10 Things to Do in Seville in April

Seville literally explodes with the arrival of April. If you ask any Sevillian what time of year they would never miss, this is it.

Every year, at the beginning of April, the city of Seville begins preparations for one of the most important religious festivals in the world, Holy Week. There are few places in the world where you can see such an emotional display in every sense of the word.

The people of Seville throw themselves heart and soul into each and every one of the activities organised by the city. We can assure you that if you are lucky enough to be in Seville during this time, you will take away unforgettable memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

The April Fair in Seville takes place approximately two weeks after Easter.

As with the religious festivities of Easter, many Andalusian cities celebrate their own April Fair, which has now spread to other Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. However, the April Fair in Seville is still recognised by everyone as the fair par excellence.

Some call it "the fair of fairs", and they are certainly right. It is difficult to find another place where so much art, colour and joy come together per square metre.

Seville and its April Fair seduce even the most sceptical. All you have to do is enter the Real enclosure, in the Remedios area, and let yourself be carried away by the crowd to realise the unique festive atmosphere.

Music, folklore and gastronomy everywhere. Everything you need to have a really good time, that's "La Feria".

Click here to find out about all the activities taking place during the April Fair in Seville

Try some fried fish on "La Noche del Pescaito Frito" (Fried Fish Night)

There is no doubt that fried fish is the gastronomic star of the April Fair. This delicacy of Andalusian culture is so important to the people of Seville that it even has its own night, and not just any night.

La Noche del Pescaito Frito kicks off none other than the April Fair in Seville. This dinner, which precedes the momentous "El Alumbrao", takes place in the Los Remedios neighbourhood as everyone waits for midnight, when the entrance to the fairgrounds where the eagerly awaited fair will take place is illuminated by thousands and thousands of light bulbs.

Stroll along La Calle del Infierno

The stalls located between Los Remedios and La Tablada begin to get the city ready for everything that is to come.

Several days before the start of the April Fair, the street traditionally known as Calle del Infierno (Hell Street, due to the infernal noise produced by the attractions located there) begins its frenetic activity.

The iconic charm of its attractions is the main draw for young and old alike. These are not the large, state-of-the-art facilities found in theme parks. It's the hilarious "cacharritos", those traditional attractions that you're sure to remember: the Viking ship, the witch's train, the bulls, the Ferris wheel, the dancing mouse and many others.

Every year, the circus is usually located in this area, so if you have the chance, don't miss out on reliving the excitement of this memorable show.

La Maestranza begins its bullfighting season in April. Whether you are a big fan of bullfighting or just want to take a look, this is the best time to attend one of the most controversial shows you can see today.

At this time of year, the Seville bullring offers its best and most exclusive line-up, but there is also room for more affordable bullfights where tickets are easier to come by.

The Real Maestranza is considered one of the most important bullrings in the world, and it's no wonder: every bullfighter dreams of making their debut in this venue, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, which is living history of Spain and the world.

You can check ticket availability here

Any of the processions you choose to accompany, or simply watch pass by, will leave you speechless. The devotion with which the impressive religious images are carried through the streets is unparalleled.

Regardless of your level of religious devotion, start Holy Week in true Andalusian style. Try to feel like you are part of one of those experiences that make your hair stand on end.

La Borriquita, Jesús Despojado, La Paz, La Cena, La Hiniesta, San Roque, La Estrella, La Amargura, El Amor are just some of the brotherhoods and religious societies that kick off Seville's famous Holy Week processions, but the truth is that throughout the week there are endless religious groups, large and small, each with its own unique characteristics: religious image, clothing, music, pace or march.

Click here to find out when and where each procession takes place

The city of Seville in April would not be the same without flamenco. It is the authentic soundtrack that accompanies all the festivities we have described so far.

Flamenco is the art form that gives Seville and Andalusia in generaltheir unique character, which is most evident during Holy Week and the April Fair.

As with bullfighting, April is the best time to experience flamenco in Seville. The best artists who make up this ancient art form, singers, musicians and dancers, gather in a city that oozes art from every pore.

The Seville Early Music Festival comes to an end in early April, just before Easter. For many, it is a relaxed prelude to everything that is to come.

This festival is a must for lovers of classical music, but if you are someone who likes to explore and is not limited to modern music, this may be the best place to start discovering the sound world of the ancients.

The Espacio Turina, San Luis, Real Alcázar, Teatro Alameda, and El Teatro de la Maestranza are some of the venues where the different concerts and performances of this festival, which is particularly renowned for its quality and good taste, take place.

Check out the programme for the Seville Early Music Festival here

Apart from the many traditional markets you can find in Seville, such as Triana, La Lonja del Barranco, Calle Feria, La Encarnación and

Arenal, at the end of April a market exclusively dedicated to flamenco fashion opens its doors.

Located in La Plaza Nueva, this newly created market has become, since its inception, the benchmark market for spectacular and charismatic flamenco fashion.

It is an aesthetic concept that is as unique to outsiders as it is deeply rooted in the local culture, and it is precisely in April when it gives free rein to its most effusive exuberance.

Find out more about the Seville Flamenco Fashion Market here

For more than 25 years, the Isla Mágica theme park in Seville has been opening its doors in April.

Isla Mágica is inspired by the Age of Discovery, and each of its areas evokes the magic of a specific place: Puerto de Indias (Seville), Puerta de América (Cartagena de Indias), Amazonia (Iguazu Falls), La Guarida de los Piratas (The Pirates' Lair), La Fuente de la Juventud (The Fountain of Youth) and El Dorado.

In addition to endless attractions, this park has everything you need for a wonderful day out with the family, with all kinds of shows, restaurants, shops and surprises that will leave the little ones with unforgettable memories.

Some of the most important theatre seasons in Seville take place in April.

The children's theatre season and the Casa de la Moneda Baroque Theatre Festival are just some of the events on offer, but the city has a wide range of options in this regard.

Seville, as you would expect, is strongly committed to theatre.

Check out the theatre listings and many other options here

Vertebración Contemporary Dance Cycle

At the end of April, as every year in Seville, the Vertebración Contemporary Dance Cycle begins.

Organised by the Association of Dance Companies and Professionals, this short festival is an unmissable event for dance lovers. It takes place in a unique setting, the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, and enjoys enviable health compared to other festivals of the same theme held on the peninsula. And that's because in April, in Seville, everything works.

Find out more about this event and other events promoted by the PAD association by clicking here

Seville takes advantage of the influx of visitors in April to coincide some of the temporary exhibitions taking place in the city with Holy Week and the April Fair.

So April is a good time to take advantage and not miss the opportunity to see the best exhibitions, including painting, sculpture, fashion, conferences and much more.

You can check the dates of all the exhibitions here

One of the best things you can do as soon as you set foot in Seville is to join one of the many guided tours offered by the city, especially during the month of April.

No matter how beautiful the city is, it will never be the same as seeing it without knowing exactly what you are looking at, as opposed to seeing it while being guided by an expert in the field.

Some of the must-see sights for any visitor to Seville are the Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Giralda.

As we can see, Seville is closely linked to the month of April. Seville and April have a close relationship, an unbreakable, historic and iconic bond.

For this reason, if Seville is Andalusia in its purest form, if Seville is art, passion and Holy Week, if it is flamenco and festivities, if it is bullfighting, fried fish, spectacle and colour, then all of this is April in Seville in spring.