Tips for visiting Seville with kids
1. Get them excited
Although we went in the May half term (still surprisingly cheap with EasyJet), the adventure started on Christmas Day, poring over a guidebook to Seville and a ticket she stuck on her noticeboard. Her bedtime book was often the guidebook, and she made lists of all the places she wanted to visit.
2. Make it an adventure
Planning and pace seem to be the secrets for travelling with children. Planning, pace... and ice cream. We made it a challenge to find the best ice cream in Seville (according to Clara: Bolas on Cuesta del Rosario), we ordered the weirdest thing on the tapas menu, like snails (with plenty of croquettes as well of course), and she chose our direction through the maze of alleys.
3. Get into a routine
Over the four days we stayed in Seville, we developed a routine of sorts. Breakfast in a cafe (churros con chocolate) followed by a morning exploring one of the cultural sites. Back to the apartment for a siesta and some quality digital time, before heading off for a Flamenco lesson or show, and then heading slowly home via a few tapas places.
4. Watch the traffic
Seville's Old Town streets has extremely narrow streets that are still used by cars and trucks, and often the pavements disappear altogether. If you have a small child in a stroller, it's best to stay downtown on the wider streets, and make sure older kids keep their wits about them. Additionally, beware of the almost silent trams and the cycle lanes with whizzing bikes and scooters.
5. Take a siesta
Seville is often described as nocturnal. It’s not quite, but many restaurants and tapas bars don’t open until 8 or 9pm. A couple of hours chilling out in the middle of the day is essential if you're going to make it to dinner. A siesta is ideal – but proved to be a big ask for an excitable 8-year-old.
6. Remember, it’s hot!
Prepare for temperatures of up to 42ºC in the city. Bring loads of sunscreen, and pop into an air-conditioned shop or cafe every 20 minutes to cool down. Take a fan, or buy one while you're there. Apart from being useful, it’s very ‘flamenco’!
Top image: Plaza de España, Seville, Spain © John_Walker/Shutterstock