12 Things to Do in Seville in October

If you are planning what to see and do in Seville with the aim of visiting it in October, you will find that in addition to its usual attractions, there are some events that take place on these dates, some of them related to the Discovery of America.

One of the advantages of this month to visit the city is that the temperatures are quite mild. The sweltering heat of summer is behind us, but the cold of winter has not yet arrived. This will allow you to be outdoors for much of the time.

My first suggestion is to enjoy the more than 170 kilometres of bike lanes in Seville. With the mild weather in October, you will enjoy the ride and at the same time you will be exercising. If you don't have a bike, don't worry, you have two options at your disposal:

• Use the public bike rental service and ride on your own.
• Book a bike tour of Seville

In the latter option, guides will take you around the key sites of the city. But if you choose the former, I recommend you enjoy the view of the Guadalquivir River as you ride over the Isabel II Bridge and continue along the Paseo de Cristóbal Colón. I also invite you to pass by the bullring of the Real Maestranza and go towards the Guadalquivir riverbank and enter the gardens. I'm sure you'll have an amazing day.

If you are a history buff and you are in Seville around 12 October, you cannot miss a visit to the Cathedral of Seville.

Apart from its own artistic value, in its lower area you will find the tomb of Christopher Columbus and, in the right transept, a funerary monument in honour of the discoverer, which shows the coffin of the navigator held by four heralds, representatives of the four great kingdoms of Spain.

It is undoubtedly a must-see, given that this is the most famous navigator in history, who made a voyage that made Spain the master of half the world.

Practical information

• Where: Seville Cathedral, on Avenida de la Constitución.
• Price: an interesting guided tour can cost around 30 €.
• Timetables: Tuesday-Saturday: 11am-5pm / Sundays: 2.30pm-6pm.
• To find out more... Visit the article How to visit the Cathedral of Seville.

Given that you have decided to visit Seville in October, when the Discovery of America is commemorated, a good activity would be to take a short route around the city that includes some places related to this event.

This route I propose is not exhaustive, so you are free to add others or eliminate those you don't feel like.

• Archivo de Indias: a must for history buffs. The building itself, an old Renaissance-style commodities exchange, is worth a visit, but if you go inside you will be able to see a large number of documents related to the discovery of America and the subsequent colonial administration.
• Chapel of San Pedro: located inside the Cathedral. Diego Deza, the Archbishop of Seville who mediated between Christopher Columbus and the Catholic Monarchs, is buried here.
• Chapel of the Virgen de la Antigua: also inside the cathedral. In addition to the flags of the different South American countries, there is a plaque commemorating Juan Sebastián El Cano.
• Real Alcázar: like the cathedral, a visit to Seville's Real Alcazar is almost obligatory for all tourists. On the subject of Columbus, this place stands out for having been the place where Columbus was received after his second voyage.

If you've decided to travel with the whole family and you're looking for things to do in Seville with children, you can't miss this visit to the city's theme park: Isla Mágica. Practically during the whole month of October, the park starts celebrating Halloween, although the big party will come, obviously, on the 31st.

The whole of Isla Mágica changes its appearance and is decorated with tombstones, bats, cobwebs, pumpkins and spooky lighting as night falls.

In addition, there are mysterious shows and a passage of terror for children (and adults too) to enjoy while they are scared.

Practical information

• Where: Isla Mágica Rotunda (Isla de la Cartuja),
• Price: adults pay around 24 € for the full day, while children only pay around 18 €.
• Opening hours: from 12:00 - 22:00h approx.

Just under an hour's drive from Seville lies an ecosystem with a unique biodiversity, the Doñana National Park. This is the habitat of endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, as well as the breeding place of thousands of African and European birds. But above all, its great marshes stand out.

Autumn is the time when thousands of birds arrive in Doñana, which is their final wintering destination after their journey through northern Europe. October is therefore the perfect month to visit the park and see the incredible flocks flying overhead.

But October is also the ideal month for photography lovers, as the sun does not rise as high and the light is softer to capture the perfect image.

Practical information

• How to visit Doñana Park: the best way to visit is by car, but you can also book an excursion to Doñana with a pick-up and drop-off service from Seville.
• Visiting hours: in October from 8.30am to 3pm.

Did you know that the Guadalquivir River is the only navigable river in Spain? It has also been witness to historic moments in the city's history. If you feel like experiencing it, October is a great time to rediscover Seville from a different point of view, as the sweltering heat of southern Spain begins to ease and the weather becomes more pleasant.

Boat trips on the Guadalquivir River in Seville usually last around 1 hour and include an audio guide so that while you enjoy the views you can also learn interesting facts about the area.

Practical information

• Price of the activity: from €17.
• Route: during the tour you'll see monuments such as the castle of San Jorge, the Torre del Oro, Triana and the Isabel II bridge, among others.
• To find out more... Don't miss the article on The best boat tours in Seville

Another place which, although it can be visited all year round, is particularly relevant around 12 October, is the Pabellón de la Navegación (Navigation Pavilion). If you go there, it is also very likely that you will find events organised specifically for these dates.

Exhibitions and theatrical performances are common at the Pabellón de la Navegació during this commemorative day. So on 12 October you can enjoy this museum space located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.

Of course, given that this pavilion was built for the Seville Universal Exposition, you may also be able to see works on other themes and take part in complementary activities. All you have to do is go and make a note of the days when the events will be held.

Practical information

• Where it is: Camino de los Descubrimientos, 2
• Price: events are usually free of charge

This festival is an open-air fair where stalls are set up with crafts and food from more than 50 nations from all five continents.

It takes place in Seville during the autumn, starting in mid-September and ending in early November. So, if you visit Seville in October you can be present at this cultural union held in the Prado de San Sebastián gardens in Seville.

You'll enjoy the artistic and musical performances, taste delicious food and get to know paintings, sculptures and antiques from different parts of the world. And the best part is that admission is free, including the shows and concerts. What are you waiting for? Add it to your list of things to do in Seville.

Practical information

• Where: Prado de San Sebastián Gardens.
• Price: admission is free
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sundays from 11am to midnight; Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays from 11am to 1am.

If you are in Seville on the first Friday of October, you don't have to worry about finding anything to do. That night, you will find in the city a wide range of activities related to literature, photography, music and more.

Every year La Noche en Blanco in Seville is organised and presented with the aim of paying tribute to the cultural sector in Seville and Spain through a commemorative programme.

During this night, a large number of cultural activities take place in different parts of the city. Among others, you can sign up for guided tours, beer tastings, exhibitions, theatre or concerts. In almost all cases, admission is free.

During the first weeks of October, the Andalusian city hosts Architecture Week, an event led by the Official College of Architects of Seville which organises guided tours, competitions, exhibitions and conferences.

Each year, the theme of the event is different, but the aim is always to introduce tourists and locals to the city's architecture. It is a way of discovering more about the history and buildings of Seville.

However, the activities require prior registration to attend. So, if you are interested, you can get your ticket and see the full calendar of activities on the event's official website.

In a privileged setting, near the Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias, the "Made in Seville" Creative Crafts Fair is held in September. If you are looking for a souvenir of your visit to the city, this is the best place to find it.

There are usually more than 30 exhibitors where local artisans present their creations in jewellery, ceramics, leather, pottery, among others.

This fair is considered one of the most important in the whole country because of the quality of the products on display, so I highly recommend you take a look around the exhibitors.

Practical information

• Where it is: Calle Fray Ceferino González
• Price: You only have to pay for what you buy
• Opening hours: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and 5 to 9 pm

Although it lasts for several months, the season at the Teatro de la Maestranza begins in October with performances by the Seville Symphony Orchestra.

During this month, if you are a music lover, you can also attend opera performances , flamenco shows, dance and other high quality events.

Be warned, however, that it is not easy to find tickets, so if you see something in the programme that you particularly fancy, I advise you to buy them as soon as possible.

Practical information

• Location: Paseo de Cristóbal Colón 22
• Opening times: most performances start at 19:00 or 20:00.

One of the best things about Seville in October is the temperature. While in other parts of the country it's already getting cold, in the Andalusian capital the weather is usually quite mild.

The average highs are 26º, while the lows are an average of 14º. As you can see, a perfect temperature for strolling through the streets. In any case, to be on the safe side, don't forget to check the weather forecast shortly before travelling.