Seville On a Rainy Day: 12 Things To Do
Seville is a city that offers you access to so many lovely things to do and see that a rainy day doesn't have to be a disappointment. The weather in this part of the world is warm and sunny almost year-round, so rainy day activities will not be needed during your entire stay. You will find that a rainy day in Seville is just a good excuse to go and see the Seville Cathedral or to visit a tapas bar for a drink and a meal. The rainy season is also a great time to head to Seville if you want to avoid the heat of the summer months.
The first thing that you need to do when you visit Seville is to make sure that your bags are securely stored. You will have much more fun in this beautiful city if you are not dragging around your luggage from place to place. Put your bags into secure storage in Seville before you do anything else.
Once your bags are taken care of, you will be ready to head out to see Seville's Cathedral, enjoy fine arts museums, or check out an exciting and authentic flamenco show.
Rainy Day Things to do in Seville
Seville Cathedral
This Unesco world heritage site is a lovely option for your rainy day plans, and you will love that you can learn so much about the city here and also see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. This is a venue that will take you a couple of hours to see, and if you are visiting Seville during the winter, you are not likely to have to stand in line to get access to the Seville Cathedral. The city centre as a whole offers lots of indoor adventures like the Seville Cathedral, and you will be able to make a day of visiting central Seville when it rains. You will still have to do some walking from place to place, but you will be inside for most of the day if you check out all the older parts of the city.
This is a location that is absolutely packed with people during the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, so a visit to the Seville Cathedral on a rainy day can be a great way to see this absolutely stunning building without dealing with swarms of people.
Visit a Tapas Bar
If you love to sample the best authentic foods in the cities that you visit, the tapas bars in Seville are a great choice for your rainy day plans. You can head to one of these cozy little shops for an amazing brunch, a lunch, or even a dinner in most cases. Southern Spain is an amazing place to visit if you love food and wine, and you will be able to enjoy all kinds of delicious Spanish food options in this city. There are also sometimes authentic flamenco show opportunities within these bars, which is a very memorable thing to do during your stay in Seville.
You will typically not be able to make reservations at tapas bars in the city, so just make sure that you have a few in mind before you head out to eat. You might not be able to get a seat at your first choice, but there are other Spanish food options at other tapas bars close by in nearly every part of the city. You can also take a tapas tour so that you can sample the best of the Spanish food offerings in the city during your stay.
Maria Luisa Park
If you don't mind getting a bit damp, visiting Maria Luisa Park can be a great way to enjoy the primary greenbelt space in Seville. This is a park that stretches along the Guadalquivir River, and it is also the home of the Torre del Oro, the iconic military watchtower. You might get a little damp, but this area is open all day long, and you will have less competition for this lovely space if the weather is less-than-ideal. Make sure to take pictures from the top of the Torre del Oro so that you can capture the city in all its beauty from this height.
Catch An Authentic Flamenco Show
There are many places to see an authentic flamenco show during your time in Seville, and this can be a great option for your rainy day plans. Flamenco is moving and inspiring, as well as being a big part of Seville's culture. Check out the Tableo Flamenco Los Gallos for showtimes, or you might even be able to stand under an arch and watch some street performers in the Plaza de España if you have good timing. There are lots of different companies that provide this kind of show, and the ticket prices are usually quite reasonable.
Barrio Santa Cruz
This part of the city offers access to winding and colorful little streets where street food and art, and local wares are on sale. This was formerly the Jewish quarter of the city, and it is one of the oldest parts of town. You will get a little damp wandering from place to place in this part of Seville, but the walking distance between shops is short, and you can still have a lot of fun here when the weather is not at its best. Grab a cup of coffee and sit inside a cafe for a break from the rain before heading out to look for local art or to visit a local market in the area.
Visit El Rinconcillio
This is the oldest bar in the city, and this cozy little spot can make a great landing place for those who want to get out of the rain. This bar is by some of the older parts of the city as well, so you can make this your lunch plan for the day if you have been seeing the main sights in the city center. This is a popular local spot to have a drink and you can chat with local Seville residents about the city and the things that you have done and seen so far. A savvy traveler knows that the locals have the best suggestions for things to do, and you will not be let down by a visit to this spot.
Casa de Pilatos
This beautiful castle is still the residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli, and you can head here to see the Summer and Winter Palaces as well as the museum that is on-site. The Casa de Pilatos is a prime example of the beautiful architecture that this city has to offer, and there are few buildings as inspiring or as special to see in Seville. You can take a guided tour here or just wander the palace gardens and the areas that are open for visitors to enjoy. You should not miss out on this lovely spot, and a little rain is a great excuse to head to the palace for some sightseeing.
Acaurio de Sevilla
The Acuario de Sevilla is a big and fascinating aquarium that is the perfect rainy day activity for you and your friends and family. Kids, in particular, will love a visit to this spot, and you will get a break from the rain as well as some welcome air conditioning if things are humid. There are many different exhibits that are interactive that you can enjoy here as well as a wide array of animals and things to see. The aquarium doesn't open until 10 each morning, so this might be a great activity for a day when you sleep in a little and have a late breakfast.
Museo de Bellas Artes
Even the building that this art collection is housed in can be considered art. The location dates to the late 1500s and the collection that is housed here ranges from the Medieval period to the 20th century. This is a great place to visit if you love art and you want to see some pieces that you could never lay eyes on anywhere else. Seville has been a cultural hub for hundreds of years, and the art at the Museo de Bellas Artes makes it clear just how much history and culture is contained in this one city. Art lovers will not want to miss out on this activity that is a great way to deal with rainy days in Seville in a very enjoyable way.
Las Duenas Palace
While not as big and sprawling as the Casa de Pilatos, this lovely palace offers access to lots of history, and you can see a large collection of sculptures and art inside the palace. The beautiful Renaissance building is just as beautiful as a postcard and dates back to the 15th century. This is a great place to immerse yourself in history, and you will love everything about your visit to this special and intimate location. Consider this a mandatory activity if the weather is not ideal because you will be inside out of the rain for the entire time that you are touring this beautiful home and palace.
Mercado de Triana
Head to the historic Triana district for access to this giant market. The atmosphere of this traditional marketplace is intoxicating, and you can get everything from food to clothing at the stalls here. This is a very authentic experience to have on a rainy day in Seville, and you will be glad that you braved a little bit of wet weather to get to this location. Besides, this bustling market is one of the best shopping destinations in Seville. You won't stay entirely dry while you are visiting the Triana Market, but you won't mind a little wet to get to experience something so special in this lovely historic city.
Plan a Spa Day
If you just want to be warm and cozy without any worries about getting on and off of public transit or walking in the rain, you can reserve a spot at one of the many lovely spas in Seville. Get a massage or one of a variety of relaxing treatments that will make you feel pampered and will keep you from having to head out into the wet and chilly air. You can get wine and other drinks at most of the spas in the city as well, so you can make your spa visit into a whole experience. Consider visiting one of the spas that have access to a historical bath for a really special experience that you can't get anywhere else.
Conclusion
If you have noticed that it is supposed to rain during your trip to Seville, you might feel disappointed but never fear! There are so many things to do in this lovely city when the weather isn't perfect. From visits to museums and tasty tapas tour options and historical landmarks to see, there is always a great indoor option for your rainy day plans. Seville is one of the most charming places in all of Southern Spain, and you will find that a few rain clouds can't ruin your trip.
The rain never lasts long in Seville either, so you can use the rain clouds as an excuse to take the time to see historical sites like the Seville Cathedral, the Giralda Bell Tower, the Torre del Oro, and so much more. It's no penalty to deal with the rain when you have such wonderful options to choose from! And, if you start to feel down about the rain, just remember, it never lasts very long.