Best Things to do in Seville for Summer 2023

One of the best things about living in Seville is the beautiful, warm weather. However, in the summer months when the temperatures rise, the heat can be too much! Only after living in Seville for summer do you truly understand siesta culture!

One key bit of advice? Plan ahead. Having a few indoor exhibitions (oh the air conditioning!) and evening events in mind is a great way to make the most of your summer in Seville. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the best things to do in and around the Andalusian capital this summer. 

Take a night tour of the Real Alcàzar de Sevilla

Balmy summer nights in Seville have a magical quality to them. The perfect setting then for a night tour of the city’s most enchanting landmark – the Real Alcàzar de Sevilla. Throughout the summer, Sevillanos can enjoy a guided walkthrough of the palaces and gardens, with live theatre performances bringing history to the present and bringing the Alcàzar to life.

You’ll learn about the iconic characters who resided in the various palaces, as well as the wider history of the palace, its Islamic origins and its conversion during the Christian conquest. Night tours of the Real Alcàzar are in Spanish (so you’d better brush up on your Spanish skills) and take place every Thursday and Friday during the summer up to October 21st. Each tour has a maximum of 45 spots available, so you’ll need to pre book your tickets online.

Get creative at Mangafest

The biggest and best celebration of Asian culture in southern Spain, Mangafest is a fantasy festival like no other. This year, its 11th edition takes place on June 25th and 26th at the majestic Palace of Exhibitions and Congresses of Seville (FIBES), showcasing the finest cultural offerings from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Much more than a mere manga exhibition, Mangafest has an array of activities that include cosplay competitions, games tournaments, K-Pop performances, table games, virtual reality demonstrations and martial arts masterclasses. 

If you want a ticket for Mangafest Seville, you’d better get on it like a ninja. They tend to sell out pretty quickly.

Get blissed out at the Icónica Sevilla Fest

One of Spain’s newest music festivals, Icónica Sevilla Fest is already a firm favourite and one of Seville’s most anticipated events of the year. Featuring the best Spanish and International music acts, as well as a diverse range of cuisines from around the world, this year’s edition – taking place between June 15th and July 22nd – will be the biggest so far. 

Big names include Colombian electro-tropic troubadours Bomba Estéreo, and EDM pioneers Kraftwerk, but the true appeal of this music festival is the number of unknown gems that you’ll discover. With the magnificent, suitably iconic Plaza de España as its backdrop, Icónica festival will razzle and dazzle, day and night, with spectacular light shows and illuminated gardens and an allround vibrancy that’s perfect for Seville in the summertime.   

Enjoy the magic of the Nights in the Gardens of the Real Alcázar festival

Another reason to love the jewel in the Sevillan crown that is the Real Alcázar! The Nights in the Gardens of the Real Alcázar festival is a series of open air concerts that have taken place every summer since 2000, with performances from hugely talented local and international musicians. 

With 75 concerts over 75 nights, from mid-June until mid-September, the festival takes place in the lush palatial gardens and covers a range of genres, from classical and flamenco to baroque and jazz. Tickets are extremely reasonable, usually around €6, but sell out fast. So make sure you check the Real Alcázae website and snap them up when they go on sale. 

Take a trip to the countryside

Seville is a beautiful city with so much to see and do. However, for those with a sense of adventure and a love of the great outdoors, exploring the stunning beauty of the surrounding countryside is a must. 

To the south, there are a whole host of pueblos blancos – white towns – a few kilometres from the Andalusian capital. Quaint towns like Lebrija, Estepa and Osuna have so much to offer. However, to really escape, head north to the Sierra Morena and the Sierra Norte Natural Park. These are immense, idyllic natural landscapes of mountains, rolling hills, evergreen oaks, caves and waterfalls. Perfect for weekend retreats, whether hiking, biking, rock climbing or generally seeking adventure.

Find out more about living and teaching English in Sevilla.