Seville

Best visited March-May, when the weather is mild and orange blossoms are in bloom - but note that Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the April Fair bring heavy crowds and high prices, so book early or avoid that window if you prefer calm. October-November is also excellent, with pleasant weather and fewer visitors. Avoid July-August entirely; temperatures regularly exceed 40-45°C, making daytime sightseeing genuinely difficult.

• Real Alcázar - a stunning Mudéjar palace with sprawling gardens, also a Game of Thrones filming location
• Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower - the world's largest Gothic cathedral; climb the tower via ramps, not stairs, making it family-friendly
• Plaza de España - a breathtaking semi-circular plaza with tiled alcoves for every Spanish province and a boatable canal
• Santa Cruz Quarter - the old Jewish quarter, with narrow whitewashed lanes, orange trees, and authentic Andalusian charm
• Triana neighborhood - across the river, with a genuine local feel away from the crowds, traditional ceramics workshops, and stunning cathedral sunset views from the bridge
• Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) - the world's largest wooden structure, with a rooftop walkway and a Roman ruins museum below
• An authentic flamenco tablao show, daytime or early evening - a not-to-miss cultural experience
• Day trip to the Roman ruins of Itálica - an ancient amphitheater 30 minutes away, and another Game of Thrones filming site

For families, Santa Cruz is ideal - close to the Cathedral and Alcázar with quiet, safe lanes in the evening - or Arenal across from the Cathedral as a calmer, less crowded alternative. For couples, Santa Cruz or the trendy Alameda de Hércules with its cafes. On a budget, Macarena or San Bernardo near the train station offer better value with easy tram access to the rest of the city.

Book Alcázar and Cathedral tickets online in advance with a timed slot to skip long queues, especially in busy seasons. Watch for a common scam near the Cathedral: women offering a "free" sprig of rosemary who then demand payment for a palm reading - decline politely and keep walking. In crowded narrow lanes like Santa Cruz and Plaza de España, keep bags zipped and in front - pickpocketing, not violent crime, is the real concern. In August many family-run restaurants and shops close for weeks for summer break, so check hours before heading out. Lunch typically starts 2-3pm and dinner rarely before 9pm; plan around the midday lull if the heat is intense. The April Fair is a wonderful cultural spectacle of flamenco dresses, horses, and carriages, but the evening casetas (tents) get alcohol-heavy - visit by day for the family atmosphere without the nighttime crowds.

2-3 days

Suggested plan:

1. Day 1: Morning visit to the Cathedral and Giralda Tower with pre-booked tickets, a lunch/siesta break, then the Real Alcázar and its gardens in the afternoon, ending with a relaxed evening stroll through Santa Cruz
2. Day 2: Cooler morning at Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa, then Metropol Parasol and the Roman ruins museum beneath it, followed by an evening crossing to Triana for ceramics shopping and a cathedral sunset view
3. Day 3: Half-day trip to the Roman ruins of Itálica in the morning, back into the city for an early-evening flamenco tablao, then a tapas dinner in Arenal or Alfalfa