILAR ARTICLES