Sevilla Overview

Sevilla (pop. 700,000) embodies the España of popular imagination. The Andalusian arts of flamenco, bullfighting, and tapas are at their best in this famously romantic city, an amalgam of disparate political, culinary, and cultural influences. Once the official port for all goods passing in and out of the Americas, Sevilla has been shaped by the wealthiest and most powerful families in Spanish history—a fact to which the imposing Alcázar and grand Cathedral of Santa Cruz attest. But, as the one-time capital of the Moorish empire, many of Sevilla’s most beloved buildings and traditions owe more to marginalized Gypsies, Jews, and North Africans than to any noblemen. The tourists who pack Sevilla’s narrow, tangled streets in search of this diverse and beguiling cultural legacy join vivacious locals and an enormous student population that together infuse the city with an energy that is hard to match. The student traveler’s experience here can be one of the best in Spain—with so many young people packed in during the academic year, the opportunities for things to do and see on a tight budget are almost overwhelming. For a taste of Sevilla fully unhinged, visit during its most prominent festivals—Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril are among the most lavish celebrations in Europe. No matter when you come, this exuberant and typically Andalusian city will deliver a colorful, multifaceted experience unlike any other to be had in Spain.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.