Seville in April: Feria de Abril and Festival Season
What to eat in Seville in April: Seasonal delicacies
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Espinacas con garbanzos
A thick stew of spinach, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, and paprika, this dish reflects Seville’s Moorish and convent heritage. It is usually vegetarian and hearty enough as a main tapa. You will find it year‑round at market bars and traditional taverns. Try a portion at a stall inside Mercado de Triana while watching cooks work.
Salmorejo is a chilled puréed soup of tomato, bread, olive oil, and garlic, usually topped with egg and cured ham. It draws on Andalusia’s need for refreshing dishes in warm months, yet appears on menus most of the year. Order a bowl at Mercado Lonja del Barranco’s stands and eat it on the shaded riverside terrace.
This small sandwich is filled with shredded leftover meats from a long‑cooked stew, pressed into crusty bread. It reflects thrifty home cooking and is a classic mid‑day snack in Seville’s bars. For a local version, seek out stalls and taverns around Mercado de la Calle Feria on a Thursday market morning.
Cola de toro is a slow‑braised oxtail stew cooked with red wine, vegetables, and spices until gelatinous and tender. Once linked to bullring leftovers, it is now a restaurant specialty served year‑round. Sample a tapa portion with bread at one of the prepared‑food counters inside Mercado Lonja del Barranco.
This thin, crisp wafer made with olive oil, flour, sugar, anise, and sesame comes from nearby towns but is a daily snack in Seville. It is dairy‑free and often enjoyed with coffee or as a light dessert. Buy individually wrapped tortas at Confitería La Campana on Calle Sierpes and taste them standing at the marble counter.
April is Seville’s peak fiesta season, with Semana Santa and Feria de Abril transforming the city into a stage of processions, flamenco, and flowers. Days are sunny and warm, and the city is at its liveliest. Expect large crowds, premium prices, and a vibrant, unforgettable atmosphere.
Pro tips for visiting Seville in April
Book hotels, trains, and event tickets well in advance—demand is extremely high during festivals.
Many shops and restaurants close or change hours during Feria; plan meals or head to the fairgrounds.
Museums are quieter during Feria, offering a break from festivities.
Prepare for late-night events and adjust your schedule to match local rhythms.
Feria de Abril (Seville April Fair), Noche en Blanco flamenco edition (Triana), Semana Santa (Holy Week), Easter Sunday Mass and Resurrección procession
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Crowds
Tourist-heavy, with long queues at attractions, crowded streets, and seasonal events adding to the buzz.
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What to pack
Warm-weather clothing, light layer for nights, sunhat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes.
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Seasonal treats
Pescaito frito (fried fish) at Feria casetas, torrijas at bakeries, Feria tapas at Alameda
The April Fair is Seville’s emblematic spring festival, filling the Los Remedios fairground with casetas, flamenco dancers, horses, rides, and late‑night music. Crowds and prices surge, and many locals take time off. Public and city casetas are open to visitors; book accommodation and trains far ahead for these dates.
In April 2026 (mid April interpreted as April 14–16), Triana’s peñas host an all‑night flamenco program with free or low‑cost performances. Visitors move between intimate venues hearing cante, guitar, and dance until dawn. It suits culture lovers comfortable in late, crowded settings; arrive early to secure seats.
Holy Week is Seville’s most important event, with over 60 brotherhoods processing with floats, music, and penitents. Crowds are immense, especially at night and on key days like La Madrugá. Hotels, stands, and balconies book out months ahead. Expect altered opening hours and dense pedestrian traffic in the center.
On Easter Sunday morning, the Cathedral holds a festive Mass, followed by a brighter afternoon procession of the Risen Christ. It formally closes Holy Week, with many streets briefly affected. The tone is more joyful and daytime‑friendly, making it easier to attend with children than night processions.
On the Monday before the fair (20 April 2026), locals gather in casetas for a traditional fried fish dinner before the midnight lighting of the gate. The fairground is crowded from evening onwards, and the atmosphere shifts from quiet setup to full celebration. Access is free; food is paid within tents.
During the April Fair, daily evening corridas at the Maestranza form one of Spain’s top bullfighting cycles. Tickets are scarce and pricey, drawing aficionados worldwide. These events add intense pre‑ and post‑show crowds to Arenal and the riverfront; non‑attendees may prefer other neighborhoods at those hours.
On 23 April, Seville marks World Book Day with outdoor book stalls, public readings of classics, and discounts at bookstores. The Ateneo and Plaza Nueva often host programming. It is a calm cultural day, making the center slightly busier but far from festival levels. Activities are generally free or low‑cost.
To mark UNESCO’s International Dance Day, Seville hosts a gala and open‑air performances showcasing flamenco, ballet, and contemporary dance. Events cluster at Teatro Alameda and central plazas. They are free or low‑priced and mostly evening‑based, adding lively but manageable crowds to the area.
Plan ahead: must-visit experiences for Seville in April
