Hello fellow travelers! I am mapping out a week trip in 2026 from Bordeaux to Madrid/Seville (rt flights BOD to MAD.) We tentatively plan to spend 3 nights in Madrid, 4 nights in Seville. No jet lag since we will be coming from France. We will do a couple of tours in Madrid (food, other?) and hope to do one or two day trips from Seville (Cordoba we will definitely do.) My questions are these:
1) Is April or October a better time of year to go? Or is it really a toss up? Thinking crowds, weather, holidays, etc.
2) Are 3 nights enough to get the taste of Madrid? Or should we take one night from Seville?
3) Any suggestions for another day trip from Seville (we will only be using public transport)? Or, is it too much to do 2 day trips with only 4 nights in Seville?
Posted by
Bel Air, MD
62 posts
We were just in Seville. April weather is wonderful. We did get 1 day of rain. Main sights were sort of crowded, but we had advance tickets so it wasn't an issue. We did 3 nights in Seville and wished we had more. We did 4 nights in Madrid, but did a day trip to Toledo, and saw most everything we wanted to see.
You might look ahead and see when Easter is and when Spring Fair in Seville will fall next year. I heard from other travelers that the week before Easter, there are a lot of religious processions and things might also be closed. Spring Fair, is a huge deal in Seville for the locals and might interrupt things??
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
410 posts
Thanks Margaret! Good point about Feria, though I wonder if it might be more fun to be in Sevilla to experience it? I wonder how easy as a tourist it would be to partake in the festivities?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7739 posts
I’d go to either place in either month. The April fair was mentioned for Sevilla so lodging prices will be higher during that period, as well as during Holy Week if you’ll be there then. Since you intend on a day trip to Córdoba, I’d leave Sevilla with four nights.
Posted by
new york
525 posts
I do not believe, or so I've read, that you can fully partake in the Feria as a tourist, unless you are very lucky. there area few casetas for tourists but you'll be with other tourists.... But then, I've never been and would go only if I was invited guest at a private caseta, to immerse in the full experience as a participant, not just a bystander. but it's so personal so I can't assume anyone would agree with me..
I would be sure to note the dates not only of the Feria but of Semana Santa, when Seville will be jammed with tourists, prices will be sky high, and it will be difficult to get from place to place at certain times when streets will be closed.
With four nights in Sevilla, I think one day trip, to Cordoba, is your best bet, though I am also very fond of the "white city" of Jerez.
I would choose October. Second choice would be between Semana Santa, which falls in early April...and Feria, which begins on or about April 19. I imagine weather might be a tad cooler, especially if you can go later in October..
Posted by
18 posts
I´d go in October. April with La Feria is not ideal. October offers mild weather and fewer people. Seville needs at least 2 days. I agree tih the option to enjoy a day excursion to jerez de la frontera (excellent Flamenco and beautiful horse shows and wineries) But Cordoba should go first if your time is limited in my view.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
410 posts
Thank you everyone for the great advice. I think we will look at October. And I will check out Jerez to see if there's easy access or a day tour offered. I really do not want to rent a car as I don't want the added expense and hassle.
Posted by
Washington DC
29064 posts
Four nights is only three full days. There is a lot to see in Seville. Personally, I think 4 nights is an appropriate stay without taking a side trip. I believe spending a day in Jerez on such a short trip to Seville could be a disappointment. The impact of Holy Week on your sightseeing schedule would be difficult to anticipate.
I enjoyed being in Seville during Holy Week 2019, but I had more nights than you did, and I had a separate 3-night stay in Cordoba. I definitely was somewhat slowed down during my Seville sightseeing by the processions. Not too many places were closed for full days, I don't think, but there were adjustments to hours sometimes, making it a bit more difficult to organize my sightseeing geographically. (The tourist office may be able to provide a handout with the special hours for Semana Santa.) It can also be difficult to cross the path of a procession, requiring a detour.
In addition to much higher lodging prices during Semana Santa, I think you'll find hotels imposing stricter cancellation rules. I had to accept a 2-week cancellation period--something I would normally not do.
I have never even researched a trip during the Feria, but I think it's even costlier to travel to Seville then.
Given the limited time you have available and your desire to see Madrid and Cordoba (at least) in addition to Seville, I think October might be a smarter choice. I say that without having checked weather statistics for October, however. You should do that. I recommend looking at the most recent five years' data here: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/spain/sevilla/historic?month=10&year=2024