Seville
Locals order churros with chocolate at 5am, orange trees line every street, and the Giralda tower’s bells ring out above flamenco bars late into the night.
Overview
Dinner here means waiting for the heat to die down, then wandering out with the crowds well after dark. Most days in July and August, Seville hits highs above 36 °C, and it’s not rare to see the thermometer pushing 40 °C. If you want to live on Spanish time, you adapt, lunch in the shade, evenings in buzzing plazas, and patience for whatever the weather throws at you.
You’re in a city of 686,741, making this not just Andalusia’s capital but the biggest city in the south and the fifth-largest in Spain. Most visitors land in the old town, crammed into just 4 km², which packs three heavyweights, the Alcázar, the Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies, all UNESCO protected, all within a ten-minute walk. Modern Seville sprawls well beyond that core, but it’s those tight streets and whitewashed alleys that most outsiders remember.
Seville’s metropolitan area tips past 1.5 million, but it’s the concentration of sites in the centre that shocks first-timers. The Cathedral itself is the world’s largest Gothic church by volume, and with the Giralda tower rising beside it (16th century), you get a mix of Islamic and Christian architecture unique to Spanish history. The Alcázar, just across the street, started as a 10th-century palace and grew layer by layer, Moorish, Mudejar, and Renaissance. The third leg, the Archive, is less visited, but it was here that Spain’s empire managed the “Indies” trade.
Peak summer is punishing, so nearly five million people visit each year, mostly in spring and autumn. The Barrio de Santa Cruz is swamped with tourists in May, but it still delivers, flower-filled patios, low arches, and just enough quiet corners if you sidestep the main drags.
Day-to-day, Seville feels flat, only 7 metres above sea level, and compact enough to cover on foot unless you’re crossing to outlying districts. The Metropol Parasol, finished in 2011, claims the world’s biggest wooden structure; it hovers over a central market and gives a solid rooftop sunset view.
The Metropol Parasol splits opinion, but if you’re in the mood to debate modern architecture, it’s worth €5 for a ticket to the walkways. Most stick to the winding old lanes, but the new arrivals shape the city too. Building up, not out, is the current answer to swelling population and rents.
Neighbourhoods
Barrio de Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz sits at the heart of Seville’s old town, this is the district with those whitewashed lanes, flower-decked patios, and the city’s headline monuments. If you want to be close to the Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies (all on the UNESCO list), base yourself here. The area gets jammed with tour groups most mornings, but evenings are calmer.
Santa Cruz isn’t large, most of its lanes are pedestrian only, and you’ll navigate a tangle of streets dating back to the medieval period. The neighbourhood once marked Seville’s historic Jewish quarter, and the architectural mix blends traces of Moorish, Christian, and later influences. If you’re looking for typical flower patios, Callejón del Agua offers plenty, just don’t expect to have them to yourself during peak hours.
Triana
West across the river, Triana is your bairro for old-school taverns and late-night flamenco. If you’re after tablaos or places where you might hear live cante jondo, this is the neighbourhood. The riverfront is popular for a pre-dinner stroll.
Triana has a separate feel from the city centre, it started as a working-class neighbourhood, tied to Seville’s ceramics and pottery trade. The tavern culture is very much alive; some places announce flamenco nights only by chalkboard. Avoid crossing the Puente de Triana by car if you can; the area around the old market is best on foot. You’ll hear more Sevillian dialect in bars here than in the tourist core.
El Arenal
Sandwiched between the Guadalquivir and Santa Cruz, El Arenal is known for the Royal Maestranza bullring. The streets behind the bullring mix old-guard bodegas and decent tapas spots, less crowd-choked than Santa Cruz but still central.
The Royal Maestranza itself can seat 14,000. During the April Fair, expect El Arenal to be noisy and busy until late. On non-fair days, it’s quieter and easy to navigate on foot.
Other areas: quick notes
Most visitors spend 90% of their time within these three districts. If you’re hunting for city views or something different, Metropol Parasol (the world’s largest wooden structure) sits a few streets north of Santa Cruz. The old tobacco factory (Universidad de Sevilla now) is just southeast of the centre, edging towards the Prado.
Seville’s old town itself is about 4 km², walkable, though midday heat and two million annual summer tourists may slow you down. The areas north and east of Santa Cruz get less foot traffic; expect a mixed residential vibe and more room to breathe, but not much in terms of headline sights.
See & do
UNESCO trio: Cathedral, Alcázar, Archivo
Seville’s three headliners sit within the compact old town: the Cathedral, the Alcázar, and the General Archive of the Indies have all earned UNESCO status. Start with the Cathedral, a gothic slab that’s also the burial spot of Christopher Columbus. The Giralda tower (16th century) is part of the complex and climbs by a series of ramps, not stairs. Tickets: €13 online, €14 at the box office, reduced rate €6/€7 for students and pensioners. Free entry slots open on most Sundays 16:30–18:00 (book ahead, strictly enforced). Official hours are Monday–Saturday 11:00–18:00 (last in 17:00), Sundays 14:30–19:00 (last in 18:00). You’ll need about 75 minutes to see the lot.
Climb the Giralda for city views. The ramp system was built so muezzins could ascend on horseback when it served as a mosque’s minaret. Columbus’ tomb is controversial, DNA studies suggest part of him really is here. Audio guides cost extra but help if you’re lost among the side chapels. The Cathedral’s size puts it in a league with St Peter’s and St Paul’s, but the real show is overhead: vaulted ceilings and altars dripping with gold.
The Alcázar offers a different vibe: patio gardens, carved woodwork, and a jumble of styles from the 10th through the Renaissance. Book entry times in advance, especially from April to June. The General Archive of the Indies is less photogenic but fascinating for history heads willing to comb Spanish-empire documents.
The Metropol Parasol (Las Setas)
Locals call it Las Setas, the Mushrooms. This 2011 structure claims bragging rights as the world’s largest wooden construction and covers a busy square in the city centre. Take the lift up to the walkway for a full panorama over Seville, about €5 for access, with a drink voucher sometimes folded into the ticket.
Underneath, you’ll find a produce market and a small archaeological museum. The design splits opinion: fans like the sweeping shade, critics say it looks like a landed UFO. Go at sunset for best light if you want photos. Weekend nights sometimes see pop-up events on the square.
Royal Tobacco Factory
Walk south to the Royal Tobacco Factory, built between 1728 and 1771 and at one point the world’s largest industrial building. It’s now the main building of the University of Seville, but you can still stroll through some courtyards. Fans of opera will clock this as the workplace of Bizet’s Carmen.
Royal Maestranza Bullring
For another brush with Seville’s past, head to the Royal Maestranza bullring. Its Baroque façade was finished in 1787 with the arena open to the public by 1881, and it now seats 14,000. Bullfights are seasonal, mainly April to June, plus some September dates, so many visitors just tour the museum and the sand circle. If you’re on the fence, go for the guided visit to get both the history and the politics.
Maestranza’s museum covers the evolution from medieval tournaments to the modern spectacle. Even outside fighting season, mornings are best for tours, groups thin in the heat and you get clearer photos. The area around the bullring fills with fans (and protesters) on fight days.
Flower-filled lanes, hidden patios
The old town’s mosaic of lanes is worth at least a few hours of aimless wandering. Yes, you’ll brush past Barrio de Santa Cruz, but every few blocks throws up a wrought-iron balcony, a tilework square, or a patio painted in geranium red.
See it from above
The city’s skyline is low and mostly uninterrupted, making lookout points unusually useful. The best are the Giralda (see above), the Metropol Parasol, and church towers scattered around the centre. None require a massive climb, in fact, the Giralda has ramps instead of steps.
Archive of the Indies
The General Archive of the Indies, right by the Cathedral, houses documents on Spain’s former American colonies, and is included in the city’s trio of UNESCO monuments. It’s not a showstopper for casual tourists, but if you read Spanish or love old maps, duck in, it’s mostly free and quiet.
Expect rotating exhibitions: lesser-known expeditions, first-hand accounts from the Age of Discovery, imperial decrees. There’s no need to pre-book and crowding is only an issue when school groups tumble through.
Watch flamenco, or be wary
Seville claims a leading role in flamenco. If you’re eager to see a show, plenty of venues are on offer, with quality varying wildly. Expect higher prices for well-reviewed performances, book ahead in high season. Avoid the over-loud dinner-and-dance combos if your interest is more musical than theatrical.
The old town’s scale
Seville’s old town covers roughly 4 km², one of Europe’s largest, all walkable if you’re happy to duck into the shade or linger indoors on hot afternoons.
Everything major sits within a 20-minute radius on foot. Cafés, bakeries, and air-conditioned shops give you cover every couple of blocks. Night walks are popular in summer when the daytime heat is relentless.
Food & drink
Seville runs on the tapa, not the sit-down meal. Even locals rarely eat a full main course out, plates are small, you’ll order three or four, hop between bars, and always eat standing or leaning against a barstool.
It’s not about binging; the point is to socialise and graze. Tapas typically run €2–4 per portion, so a generous night’s eating with drinks rarely tops €20–25 unless you’re deep into the wine list. The old-town lanes are loaded with bars, pick one that looks busy (standing-room only is a good sign), squeeze in, and order by pointing at what’s out front or by name.
Casa Morales regularly tops conversation; it’s one of those bars that’s been around so long nobody remembers when it started. You’ll find regulars crowding the marble counter for tortillas and cured meats. Antigua Taberna de las Escobas is another classic, run in roughly the same spot for centuries, keeping it far more traditional than most places that get the “historic” tag.
Big names fill up fast on weekends (and even Thursday nights). If they’re rammed, there’s no shame in ducking into somewhere less crowded for round two.
If you visit at Easter, look for ‘torrijas’, slices of bread soaked in milk, dipped in egg, fried, and doused with honey or cinnamon sugar. Expect limited supply; bars sell out daily.
Paella isn’t a Seville thing (that’s Valencia), but nobody will scold you if you order it for lunch. The tapas format here runs heavier on fried fish, cold gazpacho or salmorejo, and huge, salty olives. During the day, a cold fino sherry or a tiny caña (small draft lager) is the standard order. Wine lists lean towards local southern bottles, but you’ll find Rioja by the glass if you ask.
Escaping the centre, you’ll notice bars stay more local, food gets simpler, and the pace slackens. The process is the same: order a drink, pick two plates, move on in an hour, then repeat. Don’t let the old-school vibe fool you; nearly everyone takes card payment now.
Nightlife
Order a drink at the bar and you’ll likely spend the first three minutes shouting over the noise, Seville has a municipal population of 686,741 and, yes, it sometimes feels like half the city is out every night. Timing is everything. Things don’t get moving until midnight, especially on weekends. Most bars and clubs keep going until 3am or later, so don’t make plans for early breakfast.
If you want to catch locals at peak energy, wander out at midnight on a Friday. Thursday is the student night, with younger crowds; Fridays and Saturdays skew broader, from post-work drinkers to silver-haired regulars. Closing times are nominal, expect “one last round?” to turn into three.
Drinking isn’t tucked away in a few nightlife streets. Bars are everywhere, from holes-in-the-wall under blocky 1960s housing to terrazas within sight of the Cathedral’s bell tower. The old town’s cluster of bars stays packed even on weeknights. Don’t expect dramatic dress codes. T-shirts and trainers are fine in most bars, though clubs can be stricter, especially after 2am.
Some venues offer live music, but Seville’s most distinctive sound is conversation bouncing off tiled walls. You’ll notice a mix of ages, and it’s common to see teenagers, families and older couples out together, especially on streets around the city’s UNESCO-listed Cathedral and Alcázar.
For anything resembling a club (discoteca), you’ll need to head out later. Don’t bother showing up before 1am. Entry prices are usually €8–15 with a free drink, but the cover varies depending on the event or DJ.
There’s a local art to pacing, never aim for a “big night out” before dinner, and expect the pace to stay slow until at least midnight. On festival weekends or during long holiday spans, bars in the old town can get overwhelmed, so groups over four should expect a wait or consider booking ahead for larger venues.
Police presence late at night is steady, especially in busy parts of the old town, but the atmosphere is more boisterous than rowdy. You’re far more likely to lose track of time than your wallet.
When to go
Skip Seville in July and August unless you actually like the feeling of a hairdryer set to max on your face. It’s above 36 °C most days, but it doesn’t stop there: the city gets around 60 days per year when temperatures top 35 °C, and afternoons often see the mercury hit 40 °C. Air conditioning is not optional.
Nighttime offers little relief, the heat sticks around until well after midnight, and outdoor activity slows to a crawl. Locals switch life to the late evening and early night, with dinner and events kicking off after the sun drops. Most sights, from the Alcázar to the Cathedral, are open in the middle of the day, but walking between them can be brutal if you’re not prepared for the heat.
Aim for late March to early June, or mid-September through October. These are the months when Seville still gets sunshine but you can walk outside in the afternoon without regretting your choices. Even then, daytime highs often reach the upper 20s, so bring light clothes.
April is extra busy, Semana Santa (Holy Week) draws crowds from across Spain, with processions and street closures. Feria de Abril, Seville’s big spring fair, often lands two weeks after Easter and turns the city into a party for a full week. May keeps festive momentum with Las Cruces in the first week and the Festival de Patios (two weeks of open courtyard displays), but after that, heat ramps up fast.
Hotel and flight prices start climbing in March as festival season approaches. If you want processions and the city in full dress, it’s worth braving the crowds of Semana Santa. The Feria de Abril is famous for its tent-lined fairgrounds, daily parades, and locals showing off riding horses and traditional dresses. Both events can make city-centre traffic chaotic. Outside of these holidays, late March and May are still lively without everything shutting down for parades.
Autumn (mid-September to end of October) is arguably the best trade-off: crowds thin out, most outdoor bars and terraces are still open, and the high daytime temperatures drop back to a tolerable low 30s or even high 20s. Mornings and nights are comfortable for exploring the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
Seville’s winters (December-February) are mild, daytime means 15-18 °C on average, with evenings cooling toward 8 °C. Rain does show up more often than in summer, but most sights, cafés and tapas bars keep normal hours, and you’ll get the city to yourself.
Christmas lights and public décor go up in December, and January has sales shopping, but this isn’t a city where winter sport, mountain hikes or beach escapes are on the agenda. Museums, churches, and even the Metropol Parasol all stay open; streets are quieter and you’ll generally find better hotel deals.
Getting there
By air: Seville Airport (SVQ)
Most international arrivals land at Aeropuerto de Sevilla (SVQ), about 10 km northeast of the centre. As of 2024, Seville Airport handled a record 9.175 million passengers, and more than half of that traffic was international.
The airport’s growth means a full range of direct flights from most European capitals year-round, with Iberia, Ryanair, and Vueling making up the bulk of carriers. Holiday periods see additional seasonal routes. The airport is compact by big-city standards, arrivals and departures rarely feel overwhelming, but queues for taxis or the Airport Express bus can spike when several flights land at once.
There’s no direct rail link, but the Seville Airport Express bus (Línea EA) connects arrivals with Plaza de Armas in the centre, making stops at the Santa Justa train station along the way. A taxi into the old town runs a fixed €24.98 on weekdays, €27.93 at night or weekends (2024 rates), including luggage.
| Mode | Route | Time | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Bus | SVQ → Santa Justa/Centre | 35–40 min | €4.00 | 05:20–01:15 daily |
| Taxi | SVQ → City centre | 15–20 min | €24.98+ | Fixed airport fare |
By train: AVE and Alvia to Santa Justa
Seville’s Santa Justa is the main railway station, and one of the lynchpins of the southern high-speed rail network. The fastest AVE trains from Madrid pull in as little as 2 h 20 min, running at over 200 km/h most of the way. Book early and you’ll sometimes find Avlo seats for under €30, but last-minute departures, especially in holiday periods, can spike past €100.
| Route | Time | Price range | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid–Seville | 2h 20–2h 40 | €29 (Avlo) – €165 (AVE) | Renfe |
| Barcelona–Seville | 5h 30–6h | Usually €65–€150 | Renfe |
| Córdoba–Seville | 45 min | €12–€40 | Renfe |
The Seville–Madrid route covers 471 km, making it one of the original high-speed corridors in Spain. Santa Justa itself is easy to navigate, with direct airport bus connections. Services from Barcelona are less frequent, usually 3–4 per day, with journey time surpassing 5.5 hours. Córdoba is the closest big transfer point for switching to Granada or Málaga routes.
By bus
Long-distance buses roll into Plaza de Armas, north of the centre, with Socibus and ALSA covering main inland and coastal routes. For much of northern Spain and smaller Andalusian towns not served by AVE, bus will be your only public transport option.
Services from Madrid, for instance, take 6–7 hours (slower and less comfortable than the train) but can undercut rail fares if booked early. Socibus covers Madrid and Córdoba; ALSA extends reach to the Costa del Sol and most Andalusian outposts. If you’re headed for cross-border Portugal runs, Plaza de Armas is usually the departure point.
Overland from France and elsewhere in Spain
It’s possible to come by train using a Paris–Barcelona TGV, an overnight stop, then on to Seville. Allow at least 12–13 hours door-to-door if you’re not flying. An all-train route from London means Eurostar to Paris, TGV Duplex to Barcelona, AVE to Seville, with overnight or at least long layovers.
Few choose overland all the way from France unless they want to linger in Barcelona or stop at sights like Córdoba or Madrid. Changing stations in Paris eats time, so budget an overnight. If you’re already in Spain and want to skip flying, Santa Justa handles nearly all national rail arrivals.
Getting around
Arriving and leaving: train, bus, airport links
The main rail gateway is Sevilla Santa Justa, handling AVE high-speed trains from Madrid in 2 h 20–2 h 50 min, with prices from €29 (Avlo) up to €165 in AVE Preferential class. The fastest AVE covers 471 km between Seville and Madrid. Regional and intercity trains run from Santa Justa; most buses use Plaza de Armas station for both city and airport departures.
Seville train connections run frequently to Córdoba and on to Málaga or Granada, plus regional lines to Cádiz and Huelva. Busabout and other private coach lines connect Seville to Granada and other cities on multi-day routes (starting from €725 for eight days). Santa Justa is about 2 km northeast of the old town and connects to city buses and taxis. Plaza de Armas sits closer to the river and serves as the hub for both long-haul and local buses and the express airport line. Expect both stations to be busy during festivals and weekends.
The Seville Airport Express connects the airport with the heart of the city, running every 12–20 minutes most hours. It stops at Santa Justa train station and ends at Plaza de Armas. Tickets are sold on board.
The EA bus runs daily, with service from early morning until past midnight. The trip takes about 35 minutes depending on traffic. Buy your ticket directly from the driver; having small change speeds things up. The EA is the only direct public transport from the airport, there’s no metro. Both Santa Justa (train) and Plaza de Armas (bus) are covered, so this route works whether you arrive by air or by rail.
Local movement: walking, public transport
The old town is compact, about 4 km², with most big sights, the Alcázar, Cathedral, Archivo de Indias, easily walkable from each other. The narrow streets mean cars are more hassle than help in the centre. Taxi ranks hug Plaza Nueva and Santa Justa; Uber and Cabify run standard app service.
Seville’s flat elevation (around 7 m above sea level) makes even the longest walks in the centre easy, as long as the temperature cooperates. Expect summer daytime highs above 36 °C, so crowds shift to evening. Plaza Nueva works as a compass point for most visitors, anchoring the walk between Santa Cruz, El Arenal, and the riverside.
Taxi, ride-share and bikes
Taxis are regulated and metered in Seville. There’s a surcharge for airport rides, but nowhere in the urban core needs a cab unless you’re carrying heavy luggage or out late. Uber and Cabify are there if you want to avoid cash. For two wheels, Sevici is the city’s public bike-sharing system, with dozens of docking points across flat terrain.
Metro and other public transport
Seville’s Metro covers the river crossing, particularly handy if you’re staying beyond the historic centre, but for visitors, city buses are more useful. Major bus lines crisscross the city, with a focus at Prado de San Sebastián and Plaza de Armas.
A single bus or tram fare is cheap and ticket machines are found at main stops. Day passes are available at kiosks, but casual visitors mostly pay single fares. Night buses and a handful of late tram services run after midnight. If you’re staying outside the centre, check the Metro for river-hopping: it runs southwest through the city. Still, for the core, you’ll end up walking more than riding.
Where to stay
Accommodation types and price ranges
You’ll find everything from basic hostels to high-end international hotels. Budget beds start around €25 per night. Business-level hotels with air-con and private baths run €70–120, and boutique options usually start about €90. Expect to pay €150+ for five-star properties, especially near headline sights.
| Category | Budget (€) | Mid-range (€) | High-end (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per night, double | 25–50 | 70–120 | 150+ |
| Single room/hostel | 18–30 | , | , |
Hostels and pensiones cluster along lanes in the old centre and around transit nodes. For a reliable private room with air conditioning and en suite, €70–100 is standard in the hotter months; above €150 you’re paying for extras or for doors that open onto a landmark square. Major booking engines typically reflect local prices closely, but note that prices spike by up to 30% during major holidays.
Where to base yourself
If it’s your first time in Seville, you’ll want to stay within walking distance of the old town’s monuments, the Alcázar, Cathedral, and General Archive of the Indies all fall within a compact area of about 4 km². Barrio de Santa Cruz is the go-to zone for short-break travellers, but rooms here are in high demand even in shoulder season. Rates reflect proximity, so moving just outside Santa Cruz to neighbouring areas can shave €25–40 off nightly costs.
Choosing a place just across the Guadalquivir or north toward the Alameda gives you quieter nights and often more space, but still leaves you 10–20 minutes on foot from headline venues. Santa Cruz puts you dead centre: the Cathedral, Alcázar, and Archive, which together form Seville’s UNESCO-listed trio, all hug the southern edge of the barrio. For high summer, count on air conditioning being practically non-negotiable, the city clocks some 60 days a year over 35 °C.
Booking and practicalities
- Check-in usually starts at 14:00; check-out is typically 11:00 or 12:00.
- Taxes and service are included in posted rates.
- English is widely spoken at hotel receptions.
- For hostels and budget spots, book at least 3–4 weeks ahead if aiming for March to June or September to October.
Peak demand coincides with Semana Santa and Feria de Abril (see ‘When to go’). During quieter weeks, walk-in bookings can still work outside the densest tourist quarters, but the best deals go early. Most hotels, especially above the €90 bracket, accept credit cards without surcharge.
Practical info
Time zone
Seville is on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), shifting to Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March until late October. All clocks in the city follow Spain’s national schedule. No local deviations or quirks.
Spain observes daylight saving time like most of continental Europe. The time switches at 2am: in late March, the clocks move forward one hour, and in late October, they jump back. Most places will update automatically, but double-check your bookings if you’re arriving or leaving around these dates.
Electricity and devices
Seville uses standard European plugs (type C) and voltage (230V, 50Hz). If you’re coming from the UK, US, or many non-EU countries, bring a plug adapter. You can buy one for about €5–€8 at any local ferretería or supermarket.
Most hotels and apartments will have multiple sockets, but if you need a three-prong grounded outlet or USB charger, double-check in advance. There’s no widespread USB charging infrastructure in cafés or public areas; bring your own cable and adapter.
Public holidays
Shops and businesses close or cut hours for national and local holidays. Major closures hit on:
- 1 January (Año Nuevo / New Year’s Day)
- 6 January (Reyes Magos / Epiphany)
- Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates change)
- 1 May (Labour Day)
- 15 August (Asunción / Assumption)
- 12 October (Fiesta Nacional de España)
- 1 November (All Saints’)
- 6 December (Constitution Day)
- 8 December (Immaculate Conception)
- 25 December (Christmas Day)
Add local crowd surges if your visit coincides with Semana Santa or Feria de Abril.
The Easter processions of Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril are not public holidays per se, but the city will partly shut down or change its rhythm during these huge events. Hotel prices spike, public transport can get crowded, and many small shops close for days at a stretch. Plan restaurant bookings and major visits early.
Money and cards
Euros only. Major cards (Visa, Mastercard) work everywhere except some tiny family-run shops or market stalls. ATMs are common in the centre. Tipping is not expected in most cases.
Internet and SIM cards
Most accommodations include free Wi-Fi. If you need a local SIM, buy one from a main carrier shop (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone). Prepaid SIMs start around €10. You’ll need ID (passport) to register.
Data coverage (4G/5G) is reliable within the city centre and main tourist areas. Public Wi-Fi is patchy outside hotels and larger cafés. Avoid connecting to open networks for anything sensitive.
Opening hours
Shops typically open 10:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:30, closing Sunday and often for a midday break. Supermarkets and some chain stores run longer; smaller shops may not reopen after lunch at all, especially in summer.
English and language
Spanish is the language of the city and all official signs. Tourist sights, major hotels, and many younger people have enough English for basics, but don’t expect fluency everywhere. If you need English help, the official language service runs daily from 09:00 to 21:00.
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